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ADVISORY
Warren Central, making its
first appearance in the state finals since back-to-back titles in 1984 and
1985, dominated in nearly every way possible as the Warriors defeated Penn,
57-7, for the big school state championship at the RCA Dome.
The Warriors racked up an
impressive 460 yards of offense in the first half alone on their way to a 50-0
halftime lead. Amazingly, they only had the ball in their possession for
Penn’s defense was unable to
solve Desmond Tardy in the first half as the Warren Central quarterback ran
wild, scoring four touchdowns on 11 carries and 287 yards. He scored on runs of
70, 62, 47 and 13 yards in the first half and finished the game with a state
finals record 317 yards despite being replaced for the fourth quarter. He would
finish with one overall state championship game record and four Class 5A records.
Running back Mark Bonds scored three times on the ground as well in the opening
half on runs of 34, 9 and 35, the last of which came just :20
before halftime. Bonds finished with 180 yards on 11 carries. The Warriors also
recorded a safety as the snap to the punter went through the back of the endzone.
Aaron Lacey scored the other
It was the 13th
win of the year for fourth year coach Kevin Wright’s crew against two defeats.
Wright also follows in his father’s footsteps as a state championship coach,
the first person to do so. Larry “Bud” Wright coached the Sheridan Blackhawks to six Class A state titles, the most recent in
1998.
Under first year coach Cory
Yeoman, Penn finished 13-2 and finished as the state runner-up for the fourth
time in nine championship game appearances.
Penn’s Wade Iams Named Eskew Mental Attitude
Award Winner
Wade Iams of Class 5A state runner-up
At the
conclusion of each state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee
presents the award to an outstanding senior participant in the football state
tournament. The recipient of the award,
who was nominated by his principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude,
scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award is named in honor of
the third commissioner of the IHSAA who served from 1962 to 1976 and oversaw
the beginning of the state football tournament.
In his 3rd
year as starting quarterback for the Kingsmen, he has
received numerous awards, including Kiwanis Athlete of the Month, All-Northern
Indiana Conference, All-Area and Dream Team Quarterback. He is also a member of the school baseball
team.
Scholastically,
Wade ranks 12th in his class of 631 with a GPA of 3.97 while taking
many Honors and AP classes. He is a
member of the National Honor Society.
Undecided as to his college choice, he hopes to study Medicine or
Engineering.
His volunteer
work includes involvement with Big Brother and Big Sisters, an aide at the
children’s summer camp and he has served as a reader at Sacred Heart Parish.
Wade is the son
of Tracey and George Iams of
Farm Bureau
Insurance, the IHSAA corporate partner, presented a $1,000.00 scholarship to
Game Notes
Like Father, Like Son
Kevin Wright, the Warren
Central coach, becomes the first person to follows in his father’s footsteps
and win a state championship.
State Championship
Records
Team Records
Most Points: (Set 5A) 57 by
Warren Central.
Most Combined Points: (Set
5A) 64 by both teams.
Most Points In A Quarter:
(Set 5A) 30 by Warren Central (2nd Quarter).
Most Points In A Half: (Set
Overall and 5A) 50 by Warren Central (1st Half).
Largest Margin of Victory:
(Set 5A) 50 points by Warren Central.
Most Touchdowns: (Set 5A) 8
by Warren Central.
Most PAT Kicks: (Tied 5A) 5
by Warren Central.
Most Rushing Yards: (Set
Overall and 5A) 575 by Warren Central.
Most Rushing Touchdowns:
(Set Overall and 5A) 8 by Warren Central.
Fewest Pass Attempts: (Set
5A) 1 by Warren Central.
Fewest Pass Completions
(Tied Overall and Set 5A) 0 by Warren Central.
Fewest Passing Yards Allowed
(Tied Overall and Set 5A) 0 by
Total Offensive Yards: (Set
Overall and 5A) 575 by Warren Central.
Most First Downs By Rushing: (Set 5A) 19 by Warren Central.
Individual Records
Most Points: (Set 5A) 26 by
Desmond Tardy, Warren Central.
Most Touchdowns: (Set 5A) 4
by Desmond Tardy, Warren Central.
Most Rushing Yards: (Set
Overall and 5A) 317 by Desmond Tardy, Warren Central.
Most Rushing Touchdowns:
(Set 5A) 4 by Desmond Tardy, Warren Central.
New IHSAA Book, Play On,
Recaps 100 Years Of High School Sports in
Looking for
holiday gift ideas? The exciting new book, Play On, celebrating 100 years of
high school sports in
Team Posters And
Individual Action Photographs Available
Visit 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAA’s photographer and the
For t-shirts and other
merchandise commemorating this year’s tournament or for any of our events,
visit our friends at Morris,
Inc.
State Finals Programs Available
Couldn’t be there for the
football state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official state
finals program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in
person at the IHSAA Office (
Quotes
Warren Central Coach
Kevin Wright
“The kids up front (linemen)
did a great job today. Desmond (Tardy) is a great runner but he’s had a lot of
help this season. I felt that our offense could create some problems for Penn’s
defense. Penn has a great tradition and we knew we had to overcome that. We
played exceptionally well in all three phases of the game. Everyone is talking
about all of the offensive records we set but I think our defense was equally
as great.”
“We didn’t turn the ball
over today and I thought we executed very well on offense.”
“A lot of people thought
this team was down and out late in the regular season but it continued to get
better each week of the state tournament. My goal every year has been to win a
state championship and this is truly a dream come true. This is why you coach.”
(On central
Warren Central Quarterback
Desmond Tardy
“I never imagined that this
(winning) could happen. Coach Wright told me that if I had a big game we’d get
a big win. That’s basically what happened. There was a lot of pressure on me
coming into this game. But I think I handled it well. Our linemen really helped
me read the defenses they were throwing at us. I was able to hit a lot of the
gaps that led to some big games. We had a great game plan going in and we knew
what Penn was going to throw at us defensively. I couldn’t ask for ask for a
better way to end my high school career.”
Penn Coach Cory Yeoman
(On Warren Central’s quick
scores) “They exploded. We’ve been doing that to other people all year long and
it happened to us tonight.”
“They had a heckuva fast start and their athletic ability really showed
through tonight. They have so many weapons with so many different people.
(Desmond) Tardy really hurt us.”
“We got messed up on our
option responsibility. It was not so much that we got messed up, however. It
was just great athletes making great plays. They executed very well. Tardy
really got to us, but they really played tough defense, too.”
“Our kids played hard the
second half like I knew they would. But Warren Central deserves to be the 5A
state champions.”
(On Mental Attitude Award
winner Wade Iams) “He’s an outstanding young man with
a huge heart. He’s been a three-year starter for us. What he has done for this
team is unbelieveable.”