1998 IHSAA STATE FINALS

Class 2A

November 27, 1998

RCA Dome, Indianapolis

 

 

Western Boone (14-1)

0

0

0

0

--

0

Jimtown (15-0)

13

0

8

7

--

28

 

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Jimtown -- Cory Wise 94 yard kickoff return (Robert Menchinger kick), 11:47.

Scoring Drive: 0 plays, 94 yards, :13.

 

Jimtown -- Robert Menchinger 30 field goal, 6:58.

Scoring Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 2:52.

 

Jimtown -- Robert Menchinger 47 field goal, 3:10.

Scoring Drive: 4 plays, minus 11 yards, 2:17.

 

3rd Quarter

Jimtown -- Landon Gilbert 25 pass from Keith Kinder (Jim House run), 3:09.

Scoring Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:16.

 

4th Quarter

Jimtown -- Jim House 16 run (Robert Menchinger kick), 4:07.

Scoring Drive: 3 plays, 27 yards, 1:16.

 

Team Statistics

Western Boone

 

Jimtown

8

First Downs

13

33/37

Rushes/Yards

43/146

77

Passing Yards

54

5/21/3

Passing Comp./Att./Int.

4/6/0

54/114

Plays/Total Net Yards

49/200

71

Return Yards

146

2/32.5

Punts/Avg.

2/28.5

3/25

Penalties/Yards

3/30

3/2

Fumbles/Lost

2/2

21:40

Time of Possession

26:20

 

Individual Statistics

Rushing

Western Boone -- Jackson 15-38; Busald 9-31; Biggerstaff 1-1; Johnson 1-minus 6; Nicley 7-minus 27.

Jimtown -- Johnson 17-69; J. House 15-63; McAllister 5-25; Bauer 1-5; T. House 1-2; Bender 2-minus 4; Wise 1-minus 7; Kinder 1-minus 7.

 

Passing

Western Boone -- Nicley 5-20-77; Jackson 0-1-0.

Jimtown -- Kinder 4-6-54.

 

Receiving

Western Boone -- Johnson 2-29; Busald 2-25; Sullivan 1-23.

Jimtown -- Gilbert 2-34; Svetanoff 1-17; McAllister 1-3.

 

Tackles

Western Boone -- Busald 7; Talley 7; Whiteley 4; Jackson 4; Bush 4.

Jimtown -- Stout 7; Johnson 6; J. Rider 4; Lehman 4.

 

Sacks

Western Boone -- Bush 1.

Jimtown -- Johnson 1; J. Rider 1.

 

Interceptions

Western Boone -- None.

Jimtown -- Gilbert 1; R. Menchinger 1; Johnson 1.

 

Fumble Recoveries

Western Boone -- Busald 1; Whiteley 1.

Jimtown -- Gilbert 1; Stout 1.

 

 

CLASS 2A GAME NOTES

 

Jimtown Fifth To Win Consecutive Undefeated State Championships

Top-ranked Jimtown became the fifth school to win consecutive undefeated state championships with its victory. Others previously accomplishing the feat were: Brownsburg (1984, 1985); Carmel (1980, 1981); Mishawaka Marian (1975, 1976); and Warren Central (1984, 1985). The Jimmies finished 15-0 last year with a 63-0 victory over Clarksville.

 

Second Team To Post Consecutive Championship Shutouts

Jimtown became the second team to post a defensive shutout in consecutive championship games. The last team to do so was Sheridan who defeated Jimtown 10-0 in the 1987 Class A game and returned the following year to best Bremen 59-0, again in Class A.

 

Jimmies First To Finish Consecutive Seasons 15-0

Jimtown ran its winning streak to 30 games with its victory and became the first team to post back-to-back 15-0 seasons. In 1997, the regular season was expanded to nine games, followed by a six week tournament which allowed teams to play 15 games for the first time. Pioneer, which finished 15-0 last year in Class A, finished 7-4 in 1998 after falling in the second round of the sectional.

 

Opening Kickoff Breaks 2A Record

Jimtown's Cory Wise ran 94 yards for a touchdown on the opening kickoff to give the Jimmies a 7-0 after just 13 seconds. It broke the previous Class 2A record of 52 yards by Alex Branch of South Spencer against Western Boone in the 1988 championship game. It also tied the overall state finals kickoff return record. Previously running for 94 yards with a kickoff were Barry Ehle of Woodlan against Hamilton Southeastern (Class A, 1981) and Dennis Palucki of Griffith against Hamilton Southeastern (Class 4A, 1997).

 

Menchinger Adds To Record Total PATs, Sets Class 2A Field Goal Mark

Jimtown junior kicker Robert Menchinger added two more PATs to bring his state record total to 210 for his career. He converted on 76 of 84 PATs this season. He kicked two field goals during the championship game from 30 yards and 47 yards. His 47-yarder in the first quarter bettered the Class 2A record of 40 yards set by Vince Purichia of Indianapolis Ritter in the 1987 game against Rochester. It was one yard shy of the overall record of 48 yards set by Trinity Hines of Ben Davis in the 1991 Class 5A game against Penn.

 

Jimtown Pads Record Interception Total

With its three interceptions in the championship game, Jimtown finished the year with a state record 42 interceptions. The Jimmies broke the record during the regional.

 

Jimtown's Hisey Named Eskew Award Recipient

Craig Hisey, a senior tight end at Jimtown High School, was named the 1998 recipient of the Phil N. Eskew Award for Mental Attitude in Class 2A football. Hisey is a three-year letterman in football and served as the special team captain for the Jimmies this season. He also has lettered three years in baseball. Academically, Hisey ranks No. 1 in a senior class of 114 students. He is a member of National Honor Society and is serving this year as president of the Jimtown chapter. He also has been involved in a number of other extracurricular activities at Jimtown High School and is active in his church. Hisey intends to enroll at the University of Michigan and major in finance. Farm Bureau Insurance, corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship in Hisey's name to Jimtown High School.

 

 

CLASS 2A QUOTES

 

Jeff Pearson, Head Coach, Western Boone

"At halftime, our defense had done a great job. It could have been 21-0 or 28-0. We had an uphill battle. I was proud of them at halftime because not too many teams were in the game against them at halftime."

 

"When it started out 7-0 with :10 seconds gone in the game, it made it an uphill struggle. This year, we did a great job of converting third and fourth down plays, but not tonight. In the second half, Jimtown's line and linebackers outplayed our offensive line. Their quickness hurt us. They're the quickest team we've faced in two years. We got whipped up front."

 

"Even though they ran back the opening kickoff, forcing them into two field goals was big for our defense."

 

"In the second half, we felt a great sense of urgency. We did not run the ball well and they shut us down."

 

Western Boone Quarterback, Wes Nicley

"They did a great job on stopping the run. Then they stopped our passing. I couldn't see our

receivers and their defensive backs stopped our receivers.

 

Western Boone Running Back, Matt Jackson

"Their offensive line fired out well and sealed us off. Our safety made too many tackles and you can't have that happen and win."

 

Bill Sharpe, Head Coach, Jimtown

"They have a great running attack, but they have been throwing the ball over the heads of the teams they beat. We had a great pass rush and our deep backs understood what they (Western Boone) were trying to do.

 

Commenting on the opening kickoff touchdown run, "Cory Wise is very fast. Cory made a great cut at the end and that set the tone."

 

"The turning point in the game was in the second half when we stopped them after we fumbled the punt in the second half."

 

On winning a second-straight State Championship, "That's really never been mentioned. We're happy right now, but we just play from week to week and not mention what we did the previous week."

 

"Jimtown is a community where the school is the community. It's a throwback to the '50s. It's a very tight-knit community and it's very important to what we do. The best thing about our players is that they play two or three sports. It's important what we accomplish and it doesn’t matter who gets the credit."

 

Jimtown Defensive Lineman, Chris Smith

"The coaching staff is great. Every Monday we know what the opponent will do from first down to fourth down. No one cares about the stats. That's what it takes to go back to back."