The 30th Annual IHSAA Football State Finals

November 29-30, 2002, RCA Dome, Indianapolis

Bishop Luers Wins Third Title in Four Years

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers got a late touchdown and secured its third Class 2A state championship in four years following a 36-30 victory over Southridge.

Brian Kurtz picked up teammate Jhormy Martinez’s fumble at the Southridge 28 yard line and carried it in to the endzone for the clincher with 2:28 left in the game to put Luers up 36-27. Southridge added a late field goal for the final margin.

With the victory, defending state champion Luers (12-3) collected its record sixth state championship in football tying Ben Davis and Sheridan for the most in tournament history. All have come in Class 2A and the latter five under coach Matt Lindsay, who is tied for third most among football coaches.

Southridge (12-3), coached by Brad Hanner, scored with 5:24 to go in the fourth quarter to pull within two points at 29-27 on Matt Terwiske’s one yard run. The two-point conversion that would have tied the game failed.

Leading 19-12 at halftime, Luers seemingly broke the game open with a pair of third quarter scores less than two minutes apart. Jason Egts connected on a 25 yard field goal at the 7:30 mark and after Jason Harless intercepted a Brian Yost pass at the Southridge 39, Luers quarterback Eric Smith hit Brandon Davis on the ensuing play for a 29-12 lead with 5:35 left.

Southridge responded with 15 unanswered points to get back into it. Matt Boeglin drilled a 22 yard field goal at 10:50 of the fourth quarter and after the Knights recovered the on-sides kick, Brian Yost found Brett Bueltel for a 34 yard strike at the 9:56 mark. Again the two point conversion failed. Those two scores preceeded Terwiske’s one yard plunge.

Martinez scored twice for Luers, including his two-yard carry with :44 left before halftime. The two-point attempt was snuffed out by Southridge and gave the Knights a 19-12 lead heading to the lockerroom. Martinez rushed for 148 yards in a Class 2A record 32 carries.

Yost completed 10 of his 24 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown for Southridge. His counterpart, Smith threw for 142 yards on 6 of 12 passing and three touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.

Martinez scored Luers first touchdown, a 16 yard reception from Eric Smith to put the Knights on top, 7-6. Brad Ohanian then burst through the Luers line for a 5-yard score with 5:30 before half to put the Raiders back on top, 12-6. The two-point conversion failed.

Brett Bueltel of Southridge Named Eskew Award Winner

Brett Bueltel of Southridge High School was named winner of the 2002 Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A football. The award is presented to an outstanding senior participant in the state tournament.

The starting quarterback a year ago, he switched to the defensive back position for the 2002 campaign and was named First Team All-Pocket Athletic Conference. He set a school record with four interceptions in a game against South Spencer and was the fourth leading tackler on the Raiders team.

He was also a two-year letterman on the basketball squad, winning mental attitude honors from his team in 2001-02, and was named Most Valuable Runner on the school track team last season.

Academically, Brett ranks 18^th in his class of 120 and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has been listed among the Who’s Who Among American Students. He is a former vice-president of the Future Farmers of America, as well as having served in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Outdoor Club and Pep Club. He is a 10-year active member of 4-H clubwork. He plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute, with a major in Electrical Engineering.

Brett is the son of Cindy and Jeff Bueltel of Huntingburg.

Farm Bureau Insurance, corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a check for $1,000.00 to Southridge High School in the name of Brett Bueltel.

Game Notes

Luers Adds Record Sixth Football Championship

With the victory, Bishop Luers won its sixth football state championship tying it for most in IHSAA tournament history. Luers joins Ben Davis and Sheridan at the top of the list. Ben Davis will play for its seventh championship in the 5A contest on Saturday, while Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (3A) and Roncalli (4A) will be going for their sixth titles on Saturday as well. Bishop Luers claimed other 2A championships in 1985, 1989, 1992, 1999 and 2001.

Coach Matt Lindsay’s Fifth State Championship

Luers claimed its fifth championship with coach Matt Lindsay at the helm of the Knights program. Under Lindsay, Luers won Class 2A titles in 1989, 1992, 1999 and 2001 to go along with this year’s championship. He ranks tied for third among coaches with the most IHSAA football state championships. Dick Dullaghan of Ben Davis has seven total and Larry “Bud” Wright of Sheridan has six. Penn’s Chris Geesman also has five titles.

Martinez Carries Record 32 Times

Jhormy Martinez carried 32 times in the game to break the previous Class 2A mark of 29 set by Nathan Wildeman of Evansville Mater Dei in 2000.

Quotes

Bishop Luers Coach Matt Lindsay

“To be able to win is a thrill, but to repeat is outstanding.”

“I was surprised by their quickness. They were a quality team like I knew they were. I watched them last week against (Indianapolis) Scecina and knew they wouldn’t quit.”

(On fourth quarter fumble for a touchdown) “That was a huge play. I saw the ball hit the ground and I said, ‘Oh, boy!’ But Brian (Kurtz) picked it up and made a big play.”

“We battled through a lot of adversity this season. I thought the breaks kind of went against us but we managed to hold the lead and managed to make big plays especially the fumble return. It’s the kind of game you’re really glad to come out on top.”

“They ran out of time and we made enough plays to win. It really doesn’t matter how you start. It’s how you finish.”

Bishop Luers’ Brian Kurtz

(On fumble for a touchdown) “It was a blessing. It was my moment in the sun.”

Southridge Coach Brad Hanner

“We came out and we thought we could win the football game. Our players gave everything they got. We just made too many mistakes and we couldn’t catch a break when we needed it.”

“We took the lead but they came right back on us. They made some big plays but so did we. We just made too many mistakes.”

“Our kids didn’t quit. When you’re in the dome, and even when you’re behind you have to play hard and there’s no quit in this team.”

“The kicking game hurt us a little bit but we came back with a couple of field goals by Matt Boeglin. We still had a chance at the end. We couldn’t catch a break when they fumbled and they picked it up and went in and scored. You’re never out of the ballgame with this team. Our seniors had a great season and we showed that tonight. We just came up a little short.”

Team Posters And Individual Action Photographs Available

Visit 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAA’s photographer and the Midwest’s Leader in Sports Action Photography, for images captured during this weekend’s state championship games! Action photos and team photos as well as the 20-20’s Ultimate Sports Poster will be available for purchase later in the week following the state finals.

State Finals Programs Available

Couldn’t be there for the football state finals weekend? You can still purchase a copy of the official souvenir program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at the IHSAA Office (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $5.00 by mail (postage included). To order, send a check for $5.00 made payable to the IHSAA, a note with your return address and brief description of your request and mail to: IHSAA Programs, PO Box 40650, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0650. Sorry, no credit cards. To further inquire, e-mail Assistant Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org.