The 30th Annual IHSAA Football State Finals

November 29-30, 2002, RCA Dome, Indianapolis

Ben Davis Collects Seventh State Championship

Ben Davis ran up a Class 5A record 434 yards of offense and snared its third state championship in four years rolling to a convincing 31-7 victory over previously unbeaten Fort Wayne Snider for the Class 5A title.

The Giants’ victory was their state record seventh title, the most in tournament history. Each championship – 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2001 and 2002 – has come in Class 5A and under the direction of coach Dick Dullaghan. For Dullaghan, it was his 11^th appearance in a championship game having won eight of those games – also a best in the coaching ranks.

After battling through a scoreless first quarter, the Giants (12-3) broke through in a big way scoring touchdowns on all three of its second quarter possessions.

Quarterback Jon Polston found Brian Faires for a nine yard touchdown for the first score. Running back Jermell Whorton then scored on runs of five yards and one yard, the latter just 0:23 before halftime.

The lead ballooned to 31-0 on Faires’ 16 yard run and Casey Huffman’s 41 yard field goal late in the third quarter before Snider tallied its first score of the game.

Aaron Lane’s nine yard run with 11:31 to go in the game finished off a quick four play, 85 yard drive that took only 0:50 off the clock.

One of Polston’s favorite targets was Zach Rainey who hauled in 10 receptions for 175 yards, both Class 5A game records. Polston had a stellar game connecting on 14 of his 17 passes for 212 yards and a score. Whorton finished with 161 yards on 27 carries. Justin Wynn led Snider with six receptions for 90 yards and Lorenzo Wims had 10 tackles.

Russ Isaacs was the Snider coach and guided the Panthers (13-1) back to the state finals for the first time since their unbeaten championship season of 1992, a 24-21 victory over Ben Davis.

Marcus Heminger of Fort Wayne Snider Named Eskew Award Winner

Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee awarded the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 5A football to Marcus Heminger of Fort Wayne’s Snider High School.

The award is annually presented in each classification of the football state finals to the senior player best representing excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award is named in honor of Phil N. Eskew, the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-1976.

Academically, Heminger will graduate fourth in his senior class of 428 students with a 4.4 GPA on a 4.3 scale. He has been on the Principal’s List all four years of high school. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has been selected as Student Rotarian of the Month. He has also participated in programs for gifted and talented students such as the Future Problem Solving Team and the Indiana Math League. He was recently named to the Academic All-State Football team for this season.

Additionally, he was selected by the senior class and school staff as the Male Good Citizen of the Year for 2002-03. He teaches both Sunday school and Vacation Bible School classes and has participated in church mission trips to Mexico and Alabama. And as part of his newspaper route, he will be delivering the Sunday paper in his hometown at 4:15 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Athletically, he is the starting quarterback and captain of this year’s Snider team. He will graduate with nine varsity letters – three each in football, basketball and baseball.

Heminger is the son of Sara and David Heminger of Fort Wayne.

Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Snider High School in the name of Marcus Heminger.

Game Notes

Ben Davis Sets Record For Most Titles

With the win, Ben Davis recorded its seventh football state championship, the most in tournament history. In addition to this year, the Giants have won in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1999 and 2001. All have come in Class 5A and under the guidance of Coach Dick Dullaghan.

Dullaghan Wins Eighth State Championship

Ben Davis coach Dick Dullaghan, coaching in his 11^th championship game, won his state record eighth state title with tonight’s victory. Besides his seven championships with Ben Davis, Dullaghan also guided Carmel to the 1978 Class 3A state championship. Dullaghan’s 11^th title game appearance equals the late Don Howell’s 11 appearances with Hobart.

Class 5A Records of Note

Most Receptions in a Game – 10 by Zach Rainey, Ben Davis

Most Receiving Yards in a Game – 175 by Zach Rainey, Ben Davis

Total Offensive Yards – 434 by Ben Davis

Most Points Scored in a Quarter – 21 (tied) by Ben Davis (2^nd quarter)

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.

Quotes

Ben Davis Coach Dick Dullaghan

“I am so proud of the way our offensive line stepped up and the way Jon Polston executed. Our wide receivers caught everything that was thrown at them. It was a game where we put it all together. The defense has been carrying us and we came of age tonight and played what I call, ‘Ben Davis football’.”

“Offensively, I’m just tickled to death for the kids. Our defense has played so well throughout the year, but tonight our offense got it done. Tonight we made plays with the pass.”

(On Zach Rainey’s record performance) “That was a fabulous catch. He deserves it. He works like a dog. He deserves all the success in the world because you have no idea how hard that guy works.”

Ben Davis’ Jon Polston

“When you have a back and a offensive line and receivers like we have, it’s real easy to play to this level. We made things happen on the ground and through the air and with the defensive performance like we got tonight, it all came together.”

Snider Coach Russ Isaacs

“We never got into a rhythm on offense or defense. You cannot give them the ball that much. They didn’t turn the ball over or give us any opportunities to get into the game. They took it to us but we didn’t quit, we just didn’t have any answers.”

“We played hard all year. We’re surely not ashamed but we’re disappointed that our performance was not better tonight. We knew that we had to play a great game because they are so fast on both sides of the ball. Their skill people on offense are tremendous and we did not deal with their speed on offense.”

“This game does not diminish the hard work and accomplishments of this team and coaches. We needed to be more productive on offense. We’d have one good play then two crummy plays. We never got any rhythm. Their quarterback, tailbacks, and receivers were outstanding. We just didn’t play well enough to compete with them.

(On Marcus Heminger winning mental attitude award) “He’s a three-sport athlete and starts on all three teams. His GPA is a 4.2 and he’s most deserving of this award.”