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Fax: 317-575-4244 Website:
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_____________________________________________________________________________
November
25, 2006
The Indianapolis
Bishop Chatard Trojans (14-1) defeated the Norwell
Knights (14-1), 7-0, to capture the 3A state crown in a defensive showdown
Saturday afternoon at the RCA Dome in
With the
victory, the Trojans tied Roncalli and Sheridan with
their eighth football state championship in school history.
The one and only
touchdown of the game was scored on a 20 yard run by senior running back Joe
Holland with 1:08 left in the third quarter.
Norwell’s hopes of tying the game ended when senior quarterback Chandler
Harnish’s pass was intercepted by junior defensive
back Kyle Dietrick with 5:14 left in the fourth
quarter. Chatard
would hold on to the ball until 0:03 left in the game.
Chatard’s
rushing attack was led by
Norwell’s
rushing front was led by Harnish who scrambled for 72
yards on 12 carries. Harnish
completed five of 13 passes for 61 yards and one interception.
The Trojans
defense held the Knights to seven first downs and 147 yards of total
offense. Junior defensive back Dan Kleinschmidt led the Chatard
defense with five tackles. Senior
defensive back Ben Buhler and senior line backer Nik
Beery each recorded three tackles.
The Knights
defense was led by junior linebacker Rhett Goodmiller
with nine and a half tackles. Harnish also chipped in six and a half tackles. Senior defensive end Eric Pulfer
and senior defensive lineman Adam Rupright each
recorded a sack for 10 yard losses.
Norwell, coached by Jeff
Miller, advanced to the state championship game by defeating
Chandler Harnish is the 2006 recipient of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award for Class 3A Football presented
by the IHSAA Executive Committee.
The award is
presented to a senior nominated by his principal and coach who excels in mental
attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award is named in honor of Mr. Eskew, who served as the IHSAA’s
third commissioner from 1962-76. Under Eskew’s leadership, the IHSAA football state tournament was
initiated in 1973.
Harnish
maintains a 3.96 GPA and ranks 14th in his class. He plans to attend
Harnish
is a member of the National Honor Society, the Campus Life Golden Knights, and
the Football Leadership Group. Outside
of school he is involved in Life Church Small Group and Life Church Bible
Study.
Besides his role
as co-captain on the football team, Harnish is also a
captain on the Knights’ basketball team and is a member of the track and field
team.
“
He is the son of
Ron and LeAnn Harnish of Bluffton.
Indiana Farm
Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner,
presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to
VSN MEANS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY
Visit our friends at Visual Sports Network, the IHSAA’s official photographer for all state championship
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STATE FINALS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
Couldn’t be in there for the
state finals? 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 (
Class 3A Championship Game Records
New
Fewest Offensive Plays Allowed, 3A: 33 by Indpls. Bishop Chatard vs. Norwell, 2006
Tied
Shutouts, 3A: Indpls. Bishop Chatard (7-0 vs.
Norwell, 2006)
Fewest First Downs Allowed, 3A: 7 by Indpls. Bishop Chatard vs. Norwell, 2006
Quotes on the Class 3A Game
Norwell’s head coach Jeff Miller
“We expected a slugfest and
that’s exactly what we got today. It was a great ballgame. It seemed like we
could never make a big play to get that rhythm going.”
“Chatard
is a great ball team. The defense flies around. We had some chances but didn’t
make plays.”
“If you were expecting high
scoring, it wasn’t going to be that, but it was a great game. I’m proud of our
guys. 14-1 is not bad.”
“It was a really clean game
as far as turnovers go. We had one there late, but we still had a chance to win
there in the 4th quarter and that’s what we wanted-it just didn’t
happen.”
“Our defense played great
all season long and gave our offense some chances. Chatard
had a great defense, too. They never let us make a big play.”
“That last play there, you
never know how what’s going to happen with all those laterals.”
On Norwell’s 19 seniors
“For 3 years they have been
around. They have put in a lot of time and effort. You have to have things
bounce your way.”
Norwell’s senior quarterback
“Our guys played their
hearts out. They hit hard but we did too. They just made a few more plays than
we did.”
“We all love each other,
it’s that simple. It’s going to be really sad to take off our stuff and not be
able to play football together again.”
Indpls. Bishop Chatard’s head
coach Vince Lorenzano
“It’s not about state championships, it’s about the effort that the kids bring to
the game. That’s all we ask and both teams did that today. Sometimes it comes
down to the will to win and we had it.”
“Both Tyler (Kleinschmidt) and Joe (
“On that TD run, Joe (
“There is no question our
defense played well-but we expect that. I wish our offense could have played
better but defense wins championships. It was a total team effort.”
“Both teams have good
offenses but they each have good defenses, too. We have been good on defense
all year. There is no question about that. We shut down everybody we’ve played
all year however Cathedral scored 20 on us-but there pretty good.
I think our defense is pretty tough and that’s how we played today.”