Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

_________________________________________________________________________

November 23, 2007

 

SHERIDAN CLAIMS RECORD NINTH STATE TITLE

Sheridan claimed its IHSAA record ninth football state championship defeating Rockville, 34-28, in the Class A state championship game. The win was the 36th in a row for the Blackhawks, good for fourth place on the all-time state list, and 18th consecutive state tournament victory. 

 

Sheridan captured a state record 9th state football championship.  Head coach Bud Wright is the state’s winningest active coach with a mark of 337-144 in 43 years overall, and 42 of those years at Sheridan.  Sheridan also became the first team to win the Class A state championship three straight years.

 

Rockville (14-1) jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead when junior quarterback Matt King connected with senior wide receiver Daniel Martin on 62-yard touchdown pass.  The lead was short lived however, as Sheridan (15-0) junior Nick Zachery took the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-7 less than two minutes into the game.  Coach Herb King’s Rox retook the lead 14-7 on a 12 yard rush by senior running back Zach Clapp that capped an eleven play, 67 yard drive that took over five minutes off the clock.

 

Sheridan cut into the Rockville lead, moving the ball 67 yards in 85 seconds as quarterback Nick Zachery hooked up with Corey Hamersley on an 18 yard touchdown strike.  Sheridan missed the point after however, making the score 14-13 Rockville, where it stood at the half.

 

Sheridan struck quickly to begin the second half as Zachery received the snap and scampered 39 yards for the score, giving the Coach Bud Wright’s Blackhawks their first lead of the game 20-14.  Sheridan extended their lead to 27-14 when Zachery rushed 40 yards on the first play after an interception by junior linebacker Carlton Summe.  Rockville countered with a 48 yard drive that ended with a six yard touchdown pass from King to Clapp, making the score 27-21 Sheridan. 

 

Zachery continued his scoring ways rushing for his third touchdown of the day, needing just one play to gallop 61 yards, extending Sheridan’s lead to 34-21.  Rockville cut the lead to 34-28 with 2:19 to play with an impressive 17 play, 95 yard scoring drive that ended with a three yard touchdown pass from King to junior wide receiver Aaron Bridge.  The Rox onside kick was unsuccessful however, and Sheridan was able to run out the clock.

 

Zachery accounted for all of Sheridan’s touchdowns (3 rush, 1 pass, 1 kickoff return), while amassing 340 all-purpose yards and 61 yards passing.

 

Rockville’s Zach Clapp was named the 2007 Phil N. Eskew mental attitude award winner following the game.

 

ROCKVILLE’S ZACH CLAPP NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER

Following the contest, Rockville’s Zachary Clapp was named the winner of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class A football by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

 

Clapp is the first student-athlete from Rockville High School to ever win an IHSAA mental attitude award.

 

Academically, Clapp ranks near the top of his senior class of 64 students. He has been a member of the honor roll every semester thus far and is on track to earn an Academic Honors Diploma. Clapp plans to study political science but is undecided on a college choice at this time. He has been a member of the school’s Service Club, the National Honor Society and the Interact Club.

 

Athletically, he was tabbed an All-State defensive lineman last year in Class A by the state football coaches association and is a three-time selection to the All-Wabash River Conference team. During his four years as a starter, he has served the last two as team captain.

 

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in the state finals who was nominated by his principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. It is named in honor  of the IHSAA’s third commissioner who served the association from 1962-76 and who helped initiate the state tournament in 1973.

 

He is the son of Leonard and Sun Clapp of Rockville.

 

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Rockville High School in the name of Clapp.

 

 

Sheridan Quotes

 

Sheridan Head Coach Bud Wright

“I am very proud of the way came back on them (Rockville).  They were a lot stronger than we thought…a very good team.  It was a great ballgame.”

 

“In the first half, we had a couple of kids who weren’t playing up to their ability.  At halftime we challenged them to get better and they played much better in the second half.  We were making good, physical contact but were just not driving people (blocking) and opening holes.  We got better as the game went along.”

 

On Junior Quarterback Nick Zachary

“We rely on Nick a lot.  After Perkins was injured, Nick had to carry the load even more.  I’ve coached some really good players over the years and Nick ranks right up there.  He can do just about anything on a football field.  He can play any position and is a strong kid for a quarterback.”

 

On Sheridan’s 9th Football State Championship

“Each one is a different game, a different year, but all of them are special.  You just hope, wish, and work at it and it happens.  Winning a state championship is our goal every year.”

 

Rockville Quotes

 

Rockville Head Coach Herb King

“The difference in the game was a couple of turnovers that hurt us.  But really the difference was #7 (Sheridan’s QB Nick Zachery).  He is an outstanding athlete and player for them.  We did not have an answer for him.”

 

“We got a step slower on defense in the second half.  That’s when #7 (Zachery) hurt us.  In the first half we played with a lot of heart, fire, and aggressiveness.  I think we caught them a little off guard.  They probably thought we wouldn’t be this good.”

 

“We did a great job of keeping our composure.  Our team overcame obstacles all year to get here.  Even in the ball game when it seemed things weren’t going our way, our team kept on doing what they were supposed to do.  I would think nothing less from these young men.”

 

“That last drive was 17 plays in a little over 2 minutes.  We worked the clock like we were supposed to.  But we just couldn’t overcome some of the problems we had earlier in the game.”

 

“Our seniors played hard all year long.  They were the heart and soul of our team.  There are 1,800 people in Rockville.  I guarantee you none of them are at home today.”

 

On mental attitude award winner Zach Clapp

“He is just an outstanding young man.  He is the heart and soul of what we ask all of our players to do.  He is tough and hard nosed and he’ll do anything for anybody.”

 

 

 

VSN MEANS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY

Visit our friends at Visual Sports Network, the IHSAA’s official photographer for all state championship events and one of the leading action photographers in the Midwest. VSN, which was on site Saturday, has captured hundreds of images from this year’s State Finals and will have them ready for viewing and purchase beginning Monday.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP MERCHANDISE STILL AVAILABLE

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 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 (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $5.00 by mail (postage included). To order, have your Visa or MasterCard ready and call us at 317-846-6601 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. EST).