Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, PO Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240–0650

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

Blake Ress, Commissioner

________________________________________________________________________________

MEDIA INFORMATION                                                                                                            

November 14, 2007

Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director

E–Mail: jwille@ihsaa.org

 

 

A TRIP TO THE DOME ON THE LINE THIS WEEKEND

A trip to the RCA Dome over Thanksgiving weekend is on the line this weekend as 10 semi-state football games, two in each class, are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The winners of each game will earn a spot in the 35th annual state finals on Nov. 23-24 in Indianapolis.

 

Six of last year’s 10 state finalists are still alive this week, including defending champions Indianapolis Cathedral (4A), Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (3A) and Sheridan (A).

 

Cathedral and Bishop Chatard have each won 10 consecutive tournament games dating to last season, while Sheridan has won 16 straight since 2005. The Blackhawks (13-0) host Churubusco (11-2) on Friday and a victory would be their 35th straight which would move Sheridan into fourth place on the state’s all-time consecutive wins list. If Churubusco can pull the upset, the Eagles will have ended a 24-year drought since their last state finals appearance.

 

All-Time Consecutive Victories

60: Bloomington, 1967-73.

39: Gary Emerson, 1920-25.

37: Eastern (Greentown), 1961-65.

34: East Chicago Roosevelt, 1944-48.

34: Warren Central, 1983-86.

34: Sheridan, 2005-current.

 

Cathedral (11-2) will host Evansville Reitz (13-0), which is coming off a record-setting scoring performance in last week’s regional (more on that topic below). The game will be played at the University of Indianapolis and is one of three games scheduled for Saturday. It’s also a matchup of the two winningest programs in state history according to records kept by the Indiana Football Coaches Association. Cathedral has won 623 games in its history while Reitz has 595 to its credit. Sheridan is third with 591.

 

Top Five Most Football Victories

623: Indianapolis Cathedral.

595: Evansville Reitz.

591: Sheridan.

587: Elkhart Central.

566: Hammond.

 

Bishop Chatard (10-3) will meet Heritage Hills (13-0) on Saturday at Pike High School. It’s the seventh time in the last 11 years the two teams have clashed in the post-season, the last six in the semi-state round. Bishop Chatard is 5-1 in those meetings and 2-1 in the last three, all of which have been played in Indianapolis. This will be the seventh consecutive year that one or the other has advanced to the RCA Dome for the 3A state championship game.

 

The only rematch of a regular season game is the 5A contest with Columbus North (12-1) visiting Pike (13-0) for the second time this year. One of the teams will advance to its first state championship game. Pike, which won its first sectional title two weeks ago, handed Columbus North its lone defeat of the season (33-14) on Sept. 21.

 

Carmel (5A), Southridge (2A) and Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter (A) each finished as state runner-up last season and will be attempting to advance to the state finals for a second straight year.

 

Carmel (11-2) hosts Merrillville (12-1) which will be seeking its first spot in a state championship game since it won the 3A title in 1976.

 

Southridge (10-3) will try for its fourth trip to state this Saturday when it hosts Heritage Christian (12-1). Heritage Christian won its first sectional championship two weeks ago in just its sixth season of playing in the state tournament.

 

Cardinal Ritter (10-3) will host undefeated Rockville (13-0) on Friday at Roncalli High School.

 

In the other 4A game, Lowell (12-1) will look to advance to the state championship game for the second time in three years, as the Red Devils play host to unbeaten Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (13-0). Dwenger’s last trip to state resulted in a runner-up finish in 2002.

 

In 3A, the other contest features Fort Wayne Concordia (9-4) at South Bend St. Joseph’s (11-2). The Cadets’ will be playing for their first spot in the state championship game as their only other appearance in the semi-state round came in 2002. St. Joe’s hopes to end a drought of 12 years since it last played in a state championship game when the Indians won the 3A tournament.

 

And the other game in 2A pits Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (9-4) at Cass (11-2). Cass is playing in its second semi-state game in three years and third overall (1994). The Kings hope the third time’s the charm, while Luers, with six 2A state championships over the years, tries to end a string of five seasons without a semi-state crown.

 

Scores from each game will be posted to the IHSAA website this weekend along with state championship game pairings.

 

 

TIME, SITE CHANGED FOR HERITAGE HILLS-BISHOP CHATARD FOOTBALL GAME

Please note the Class 3A semi-state football game between Heritage Hills and Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, originally scheduled to be played Saturday night at Broad Ripple High School, has been moved to Pike High School and will be played at 2 pm ET.

 

 

FRIDAY ON IHSAASPORTS.ORG: ROCKVILLE VS. CARDINAL RITTER

The Class A semi-state game featuring Rockville (13-0) and Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter (10-3) will be webcast live at IHSAASports.org from Roncalli High School beginning at 7:30 pm ET on Friday.

 

 

Semi-States

Date: Friday, November 16, 2007 unless otherwise indicated.

Admission: $7.

Times: All games begin at 7 pm local time unless otherwise indicated.

Determining Home Team

Classes 2A and 4A: *Regional non-host, if applicable, or highest sectional # (i.e., Sect. 2 is higher than Sect. 1).

Classes A, 3A and 5A: *Regional non-host, if applicable, or lowest sectional # (i.e., Sect. 1 is lower than Sect. 2).

*If regional winner has not hosted either sectional final or regional, that school will be the designated host.

 

Class 5A

Merrillville (12-1) at Carmel (11-2). 8 pm ET

Columbus North (12-1) at Pike (13-0).

 

Class 4A

Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (13-0) at Lowell (12-1). 7 pm CT

Evansville Reitz (13-0) at Indianapolis Cathedral (11-2). Sat, 7 pm ET, at University of Indianapolis

 

Class 3A

Fort Wayne Concordia (9-4) at South Bend St. Joseph’s (11-2). 7:30 pm ET

Heritage Hills (13-0) at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (10-3). Sat, 2 pm ET, at Pike HS

 

Class 2A

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (9-4) at Cass (11-2).

Heritage Christian (12-1) at Southridge (10-3). Sat, 5 pm ET

 

Class A

Churubusco (11-2) at Sheridan (13-0).  7:30 pm ET

Rockville (13-0) at Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter (10-3). 7:30 pm ET, at Roncalli HS

 

 

State Finals

RCA Dome, 100 S. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46225. Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome website

Admission: $10.00 per day; $18.00 both days (all seats general admission).

Determining Home Team: Home team shall be determined by a coin toss at the pre-tournament meeting on Monday, November 19, at 10 am ET / 9 am CT at the IHSAA office in Indianapolis.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Class A: 3:30 pm ET.

Class 2A: 7 pm ET.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Class 3A: 12 pm ET.

Class 4A: 3:30 pm ET.

Class 5A: 7:05 pm ET.

 

 

Notables

 

Active Consecutive Tournament Victories

16: Sheridan (2005-current).

10: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (2006-current); Indianapolis Cathedral (2006-current).

 

All-Time Consecutive Tournament Victories

26: Warren Central (2003-07).

23: Roncalli (2002-05).

22: Penn (1995-98), Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (2001-04).

 

Defending Semi-State Champions Still Alive (6 of 10)

5A: Carmel.

4A: Indianapolis Cathedral.

3A: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard.

2A: Southridge.

A: Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Sheridan.

 

Active Semi-State Championship Streaks

2: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Sheridan.

 

Most Consecutive Semi-State Championships

4 by Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 1999-2002; 4 by Roncalli, 2002-05; 4 by Warren Central, 2003-06.

 

Seeking First Semi-State Championship

5A: Columbus North, Merrillville, Pike.

4A: Evansville Reitz.

3A: Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran.

2A: Cass, Heritage Christian.

A: Rockville.

 

Drought Breaker Hopefuls (Five or more years since last semi-state championship)

24 years: Churubusco (1983).

12: South Bend St. Joseph’s (1995).

5: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (2002).

 

Top 10 All-Time Semi-State Championships

11: Roncalli.

10: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.

9: Ben Davis, Hobart, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Penn.

8: Sheridan.

7: Indianapolis Cathedral.

6: Franklin Central, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Jimtown, Warren Central.

 

 

EVANSVILLE REITZ-COLUMBUS EAST SET RECORD FOR REGIONAL SCORING

In last Saturday’s 61-60 Evansville Reitz victory over Columbus East in Class 4A football, the two teams combined to set the record for most points in a regional game and the third-most in a state tournament contest.

 

Three ties, 13 lead changes and more than 1,100 total yards in the game fueled a dramatic ending.

 

Trailing 60-53, Evansville Reitz scored its final touchdown with just 37 seconds on the clock to cut its deficit to one. The extra point was good to tie the game at 60-60, but a penalty on the play allowed Reitz another attempt. The team elected to take the point off the board go for a two-point conversion and the lead. The Panthers were successful as quarterback Paul McIntosh crossed the goal line. McIntosh also intercepted Columbus East’s last-ditch attempt with 5.7 seconds left. In the game, he ran 29 times for 232 yards and six touchdowns, and he was 18-of-27 passing for 219 yards and another TD for 451 yards of total offense. He also punted and lined up to return punts and kickoffs.

 

Reitz held a 40-38 lead at halftime.

 

Only two other games in state tournament history, both in sectionals, resulted in more points scored:

 

133 points: Richmond 87, Connersville 46, 1998 first round sectional game.

122 points: Brownstown Central 98, Triton Central 24, 1999 second round sectional game.

 

 

FOOTBALL STATE FINALS COACHES MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY

The administrators and coaches of the 10 state finalist football teams will gather for a meeting at the IHSAA Office, 9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis, beginning at 10 am ET / 9 am CT on Monday, Nov. 19. Coaches will be available for media interviews following the meeting at approximately 11 am ET. The meeting will follow a 9 am press conference the IHSAA is hosting regarding the effect its various state finals have on the central Indiana economy. Information packets on each of the state finalists, including rosters, stats and season results, will be available at the meeting and will be posted to the IHSAA website later in the afternoon.

 

 

FOOTBALL MEDIA CREDENTIAL REQUESTS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

For media outlets intending to cover the football state finals on Nov. 23-24, please fax a credential request on company letterhead to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at 317-575-4244. If your request is contingent on a specific team advancing, please indicate so. Also, please include the names of the working individuals representing your outlet. The deadline for requests is 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Credentials will not be granted after that time. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the state finals coaches meeting on Monday, Nov. 19 (please indicate your intentions to do so) otherwise they will be available at media will-call on Senate Avenue on the south side of the RCA Dome on game day. Credentials will not be mailed.

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HONOR 2007 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC ALL-STARS

Note: This news release was also issued earlier this week by the Indianapolis Colts.

 

The Indianapolis Colts will be honoring 24 high school student-athletes this Sunday, November 18 at 8:30 am in Room 143-4 of the Indiana Convention Center (adjacent to the North Lounge). 

 

In conjunction with the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Indiana Football Coaches Association, the Colts will cite 24 outstanding student-athletes with an award called the 2007 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars. 

 

The Colts, the IHSAA and the IFCA have worked together for the past nine years to present this annual award to the top student-athletes at each position.  This year, the IFCA polled high school head coaches around the state, and the coaches tabbed approximately 80 players who ranked in the top five percent of their respective classes.  The IFCA selection committee narrowed the list to 24 winners, and those chosen truly represent the spirit of the award.  Seventeen of the 24 honorees are either class valedictorian (15) or salutatorian (two).  Seven of the 10 high school regions throughout the State of Indiana have an award-winner, and each of the state’s five classes is represented on the all-star team.

 

The 24 2007 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars will be honored on Sunday at the morning program, and they will be presented at halftime of the Colts-Kansas City Chiefs game (kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET).

 

“On behalf of Jim Irsay and the Irsay family, and with deep appreciation for the IHSAA and IFCA, the Colts are pleased to honor 24 outstanding football players who represent their families and schools in an outstanding manner,” said Colts President Bill Polian.  “The dedication it takes to be an excellent achiever in the classroom and on the playing field is something that goes unnoticed too often.  This award honors those young men who carry themselves with dignity, integrity and a sense of purpose.  They, like many other students, possess the values cherished in young adults.  We are pleased to identify these individuals, and it will be an honor to recognize them on our playing field this Sunday.”

 

“On behalf of the IFCA, this is a great opportunity to honor another group of outstanding high school student-athletes around the State of Indiana.  This is what the IFCA is all about, and we thank the coaches and parents who helped shape the lives of these young men,” said Mark A. Miller, athletic director and head football coach at Rochester High School and past IFCA president.  “Everyone I have talked with about this program is excited about the Indianapolis Colts’ participation with high schools.  We look forward to this being a long-lasting mutual relationship.”

 

Media members are invited to cover Sunday’s press conference.  Reporters and photographers may report to Room 143-4 at 8:00 am  For more information, please call Pam Humphrey at (317) 808-5111.

 

2007 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars

 

OFFENSE

Pos.     Name                           High School

OL        David Lang                   Lowell

OL        Zach Smorch                Mt. Vernon

OL        Isaac Schroeder            Perry Central

OL        Ross Robison               Leo

OL        John Risting                  Park Tudor

WR       Austin Boling                North Vermillion

WR       Adam Persinger            Triton Central

TE        T.J. Reese                    Southridge

RB        Justin Wright                 Crawfordsville

RB        Shane Evans                 Delphi

QB       Andrew Pimentel           Cathedral

K          Ben McCartney              West Lafayette

 

DEFENSE

Pos.     Name                           High School

DL        John Aversa                  South Bend St. Joseph’s

DL        Robert Belden               Decatur Central

DL        Dan Borman                  Evansville North

DL        Quinn Easter                 Sullivan

LB        Matt McCollough           Elkhart Memorial

LB        Chris Reig                     Evansville Reitz

LB        Matt Mabry                   Chesterton

DB       Anthony Buell                Angola

DB       Kent Crick                     Evansville Central

DB       Craig Fruth                    Hammond Clark

DB       Rory Mannering             Lewis Cass

P          Koby Kraemer               Terre Haute South

 

 

STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS

 

ATTENTION COACHES / STATISTICIANS

Please be sure to report your final statistics of the season at DigitalSports.com upon your team’s elimination from the state tournaments so that your players will continue to appear in the weekly state leaders listings through the end of the state finals. The last compilation of each respective sport will follow the week after its state finals.

 

Football Leaders

 

 

NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE

 

Harry (Don) Inskeep, an inaugural class inductee of the Indiana High School Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame, passed away earlier this week. He coached, taught, officiated, was an administrator, and served as a school board member in Indianapolis’ Lawrence Township.

 

Rob Miller has resigned as girls soccer coach at Concord.  Miller coached the program for 10 seasons, compiling a record of 89-72-24.  During this time his teams won five Northern Lakes Conference Championships and three sectional crowns.  His 2004 team went 16-3-3 and reached the state finals.  Miller will continue as a wellness teacher at Concord.

 

Beginning July 1, 2011, New Castle Chrysler High School will officially become just New Castle High School after the community’s school board recently voted 3-2 to eliminate Chrysler from the school’s name. Chrysler had been a long-time center of the city’s manufacturing economy.

 

Concord High School has named Jeff Payne as its new boys track coach.  Payne has taught math at Concord since 2002.  He is a 1998 graduate of Goshen High School and a 2002 graduate of Purdue University.  He has been an assistant in the boys track program for the past five years, and has also been head boys cross country coach for the past five seasons.  Under his leadership, the boys cross country team recorded its best overall finish in school history this season, placing ninth at semi-state.

 

Todd Tharp has retired as boys and girls tennis coach at Concord.  Tharp went 89-41 in eight boys seasons at Concord, including three sectional and one Northern Lakes Conference championship.  He has a 177-172 record in 21 boys seasons overall.  On the girls side he was 23-17 in three seasons at Concord and 153-167 in 20 seasons overall.

 

 

 

IHSAA 07-08/15