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The Class 2A State Championship featuring #4 Andrean (12-1) and #2 Brownstown Central (14-0) will stream via PPV on IHSAAtv.org this Saturday at 11 am ET / 10 CT!

INDIANAPOLIS - Brownstown Central coach Reed May has guided the Braves program to 326 wins in his 33 years at the helm. Yet, its 31-21 win over Lapel marked the first win in the semi-state round for the school that has seen success on other programs at the state level in recent years.

May now seeks to lead his unbeaten (14-0) Braves to the final step in the Class 2A state championship game.

“This is for the community that’s been behind us all the years,” May said. “We started this program 33 years ago and it wasn’t in good shape. Now, we’ve gotten here and it’s a reward for this school and the whole community.”

In Brownstown Central’s path is Andrean – a program that is no stranger to state success. Coach Chris Skinner’s program will be making its ninth state finals appearance seeking its fourth state title – the most recent coming in 2021.

“Andrean has a great program and has been here quite a few times,” May said. “It’s a tradition-rich program and this team has great athletes and is big as all get-out.”

This Andrean squad (12-1) is led by its defense, which has allowed an average of 12.1 points per game.

“Our defense has been consistent over the years,” Skinner said. "We teach fundamentals, technique and tackling during the season. It comes down to effort, physicality, and intensity and if you’re not solid in those areas, you will be in trouble against a team like Brownstown Central.”

Leading the 59ers’ defense (out of a 3-4 set) are linebackers Christian Gavin and Ethan Reyna, who are the top tacklers on the squad with 97 and 95, respectively. Safety Mitchell Myers has come up with five takeaways (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries).

Keep in mind, the 59ers defense has been sharpened by playing a schedule largely of 4A and 5A schools – including Class 5A finalist Merrillville (which inflicted Andrean’s only loss, a 41-14 verdict in the season opener).

While the 59ers have played a solid schedule, they haven’t seen a team as unique as Brownstown Central. That’s because the Braves operate out of a single-wing formation on offense and a 6-1 set on defense – both rare looks in this day and age.

“Nobody runs what we do,” May said, “and when your opponent only has 4-5 days to prepare for it, it’s tough on them.”

What’s also tough is how well-oiled that BC offense has proven to be. The Braves led the state in scoring at 54.8 points per game and rolled up an average of 335 yards rushing per game.

“Our kids start playing in fifth grade and they start running our offense and defense back to that time,” May said. "It helps us coach them when they get to the (high school) level.”

The Braves have a trio of running backs who have run for nearly 600 yards, led by senior Preston Garrison’s 1,392 yards and 26 touchdowns. Sophomore Lindan Lanier has added 598 yards and senior Trey Sweany just behind with 597 yards.

Micah Sheffer, a three-year starter, quarterbacks the offense. He’s thrown 14 touchdown passes against just one interception.

“When you play an offense like that, there’s so many things you have to defend,” Skinner said of the Braves. “We can’t mimic them with our scout team. Everyone will have a specific job on each play. All our guys will have to understand their assignments and if we get caught up in all the confusion they create, we could be in trouble.”

Defensively for BC, Owen Wischmeier is the leader with 105 tackles and four interceptions from his middle linebacker spot. Defensive tackle Isaac Hutchinson has recorded 12 sacks.

The BC defense will be facing a very balanced 59ers offense that has run for 175 yards and passed for 150 per game and Andrean does it with a two-quarterback system.

Senior Brady Elish has thrown for 1,093 yards and run for 571 more, while sophomore Dylan Gore has thrown for 853 yards and sports a 70 percent completion rate. Their favorite target is sophomore Tyler Vo who has caught 74 passes for 1,064 yards and 12 scores. Tailback Brady Stovall is the leading rusher at 617 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“We want to force our opponents to prepare for multiple things,” Skinner said. “The hope is to not be run heavy or pass heavy, but to present different challenges to the defense.”

Both coaches believe Andrean’s strength of schedule is a factor.

“We believe iron sharpens iron,” Skinner said. “We play the schedule we do because we want that competition and playing bigger schools helps us with the physical grind and intensity of the playoffs.”

“Their schedule is much better than ours,” May admitted. “For us, we haven’t played anyone. We’ve scored a lot of points, but of our first 12 games, 11 were played with a running clock. We were worried about that playing Linton (in the regional) and Lapel (in the semi-state).”

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