Lutheran knocks off Adams Central 30-13 in Class 1A state championship game rematch

Adams Central junior Keegan Bluhm is brought down by a host of Lutheran players in Saturday’s Class 1A state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Photo by Chad Ryan)

The biggest concern for Adams Central entering Saturday’s rematch with Indianapolis Lutheran in the Class 1A state championship was being able to slow down the Saints’ prolific passing attack.

Turns out those concerns were warranted.

Sophomore Jackson Willis threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns – three to DeVaun Jones – as Lutheran made it two titles in two years with a 30-13 win over Adams Central.

The victory was the second in as many years for the Saints in the title game over the Flying Jets after a six-point win in 2021.

While Lutheran was able to open the scoring with a field goal, it was Adams Central that notched the game’s first touchdown when Ryan Black plunged in from a yard out on the first play of the second quarter to give the Flying Jets a 7-3 lead.

That advantage didn’t last long as the Saints’ Willis hit Micah Mackay for a 14-yard touchdown midway through the second to put Lutheran (15-0) back in front. A Willis to Jones 67-yard touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the first half was a backbreaker and gave the Saints a double-digit lead into the break.

Adams Central was able to force a Lutheran punt to begin the second half, but the Flying Jets missed a field goal on its initial third quarter possession. It was the second connection of the day from Willis to Jones that extended the Saints lead to 23-7.

The Flying Jets were able to find the end zone for the second time midway through the fourth when Black on a rollout scampered 20 yards for a score. But Lutheran bounced back with Willis to Jones once again to complete the scoring.

Adams Central was able to move the ball on the ground to the tune of 217 yards, over 150 yards more than Lutheran allowed per game entering Saturday. Unfortunately, the Flying Jets had no answer for the Lutheran aerial attack, with Willis throwing as many touchdowns (four) as Black did completions.

Junior Keegan Bluhm had himself a game for AC with 157 yards rushing on 27 carries. Black added 29 yards and a pair of scores on 18 rushes.

Jones led all receivers in the game with seven catches for 121 yards and three TDs.

Adams Central ends the season 14-1.