Is the third time the charm for Adams Central against Indianapolis Lutheran?
After two years of reaching the 1A state title game and losing to the Saints, the Flying Jets are hoping that this Friday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium sees a different result.
How do these two teams match up? What’s familiar and new for both?
Let’s break it down.
THREE STORYLINES
1. Familiar Foes
These two know each other well.
Two years ago, Lutheran rallied from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit and scored the game-winning touchdown with 73 seconds left in a 34-28 victory.
Last season, the Saints threw for 278 yards and scored 27 of the game’s final 34 points in a 30-13 dub that gave Lutheran back-to-back state crowns.
Familiar faces return. Jackson Willis threw for those 278 yards and four scores last year for Lutheran. He is back. DeVuan Jones was a force in the receiving game. He returns.
Meanwhile, Keegan Bluhm returns to the big stage after rushing for 157 yards last season in the title game.
What do these two teams do to try and catch the other one off guard? Or do they both stick with what has gotten them here and count on execution being the key.
2. Early start
It is never easy to play early, particularly the day after Thanksgiving.
This game will kick off at 11 a.m. Friday, much the same as it did two years ago when Adams Central took an early advantage.
How will the uniqueness of the kickoff time impact this game? Who still has hints of a Thanksgiving hangover?
It helps that both these squads are experienced at handling the moment of a state championship game. But 11 a.m. Friday is not ideal.
3. A different AC team…maybe
Over the course of the season, Coach Michael Mosser zeroed in on what his team needed to do to be ready to battle Lutheran again. It wasn’t necessarily a case of looking ahead, but working on plays and principles that will be paramount against the Saints.
Now, here we are. Jack Hamilton has only thrown nine more passes than Ryan Black had a year ago entering this game, but it is when those passes have been thrown that is very different. The Flying Jets no longer wait until third-and-long situations to go vertical. Mosser has mixed in designed passes on early downs to force defenses to respect the passing threat when AC traditionally runs.
The Flying Jets are averaging close to 40 yards per game more through the air than last year. It doesn’t sound like much for a team that is still very run dominant, but it could make a big difference Friday.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Jackson Willis, junior, Lutheran
This kid again?
Seriously, Adams Central fans would love nothing more than to see someone else other than Willis under center after he torched the Jets’ defense last year.
Willis is dynamic, having thrown for 2,314 yards and 27 touchdowns against just three interceptions this season. And still just a junior.
When it comes to containing the Lutheran passing game, it begins with getting pressure on Willis. If he is able to sit in the pocket and pick apart AC downfield throwing to the likes of DeVuan Jones (26 receptions, 524 yards, seven TDs) and Ja’Varrea Cooper (23-460-7), it will be impossible to beat the Saints.
LB Max Kaehr, junior, Adams Central
Adams Central is going to need a complete performance from its defense at all three levels to have a shot. Kaehr will be a huge key to that. A linebacker who can bring pressure, his versatility will be key for a Flying Jets team that cannot afford to allow Willis consistent time in the pocket.
Kaehr leads the Jets with 123 tackles, along with four sacks and an INT. He is your traditional blue-collar, fundamentally sound AC player that must not allow the moment to feel too big, being just a junior.
LB Jonny Hall, senior, Lutheran
In Lutheran’s 3-3-5 base defense, linebackers play a variety of roles. Hall checks all the boxes – second on the team in tackles (105) and first in both tackles for loss (seven) and interceptions (two).
When it comes to difference makers, Hall is at the top of the list because he is a dude who can lay a big hit on a running back or pick off a pass when AC tries to strike downfield.
QB Jack Hamilton, senior, Adams Central
You don’t want to put a lot of pressure on a single player, but it’s tough not to when it comes to Hamilton.
The senior has done a superb job directing the offense of the Jets this season. He has rushed for 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns and thrown for 1,300 yards and 21 scores.
Hamilton must make all the right decisions. He must capitalize on opportunities in the passing game. He must not turn the ball over.
In short, Hamilton must have the game of his life against the Saints.
KEY TO VICTORY – LUTHERAN
Command the LOS
The Saints are big and experienced up front. They start four seniors and a junior and average 255 pounds across the line.
If Lutheran can come out and establish command of the trenches, leading to consistent yards on the ground and giving Willis time to pick his poison in the pass game, Adams Central is in big trouble.
KEY TO VICTORY – ADAMS CENTRAL
Capitalize in the pass game
In 2021 against Lutheran, Adams Central finished 1-of-10 passing for 12 yards.
Last year, the Flying Jets went 4-of-14 for 65 yards.
AC cannot beat Lutheran if it doesn’t have success through the air.
Coach Mosser knows it. It’s why he has sprinkled in more passes in early downs. He knows to keep Lutheran off balance defensively his team is going to have to strike vertically. It can’t just be where AC goes to the air when it’s desperate.
Again, it comes back to Jack Hamilton. It’s big-time pressure. But this is a big-time game.
BLITZ’S PICK
Here we are again, a rematch that was inevitable way back in August and perhaps even before.
Adams Central has been sensational in returning to its third-straight state title game. But is it good enough this time around to finally get past Lutheran and win its second state title in program history?
A lot has to go right. Not to say it won’t, but Hamilton needs to be exceptional. Adams Central has to protect the football. The defense must get to the quarterback. The defense must account for several receivers who can make you pay.
The margin for error is tiny. One overlooked aspect of the Flying Jets is that so many underclassmen command big roles on the defensive side of the ball – Max and Drew Kaehr, Matt Heiser, Cam Fravel, Jaret Smith. This may be Year 3 for AC in the state title game, but Year 1 where several players are being expected to perform at a high level.
Adams Central has proven it can play with Lutheran. But can it BEAT the Saints?
Blitz isn’t convinced.
BLITZ SAYS LUTHERAN BY 7.
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