Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area semistate matchup scheduled for this Friday as teams vie for a trip to Indianapolis over Thanksgiving weekend.
We kick things off in Class 1A where South Adams (8-5) travels to undefeated and No. 1-ranked North Judson (13-0).
TWO STORYLINES
1. THEIR TIME?
The last three years each ended up in familiar fashion for North Judson – a loss to Adams Central in semistate.
So as Adams Central had to suffer the heartbreak of losing to Indianapolis Lutheran in the state finals for three straight years, at least it got to Lucas Oil Stadium.
While South Adams was thrilled to see Adams Central bumped to Class 2A, North Judson was even more so. Now with the Flying Jets out of the way, the Bluejays are a victory away from their first state championship game appearance since 1986.
2. A LATE-SEASON SURPRISE
South Adams entered the playoffs as an afterthought, at least in the minds of many outside of Berne. The Starfires concluded the regular season with a 4-5 record, their first sub-.500 regular season since 2015.
But Coach Grant Moser’s squad turned it on in the playoffs. In consecutive victories over Tri, Madison-Grant and North Miami, South Adams scored 126 points, eclipsing the 40-point mark in all three dubs.
The offense has led the way, paced by quarterback Tytus Lehman. While not a ‘vintage’ Starfire offense, Lehman has built rapport throughout the season with gamebreakers on the outside.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
WES SUMMERSETT, SOPHOMORE, SOUTH ADAMS
After suffering a leg injury in the summer, Summersett missed the first half of the regular season, and even when he did return he wasn’t really 100 percent.
But in recent weeks, Summersett has looked like his normal self that led South Adams in receiving as a freshman last year. At 6-foot-2, he is a sizable target that is deceptively quick in and out of his breaks, as well as getting downfield.
Over the last three games, Summersett has hauled in 18 receptions for 345 yards and four touchdowns. A full 72 percent of his yardage production this year has come in the last three weeks.
KOLE WILCOX, SENIOR, NORTH JUDSON
The Bluejays have three(!) players who have eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing this season, but Wilcox is the most distinguished.
Wilcox averages 14 yards PER RUSH heading into this game, carrying the ball 125 times for 1,754 yards and 36 touchdowns through 13 games. He does not go down easy, but he is also fast enough to run away from you if you allow him to get to the third level.
South Adams’ run defense has been suspect during this playoff run. It will be challenged by North Judson’s rushing attack, with Wilcox at the top of the list.
KALEB MINGER, JUNIOR, SOUTH ADAMS
“Judge me by my size, do you?”
Think of Minger as South Adams’ Yoda, a small dude that packs a big punch.
Minger is listed at 5-foot-8, 140 pounds, but he is second on the Starfires in tackles with 111 and paces the team with 17 tackles for loss. South Adams loves to bring Minger up from his safety spot to combat defenses, and he will surely be used heavily in that role against North Judson’s powerful rushing attack.
Minger is also second on the team in sacks with three.
JESIAH MCDANIEL, SENIOR, NORTH JUDSON
McDaniel is a true triple threat, he runs and passes out of the North Judson offense as the quarterback, while he also disrupts opposing teams’ passing games as a defender.
McDaniel has 13 interceptions on the season as a safety. He notched a trio of picks last week in the 70-6 demolition of Taylor and four of them in a shutout of Culver Academy a few weeks ago.
With South Adams needing to go to the air to have a shot in this one, that falls right into the hands of McDaniel’s skills as a ball-hawk.
KEY TO VICTORY – NORTH JUDSON
DON’T MAKE THE GAME BIGGER THAN IT IS
North Judson is No. 1 for a reason. It has also experienced heartache each of the last three years at the hands of Adams Central in the semistate round.
This year, the Bluejays get an Adams County school, just not the Flying Jets. With an offense that rushes for close to 400 yards a game and a defense allowing barely a touchdown per contest, North Judson doesn’t need to do anything fancy. It is the favorite in this game, some would say a heavy favorite. Handle the moment, execute and advance to Lucas Oil.
KEY TO VICTORY – SOUTH ADAMS
BRING THE SWAGGER
At this point, South Adams is playing with house money. For this team to capture sectional and regional titles is exceptional. But this is the biggest challenge of the playoffs for the Starfires, by far.
Coach Grant Moser’s team has nothing to lose, while North Judson has everything on the line. The Bluejays have the pressure on them, while South Adams can be loose and uninhibited.
The Starfires need to come into this game confident and ready to brawl. Bring the swagger and force North Judson to beat you. Don’t beat yourself.
PREDICTION
Coming Thursday when Blitz makes his regional picks.
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