It was tough to keep up with area action on Friday night.
That tends to happen when there is success everywhere.
Northeast Indiana made history this year in semistate, with four teams advancing to state championship weekend over Thanksgiving in Indianapolis.
We have never had four teams in one year play for titles. Ever.
Sure, we have had several instances of three area teams. We have even had three SAC teams made it in one year. But four? Never.
And how each of them advanced was unique, with each of them – Warsaw, East Noble, Bishop Luers and Adams Central – writing their own story.
WARSAW (5A)
Trips to state prior to 2024: 0
Last semistate title: N/A
In forcing four turnovers, not committing a single penalty and rushing for 314 yards, Warsaw executed to perfection in its 31-14 pasting of Merrillville. A late touchdown with three minutes left in regulation was more an exclamation point than anything.
In knocking off Merrillville, the Tigers have now ousting the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 team in the state during this playoff run.
The opponent at state? No. 4 Decatur Central.
This is foreign territory for Warsaw, which hadn’t even won more than a sectional in football since this season. Now here they are, headed to the biggest stage to try and pull off one more victory over a highly-ranked foe.
At this point, who’s betting against them?
EAST NOBLE (4A)
Trips to state prior to 2024: Three
Last semistate title: 2019
When Kobe Ritchie picked off Mishawaka quarterback Landon Snyder’s pass with under two minutes left, it sent the East Noble faithful into a frenzy. The final nail in the coffin had been pounded in, an 18-13 victory for the Knights on the road.
Rylee Biddle put East Noble ahead to stay with his second rushing touchdown of the game with over nine minutes left. After that, it was a Knights defense that has come up so big so many times that prevented Mishawaka from threatening again.
Coach Alex Stewart still isn’t getting enough credit. A first-year coach who took over from an immensely popular and successful guy in Luke Amstutz. And all he does is lead East Noble to its first state appearance in five years.
This team is laden with dudes – Biddle. Ritchie. Mason Treesh. Dylan Krehl. Dallas Plattner. Think about this, Ritchie’s INT was the 30th of the year for East Noble. 30! Some teams didn’t even complete 30 passes all season.
The state challenge is massive – unblemished New Palestine. But the ride so far has been magical for Kendallville.
BISHOP LUERS (3A)
Times to state prior to 2024: 17
Last semistate title: 2023
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Bumping to Class 3A plus a rebuilding roster was going to equal a year of growing pains for the Knights. But Coach Kyle Lindsay and his staff defied that thought, escalating a group that showed potential but inexperience early on to a state finals team over the course of the campaign.
Friday against Garrett was mind-boggling. When Jayce White threw a pick to Calder Hefty that was returned 97 yards for a touchdown on the game’s first possession, it set the tone for a first half that was owned by the Railroaders. However, other than one scoring drive, the Bishop Luers defense stifled Hefty and Garrett, particularly in the second half when the Knights scored four unanswered touchdowns in the 28-14 victory.
Daryea Williams chewed up the Railroaders on the ground to the tune of 183 yards and three touchdowns. The offensive line in the second half instilled its will on the Railroaders opposite of them.
Now, Bishop Luers goes for state championship No. 13, but it’s first in Class 3A.
Even perennial powers are still making history.
ADAMS CENTRAL (2A)
Times to state prior to 2024: Four
Last semistate title: 2023
Blitz owes Adams Central an apology.
This was supposed to be it, a team prior to state that was finally going to take down the Flying Jets. Andrean? On the road? That’s a wrap.
Instead, Adams Central built a 17-point lead at Andrean and held on for a 20-13 victory to clinch a spot in its fourth-straight state championship game.
It was doubly satisfying for AC on Friday, because Indianapolis Lutheran was upset by Linton in the Class 2A south semistate, meaning the Flying Jets won’t have to play their nemesis again in Indy.
Adams Central set the tone from the jump, driving the ball down with its Wing-T a few yards at a time to eventually score. It was a demoralizing drive for the Fighting 59ers, who allowed a pair of fourth-down conversions on the drive.
The Flying Jets had not had to beat a powerful private school in their runs to state over the past three years. Blitz felt it would be the great equalizer, a team with the talent to stifle what AC does on offense.
Instead, it was Coach Michael Mosser’s team that provided the clinic on how to win a semistate.
Four teams. All with different paths to Indy. Yet all four converge next weekend.
Northeast Indiana will be represented as well as its ever been at the state championship games.
For that, we should all celebrate.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
Don’t forget the best team in Northern Indiana THE NORTH JUDSON BLUEJAYS