For the first time in program history, Warsaw is playing for a state championship.
The foe? Decatur Central, the No. 4 team in the state in Class 5A.
The Tigers have already beaten the No. 1, 2 and 3 teams in the state on their road to state. Can they knock off No. 4 for a 5A title?
Let’s break it down.
TWO STORYLINES
1. Can Warsaw finish the deal?
For the first time in program history, Warsaw has advanced past the regional round of the state tournament, and it has done so in very impressive fashion under veteran coach Bart Curtis.
The Tigers forced four turnovers, didn’t commit a penalty and rushed for over 300 yards last week, walking past Merrillville 31-14 in the semistate. Warsaw has won seven straight games and has knocked off the top three-ranked teams in the state ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Hawks, who are ranked fourth.
While Warsaw doesn’t know the word quit, one has to ask if it can continue to claw its way back and pick up a win against a top quality opponent on the greatest stage for the fourth consecutive time.
2. Is this the year Decatur Central claims a state title?
For the second time in as many seasons, Decatur Central is back in the state championship game. A season ago, Snider absolutely ran the Hawks out of Lucas Oil Stadium, something that has not been lost on Decatur Central’s staff and players.
Prior defensive coordinator Max Goodin left to become head coach at Indian Creek, but the Hawks have not missed a beat on that side of the football. After starting the season 1-3, the Hawks have won nine straight, averaging 36 points per game and allowing just under 20 points. Decatur Central has defeated the likes of Whiteland, Plainfield, East Central and Bloomington South to advance to Lucas Oil. Last week, the Hawks raced out to a 13-0 lead and scored the final 14 points of the game to overcome Bloomington South in semistate.
This is the third time in recent years the Hawks have advanced to Lucas Oil and the prior two times, Decatur Central came away with disappointing losses. That can get into the psyche of a program. If the Hawks get off to a slow start against Warsaw, will old ghosts reappear? Or will Decatur Central overcome the odds and take the state title a short trip back home?
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bo Polston, junior, Decatur Central
The junior quarterback has been phenomenal this season for the Hawks. The Toledo commit has rushed for 272 yards and five touchdowns and has thrown for 1,922 yards and 19 touchdowns.
He didn’t have the greatest of games last year against Snider and one better believe Polston enters this game looking for redemption and a state title.
Drew Sullivan, senior, Warsaw
While Polston leads the Decatur Central offense, Sullivan is the straw that stirs the drink for Warsaw’s “Bart Ball” offense. Sullivan has been steady throughout the postseason, bringing his heady play and an ability to hurt opposing teams with his arm and legs to the state final. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound signal caller is not an easy guy to bring down, evidenced by his 908 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground despite missing four games earlier in the season due to injury.
If Sullivan can get going early and generate some confidence, look out because that means the Tiger offense will be rolling on all cylinders.
Kasmir Hicks, junior, Decatur Central
Hicks is arguably the most dangerous player on the field for Decatur Central, because he can legitimately hurt teams on both sides of the field.
On offense, Hicks has rushed for 419 yards and five touchdowns. He is also the go-to receiver for Polston, reeling in over 700 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the football, Hicks, who is heavily recruited, with offers from several MAC schools, Cincinnati and Indiana, among others, has four interceptions and can lock down opposing receivers.
Quinton Brock, junior, Warsaw
Talk about a player that can immediately impact and change the outcome of a game. Need proof? In the regional, Brock had a rushing touchdown, a touchdown catch, threw a touchdown pass and almost had a kickoff return for a touchdown.
For the season, Brock has rushed for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns. While he has just four receptions on the year, two of those have gone for scores.
It will be interesting to see how Decatur Central tries to take Brock out of the equation and how it tries to defend him. Warsaw will need to do a great job of getting Brock the ball in open space to create issues against a Decatur Central defense that is one of the best in the state.
KEY TO VICTORY – WARSAW
Don’t let the moment get too big
The Tigers have done a tremendous job of staying focused, keeping their head down and just doing work throughout the postseason. The bigger the opponent, the better Warsaw has played, and a lot of that has to do with the play of the aforementioned Quinton Brock, Drew Sullivan and more, as well as the steady influence of Coach Bart Curtis, truly one of the best people around, both as a coach and a person.
To force four turnovers and not commit a penalty, as Warsaw did in semistate, is huge and the absolute best recipe for championship-winning football. For example, last week, senior Tristan Wilson secured his 10th career interception, breaking the program’s all-time record. However, the state championship game is the biggest stage Coach Curtis and his team have ever been to. If it can keep within itself and not let the moment get too big, Warsaw has a great chance.
KEY TO VICTORY – DECATUR CENTRAL
Make a statement
Decatur Central cannot get fixated on what has happened the last two times it has been to Lucas Oil in recent history. This year’s team has shown all year that it deserves to be here. It has won nine straight games and not only has explosive playmakers, but a balance on offense and a stingy defense.
Coach Kyle Enright would love nothing more than to load the state championship trophy on the bus and make the very short drive back to Decatur Central to celebrate with the faithful. In order for that to happen, the Hawks have to come out, forget the past and make a huge statement immediately in this one.
BLITZ’S PICK
Can Decatur Central slow down the Flexbone offense of Warsaw? That’s the biggest question in this game, and frankly the question for every team that plays the Tigers.
The Hawks have a swarming defense, evidenced by their 82(!) tackles for loss this season to go with 24 sacks. It is going to be arguably the biggest challenge of the year for Warsaw to move the football.
However, how do you bet against Warsaw at this point? It down No. 1 Concord, No. 2 Lafayette Jeff and No. 3 Merrillville to get here. Plenty of instances of “a team of destiny” end up falling short of the ultimate prize. Blitz doesn’t feel that will be the case for Warsaw.
Blitz says Warsaw by 5.
Warsaw by 14