INDIANAPOLIS – Bishop Luers fell down 19 points in the first quarter and was unable to fight all the way back in a 29-14 loss to Cascade in the Class 3A State Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.
Cascade was off and running from its opening possession when it went 75 yards on seven plays in just over two minutes, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Dayton Mink. The extra point was blocked, but the Cadets were up 6-0.
After a Bishop Luers, Cascade went to work again driving down the field. On 3rd and 3 from the 9-yard line, Brady Trebley hit Delton Howrey on a play-action pass for a touchdown. With the PAT, the Cadets went up 13-0.
A third first-quarter touchdown for Cascade, a one-yard touchdown run by Mink, came after a pair of Bishop Luers missed opportunities. On one, Thomas Reichert missed a wide-open receiver down the seam. On the second, Reichert hit TJ Epperson in the flat on third down, but it was dropped.
Bishop Luers got on the scoreboard on a strong 11-play drive mid-way through the second quarter capped by a three-yard touchdown run by TJ Epperson to bring the Knights within 12.
The Knights then forced a fumble when Dallas Mata punched the ball out and was recovered by fellow sophomore Rory Kelly. However, with Bishop Luers inside the five-yard line going in for a score that would trim the deficit, Epperson fumbled and it was recovered by Cascade’s Toby Savini.
Cascade was able to add a 21-yard field goal by Brogan Trump at the end of the second quarter to take a 22-7 advantage into halftime.
The Bishop Luers defense stepped up considerably in the second half, holding the Cadets scoreless in the third quarter and keeping the game within reach. But the offense stalled time and again as it attempted to cut into the deficit.
Epperson did score his second touchdown on a two-yard plunge midway through the fourth quarter to pull the Knights within 15 points, but it was the closest they would get.
Cascade was able to add an insurance touchdown when Mink scored from a yard out with 3:31 left in regulation.
Mink finished with 119 yards and two touchdowns on the ground on 25 carries. He also notched a sack and a tackle for loss on defense.
Bishop Luers was able to rush for 191 yards in the game, with Epperson going for 94 yards and Brandon Gaither II a yard short of the 100-yard mark.
The Knights finish the season with a 9-6 record. Cascade capped its season with a perfect 15-0 mark and its first state championship in program history.
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