Indiana Semistate Championships: Outlook & Key Players

We are just hours away from kickoff and shortly after that from finding out which teams are headed to the 2020 Indiana state football championships.  There have been some surprises along the way. A handful of teams making shockwaves all season long, while some teams are right where some predicted. Only 12 teams will receive the honor of competing for a state championship. Here is a look at those teams fighting for that chance and some of their key players. In Class A, all eyes will be on the South Adams (12-0) at Lafayette Central Catholic (5-3) matchup.  The number one ranked South Adams Starfires are led by a trio of playmakers in senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="38992" first="James" last="Arnold"], senior receiver Drew Stutzman and ironman  [player_tooltip player_id="38975" first="Nick" last="Miller"]. There aren’t many receivers in the state with numbers like Stuzman, and his  18 receiving touchdowns. The rise of the  Covenant Christian  Warriors has been an impressive one.  Just in their seventh season, the Warriors are in the Class A semifinal game. Their opponent, a West Washington team that was in this spot a season ago. Both teams come into this game unbeaten. History will be made tonight. The Class 2A matchups feature teams familiar with success and long tournament runs.  There are 18 state title wins between   Bishop Luers, Western Boone, Pioneer, and Evansville Mater Dei.  When programs have that much success, usually the talent on the roster is a reflection of the team’s success.  Junior quarterback Carson Clark has been lights out for his Bishop Luers team. Clark has  15 touchdowns to 1 interception in the playoffs.   Look out for freshman  Cannon Brunes of Western Boone. The varsity stage hasn’t been too big for Brunes. He’s recorded 116 tackles and 10 sacks in his freshman campaign.  The Pioneer Panthers have their own playmakers in twin brothers  Ezra and Addai Lewellen. The brothers lead a lethal rushing attack and have a combined  4 interceptions on defense.  Sophomore Joey Pierre has been a bright spot on offense for Mater Dei. Looking at the field in the Class 3A semifinal and you will see a combined win total of 45 wins to just one loss. That one loss isn’t one to slight at either. The   Chatard Trojans were dealt their only loss at the hands of state powerhouse Cathedral.  What appeared to be a gift wrapped state title to the defending champs Chatard, we found out last week they can be beaten. A Mishawaka Marian team will try to avenge last year’s 45-0 loss in the semifinals to the Trojans.   Marian does have some firepower in all-purpose player Greg Atkinson Jr. The Southridge Raiders have the luxury of playing up a class due to the IHSAA success factor. The Raiders are playing well in part to the playmaking being done by all everything Camden Gasser. The senior Michigan Wolverine baseball commit is the team’s all-purpose yard leader and is a takeaway specialist with his 9 interceptions.  In my opinion, the team to watch is the Danville Warriors.   With junior quarterback Kale Payne under center and his favorite target Tyler Dostin leading the way, the guys in crimson and grey will be tough to beat. Tradition comes to mind when you mention the names of the programs competing in the Class 4A semifinals. There’s plenty of recognizable talent as well.  The Hobart Brickies have restored their glory. Led by  Illinois State recruit [player_tooltip player_id="38916" first="Bobby" last="Babcock"].  The Brickies will need Babcock and company to keep a hot Marion Giants team in check that loves to pound the ball.  The Giants have their share of defensive talent starting with 6’3 240-pound defensive end Johnny Davis. Several FCS programs have extended offers to Davis. His 14 sacks on the season are impressive. A team that has been impressive all year is the Mooresville Pioneers.  12-1 on the season, their lone loss came in OT against a really good Whiteland team. A pair of Purdue recruits,  6’7 280-pound [player_tooltip player_id="38910" first="Jaelin" last="Alstott-VanDeVanter"] and 6’4, 290-pound [player_tooltip player_id="38912" first="Zach" last="Richards"] have paved the way for an offense that has nearly 5,000 yards on the season.  Standing in the way of the Pioneers reaching Lucas Oil for the first time ever will be a nine-time state champion, Roncalli Rebels.  A player on the rise from the Indianapolis area catholic school is junior quarterback  Aidan Leffler. The  6’3 gunslinger is a dual-threat at the position. He has 35 total touchdowns on the year, 16 of them on the ground. The top two classes in Indiana feature the most talent on display. Indianapolis Cathedral and Castle will battle in the Class 5A semifinal round. The Cathedral Irish arguably the second best team in the state.  A plethora of talent on the Irish roster, including quarterback Nate McCahill who is considered a player of the year candidate for several post-season award presenters. Zane Hill is a talented defensive player for the Irish. Indiana recruit [player_tooltip player_id="38900" first="Cooper" last="Jones"] and the Valparaiso  Vikings head into their 5A semifinal game with an unblemished record against the 6-5 Zionsville Eagle. Don’t let the record of the Zionsville Eagles fool you though. Their 6-5 record is deceiving, as the Eagles have quality wins under their belt.   Zionsville has a good one in junior running back [player_tooltip player_id="39063" first="Colin" last="Price"]. The 6’1, 190-pound back is over the 3,500-yard rushing mark in his short career. Some of Indiana’s top recruiting prospects will take the field in the two semifinal games taking place in Class 6A. Nationally ranked powerhouse Center Grove has nearly a dozen college-bound football players in their top 22. Not counting the talent down the line with their underclassmen. [player_tooltip player_id="39040" first="Caden" last="Curry"] is the name that rings bells across the minds of every college football coach in America. His crew is uber-talented, but the Ben Davis Giants are not shying away from the daunting challenge of taking down the Trojans. Ben Davis is accustom to winning. Their program story is legendary. Some of Indiana’s greatest have been apart of the Giant family. This year is no different when Missouri commit [player_tooltip player_id="38896" first="Daylan" last="Carnell"] hits the field. The long rangy defensive playmaker happens to make plays with the ball in his hands on offense too.  The Ben Davis Giants are the underdog, rightfully so. As with any dogfight, the Giants will not go away quietly. The northern section of the Class 6A bracket will see two talented teams with plenty of playmakers on both sides.  Westfield has one of the most sought after pass rushers in the game when [player_tooltip player_id="39044" first="Popeye" last="Williams"] lines up.  Williams is explosive, with good hands and athleticism to get past offensive tackles.  The Rocks will look for two-way star [player_tooltip player_id="39029" first="Micah" last="Hauser"] to lead the way on offense and patrol the secondary on defense. The junior standout is on plenty of college coaches ’ big boards.   In order for Westfield to make their second trip to the finals since winning the  2016 Class 5A title, they will need to slow down a Merrillville Pirates’ football team that bolsters a roster as talented as anyone in the state.  Pirate’s [player_tooltip player_id="38908" first="JoJo" last="Johnson"] may be the best player on the field in any game tonight. He’s elusive with the ball and a lockdown player on defense. Johnson is the target for several power five programs as is his teammate, defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="39055" first="Kenneth" last="Grant"].