IHSAA 1A Regional Championship Matchups and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today is the day we crown Regional Champions throughout the state of Indiana. 1A is going to be a night of heavyweight matchups. Each matchup is the same regional championship matchup as last year's. Five undefeated teams are playing in 1A today, and it will be electrifying to watch. Let's get into the matchups and players to watch for tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Park Tudor (12-0) @ North Judson (8-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Judson will host Park Tudor in their regional championship game tonight. These two met in last season's playoffs for regionals, and North Judson beat Park Tudor 49-13. Park Tudor will look to win their first-ever regional title, and North Judson will look to win their 8th. It is a great matchup, so let's highlight the key players for both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Park Tudor claimed a sectional title last Friday against North Vermillion, 41-28. Park Tudor has a tremendous senior class that has been looking good in the playoffs recently. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='322440' first='DJ' last='Gordon'] went 15/23 for 246 yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT, 9 carries, 124 yards, 3 rushing TDs, and 8 tackles. The Harvard QB commit continues to provide big plays on offense and defense. Senior RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='685011' first='William' last='Harris'] had 11 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD, 14 tackles, and 1 TFL. Willaim has been stellar on defense, flies around to the football, makes big hits all over the field, and plays with a high motor. Senior DL Nolan Whitehead had 3 solos, 4 assists, 7 total, 3 TFLs, and 1 sack in last Friday's win. Nolan has been disruptive in the backfield all season, shedding off blocks and closing ground quickly between him and the ball carrier. Park Tudor will look to keep the undefeated record after tonight's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Judson beat Triton 33-7 last Friday for a sectional title. North Judson continues to win games on the ground and with their stifling defense. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='553107' first='Brock' last='Benson'] had 32 carries, 198 yards, 4 TDs, and 9 tackles last Friday. Brock is an excellent downhill runner with truck-stick abilities and will run through defense all night. Junior RB Kole Wilcox had 10 rushes for 122 yards, 1 TD, 6 tackles, and 2 TFLs. Kole is another strong back for North Judson, who is fearless in running right through defenders. Senior DL Hunter Redlin ended up with 3 solos, 3 assists, 6 total, 2 TFLs, and 1 sack in the win on Friday. Hunter is a menace in the trenches and continues to dominate anyone across from him. North Judson will look to win in front of the home crowd tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adams Central (12-0) @ Carroll (12-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carroll will be the home team in their regional game against Adams Central. The last time these two met, Adams Central beat Carroll 35-0 in last season's regional championship game. Adams Central will try to claim their 16th regional title, and Carroll will try to claim their 3rd. Two undefeated teams, someone has to lose, so let's talk about some of the impact players in this matchup below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams Central won their sectional title game against Madison Grant, 56-14. Adams Central has great talent all across the board. Freshman QB [player_tooltip player_id='826052' first='Jamison' last='Roach'] has been outstanding in his first season as a starting QB in high school. Jamison has the accuracy to slice and dice the defense all night and can be dangerous when he uses his legs. This young man will be a problem tonight and for the next three years. Senior RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='316297' first='Keegan' last='Bluhm'] has been dominant on both sides. Keegan plays with outstanding balance, is a tough back to bring down, and will run right through any defense he plays. Senior DL [player_tooltip player_id='541895' first='Trevor' last='Currie'] has been excellent on the edge all season. Trevor plays with great leverage and causes havoc in the backfield all game. Adams Central is looking to return to the state championship game for a second straight year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carroll shut out Tri-Central last Friday 42-0. Carroll remains unbeaten and has a well-structured team that continues to get the job done. There are two athletes I want to highlight this week for Carroll. Senior LB Dominic Sobota has been a solid backer for the Carroll defense. Dominic does a great job recognizing the play in front of him and shows up, making big stops all night for Carroll's defense. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='541891' first='Keegan' last='Ellis'] is a 6'4" 210 pound monster for Carroll. Keegan is strong as an ox and moves very well for a bigger-sized back. Carroll is ready for the rematch and will look to win a big one in front of their home crowd tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Decatur (9-3) @ Sheridan (9-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Decatur will travel to Sheridan tonight for their regional championship game. This is a rematch from last season's regional title game in which North Decatur won 29-14. With a win tonight, North Decatur would win their 2nd regional title, and Sheridan would win their 15th. It is time to talk about the impact players of this matchup below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their sectional championship game, North Decatur won a close against Milan 31-28. North Decatur has a talented young offense and a defense that gets better each week. Junior QB Mason Morris went 6/10 for 91 yards, 1 TD, and 30 yards rushing in Friday's win. Mason has done a great job leading this offense and continues to improve weekly. Sophomore RB Tyler Dean had 16 carries, 82 yards, and 1 TD last Friday. Tyler is a young RB with tremendous potential to be a top RB in 1A. Senior DL Owen Wiseman ended up with 3 solos, 4 assists, 7 total, and 3 TFLs in the sectional title win. Owen has had some great performances in the playoffs and remains in the backfield, making plays. North Decatur will be up for the challenge and look to win back-to-back regional titles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheridan won a sectional title against Monroe Central last Friday, 27-22. Sheridan continues their journey with a great group of seniors. Senior RB Eli Kolb had 22 carries, 141 yards, 2 TDs, 6 tackles, and 1 sack last Friday. Eli has had an excellent senior season running the ball and making impact plays for his offense. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='541912' first='Zach' last='Bales'] had 26 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD, 13 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 1 sack. Zach has been getting it done on both sides of the ball all season. Senior Joe Franco ended up with 7 solos, 3 assists, 10 total, 3 TFLs, and 1 sack in Friday's win. Joe continues to be a solid player on defense, making plays all over the field. Sheridan will be ready for a dog fight tonight and look forward to celebrating a win at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Providence (12-0) @ Indianapolis Lutheran (10-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providence will be on the road tonight against Indianapolis Lutheran for a regional title matchup. Lutheran beat Providence 49-7 in last season's regional championship game. Providence will seek their 2nd regional title tonight, and Lutheran will seek their 8th. Another undefeated matchup with great players on both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providence dominated Springs Valley in their sectional title win, 41-8. Providence has been firing on all cylinders this season. Senior QB Carter Lannan went 9/11 for 225 yards and 4 TDs in the win Friday. Carter continues to find ways to help his team win and has been a solid QB all season. Senior WR Cade Unruh brought in 5 receptions for 132 yards, 2 receiving TDs, and 2 INTs on Friday. Cade is a speedy, reliable target for this Providence offense and continues to make big plays each game. Sophomore LB Lincoln Kruer ended up with 5 solos, 3 assists, 8 total, 1 TFL, and a blocked punt in the sectional title game. Lincoln has been a productive, young LB this season and consistently comes up with big plays on defense. Providence will be looking to beat the defending champs on the road tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianapolis Lutheran took down Covenant Christian last Friday, 57-14. The defending state champions are stacked with tremendous talent on both sides of the ball. Senior RB Braydon Hall ended up with 5 rushing TDs in the win on Friday. Braydon is a shifty back who runs with a full stream ahead of him. Senior OL Taurean Langston is a 6'6", 300-pound dominant force for Lutheran. Taurean moves great for his size is powerful, can reach blocks at the second level, and does well in pass protection. Senior LB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='538161' first='Jonny' last='Hall'] continues to be a playoff warrior with a blocked punt for a TD in Friday's win. Jonny was exceptional in last season's playoffs, coming up with multiple INTs and making big stops every night. Lutheran basically has the same team from last season, and they keep proving they are the best in the state each week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->