Previewing Indiana’s Friday State Championships
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We’re previewing the 3 State Championship games in Lucas Oil on Friday. I also added a fun short game prediction for each game, including the Saturday games. However, Kyle Neaveill will be covering the Saturday games in full detail! If…
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Continue ReadingWe’re previewing the 3 State Championship games in Lucas Oil on Friday. I also added a fun short game prediction for each game, including the Saturday games. However, Kyle Neaveill will be covering the Saturday games in full detail! If you want to see my predictions of those 3 games, it’s at the bottom of this article!
The predictions are just meant to be for a little fun. As we do tons of player breakdowns, I just wanted to mix it up a little bit before we start hammering off-season work!
Adams Central (14-0) @ Indianapolis Lutheran (12-0)
Heading into this matchup, something has got to give. 2 elite teams standing undefeated on the season, 1 of these 2 teams is leaving champions and the other as second place.
The last 2 years’ 1A championship rematch is set! Indianapolis Lutheran is led by Star QB, Jackson Willis Jackson Willis 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Indianapolis Lutheran | 2025 State IN . The Junior QB, who stands at 6’2″, is incredibly efficient and simply moves the ball and scores TDs. Through his 2 full seasons starting, he’s completed 68% of his passes, has 6500+ passing yards, and an astounding 82 TDs to 9 INTs. That team goes as he goes, and so far, it’s been unscathed throughout his career. Willis is very systematic and there’s a reason he scares defenses. Adams Central’s defense has only given up 83 total points this year, which is less than 6 PPG. The defense flies around the field and groups of red jerseys are always in on tackles like a flock of birds. Adams Central is led by a trio of studs. Trevor Currie Trevor Currie 6'2" | 195 lbs | DL Adams Central | 2024 State IN , a 6’2″ 200lbs TE/DE Senior, Keegan Bluhm Keegan Bluhm 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Adams Central | 2024 State IN , a 6’1″ 215lbs 2-way player who leads the team in rushing, and junior Max Kaehr.
These 2 teams are as different as they come. Adams Central has a bunch of guys and they will hit you with multiple looks from multiple angles and get everyone involved. Indianapolis Lutheran is going to let Willis drop back and sling the rock. Adams Central’s historic defense meets the unstoppable QB. Something has to give, and we find out on Friday!
Game Prediction: I think this year’s game is much closer than the previous 2 years, but I lean toward Willis and what he can do with the ball in his hands. Some QBs are generational, and Willis might just be that.
Adams Central 20
Indianapolis Lutheran 28
Heritage Hills (13-1) @ Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (14-0)
Heritage and their high-flying offense run into Bishop Chatard and their star-studded roster in the middle showcase on Friday!
Heritage Hills is quietly a super-talented QB. Jett Goldsberry Jett Goldsberry 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Heritage Hills | 2026 State IN , their 6’0″ Sophomore QB who is as dynamic as they come has figured it out this season and lit it up. He’s still developing in the passing game, but his rushing ability kills defenses again and again. He’s often the best athlete on the field and takes games over. He then hands the ball to Hunter Meredith Hunter Meredith 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Heritage | 2025 State IN , who we actually did a full breakdown on last week. The Junior RB has 806 yards and 12 TDs on the ground this year with 80 tackles defensively. We can round things out with Braydon Durham Braydon Durham 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Heritage Hills | 2024 State IN , the senior defensive leader. He’s also rushed for 700 yards and 12 TDs this year but had his best year defensively. 139 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 3 passes deflected. Heritage Hills is loaded and going to come out firing. They’ve averaged almost 40 PPG this year and are hoping to keep rolling.
Indianapolis Bishop Chatard stands in their way, and they might be the ultimate test for Heritage Hills. Areas, where Heritage Hills can struggle, are areas where Bishop Chatard is at its best. IBC does a great job at creating pressure and shutting down the running game. Defenders like star Sam Feeney Sam Feeney 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Bishop Chatard | 2024 State IN create issues at the LOS. The Senior DE has been on fire in the playoffs, including returning a fumble for a TD last week. He’s hungry and on a mission. While you’re worried about him on defense, Aiden Arteaga and Riley Kinnett will rip you up when they’re on offense. IBC does a great job rotating looks, using motion, and keeping the defense guessing.
Game Prediction: I think this game could go 1 of 2 ways. I think the advantage Bishop Chatard has upfront is too much and they win big, or Heritage Hills keeps it close and wins a scrappy one.
Heritage Hills: 17
Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 34
Fort Wayne Snider (12-1) @ Decatur Central (11-2)
After a few years of rebuilding, Fort Wayne Snider is back in the championship picture. They’re running into a team having a dream season. Being 4-7 last year, you would have to do a lot of convincing to get me to believe you if you told me they were playing for the state title this year, but here we are because a lot can change in a year!
Fort Wayne Snider took it down to the studs a few years ago, and they hit big! The right coaching staff can do wonders for players, and they’ve gotten the most out of their roster. It sure helps when you have one of, if not the best RB in the state, carrying the rock for your offense. Having a staff knowing how to use their talents, and the talent performing is music to my eyes. Uriah Buchanan Uriah Buchanan 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Snider | 2024 State IN lit up defenses everywhere he went this year. Quick feet, great vision, and the speed to house any touch is what’s made him so difficult. 1763 rushing yards, 26 TDs, and almost 7.5 YPC is quite astounding. The offense goes as he goes, and he should be ready to roll on Friday.
Decatur Central has, but it hasn’t come out of nowhere. They quietly collected and developed a ton of talent. When I went and saw them live against Mooresville this year, I was only able to hit a few of the guys who stood out that night. I’ve continued to rotate in guys, but the point remains they have talent everywhere. More importantly, they go as Bo Polston Bo Polston 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Decatur Central | 2026 State IN goes. The young stud QB has developed nicely this year but has come through with big plays when they’ve needed them. When you’re down and facing a 3rd down, that’s when your QB needs to make a play. As I told Polston in the past, trust in yourself, stay humble, and keep letting it rip.
Game Prediction: I think this game is the most intriguing and could easily be the best game of the day. I can see both teams winning in a close game. I can also see a world where Snider wins big and Decatur Central wins big. Does the Cinderalla-like story for Decatur Central play out or does Fort Wayne Snider reclaim its spot on top of the mountain?
Fort Wayne Snider: 24
Decatur Central: 27
Saturday Game Predictions
Kyle Neaveill will have a full preview and breakdown of these games afterward! These are just my predictions, and again, it’s just meant to add some fun.
2A:
North Posey 30
Fort Wayne Bishop Luers: 21
4A:
NorthWood: 31
East Central 35
6A:
Crown Point 17
Ben Davis 35