The Warriors played very well and nearly grabbed victory at Lucas Oil Stadium. More pictures at westbendnews.net
INDIANAPOLIS – A 42-yard touchdown pass from Jayce Harter to Tucker Schank and the coinciding two-pointer conversion with 1:22 left in the contest lifted the Southridge Raiders to a 15-14 victory over Woodlan in the Class 2A state championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Raiders claimed their first state championship in four visits to the state championship game with the victory.
Woodlan dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 27:15 compared to Southridge’s 20:45. The Warriors also ran 72 plays compared to 52 for the Raiders.
Both teams scored in the fourth quarter after the squads were tied at 7-7 at the end of three periods.
Woodlan struck first, finding the end zone at the 11:29 mark on a 13-yard scoring strike from Justin Durkes to Ah’Lan Howard. Luke Crilly’s extra point kick made it 14-7 Warriors.
However, with the Warriors facing a fourth and four later in the final period, Southridge intercepted a Woodlan pass at the 33-yard line with 2:40 left in the contest.
The Raiders then drove 67-yards for the game-winning score.
In the opening quarter, the Warriors took their first possession and needed only four plays to find the end zone on a drive that covered 77-yards.
The big play of the drive was a 54-yard pass from Durkes to Aaron Hahn before Jack Rhoades capped the possession with a 27-yard scamper for a score.
Crilly’s extra point put the Warriors on top 7-0 with 10:58 left in the first quarter. Coach Sherwood Hadock was on top after this!
Southridge would answer late in the first half, putting together a six-play, 71-yard scoring drive.
Colin Smith scooted a dozen yards with 2:01 left in the half to send the two teams to the locker room tied at 7-7.
Durkes completed 14 of 30 passes for 206 yards to lead the Warrior offense while Rhoades ran for 71 yards on 21 carries. Hahn also had five receptions for 139 yards for Woodlan.
Schank topped Southridge with five receptions for 121 yards while also running for 56 yards on 13 carries. Matthew Price also added four catches for 70 yards.
Harter, who was named the Mental Attitude winner, ended the night 11 of 23 passing for 202 yards.
Congratulations to the Team and coaches on this fantastic season sending them to the State Championship football game! The last Woodlan appearance at state was in 1981.
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