Coming into Friday mornings 1A State Championship match up, Lutheran and Adams Central have been meeting each other at Lucas Oil for the past two seasons. In 2021, it was a close 34-28 victory for Lutheran and in 2022 it was a 30-13 victory for Lutheran.
This season, Adams Central entered the game at 14-0 allowing just 5.9 points per game while Lutheran came in at 12-0 scoring 41 points per game.
Adams Central won the toss and elected to start with the ball. Led by the efforts of running back Keegan Bluhm and swiss army knife Jack Hamilton, the Jets were able to chip their way down the field on a 13 play, 85 yard drive that was capped off with a sneak from Hamilton to open up the scoring 7-0.
On the following drive from Lutheran, the Saints were able to answer quickly as 2025 quarterback Jackson Willis was able to find fellow junior DeVuan Jones down the sideline for a 67 yard touchdown to even things up at 7.
Following a quick three-and-out by Adams Central, Lutheran was able to quickly score once again. Following a big run from running back Braydon Hall, this time Willis found L.J. Ward in the corner of the endzone to increase the lead 14-7.
Once again, the Adams Central offense could not get much of anything going on offense and forced to punt.
Jones was able to get his offense great field position after an impressive punt return. With the momentum, Lutheran was able to hit some quick screens and pound the rock with Hall on their way to yet another touchdown. Hall hammered his way in for his 32nd rushing touchdown of the season.
The Flying Jets would not go down without a fight, though. On the ensuing drive, Hamilton was able to find tight end Trevor Currie for an impressive 46 yard gain before targeting him again in the endzone to cut the lead down to 21-14 midway through the second quarter.
After scoring three times in just over three minutes of possession time, Lutheran was forced to have an established drive and that is exactly what they did. Facing third and long, Willis was able to find Ward for their second touchdown connection of the game and Willis’ third of the half.
Adams Central was able to put together a decent drive behind a 24 yard scamper from Hamilton, but a pair of sacks from linebackers Cole Snow and Campbell Richardson put the drive to rest as the teams entered the locker rooms in a two score game.
To start the second half, Lutheran quickly got back to work with Willis finding wide receiver Jeremiah King for a 20 yard gain and his fifth reception of the game. The Saints faced a 4th and 1 after a rare failed third down conversion from Hall, but Hall would make up for with a 10 yard back-breaking run to keep the drive alive.
The fourth down conversion would wind up being the right call, as just a couple plays later Willis would find Jones for his fourth touchdown pass of the game and Jones’ second touchdown snag to extend the lead 35-14 to start the half.
On the ensuing kick off, Jamison Roach came out like lightning in a bottle and returned the kick 48 yards to get the Jets in position to make some quick noise on offense.
Hamilton would continue his impressive performance with a 15 yard scramble and some key completions, including a six yard strike to a wide open Currie in the endzone to cut the lead down 35-21 in the waning seconds of the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Adams Central defense was able to tighten up and force a punt with 10:40 to play in the game.
The Jets were not able to get anything going offensively and would give the ball back to Lutheran once again.
Hall would continue running hard for Lutheran, but on 4th and 2 with a chance to end any comeback attempt a Willis pass was batted down to give Adams Central at least a moment of hope.
The moment of hope would soon evaporate from the North side of Lucas Oil Stadium as Hamilton’s pass would be intercepted by Ward to give Lutheran the ball back.
The Jets would once again force a punt and take advantage this time, with Hamilton finding Ryan Tester to close the lead down to 35-28.
Coming down to an onside kick attempt, it was a good kick with a solid bounce, but Jones was able to bring in the catch and fall to the ground to secure the win.
Game Awards
Impact Play of The Game: L.J. Ward interception with 4:30 left in the game- there were a lot of impactful plays on both sides of the ball for both teams. However, I got to go with one of few defensive plays in a game that saw quarterbacks combine for seven touchdown passes. Ward’s interception came on the drive before Adams Central was able to make it a one score game late. If Ward does not snag the ball, who knows the outcome of that drive.
Unit(s) of The Game: Both quarterbacks- Jackson Willis was 13-18 for 226 yards and four touchdowns while Jackson Hamilton was 16-24 for 226 yards and three touchdowns with 12 carries for 50 yards and touchdown as well as 5 kick returns for 97 yards and a long of 30. Hamilton played a great game and his efforts should not go unmentioned.
Player of The Game: Jackson Willis- as previously mentioned, 226 yards and four touchdowns with some very impressive throws.
“When you are a kid, all you want to do is play on a field like this,” said Willis. “It is every kids dream and to be here three years in a row is a dream come true.”
With three championships in a row and now 44 consecutive wins, Lutheran will be moving up to 2A with the streak on the line.
“Four in a row is definitely a challenge,” said Willis. “Growing up together we have been working hard for this moment.”
Fellow member of this talented 2025 class, DeVuan Jones had 156 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns that helped push the Saints to victory.
“I [scored] last year, so I knew I could do it again,” said Jones. “It is a lot of emotions, we will be a really good senior heavy team and we will go out with another win.”
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