Last weekend’s IHSAA state championship games at Lucas Oil Stadium marked the end of the 2023 high school football season in the Hoosier State.
Here are some superlative notes.
In just three quarters, Bishop Chatard WR/DB Colin Guy snagged three interceptions, tying a state championship record in 3A set by Wes Kendall of Zionsville in 1996, per the IHSAA. Guy also added six catches for 66 yards on offense and could provide much value for a small college team looking for a dynamic wideout or defensive back.
Speaking of state championship records, Snider running back Uriah Buchanan broke one. After an 80-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter, Buchanan broke loose again for a 95-yard touchdown run, making it the longest play from scrimmage in state championship history. His final rushing total for the day was 23 carries for 235 yards and two touchdowns, as well as a 26-yard touchdown catch.
With 251 yards on the ground during their big win over NorthWood, East Central running back Josh Ringer became the all-time single-season rushing leader in school history with 2,880 yards rushing. The Miami Redhawks have a keeper in Ringer.
The crowd from Crown Point was large despite the lengthy drive from the northern Indiana town, which is closer to Chicago than Indy. Speaking of Crown Point, they made two puzzling play calls I haven’t seen before: a punt on third down (albeit deep in their own territory, but still something I haven’t seen before) and a fair catch on a kickoff return at their own 8-yard line.
Ben Davis’ state championship marked the Giants’ first state championship since Mike Kirschner took the Giants to Lucas Oil in 2017, and the first championship victory under first-year head coach Russ Mann. It’s worth noting that Ben Davis defeated all of their in-state opponents this season (just like they did in 2017), with their lone loss being to IMG Academy out of Bradenton, Fla.
According to Matt Glenesk of The Indianapolis Star, this year’s six state championship games provided the largest average margin of victory since the IHSAA went to six classes in 2013. This year’s margin of victory was 25.8 points, ahead of 25 points in 2014. Still, the road to reach Lucas Oil was certainly entertaining with close scores in the semi-state games one week prior.
Last year, I happened to meet Giants strength coach Kevin Vanderbush on the sidelines at a Ben Davis game. The legendary strength coach told me that he had never missed a football game in nearly 40 years at the school. Vanderbush also said he would reach 500 games if the Giants reached the state finals in both 2022 and 2023. While the Giants came up short in 2022 in a sectional loss to Brownsburg, Vanderbush’s final game – #496 – was Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, and I am sure he was pleased with the result. The announcement was met with well-wishes on social media. Perhaps, in a symbolic gesture, the Ben Davis athletic department could allow him to lead the team out for the first four games next fall so he could reach the five-century mark.
It felt odd not to see the Center Grove Trojans competing for a fourth consecutive state title. Due to their 37-34 overtime loss in the semi-state to Ben Davis, the Trojans missed Lucas Oil for the first time since 2018. Center Grove had a great season in 2023 against some very tough out-of-state opponents, and I’d expect them to return to prominence again next fall.