Andrean advances to another sectional final
2A No. 13 Andrean 19, 2A No. 14 Wheeler 0
By Paul Honeycutt
VALPARAISO — Time of possession can make or break a game for a team, depending on its style of play.
For Class 2A No. 13 Andrean, ball control was definitely the plan in its 19-0 win over No. 14 Wheeler in one of the Sectional 33 semifinals on Friday night.
“We know how good those guys are when you have a receiver around 1,000 yards and a QB over 2,000 yards,” Andrean coach Chris Skinner said.
Winners of four straight, the 59ers (7-4) dominated the first quarter time of possession, holding the ball for all of 11:30.
In Andrean’s first drive, PJ Cusick nailed a 29-yard field goal at the 7:19 mark.
“Our priority was stopping the run, putting them in negative situations and taking advantage and those down and distances and I thought our defense did a really good job of that tonight,” Skinner said.
Winners of eight straight coming into Friday, Wheeler (8-3) went three and out over 30 seconds on its first drive.
Despite only coming away with three first-quarter points, Andrean kept Wheeler’s explosive athletes off the field.
“They got a lot of playmakers and we wanted to put them in positions where down and distance made it a little more predictable in what they’re doing,” Skinner said. “They got two really good receivers, they’re running back is really good, they’re quarterback can really sling it, but it’s hard to rally first downs when in second-and-long, third-and-long.”
Wheeler was held in check with 94 total yards of offense while the 59ers recorded their third shutout in the last four outings.
The visiting 59ers did score on the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter on a 2-yard Jimmy Finley end around.
The Andrean defense stepped up again at the 7:38 mark in the second quarter after recovering a Wheeler fumble on a 4th-and-1 from the Bearcats 38.
Cusick added his second field goal of the night on a 25-yarder to cap Andrean’s next drive.
On the next play from scrimmage, 59ers junior cornerback Gavin Jones picked off Wheeler senior quarterback Caleb Klimczak for his third interception of the year.
“It’s been our mindset and we’ve just upped it in practice,” said Jones. “My man was the wing and he didn’t go out and I saw the tight end start going and I thought I needed to go get that.”
“Coming into the season, our coaches had a lot of trust in us and I think we probably have the best defensive backs in the Region, but I think it’s based off trust and having us press all game,” said Jones.
Skinner confirmed his level of comfort in his defensive backfield based off their scheme.
“Obviously we’re putting a lot of trust in Gavin, Jimmy and don’t forget about (Andrean senior DB) Jayden Holmes as a three-year starter for us, too, so if those guys aren’t doing their job on the back end, it doesn’t allow our other guys to fly around and pressure,” he said.
59ers sophomore running back Ethan Reyna then ran one in from 49 yards on his team’s next play from scrimmage to put Andrean up 19.
Reyna rushed for 121 yards needing just 11 carries while Finley added three carries for 22 yards and a TD. Brady Stovall ran the ball 12 times for 66 yards.
“He’s (Reyna) been big, he runs hard, he’s a powerful kid and is obviously a great linebacker,” said Skinner. “That kind of run exemplifies who he is.”
With the win, Andrean will host Bremen (7-4), who took care of Rensselaer Central by a 38-7 final in the other Sectional 33 semifinal.
Next week will mark Andrean’s 14th sectional finals appearance in the last 18 years.
“We talk a lot in our program about playing for trophies,” said Skinner. “I know for our senior group in particular I know this something they wanted, especially after last year. They’ve done a good job of shepherding the group to put us in a position of hosting a sectional championship.”
Andrean 19, Wheeler 0
Andrean; 3 16 0 0 – 19
Wheeler; 0 0 0 0 – 0
A – PJ Cusick 29 FG, 7:19 1st
A – Jimmy Finley 2 run (kick failed), 11:54 2nd
A – Cusick 29 FG, 4:16 2nd
A – Ethan Reyna 49 run (Cusick kick), 3:55 2nd
Andrean;Wheeler
First Downs;13;6
Total Yards;272;94
Rushes-Yards;36-225;24-38
Passing;47;56
Comp.-Att.-Int.;7-12-1;9-20-1
Penalties-Yards;5-50;0-0
Fumbles-Lost;0-0;1-1
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – ANDREAN, Ethan Reyna 11-121, Brady Stovall 12-66, Jimmy Finley 3-22, Brady Elish 7-10, Ellis Dumas IV 2-3, Rocco Allegretti 1-3. WHEELER, Jayden Ortiz 15-43, Levi Murray 3-5, Bryce Compton 1-3, Caleb Klimczak 5-(-13).
PASSING – ANDREAN, Brady Elish 7-12-47-0-1. WHEELER, Caleb Klimczak 9-20-56-0-1.
RECEIVING – ANDREAN, Jimmy Finley 2-14, Brady Lane 2-14, Ellis Dumas IV 2-13, Charlie Sollars 1-6. WHEELER, Conner Welch 2-18, David Diaz 2-14, Jayden Ortiz 2-13, Bryce Compton 2-12, Tyne Vettickal 1-(-1).