Griffith wins first conference title since 2020

Griffith wins first conference title since 2020

Indiana Preps NWI No. 7 and 3A No. 10 Griffith 34, 2A No. 9 and NWI No. 6 Wheeler 10

By Paul Honeycutt

UNION TWP. – Desmond Naylon might still be running for big-time yardage by the time this article is published.

The Griffith junior ran for 323 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 34-10 victory over previously undefeated Wheeler, who was looking for its third straight Greater South Shore Conference South title on Friday night.

“I had a few off games, but I came back and did this for my team,” said Naylon. “The O-line dominated and we got great blocking from the receivers.”

That dream was turned away by a Griffith backfield that ran for 397 yards and five total scores, as the 3A No. 10 and Indiana Preps No. 7 Panthers clinched their first conference title in five years.

“I’m just super proud of our kids and our staff and thanks to the administration for everything they do for us,” Griffith coach Phil Mason said. “Everyone is so dedicated in the offseason and we’re a 365 group.”

Winners of six straight games, the Panthers (8-1, 4-0 GSSC South) will face Bishop Noll next week to open the postseason.

2A No. 9 and Indiana Preps No. 6 Wheeler (7-1, 3-1) opened its first drive on fire, with junior quarterback Logan Fox connecting with leading wide receiver Tyne Vettickal twice for 43 yards, including the cap on a great drive with a 6-yard TD pass.

Griffith junior QB Ryan Bullion struggled early, as he was nearly picked off by Wheeler junior safety Conner Welch deep in Griffith territory, which would’ve been a pick 6 since Welch had nothing but turf in front of him, but he dropped it in Griffith’s first series.

Then at the 2:05 mark of the first quarter, Welch notched his fourth interception of the year by picking off Bullion and returning it for nearly 60 yards, but the Bearcats couldn’t take advantage of the turnover.

Griffith responded with a Ventris Tetter 5-yard rushing score early in the second quarter after Naylon ran for 80 yards on the drive.

Later in the second quarter, the visiting Panthers converted on a 3rd and 22 with a 24-yard reception from Davon Thomaston and then on a 3rd and 6 with a Tetter 32-yard TD run.

“It was on a wide receiver screen where Davon did a great job getting inside, Ryan (Bullion) made a great throw, and the offensive line gave him enough space to make a play,” said Mason.

Wheeler added a 27-yard field goal from Leo Vega with 39 seconds left in the first half.

The second half belonged to Naylon, who ran for 229 of his career-high total during that span along with his three scores.

“I train hard to do this and me and Vino (Tetter) have a system and chemistry, so neither of us ever leave the field,” Naylon said. “Vino is amazing on defense, too.”

Vettickal had a monster night, as he recorded eight catches for 142 yards and a TD in the loss.

In its sectional opener, Wheeler heads to an upstart Lake Station team facing a bit of uncertainty, as one of NWI’s leading rushers, Levi Murray, was sidelined for the majority of the second half with an apparent injury.

Griffith will travel to Bishop Noll to face proven coach Rick Good and if the stars align, he will face his longtime foe and Indiana’s active leader in wins and former Griffith coach Russ Radtke and the record-breaking and national rushing leader Myles McLaughlin.

“I always like our chances in a sectional because that’s the beauty of Indiana high school football,” said Mason. “I love Russ, him and I have gone at it many times, but we gotta get through Bishop Noll first and Rick is a great coach, who has done some great things over there.”

Griffith 34, Wheeler 10

Griffith; 0 14 13 7 – 34

Wheeler; 7 3 0 0 – 10

W – Tyne Vettickal 6 pass from Logan Fox (Leo Vega kick), 7:45 1st

G – Ventris Tetter 5 run (Kyle Hornyak kick), 10:40 2nd

G – Tetter 32 run (Hornyak kick), 4:59 2nd

W – Vega 27 FG, 0:39 2nd

G – Desmond Naylon 45 run (run failed), 6:11 3rd

G – Naylon 2 run (Hornyak kick), 0:50 3rd

G – Naylon 10 run (Hornyak kick), 2:16 4th

Griffith;Wheeler

First Downs;21;16

Total Yards;477;258

Rushes-Yards;42-397;34-117

Passing;80;141

Comp.-Att.-Int.;7-10-1;10-21-0

Penalties-Yards;10-105;6-40

Fumbles-Lost;1-0;2-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – GRIFFITH, Desmond Naylon 27-323, Ventris Tetter 10-59, Davon Thomaston 4-18, Ryan Bullion 1-(-3). WHEELER, Levi Murray 20-89, Cash Micciche 3-22, Andrew Bizzieri 4-11, Logan Fox 6-1, Tyne Vettickal 1-(-6).

PASSING – GRIFFITH, Ryan Bullion 7-10-80-0-1. WHEELER, Logan Fox 10-21-141-1-0.

RECEIVING – GRIFFITH, Jason Quillin 3-34, Davon Thomaston 1-24, Ventris Tetter 1-24, Jalen Wilson 1-0, Desmond Naylon 1-(-2). WHEELER, Tyne Vettickal 8-142, Conner Welch 1-1, Levi Murray 1-(-2).