Jets battle, but fall short to Saints in 1A title game

INDIANAPOLIS – Players, coaches, and fans of Adams Central are united in describing their feelings of disappointment in the Class A state finals in just two crucial words: “Indianapolis Lutheran.”

The IL Saints ended their year at 13-0 and ended another unbeaten run by the Flying Jets (14-1) with a 35-28 victory on Friday in Lucas Oil Stadium in the capital city. Last year, Lutheran left AC at 14-1 after a 30-13 win and two years ago, the Jets wound up 13-2 after losting to Lutheran, 34-28.

Number two-ranked Central took a 7-0 lead on a 13-play, 85-yard march that ended with senior “QuarterJack” Hamilton following strong line blocking on a one-yard sneak at 5:45. The longest play was a 33-yard pass from Hamilton to all-purpose Trevor “No Worry” Currie, but a roughing the passer call on the Saints aided the drive.

However, the number one Lutheran squad wasted no time showing its aerial dominance with back-to-back scoring strikes from QB Jackson Willis to DeVaun Jones (67 yards) and L.J. Ward (15 yards) as Willis finished his junior season at 13 of 18 for 226 yards and four touchdowns. He had 31 passing TDs this year.

The Saints then notched a one-yard rushing score by Braydon Hall, the team’s prime runner, with 30 carries for 145 yards.

That made it 21-7 at 10:47 of the second period. The PAT kicks were by Dax Lockliear.

Finally, AC returned fire as Hamilton tossed a 13-yarder to Currie for a TD at 8:06 of the second on a possession that featured a 46-yard gain by air from “QuarterJack” to “No Worry.”

Trevor Currie of Adams Central dives for a first down against Indianapolis Lutheran at Lucas Oil Stadium.

For the game, Currie, a grabbed five passes for 81 senior, caught six passes for yards and Breyland Reber took 126 yards, imcluding 39 yards in three for 17. after the grab. He also kicked AC senior fullback Keegan all four PATs. “Boom Boom” Bluhm completed

Hamilton, also a 12th grader a stellar career with 16 and in his lone season as a carries for 50 yards. Bluhm starter, pitched 16 for 24 for finished the season with 28 226 yards. touchdowns.

The halftime Among other highlights 28-14. before a very large Adams

Coming out in the third Central cheering section (three quarter, Lutheran tallied twice times bigger than Indianapolis more: a 24-yard pass from Lutheran’s) were these: Willis to Ward and a 20-yard • An interception by Ward pass to Jones. Jones nabbed after Hamilton launched a two throws for 87 yards and pass a little too far for Currie Ward got two for 39. to reach, but just enough for

Not at all ready to let another Ward to snare before he rolled state finals campaign go, the over on the manmade turf. Flying Jets added the game’s • A killer KDP (knocked down last two TDs on an eight-yard pass) by Currie on a fourthand-two pass from Hamilton to Currie play by Lutheran to and a 30-yard pass to Ryan prevent a possible score. Tester, who tightroped the last • A pass to Currie in the flat 15 yards. Immediately prior to that ended when he leaped over that closing score, “Flyin’” Ryan an IL player for a 10-yard gain. received a pass that he momentarily • A throw by Willis to bobbled, but instantly Ja’Varrea Cooper, after which pulled to his body as he was he jumped over an AC player being hit from behind by a on the way to a 16-yard gain. Saints defender for a 33-yard • Two almost identical pickup. heads-up end-around plays by

Tester Hamilton on very strong keepers: score was (another senior) #14 Jack Hamilton runs the ball for Adams Central in Indianapolis.

the first for a 24-yard pickup and the other for 15-yard addition. Both came on third downs: third and 16 the first time and third and seven the second. He ran 12 times for 50 yards, but had 18 yards lost to IL’s stout defense.

AC had 16 first downs, IL 17. Total offense was 326 for AC, 361 for IL.

Rushing was 30 for 100 by AC and 36 for 135 for IL.

Penalties were three for 25 yards for Central and three for

24 yards for the Saints.

The top tacklers were Reber with seven (five solo), Cameron Fravel and Zac Wurm (six each, with four and three solo, respectively), and five by Max Kaehr, Bluhm, and Lain Lengerich – all for the Jets.

The top defenders for Lutheran were Cole Snow at 11 (six solo), Jonny Hall eight (seven solo), and Campbell Richardson and Owen Lecher five.