Hobart’s ‘insane’ run ends just short
Brickies stand tall after losing in first semistate playoff game since 1996
The last time Hobart played this deep in the postseason, senior linebacker Mark Mummey wasn’t even alive.
“It was insane — I’ve never been a part of something like this,” Mummey said. “It was overwhelming, but in a good way. I tried to enjoy every bit of it.”
Junior quarterback Riley Johnston enjoyed it, too.
“Having everyone behind us like that was a great atmosphere to play in,” Johnston said. “I love our town.
“There’s nothing that compares to being a Brickie. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
Playing in its first semistate game since 1996, Hobart fell just 30 yards shy of a state championship berth with a 29-24 loss in Kendallville to East Noble, the top-ranked team in Class 4A.
Coach Craig Osika was alive when Hobart (11-3) last played in a semistate game — he was on that team.
And this fall, the 1998 Hobart graduate witnessed a throwback to the program’s storied tradition as the Brickies unleashed 11 straight wins after an 0-2 start.
“They got the buzz going in the town again,” Osika said. “It’s hard to say goodbye to these seniors. They set a foundation for the classes behind them. The underclassmen have big footsteps to follow now.”
One of those underclassmen made an early impact play, as junior safety Zach Vode blocked an East Noble punt, setting up Johnston for the first of his two touchdown runs.
Senior defensive back Matthew Benton added a 24-yard interception return for a TD as the Brickies took a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter.
East Noble ( 14 - 0 ) stormed back, however, tying the game in the third quarter and taking the lead on a safety early in the fourth. The Knights then moved ahead 26-17 with a TD on their next drive.
But Hobart wasn’t done yet.
“They never quit,” Osika said. “We told them to hold firm and trust the process, that things would work out.”
On Hobart’s next offensive play, Johnston ran 71 yards for a TD to make it 26-24. East Noble’s next drive reached the red zone, but Hobart’s defense clung to its never-say-die mentality, forcing a field goal that gave the Brickies’ offense one final chance with 2:33 left.
“I had all the confidence in the world that we could win,” Johnston said.
Hobart moved to the East Noble 30 before a final Hail Mary heave from Johnston fell incomplete as time expired, ending the Brickies’ last gasp.
As the players departed the field, Mummey looked at the sticker on his helmet that said “Family” and reflected on his final high school football season.
“I appreciate every single one of these guys,” Mummey said. “We had a great run. I wanted to finish with a bang. But sometimes in life, things don’t go the way you want them to.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.