‘Exhausted’ Woods does more
Hammond Central senior catches 2-point conversion pass that proves to be difference against Morton in sectional semifinal
Jordan Woods returned to his roots for what proved to be the decisive points in Hammond Central’s Class 5A sectional semifinal at crosstown rival Morton on Friday.
Woods, a Class 5A junior all-state wide receiver last year who has lined up at quarterback much of this season, caught a two-point conversion pass with 4:39 left in the third quarter.
Woods, who has an offer from Colorado State, broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run on fourth down to give the Wolves a 25-18 lead. Coach Adam Hudak then had Hammond Central line up to kick an extra point but pull a fake, with holder Greg Dotson throwing the pass.
“That was a great play call by coach,” Woods said. “I was exhausted, but he knew I could do it. He just said, ‘I need you for this one play.’ … I couldn’t do it without the pass of Greg.
“I trust Hudak with everything. I know he knows what’s best for the team.”
Woods’ conversion made the difference in Hammond Central’s 27-26 win. Fred Brown’s second TD run and Holland Harris’ conversion pass to Gary Robinson pulled Morton within a point with 5:23 left, and the Governors were stopped on fourthand-1 from Hammond Central’s 9 with 46 seconds left.
Hudak had confidence the Wolves’ bid for two would work.
“For some reason, I knew we had to go for the two points on that fake extra point,” he said. “I said, ‘Jordan, just get in the flat, and we’ll get you the ball for the two points.’ I turned to my coach and said, ‘That’s going to win us the game.’ I was happy we did that. Greg Dotson, that’s the second time he’s thrown a two-point conversion pass like that. It was huge.”
The Wolves (8-2), who will play Merrillville (8-2) in a sectional final, had topped the Governors 49-20 on Sept. 30.
“It’s a rivalry game,” Hudak said. “Playing the same team three weeks apart, four weeks apart, I knew it was going to be like this. I didn’t like the draw. I didn’t want to come over here and have to play this team. You play the same team a second time, you know each other, you know these kids grew up together, I knew it was going to be just like this. I was just hoping to be on the winning end.
“They’re a good team. They play a tough, tough schedule. … We did what we had to do.”
Woods, who also plays safety, completed 4 of 9 passes for 86 yards. He threw a 37-yard TD pass to his brother Dashawn and an 8-yard TD pass to Amauri Moore. He also ran for 75 yards on 11 carries, including the 50-yard TD, and had one catch.
“It’s easy,” Woods said when asked about playing quarterback. “If I’m helping the team, I’m happy with it. I don’t care what position I play. As long as my team’s happy and we’re winning, that’s all I can do.”
Ahkeem Harrington ran for 75 yards and a TD on 19 carries for Hammond Central.
Brown and Dontell Harris Jr. both had big games rushing for Morton (1-9). Brown ran for 141 yards and two TDs on 15 carries, and Harris ran for 139 yards and two TDs on 30 carries.
Hudak fought back tears in the aftermath of the victory.
“I’m proud of our seniors,” he said. “They won more games this year than their whole high school career. … We’ve come a long way.”
Hammond Central’s road doesn’t get any easier. Merrillville has reached a semistate three straight years and has been ranked in the top 10 all season.
“You can’t play them if you don’t get to them . ... All summer, I was like, ‘Let’s play games in November,’” Hudak said. “That’s what you want to do, and we’re there. I can’t be more happy for the kids.”
Jordan Woods also was savoring the result.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “For a lot of us, this is our first playoff win in high school, counting me.
“We’re trying to upset them (Merrillville). Come out, have a good week of practice and everybody be locked in from the jump. It’s at home, and we haven’t lost at home yet, so …”