IHSAA Class 5A football state final preview: Decatur Central vs. Warsaw

Class 5A final: Decatur Central vs. Warsaw, 7 p.m., Saturday
Live streaming via PPV at IHSAAtv.org

If you see Decatur Central lining up for an 80-yard field goal during Saturday’s Class 5A state championship game, don’t be alarmed. You don’t lose your mind.

Since sectional play began, Decatur Central has employed a little-used high school football rule that allows a kicker to kick the ball off the tee (as he would kick a field goal) to score a punt. Decatur Central has one of the best kickers in the state in senior Ashton Vogel, who is capable of making field goals from more than 50 yards.

IHSAA football state finals:Results, highlights, statistics, photos

Nobody does it alone.The state finals coaches give thanks on Thanksgiving.

But when Decatur Central lines up in field goal formation from its own 35-yard line, as it did on its second possession against East Central in the region, things look a little…weird.

“If you see us lining up for a 90-yard field goal,” Enright said, “we’ll do it.”

Enright estimates the Hawks have used the field goal punt “seven or eight times” since the tournament began — and plan to do so again Saturday night in the Class 5A state final against Warsaw at Lucas Oil Stadium. Enright said they saw a Northern Indiana team on film early in the season and packed them for the tournament.

“Ashton can shoot 20 yards further from a tee shot on the ground and place it better than he can with a punt,” Enright said. “And it’s less likely to get blocked.”

Vogel, who is 9 of 13 on field goals of 46 yards, punts at an average distance of 41.3 yards per attempt. His first punt against East Central went 50 yards and was angled into the corner of the field.

“When our crowd saw us line up for an 85-yard field goal for the first time, we thought ‘no,'” Enright said with a laugh. “But it was like, ‘No, that’s a barge.’ It’s legitimately about kicking the ball out of the field goal formation. It was huge for us. Coach (Leland) Kinnett does a great job making special teams fun. … and Ashton Vogel is special, so it makes it even better.”

Enright said he discusses his plans with officials before every game to make sure they are aware of the Hawks’ punting strategy. Of course he asked Vogel before the change.

“We practiced it all year,” Enright said. “And then we brought it out for the playoffs to make sure we knew what we were doing.”

Here’s a closer look at the Class 5A title game:

Matchup: Warsaw (10-3) vs. Decatur Central (10-2)

Rankings: Warsaw No. 10; Decatur Central #4

Start: Saturday, 7 p.m., at Lucas Oil Stadium

Here’s how to watch: IHSAAtv.org

Championships

Warsaw is competing in the state finals for the first time. The Tigers had not won a sectional title until the 2019 season. Warsaw has won state championships in boys basketball (individual class in 1984), girls basketball (individual class in 1984 and 1986), boys golf in 2005, softball in 1991 and unified track and field in 2014 and ’16.

Decatur Central has not won a football state championship. The Hawks are making their third appearance after finishing second in 5A in 2018 and ’23. Decatur Central has four section titles in program history. The school also hosts state championships in baseball (4A in 2008) and softball (4A in 2018).

trainer

Warsaw coach Bart Curtis, 61, is in his seventh season at the school with a 58-20 record. Overall, he is 259-122 in 34 seasons. Curtis, who played on NorthWood’s 1980 Class 2A runner-up team, began his coaching career as an assistant at South Bend LaSalle in 1985 and coached at South Bend Washington and New Prairie before getting his first head coaching job at Maconaquah in 1991. Curtis coached there for six years, followed by 11 years at New Prairie, 10 years at Mishawaka and now seventh at Warsaw. His 2012 Mishawaka team reached the Class 4A state finals, losing to Cathedral.

Decatur Central coach Kyle Enright, 45, is in his ninth season at Decatur Central with an 80-27 record. Enright, a 1997 graduate of Decatur Central, began his coaching career at Southport in 2003 after graduating from the University of Indianapolis. He coached as an assistant at Warren Central for five years and then moved to Decatur Central in 2009. Enright took over as head coach in 2016 after serving as an assistant for seven seasons. His father, Dave Enright, won a state championship at Hamilton Southeastern in 1981 and was an assistant for four Warren Central state titles. He coached at HSE from 1973 to 1981, Bloomington South from 1982 to 1986 and Perry Meridian from 1987 to 1993.

A closer look at Warsaw

Warsaw ranks fifth in Class 5A in points scored (34.2 ppg) and seventh in points allowed (18.3 ppg). After a 3-3 start, the Tigers have won seven straight, including victories over No. 1 Concord (31-28 in the section championship), No. 2 Lafayette Jeff (44-27 in the regional championship) and No. 3 Merrillville (31-14 in the semistate). The win over Concord was revenge for a 28-24 loss to the Minutemen in Week 5.

Warsaw is averaging 34.2 points and 281.5 rushing yards per game from its flexbone offense. The Tigers share the wealth locally, with senior quarterback Drew Sullivan leading the way with 908 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in nine games. He also has 318 passing yards and three touchdowns. Junior quarterback Quinton Brock has 804 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs and 178 passing yards and six passing TDs. Junior fullback Brody Duncan (681 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and sophomore halfback Tucker Reed (451 rushing yards, nine touchdowns) also carry the ball often for the Tigers. Ethan Egolf, a senior, is the top receiver with 19 catches for 300 yards and five touchdowns. The defense is led by senior defensive back Tristan Wilson (69 tackles, six interceptions), senior linebacker Gavin Schultz (72 tackles, three sacks) and sophomore linebacker Matthew Flores-Ortega (90 tackles, 10 tackles for loss).

A closer look at Decatur Central

The Hawks, making their third state championship appearance in six seasons, are seeking their first title. Decatur Central is averaging 35.0 points per game, ranked fifth in 5A and hoping to end the season with a ninth straight win. The Hawks defeated No. 5 Plainfield 35-7 to win the section championship and No. 7 East Central in the regional championship. Decatur Central is one of four teams returning to Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend.

Decatur Central is one of the more balanced offensive teams playing in the state finals this weekend, averaging 192 yards on the ground and 164 yards through the air this season. Junior quarterback and Toledo recruit Bo Polston (2,036 passing yards, 21 TDs; 272 rushing yards, five TDs) leads the offense and has junior receiver Kasmir Hicks (51 catches, 841 yards, 11 TDs), junior Fa’ Rel Carter (34 catches, 440 yards; 580 rushing yards, six touchdowns), senior N’Po Dodo (566 rushing yards, four touchdowns; 18 catches, 233 yards, five touchdowns) and junior Carson Ison (34 catches, 344 yards, two touchdowns). The defense is led by junior linebacker Brayden Smith (148 tackles), junior Mykul Campbell (26 tackles for loss, 14 sacks), junior Braylon Morris (80 tackles, three forced fumbles) and senior Brycen Bonawitt (66 tackles, 4 ½ sacks). ). three forced fumbles).

How Warsaw can win

Keep the ball away from Decatur Central as much as possible. That’s the Tigers’ strength. Enright said his biggest concern was that Warsaw wouldn’t be able to keep his distance for 12 minutes. Four yards and a cloud of turf would be Warsaw’s best bet on offense. The defense needs to stop the Hawks’ speed from making big plays.

How Decatur Central can win

Make the little things add up to big things. Playing Warsaw’s misdirection and ball-faking offense means doing your job and not trying to do someone else’s. Don’t let small wins become big ones. The same applies to the offense. Be content with moving the chains and the big plays will happen on their own. And let’s look back at last year’s 30-6 loss to Fort Wayne Snider.

IHSAA football Class 5A state final prediction

Decatur Central 30, Warsaw 27. The contrast in style makes this one of the most interesting games of the weekend.

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IHSAA Class 5A football state final preview: Decatur Central vs. Warsaw

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