(11-27-20) Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers looked like they had pulled off one of the biggest surprises during the Indiana 2020 High School football season. But in the end the defending state champion Western Boone pulled out a miracle win when Josiah Smith kicked a 38 yard FG with just seven seconds remaining to win 36-35. A heart-breaker for the Knights and a miracle comeback win for the two-time Class 2A champions Western Boone.
The Knights ended the regular season three games under .500 at 3-6, but since their ‘Cinderella’ run started during the tournament they have done nothing but win..until today.
The Stars trailed 35-33 with just 45 seconds to go, thanks to several key penalties, they were able to get the ball down close enough for the FG try…for Smith it was vindication after missing an extra point in the 1st half . It was a tough kick from the right hash mark.
Western Boone’s Robby Taylor finished with a game high total of 210 yards rushing on 43 carries.
QB Elliott Young, who led the dramatic drive in the final series finished with 9 of 15 passing for 116 yards and 1 TD. Luke Marsh, who had several key receptions had four catches for 82 yards, while Connor Garrity had the TD catch.
Bishop Luers’ QB Carson Clark (Jr) had another big game for the Knights.
Clark was 17-21 for 303 yards and 3 TDs
Knights receiver Brody Glenn was on the other end of Clark’s passes all day.
He had 6 catches for 171 yards, including a 78 yard catch and 1 TD.
GAME RECAP
The Stars (11-4) scored 10 points in the final 1:36 of the contest to overcome a 35-26 deficit and claim their third-straight state title and 18th consecutive tournament victory.
The back-and-forth contest featured plenty of offense as the teams combined for 795 yards and 43 first downs in addition to the 71 points.
Luers (8-7) held a 21-13 lead at halftime. Behind the passing of quarterback Carson Clark, the Knights were able to take advantage of two Webo turnovers to build the nine-point lead after Clark connected for his second touchdown pass to Krashaun Menson (a 7-yarder) with 3:38 left.
Coach Justin Pelley’s Stars used a ball-control rushing attack to sustain their offense. Fullback Robby Taylor, who had a state-record 43 carries in the game, scored on a 1-yard run with 1:36 left to pull Webo within 35-33.
A failed onside kick seemed to spell doom for the Stars, but the defense came up with a three-and-out and forced a punt. Western Boone benefited from a kick-catch interference penalty to give it a first down at its 46 with :39 left. Five plays later, Luers was flagged for pass interference giving the Stars a first down at the Knights’ 21. Smith, the son of former Colts punter Hunter Smith, came on to boot the game-winner.
Coach Kyle Lindsay’s Knights were making their first state finals appearance since 2012 and 16th overall.
Highlights –
1Q
5:49 – WeBo – Elliott Young to Connor Garrity 6 yard TD pass. PAT good by Josiah Smith
3:58 – Luers – Carson Clark to Brody Glenn 11 yard TD Pass. PAT good by Roel Pineda
2Q
9:03 – WeBo – Robby Taylor 3 yard TD run. PAT no good
7:14 – Luers – Ramon Anderson 16 yard TD run. PAT good by Roel Pineda
5:25 – Luers – Krashaun Menson 31 yard TD pass from Clark. PAT good by Roel Pineda,
- Luers – Jayden Hill recovers WeBo onside kick
HALF: Bishop Luers 21 Western Boone 13
1st Half Stats
3Q
8:43 – Luers – first punt of the game by Evan Linker
3:01 – WeBo – Elliot Young 1 yard run PAT run no good by Clayton Hysong
1:46 – Luers – Ramon Anders 1 yard run PAT good by Roel Pineda
4Q
8:34 – WeBo – Luke Marsh 10 yard TD run PAT good by Josiah Smith
3:38 – Luers – Clark to Krashaun Menson for a 7 yard TD pass PAT good by Roel Pineda
1:55 – WeBo – Robby Taylor 1 yard run PAT good by Josiah Smith
0:07 – WeBo– 38 yard FG good by Josiah Smith
State Championship Records
Most Rushing Attempts (Any class) – 43 by Robby Taylor, Western Boone. (Previous best was 42 by Josh Smith of Attica in 2000 1A game).
Western Boone’s Luke Marsh earns the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award
During the awards ceremony, Luke Marsh of Western Boone High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A Football.
The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability during his four years of high school.
He is the son of Kyle and Danette Marsh of Lebanon. He plans to attend either Marian, DePauw, or Indiana Wesleyan but is undecided on what he will study.
The award is named in honor of Commissioner Emeritus Blake Ress, who served as the IHSAA’s seventh commissioner from 2000-11.
The Indianapolis Colts, a corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Western Boone High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Luke Marsh.
Stateline Sports Network 