Center Grove’s Eli Hohlt runs the ball during Friday’s regional game at Lawrence North.
CHRIS WILLIAMS | FOR THE DAILY JOURNAL
INDIANAPOLIS
When a team has won the last 16 matchups in a series the way Center Grove had prior to Friday night, it’s not so much a rivalry as it is a blip on the radar.
Only this time, the stakes were far greater as the top-ranked Trojans traveled to No. 9 Lawrence North for a Class 6A regional in what was the first postseason meeting between the two schools.
Playing perhaps their best game of the season, the host Wildcats pushed Center Grove in ways it hadn’t been pushed, but the Trojans hung tough and used a long touchdown drive late to earn a 29-19 victory and claim their 16th regional title.
Afterward, the two coaches, Eric Moore and Lawrence North’s Pat Mallory, a former Moore assistant, locked in a lengthy embrace near midfield.
Tears were shed and compliments exchanged.
“This was a great defensive battle tonight. Kids made plays and it was very physical. This is what high school football is all about and I hope people understand it,” Moore said. “Two good teams. A much improved Lawrence North team … Patrick is like my son. This is a tough situation for me.
“It was great to win for our kids, but, man, those (LN) kids played their butts off. I’m proud of them. It’s great for high school football.”
Lawrence North (7-4), making its first regional appearance in 31 years, had pulled to within 22-19 on an 11-yard sprint to the end zone by sophomore quarterback Montez Jones midway through the third quarter.
However, the Trojans, starting from their own 4 in the waning seconds of the period, mounted a 15-play drive in which their poise under fire was frequently showcased.
Facing third and 34 from the LN 48, quarterback Tayven Jackson found Eli Hohlt on the right side. The junior, benefitting from a blown defensive coverage, motored to the 20 to set up a more manageable fourth and 6. Jackson then found Brandon Wheat over the middle for a 12-yard pickup.
Two plays later, senior defensive end Caden Curry blasted in from the 3 to account for the final tally with 5:19 remaining in the fourth.
“That’s coach Moore football right there. That’s all we work for over the summer, just those long drives to keep our defense off the field,” Curry said. “I mean, they work their butts off, were working really hard to get down there and never gave up, honestly.
“That’s all he preaches. That’s all we do.”
The Wildcats had a touchdown catch by Omar Cooper nullified by a holding call on the ensuing drive; on fourth-and-15 from the Center Grove 29, seniors James Schott and Trei Specker teamed to sack Jones at 2:26 to essentially end the ballgame.
Center Grove now prepares to host Ben Davis in a semistate for what will be the third consecutive season the MIC rivals will battle for a state finals berth.
The Trojans held a 22-13 halftime lead, two of their scores attributed to special teams efforts wrapped around a nifty 26-yard touchdown run by junior Drew Wheat.
Lawrence North immediately got Center Grove’s attention, marching 65 yards in seven plays on the game’s opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. Junior bruiser Ali Richardson did the honors with a 4-yard touchdown run at 9:30 of the first.
Center Grove couldn’t capitalize on its initial series, the ball going back to the Wildcats. But on fourth down, punter Connor Bartlett barely grazed the ball on his attempt, and Trojans senior Jackson Griffin alertly picked up the pigskin and ran it in from 25 yards out.
Curry’s run for a conversion made it 8-7 at the 4:53 mark.
The visitors’ defense stiffened on LN’s next series, junior defensive back Jalen Thomeson stuffing Richardson for a yard loss on fourth and 2. Center Grove needed only four plays to widen the margin, with Wheat starting left, cutting back toward the middle and outracing defenders to the end zone.
Wheat struck again late in the opening quarter, his 32-yard punt return for a score making it into a 22-7 lead. The Wildcats were able to inch closer inside the final minute of the half as Richardson’s 1-yard plunge at 36.8 seconds capped an 11-play, 35-yard scoring drive.
Lawrence North finished the first half with a 126-113 lead in total yardage and outgained the Trojans overall, 305-270.
