Roncalli’s Luke Hansen runs over an East Central defender for a big gain during Friday’s semistate game.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
ST. LEON
Roncalli senior running back Luke Hansen struggled to find words to describe his emotions.
Hansen rushed for 204 yards on 41 carries and scored three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough as No. 4 East Central edged No. 2 Roncalli 24-21 in overtime in Friday’s Class 4A semistate. Trojans kicker Nathan McFee hit a 22-yard field goal for the game-winner after the Royals failed to score on their opening overtime possession.
East Central (12-2) now advances to face New Prairie in the 4A state title game next Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“We did a lot, but the goal was state,” Hansen said. “I’m proud of this team. I love everyone here.”
Roncalli (12-2) seemed to have the momentum after Hansen sacked East Central quarterback Cole Burton and caused a fumble with the score tied at 21-all. Roncalli moved the ball downfield before the drive stalled.
East Central’s Eli Aston blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt by Joe Parrett with 37 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
“They looked like they were a lot offsides while they were there, but the refs didn’t make the call,” Royals coach Eric Quintana said. “It is what it is.”
In overtime, Roncalli got the ball first and went for the TD on fourth down but lost the shotgun snap.
“We were just going for the win,” Quintana said. “We have a lot of confidence in our running game and kudos to East Central. They made a play and got us.”
That set the stage for McFee’s game-winner.
Roncalli had tied it at 21-all on Hansen’s 4-yard touchdown with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter.
Hansen scored first, also on a 4-yard TD, to give Roncalli a 7-0 lead with 2:58 left in the first quarter. East Central quarterback Cole Burton tied it at 7-all on 1-yard run.
Junior Josh Ringer put the Trojans ahead 14-7 on a 1-yard TD run in the third quarter. A 20-yard touchdown by Hansen tied it with 2:36 left in the third.
The Trojans went up 21-14 on Burton’s 10-yard TD pass to Aston.
Quintana said he is extremely proud of the players, especially the seniors.
“We have a great football team,” he said. “We just came up a little short. I’m just disappointed in myself, not being able to get it done.”
Ringer led the Trojans with 150 yards on 34 carries. Ryan Brotherton added 73 yards on 19 attempts.
The Royals had edged host East Central 21-19 Oct.14 in the regular-season finale.
“East Central has a good team, and they got us this time,” Quintana said. “They played hard, and we just didn’t capitalize on some opportunities. “It was definitely short of our goals. This one is going to sting. We’ve got a great group of seniors and they are going to be great men. They are going to play a lot of football and I look forward to watching them play in college. It’s just a bummer.”
Royals senior quarterback Arik Moyers said the team played hard all season and all game, but came up short.
“We failed to convert on the last drive and then in overtime,” he said. “We had a great overall year. I couldn’t be prouder of the seniors on the team and the coaching staff. I feel like we gave them everything we had, but they got the best of us.”
