IHSAA football Class A state final prediction: North Judson vs. Providence

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

Matchup: North Judson (14-0) vs. Providence (13-0)

Rankings: North Judson No. 1; Providence #2

Start: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Lucas Oil Stadium

Here’s how to watch: IHSAAtv.org

Championships: North Judson is seeking its first football championship following Class A appearances in 1980, 1984 and 1986. North Judson’s only state championship in school history came in 2018 in Class 2A volleyball. Providence is also looking for its first football state championship. The Pioneers finished second in 1973 (Class A) and 1993 (Class 2A). Providence has 11 state titles in school history: three in baseball (2A in 2016, ’21 and ’24), one in boys’ basketball (2A in 2022), one in boys’ soccer (A in 2020) and one in girls’ soccer (A in 2011). ) and five in volleyball (2A in 2013 and ’14 and 3A in 2015, ’22 and ’23).

trainer: North Judson coach Brett Lambert, 43, is in his sixth year. Lambert, a 2000 North Judson graduate, began his coaching career after graduating from Ball State as a middle school coach at West Central, then as an assistant at North Newton and Rensselaer Central before returning to North Judson as an assistant from 2008-13. Lambert, who coaches track and field with his wife Kylene, was hired as football coach in 2019.

Providence coach Daniel McDonald, 35, is in his fifth year at Providence with a 43-16 record. McDonald is a 2007 graduate of Louisville Waggener and a 2012 graduate of IU-Southeast. He coached Waggener for one season in 2013 before moving on to two other Louisville schools – Seneca and Male – as an assistant for six years. McDonald was hired as Providence coach in 2020 and led the program to three section titles and a breakout regional and semistate championship this season.

A closer look at North Judson

North Judson is playing in its first state championship in 38 years and is ranked fourth overall. The Bluejays, one of three undefeated teams playing this weekend, lead the state in scoring (54.1 ppg) and margin of victory (46.9 ppg). The defense ranks second in points allowed at 7.1 points. The Hoosier North Conference champions defeated six opponents this season, including South Adams, 46-0, for the semistate title. The three North Judson state finalists in the 1980s were coached by Russ Radtke, the current Knox coach with 413 career wins.

North Judson is averaging 393 rushing yards and 54.1 points per game with its flexbone offense. The Bluejays have three players with more than 1,000 yards rushing: senior running backs Kole Wilcox (1,942 yards, 39 TDs) and Brock Benson (1,552 yards, 20 TDs) and senior quarterback Jesiah McDaniel (1,039 yards, 21 TDs). Wilcox is also the Bluejays’ top receiver with 12 catches for 386 yards and four touchdowns. Linebackers Benson (69 tackles, nine for loss) and Wilcox (66 tackles, 20 for loss, 3½ sacks) are the team’s best defensive players, along with lineman CJ Sanchez (19 tackles for loss, four sacks). McDaniel has 13 interceptions.

A closer look at Providence

Providence is playing in its third state championship game overall and first in 31 years. The Pioneers defeated No. 7 Springs Valley 35-20 in the sectional first round and No. 6 South Putnam 35-30 in the semistate. Providence hosted its first Class A state championship in 1973, losing 21-14 to Mishawaka Marian.

Providence averages 33.2 points and 321.4 yards per game from its spread offense. The Pioneers averaged 227 yards per game on the ground, led by senior quarterback Preston Kempf (1,079 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns). Senior running back Cooper Ross (913 yards, eight touchdowns) is also nearing 1,000 rushing yards. Kempf is also an efficient passer, throwing for 1,182 yards and 14 touchdowns. His top targets are seniors Nick Stoner (23 catches, 416 yards, seven touchdowns) and Wyatt Small (19 catches, 260 yards). The Pioneers’ defense, which allows just 11.7 points and 194 yards per game, is led by senior linebacker Lucas Thomas (79 tackles, five fumble recoveries, three sacks) and junior linebacker Lincoln Kruer (65 tackles, 10 for loss, four). interceptions). and senior lineman Griffin Tucker (63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 ½ sacks).

Quotable

North Judson coach Brett Lambert on finally reaching the state finals after losing to Adams Central in the semistate three years in a row:

“We knew we had to reach another level. We had to prepare as if Adams Central was still there. We had to reach that level and then go beyond it, I guess you could call it a curse. We have the utmost respect for Adams Central and what they do. It wasn’t that we were bitter, it was just that we had something to work on. The kids worked harder in the weight room, worked on speed and development. We told them that you have to practice 100% all the time so that in the games there is only one way and that is 100% full throttle. It’s just a possibility. And that’s what they did.”

How North Judson can win

Control the ball, establish the run and play from the front. North Judson has been a machine on the floor this season and should be ready for this opportunity after knocking on the door so many times in recent years. A timely pass here or there might also help.

IHSAA football Class A state final prediction: North Judson vs. Providence

ByAmelia Pressman

By Amelia Pressman

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