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

On December 1, 2024By Littum

Class 5A final: Decatur Central vs. Warsaw, at 19, Saturday
Stream live 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 the start of sectional play, Decatur Central has used a little-used high school football rule that allows a kicker to kick the ball from a tee (as if kicking a field goal) for a punt. Decatur Central happens to have one of the best kickers in the state in senior Ashton Vogel, who is capable of making field goals from more than 50 yards.

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, it looks a little … odd.

“When you see us line up for a 90-yard field goal,” Enright said, “that’s why we do it.”

Enright estimates the Hawks have used the field goal punt “seven or eight times” since the start of the tournament — and plans to again in Saturday night’s Class 5A state final against Warsaw at Lucas Oil Stadium. Enright said they saw a Northern Indiana team do it on film early in the season and tucked it away for the tournament.

“Ashton can kick it 20 yards further off a tee on the ground and can place it better than he can with a punt,” Enright said. “And there’s less chance of it being blocked.”

Vogel, who is 9-for-13 on field goals with a long of 46 yards, is averaging 41.3 yards per punt. attempt. His first punt against East Central went 50 yards and was angled to the corner of the field.

“When our crowd saw us line up for an 85-yard field goal the first time, it was like ‘no,'” Enright said with a laugh. “But it was like, ‘No, it’s a shot.’ It’s legal to push the ball out of field goal formation. That’s been big for us. Coach (Leland) Kinnett does a good job of making special teams fun. … and Ashton Vogel is special, so that makes it even better.”

Enright said he discusses his plans with the referees before each game, just to make sure they are aware of the Hawks’ scoring strategy. Of course he checked with Vogel before switching.

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

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

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

Locations: Warsaw no. 10; Decatur Central no. 4

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

That’s how you see: IHSAAtv.org

Championships

Warsaw is making its first appearance in the state finals. The Tigers had not won a sectional title before the 2019 season. Warsaw has won state championships in boys basketball (single class in 1984), girls basketball (single class in 1984 and ’86), boys golf in 2005, softball in 1991 and overall 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 2018 and ’23 in 5A. Decatur Central has four sectional titles in program history. The school also has state championships in baseball (4A in 2008) and softball (4A in 2018).

Trainers

Warsaw coach Bart Curtis, 61, is in his seventh season with a 58-20 record at the school. He is 259-122 in 34 seasons overall. Curtis, who played on NorthWood’s Class 2A state runner-up team in 1980, began his coaching career as an assistant at South Bend LaSalle in 1985 and coached at South Bend Washington and New Prairie before landing his first head coaching job at Maconaquah in 1991. Curtis coached there for six years, followed by 11 years in New Prairie, 10 years in Mishawaka and now his seventh in Warsaw. His 2012 team at Mishawaka reached the Class 4A final, 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 Decatur Central graduate, 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, then transferred to Decatur Central in 2009. Enright took over as head coach in 2016 after seven seasons as an assistant. 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 1973-81, at Bloomington South from 1982-86 and Perry Meridian from 1987-93.

A closer look at Warsaw

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

Warsaw is averaging 34.2 points and 281.5 rushing yards per game out of its flexbone offense. The Tigers share the wealth on the ground with senior quarterback Drew Sullivan leading the way with 908 yards rushing and nine TDs in nine games. He also has 318 passing yards and three TD passes. Junior quarterback Quinton Brock has 804 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs and 178 passing yards and six passing TDs. Junior running back Brody Duncan (681 rushing yards, seven TDs) and sophomore halfback Tucker Reed (451 rushing yards, nine TDs) also carry the ball frequently for the Tigers. Ethan Egolf, a senior, is the top receiver with 19 catches for 300 yards and five TDs. 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 trip to the state final in six seasons, are seeking their first title. Decatur Central averages 35.0 points per game. game, which is ranked fifth in 5A, and looks to finish the season with a ninth straight win. The Hawks beat Plainfield no. 5 by 35-7 to win the sectional championship and no. 7 East Central in the region. Decatur Central is one of four teams this weekend to return to Lucas Oil Stadium.

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) sparks the offense and has speed around him with junior receiver Kasmir Hicks (51 catches, 841 yards, 11 TDs), junior Fa’Rel Carter (34 catches, 440 yards; 580 rushing yards, six TDs), senior N’Po Dodo (566 rushing yards, four TDs; 18 catches, 233 yards, five TDs) and junior Carson Ison (34 catches, 344 yards, two TDs). 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. This is the strength of tigers. Enright said his biggest concern is that Warsaw plays stay away for a 12-minute drive. Four yards and a cloud of grass will be Warsaw’s best bet on offense. The defense must keep the Hawks’ speed from making big plays.

How Decatur Central can win

Make the little things become 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 the small gains become big. Same for offense. Be content to move the chains and the big plays will happen naturally. And leave last year’s 30-6 loss to Fort Wayne Snider behind.

IHSAA football Class 5A state final prediction

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

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 270-4904.