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Max VanVliet's passing, Ryan Kleinschmidt's running and timely defensive plays powered Indianapolis Bishop Chatard to a 21-7 triumph over South Bend St. Joseph's in the Class 3A state championship game.

The victory garnered a state-leading 11th title for the top-ranked Trojans (13-2), who are 11-1 in the finals. They have won seven state championships since 2001, including the last two.

VanVliet hit 9-of-13 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Kleinschmidt rushed for 136 yards and a pair of scores one year after he ran for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the 2010 title game, also against St. Joseph’s.

Chatard outscored its six postseason opponents 227-48, and the Trojans' defense continued to make big plays with three takeaways against St. Joseph's. As the Indians were driving to pull within a touchdown in the final two minutes, a fumble recovery by Okenna Oruche ended the push.

St. Joseph's gained just two first downs and 69 yards in the first half and trailed 21-0 at halftime. The Indians' offense got untracked in the second half, totaling 12 first downs and 222 yards in the game.

St. Joseph's quarterback Nick Carmola completed 12-of-17 passes for 143 yards. David Arsenault rushed for 58 yards.

St. Joseph's (12-3), ranked fourth in the state coaches' poll, was making its third appearance in five years in the Class 3A title game. Each time the Indians fell to Chatard. St. Joseph's won the 3A title in 1995.

Bishop Chatard’s Max VanVliet named Eskew Mental Attitude Award Winner
Max VanVliet of Indianapolis Bishop Chatard was selected by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s winner of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Football.

The award, named in honor of the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-76, is presented annually to a senior in each classification who best demonstrates excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

VanVliet maintains a 4.04 GPA, ranks 17th in his senior class of 180 students and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is undecided on his college choice but is interested in studying business or pharmacy.

The senior co-captain has persevered through a torn anterior cruciate ligament to each knee over the last two seasons.

Bishop Chatard Principal Dr. John Atha says of VanVliet: “It is how he carried himself through his injuries that has left the lasting impact of the type of leader, student and athlete he is. He is clearly a living witness of the mission of Bishop Chatard High School to learn, lead and serve.”

VanVliet is a three-year varsity letterwinner in both football and track. He also played one season of basketball at Chatard.

He is the son of Rob and Angela VanVliet of Indianapolis.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Bishop Chatard High School in the name of VanVliet.  Since 1989, more than $745,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.

Indianapolis Bishop Chatard Coach Vince Lorenzano
(On going scoreless in second half)
“We gritted it out a little bit in the second half. We knew (St. Joseph’s) were going to be a physical team. They have beaten a lot of good teams, and it was a physical, physical game. In the second half, we just wanted to control the line of scrimmage and kill some clock and maybe we got a little bit conservative. You have to give it to (St. Joseph’s), they play hard. This was two tough teams.”

(On the program’s state-leading 11th championship)
“It’s a tribute to the school and the kids that have played all these years. You know, it’s a faith-based school, a school that is all about taking care of each other. That happens a lot more than outside people understand and the kids really take care of each other.”

(On the play of seniors Ryan Kleinschmidt, Joe Fagan and Max VanVliet)
“Our program is about the seniors and what they bring all the time. I love these kids because they’ve never quit on anything.”

(On South Bend St. Joseph’s)
“No question, it was a physical game. A lot of hard hitting, and we knew they were going to come back. We wanted to just hold on and battle through that a little bit. It’s a tribute to both programs that we got back here (state championship game) two years in a row because getting back is so difficult. It’s not about the winning. It’s about reaching your potential. Kids on both sides understand that and will be better served in life by it.”

South Bend St. Joseph’s Coach Ben Downey
“When you play a team like Chatard and if you get off to a slow start, it’s darn near impossible to come back. I’m incredibly proud of my guys’ effort and their heart and the way they stuck together. But the end-result is disappointing. I feel bad for our kids.”

“We talked about keeping our composure and representing St. Joe. There were no adjustments at halftime. It simply came down to not letting the atmosphere get the best of us and carrying out our assignments like we were doing all year.”

“In the first half, we just made too many mental mistakes. We talked about in championships, the further you make it into the playoffs, one mental mistake usually results in a very big play. Sometimes in the regular season, you can get away with it, depending on who you’re playing. But at this level, if you make a mental mistake you are in trouble.”

“The turnovers were obviously huge momentum swings. (Chatard) did a good job of mixing up their defensive coverages – hats off to them.”

“I know how difficult it is to get here (to state championship game). We would have liked to have had a better ending to this story. I’m very proud to make it here two years in a row. We will continue to have goals to close this deal and someday bring home a blue ribbon.”