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It was fitting that on a day when Bishop Chatard became Indiana’s all-time leader in high school football state titles, a staunch defense and a grinding, relentless running attack – two trademarks of the Trojans during many of those titles – led to the win.

The fifth-ranked Trojans downed No. 3 West Lafayette 31-7, giving Chatard its 13th state crown – one better than rival Cathedral. The Trojans turned two second-half defensive stops into 10 points, breaking open a tight game and giving Head Coach Vince Lorenzano his seventh state title at the school.

Leading 14-7 in the third quarter, the Trojans (12-3) stopped the Red Devils on downs at the Chatard 14. Four plays later, Trojan tailback Jarrod Stiver broke off a 65-yard touchdown run.

West Lafayette (13-2) drove to the Chatard 32 on its next possession but failed to convert again on fourth down. The Trojans then used up more than six minutes of clock, driving 54 yards in 14 plays to set up Caleb Kobets’ 31-yard field goal for a 24-7 lead with 3:49 left in the game.

Following Chatard’s third interception of the game, tailback Gabe Coleman got free on a 30-yard touchdown run. Coleman finished with 118 yards on the ground, while Stiver added 108 and John Chavis 77 – including a 42-yard TD early in the third quarter that broke a 7-7 tie.

Both teams scored on their first possession of the game, but defense took over the rest of the half. Neither team was able to mount a serious drive until the Trojans’ marched from their own 28 to the Red Devil 20 late in the half. But with time expiring, Kobets was short on a 37-yard field goal attempt.

West Lafayette entered Friday averaging 468 yards per game but was held to 286 by the Trojans. Travis Rolle ran 32 times for 146 yards for the Red Devils.

West Lafayette’s Jack Folkers named Ress Mental Attitude Award winner
At the conclusion of the state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Jack Folkers of West Lafayette High School as the winner of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A football.

Folkers is a three sport athlete also participating in basketball and track.  He is a 3 year varsity letterman for the Red Devils, while also being named 1st Team Academic All-State as a member of the track team.  He is also West Lafayette’s delegate for the Richard Lugar Leadership Academy and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Jack is the son of Brooke Folkers of West Lafayette, IN.  He plans to attend Purdue University next year to study engineering.

Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability. The award is named in honor of the IHSAA’s 7th commissioner from 2000-11.

The Indianapolis Colts presented a $1,000 scholarship to West Lafayette High School in the name of Jack Folkers. The Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the entire football state tournament since 2009 and are sponsoring the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award.