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INDIANAPOLIS - It’s been a long time since the Class 1A participants have had the chance to claim their respective program’s first state championship and that’s not the only reason why a title for either school will be extra special.

In what will be the only matchup of the weekend of undefeated teams at the 52nd annual IHSAA State Football Championships, top-ranked North Judson-San Pierre (14-0) and second-ranked Providence (13-0) will kick off the Saturday tripleheader.

Providence enters the championship game for the third time in program history, but it will be the first appearance since 1993. Since that time, coach Daniel McDonald’s program has been through many changes.

“When I got to Providence (in 2020), our first team meeting was three days before the Covid shutdown,” McDonald pointed out. “I had 14 players, one manager and one assistant coach at that meeting. We’ve built this program from the ground up and it’s been a lot of work.”

For North Judson, it’s been an even longer wait for a state-finals appearance. The Bluejay program has made three trips to Indianapolis (1980, 1984 and 1985), but fell short each time. Despite several quality teams since (including three-straight regional titles and semi-state losses each time to 2A finalist Adams Central), coach Brett Lambert has finally guided North Judson back to the title game.

“It’s unbelievable for our community to be back here,” said Lambert, a 2003 North Judson grad. “This is a football community and, after 38 years, maybe some were thinking this may not happen. To bring home a state championship would mean the world.”

The Bluejays have certainly looked the part this season. North Judson comes into the final with the top scoring offense (54.1 points per game) and top winning margin (46.9 points per game) in the state. Oh, and the defense is ranked second, allowing only 7.1 ppg.

In fact, North Judson’s “closest” game this season came in its opener – a 42-21 triumph over Knox, a nine-win, 2A sectional champion.

The Bluejays, as has been the case for decades, are spearheaded by its powerful rushing attack. North Judson averages 393 yards rushing per game from their vaunted wishbone set.

Three players, Kole Wilcox (1,942 yards), Brock Benson (1,552 yards) and quarterback Jesiah McDaniel (1,039) have all eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards and the trio has combined for 80 touchdowns.

“We love to run the football, that’s no secret,” Lambert said. “It’s been that way around here since the 1960s, into the 1970s. We’re going to have to churn out first downs against Providence because we can’t get off schedule.”

The Class 1A State Championship featuring North Judson-San Pierre (14-0) and Providence (13-0) will stream via PPV on IHSAAtv.org this Saturday at 11 am ET / 10 CT! 

“North Judson is a big, physical team,” McDonald said. “They execute their offense very well. We’re going to have the take care of the ball and play great defense.”

Those are two areas where the Pioneers have excelled. The Providence defense has allowed just 12 points per game and forced 29 turnovers, while the offense has only turned the ball over six times.

The defense is led by two-way linemen Lukas Allgood and Griffin Tucker and the latter (who has recruiting interest from Air Force and Morehead State) has 10.5 sacks this season.

Quarterback Preston Kempf leads the Pioneers offense and has proved to be a solid dual threat. Kempf has rushed for 1,079 yards and passed for 1,182. He’s been responsible for 32 touchdowns.

“Kempf is a fantastic athlete and I believe he is the best player in southern Indiana,” McDonald said.

While North Judson has rolled over opponents, Providence has had to several grind out victories. The Pioneers have won five games by no more than two scores – including last week’s semi-state triumph over South Putnam (35-30).

“(Kempf) is very athletic with a lot of speed,” Lambert said. “He can give you fits with his arm and his legs. Their guys up front are big and athletic and (Tucker) is getting Division 1 looks.

“Providence isn’t here by accident,” Lambert continued. "We are certainly to two best teams in Class 1A and this is going to be a fantastic game.”