News

Ky Schrader’s 1-yard run and an ensuing two-point conversion pass from Clark Barrett to Reece Buche with :10 remaining gave Lafayette Central Catholic a heart-stopping, 29-28 win over Indianapolis Lutheran in the Class A championship game.

The final score came after an 11-play, 80-yard drive that began after Lutheran missed what likely would have been a game-clinching, 33-yard field goal when the kick hit the upright with 3:49 left.

The victory for coach Brian Nay’s Knights capped off an 12-3 season, in which the team won its last 11 games. It’s the eighth state title, in eight appearances, for Central Catholic.

Barrett and Buche were the stars of the game for the Knights. The quarterback Barrett completed 23-of-45 passes for 298 yards and three scores – all three to Buche, who caught nine passes for 164 yards. Daniel Roach had 11 receptions for 111 yards.

Central Catholic took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on TD receptions of 23 and 32 yards by Buche. Lutheran (13-1) roared back to tie the game as quarterback Blake White threw scoring passes of 41 yards (to Jalen Elliott) and 43 yards (to Logan Beard).

The Knights came back with a 29-yard TD toss to Buche to take a 21-14 lead, but Lutheran tailback Marcus McFadden scored on an 18-yard run to tie the game, 21-21, at halftime.

McFadden gave the Saints a 28-21 lead in the third quarter on a 3-yard run as Lutheran began to assert itself with its rushing attack. McFadden helped put his team in position for what could have been the game-clinching field goal late in the fourth. He finished with 161 yards on 32 carries.

Lutheran, coached by Dave Pasch, was making its first-ever appearance in the state finals after losing in the semi-state round the previous three seasons.

Class A State Championship Records

Most Receptions: 11 by Daniel Roach, Lafayette Central Catholic.

Most Touchdown Receptions: 3 by Reece Buche, Lafayette Central Catholic.

Lafayette Central Catholic’s Kyle Onken earns Ress Mental Attitude Award
At the conclusion of the state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Kyle Onken of Lafayette Central Catholic High School as the winner of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class A Football.

Kyle is a four-year letter winner. His major sports achievements include two-time Journal and Courier All Area and 1st Team All Hoosier Conference. Kyle is also a member of school’s boys’ basketball and the baseball team.

Kyle has spent his time volunteering for Meals on Wheels, was Hunger Hike Checkpoint Coordinator, Youth Football Camp Counselor, and Jubilee Christmas Wrapper. Kyle also works hard in the classroom and ranks him 7th in his senior class. He is a member of Central Catholic’s National Honor Society and Student Council. He is also a Student Ambassador, World Language Club President, SEACH Retreat Leader, Ecology Club Member, and CC Shoe Drive Coordinator. Lastly, Kyle is a IHSAA Student Leadership Conference Representative, Sister Cookie Award Recipient, Hoosier Conference Academic All-Conference, Academic All State Football, and Outstanding Student Award in Spanish II, III and ACP; English 11.

Kyle is the son of Jeff and Carla Onken of Lafayette, Indiana.  He is undecided on his college choice but plans to study biology as a pre-med major. 

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. This Class A award is named in honor of the IHSAA’s seventh commissioner who served from 2000-11.

The Indianapolis Colts presented a $1,000 scholarship to Lafayette Central Catholic High School in the name of Kyle Onken. The Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the entire football state tournament since 2009, including the mental attitude awards.