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A record-setting performance by quarterback Peter Morrison led Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran to its first-ever football state title.

Morrison threw for a finals-record six touchdowns, and also smashed the Class 3A passing yardage record in the first half, finishing the game with 376 yards. His effort led the No. 7 Cadets (13-2) past Lawrenceburg 56-14. Morrison finished the season with 3,980 yards passing, third-best in state history, and 52 touchdowns.

Coached by Tim Mannigel, Concordia entered the finals having won 11 straight games. And any doubts the Cadets would extend that streak to 12 ended in the first quarter when they built a 21-0 lead. Morrison connected with Kamari Anderson-Drew on TD passes of 62 and 32 yards, and then found Peterson Kerlegrand on an 18-yard score just before the quarter ended.

A 70-yard touchdown to Andrew Borden early in the second quarter extended the lead to 28-0, and Morrison then tied the overall finals record with a 38-yarder to Mark Mallers, giving the Cadets a 35-0 lead at halftime.

Morrison hit Mallers on a 10-yard TD pass with 10:57 left in the game, giving the quarterback the overall finals record for TD passes. Kerlegrand added 199 yards rushing and scored twice, helping the Cadets rack up a 3A-record 614 yards of total offense and tie the record for the most points in a 3A game.

Lawrenceburg, coached by Ryan Knigga, was making its first appearance in the state finals since 1985. The Tigers (13-2) got 154 rushing yards from Austin Bowling, who finished the season with 3,157 yards rushing and 52 touchdowns. The rushing total is the sixth-best single-season effort in state history.

Lawrenceburg’s Jacob Ruberg Selected as Ress Mental Attitude Award Recipient
At the conclusion of the state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Jacob Ruberg of Lawrenceburg High School as the winner of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A football.

Ruberg is a two-sport athlete, also participating in wrestling. He is a 2016 team captain and four-year letter-winner, and he was named EIAC All-Conference and All Dearborn County during his freshman, sophomore and junior years. In wrestling, he is a two-time state qualifier, regional champion, two-time sectional champion, and the 2013 EIAC MVP. Outside of athletics, he participates in peer tutoring and cadet teaching. He is involved in his community through Big Brothers Big Sisters, SADD, and the Hoxworth Blood Drive while also volunteering for Lawrenceburg Youth Wrestling, Keep America Clean, and Lawrenceburg PeeWee Football.

Jacob is the son of Angie and Thomas Ruberg of Lawrenceburg, IN. He plans to attend University of Indianapolis where he will wrestle and study nursing, specializing in Neonatology (medical care of newborn infants).

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 seventh commissioner from 2000-11.

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

Class 3A State Championship Team Records
Most Points: 56 by Fort Wayne Concordia. Tied with Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 1990.
Most Points in a Half: 35 by Fort Wayne Concordia (first half). Tied with Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (first half), 2003.
Most Touchdowns: 8 by Fort Wayne Concordia. Tied with Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 1990.
Most PAT Kicks: 8 by Fort Wayne Concordia. Tied with Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 1990.
Most Yards Passing: 388 by Fort Wayne Concordia.
Most Passing Touchdowns: 6 by Fort Wayne Concordia.
Total Offensive Yards: 614 by Fort Wayne Concordia.
Total Offensive Yards by Both Teams: 890 by Fort Wayne Concordia (614) vs. Lawrenceburg (276).
Most First Downs: 23 by Fort Wayne Concordia.
Most First Downs by Passing: 15 by Fort Wayne Concordia.

Overall State Championship Team Records
Most Passing Touchdowns: 6 by Fort Wayne Concordia.

Class 3A State Championship Individual Records
Most Passing Yards: 376 by Peter Morrison, Fort Wayne Concordia.
Most Passing Touchdowns: 6 by Peter Morrison, Fort Wayne Concordia.
Longest Touchdown Pass: 70 by Peter Morrison, Fort Wayne Concordia.
Most Touchdown Receptions: 2 by Mark Mallers and Kamari Anderson-Drew, Fort Wayne Concordia. Tied with several others.

Overall State Championship Individual Records
Most Passing Touchdowns: 6 by Peter Morrison, Fort Wayne Concordia.