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In the Class 2A championship game, Josiah Smith booted a 38-yard field goal with :07 left, lifting Western Boone to a thrilling, 36-35 win over Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.

The Stars (11-4) scored 10 points in the final 1:36 of the contest, overcoming a 35-26 deficit and claiming their third-straight state title and eighteenth consecutive tournament victory.

The back-and-forth contest featured plenty of offense as the teams combined for 795 yards and 43 first downs in addition to the 71 points.

Luers (8-7) held a 21-13 lead at halftime. Behind the passing of quarterback Carson Clark, the Knights were able to take advantage of two Webo turnovers to build the nine-point lead after Clark connected for his second touchdown pass to Krashaun Menson (a 7-yarder) with 3:38 left.

Coach Justin Pelley’s Stars used a ball-control rushing attack to sustain their offense. Fullback Robby Taylor, who had a state-record 43 carries in the game, scored on a 1-yard run with 1:36 left to pull Western Boone within 35-33.

A failed onside kick seemed to spell doom for the Stars, but the defense came up with a three-and-out and forced a punt. Western Boone benefitted from a kick-catch interference penalty, giving it a first down at its 46 with :39 left. Five plays later, Luers was flagged for pass interference, giving the Stars a first down at the Knights’ 21. Smith, the son of former Colts punter Hunter Smith, came on to boot the game-winner.

Taylor finished with 210 yards and two scores, while Clark completed 17-of-21 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Glenn Brody caught six of those passes for 171 yards and a 78-yard touchdown.

Coach Kyle Lindsay’s Knights were making their first state finals appearance since 2012 as well as their sixteenth overall.

Western Boone’s Luke Marsh Earns the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award
During the awards ceremony, Luke Marsh of Western Boone High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A Football.

The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach for demonstrating excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability during his four years of high school.

He is the son of Kyle and Danette Marsh of Lebanon. He plans to attend either Marian, DePauw, or Indiana Wesleyan but is undecided on what he will study.

The award is named in honor of Commissioner Emeritus Blake Ress, who served as the IHSAA’s seventh commissioner from 2000-11.

The Indianapolis Colts, a corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Western Boone High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Luke Marsh.

Class 2A State Championship Records
Most Rushing Attempts (Any Class): 43 by Robby Taylor, Western Boone (Previous Record: 42 by Josh Smith, Attica, 2000 1A).