South Putnam to battle Pioneer for 1A football state championship

For South Putnam head football coach Chuck Sorrell, Friday's Class A state title game is something he has been looking forward to since taking over the reigns of the program.

Coverage on GIANT fm Sports on 94.3 WREB and online via Putnam County Post.

"Winning a state championship is what our ultimate goal has been since day 1. We have had to tweak some of the goals on the process of getting here, but ultimately this is all that we have been focused on since I arrived here seven years ago. I know that it is hard for some of the former players to watch us succeed and accomplish what they didn't get to, but they are partly the reason why we are successful today," Sorrell told The Putnam County Post.  

While his team is focused on Pioneer, Sorrell said there have been some adjustments that have had to be made. 

"This week has been intensely busy. There is so much that the IHSAA requires to get yourself ready for Friday's game. Tuesday and Thursday we were able to just treat practice as normal as possible. I am so happy for our players, our coaches, and our community. They have all worked so hard to make this week possible and it's been an amazing experience," Sorrell said. 

Both South Putnam (12-2) and Pioneer (13-1) both like to line up and put the ball in the belly of their backs, who are able to not only move the chains and pick up yards, but also have a knack for finding the end zone. 

At 13-1, Adam Berry's Pioneer team has been on an absolute tear this season. The Panthers average 38 points and have allowed 10 per game. After losing 38-20 to Knox in week two, Pioneer has only put together a 12 game win streak, including wins over the likes of Caston, Frontier and Carroll (Flora) to win Sectional 42, LaVille in the regional and South Adams in the semi-state. In the postseason, the Panthers outscored opponents 187-48. 

The secret to the success for Pioneer?

A running game that features three backs who have gone for over 1,000 yards. Noah Vanmeter leads the attack, rushing for 1,449 yards and 18 touchdowns. Junior Shiloh Rine has rushed for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Micah Rans has carried the ball 112 times for 1,067 yards and 25 touchdowns. Sophomore Phillip McFatridge has added 932 yards and seven touchdowns. As an offense, Pioneer has rushed for 4,784 yards and 68 trips to the end zone.

On the season, Rans is 20-of-46 for 394 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. 

Juan Solano leads the Pioneer defense, notching 111 total tackles. As a defense, the Panthers have recorded 11 interceptions. 

Sorrell admits Pioneer is solid in every area.  

"They do all three phases of the game well. They have a great kicker who can kick long field goals. They also have a defense that does not allow many points. Obviously, having four 1,000 yard backs they have a very explosive offense that can hit you from multiple directions. We have win these three phases of the game for us to win the state championship," he said. 

Much like Pioneer, South Putnam will look to establish the run early and often. 

The rushing attack runs on the legs of Ty Benton, who has rushed for 2,452 yards and 26 touchdowns. Brier Cook has been a nice addition for the Eagles, as he has rushed for 784 yards and 12 touchdowns, while quarterback Drew Cline has added 476 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

In his first season under center, Cline has thrown for 2,072 yards and 25 touchdowns. Bransyn Ensor has been the go-to receiver, catching 24 passes for 614 yards and eight touchdowns. Tight end Khalil Jefferson has brought in 24 catches for 521 yards and seven touchdowns, and Blake Witt has added 29 catches for 472 yards and four touchdowns. 

Defensively, the name to watch is none other than Keenan Mowery-Shields. The junior has accounted for 229 total tackles, including a whopping 18-and-a-half for a loss. Damon Cox has added 91 tackles and 24 tackles-for-a-loss. Jefferson has added 71 tackles and 21 tackles-for-a-loss as he has emerged as a top pass rusher. Jefferson has nine-and-a-half sacks, while Mowery-Shields has just under six. Brody Burdge, Witt and Cline all have accounted for three interceptions each this season. 

The Eagles have averaged 43 points per game and are sunderring just over 15 points per contest. After falling 48-34 against Class 4A Northview, South Putnam has reeled off seven wins. In the playoffs, the Eagles overcame a deficit at Riverton Parke to win an overtime thriller for the sectional title, before turning away Sheridan, 26-6, and then dispatching Milan, 40-7, last week in the semi-state. In the playoffs, South Putnam has outscored foes 208-55. 

Sorrell said his message to his team before kickoff will be a simple one.

"Play every play like you are going to win the state championship. There is no way to hide what the stakes are as we will be at Lucas Oil Stadium, but we need to just try and win every play and let the other things take care of themselves," Sorrell said. 

As for what it will take to win a title, Sorrell said his Eagles have to do several things. 

"We need to play with composure. We need our playmakers to make plays and we will need our role players to win their battles. Both of these teams are very good and do a lot of great things.We just have to come out, win every down, and be the best team on the field for 48 football playing minutes," Sorrell said.