Another 4A sectional title shows how much Memorial improved since August
BOONVILLE, Ind. — Caleb Ellspermann trusted the play call. He also had complete faith in his teammates.
The senior received a shovel pass on the first play of the second half. Ellspermann sprinted left and then saw a hole up the middle. His instincts took over, breaking free into the second level before swatting away two defenders. The result was a 73-yard touchdown.
The moment represented two things. First, it kept control of this sectional championship game in Memorial's hands. Secondly, it showed how different this team had become.
This wasn’t the same group from August. Because once again, Memorial had the answer when it mattered.
Indiana high school football:Check out all the Evansville-area sectional championship scores
No. 11 Memorial defeated Boonville 33-14 to win the Class 4A sectional title on Friday at Bennett Field. It is the third championship since moving up to 4A in 2019 and sixth overall in seven years.
“That’s the way we handle things,” said Memorial coach John Hurley. “We had injuries and things like that. You have to learn how to deal with that stuff. Outside the program, everybody is like, ‘Things are terrible.’ We’re just pleased with the senior leadership and how they stay after it.”
It bears repeating where the Tigers stood at the beginning. A roster depleted with multiple presumed starters on the sideline. An offense that struggled in losses to Jasper, North, and even during a win over Central.
The outlook kept improving with time. Key pieces kept returning. Some players changed positions. The regular season, while important, simply served as the dress rehearsal. The real prize awaited.
Memorial (9-3) has won nine of its last 10 games. Those early results from August? They feel like a different season. The Tigers, who are still not in full health and likely won't be, are a different team, too.
“The regular season is all about preparing for the postseason,” said Ellspermann. “We get our flaws knocked out of the way and try to fine-tune the little things. When it comes time to play when it really matters, we can perform.”
The Tigers were efficient and tough in the championship game. It started with an offense that maximized its opportunities. Memorial had eight possessions in the win over Boonville. Two were kneel-downs at the end of each half. The other six all resulted in points.
Porter Rode unofficially had 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 10-yarder on the opening possession. Matthew Fisher was 10 of 14 for 209 yards while extending plays outside the pocket. Pete Barrett was 2-for-2 on field goals and Carac Johnson found the end zone.
This was no small feat against a physical defense. Boonville (8-4) allowed more than 30 points just three times this season.
“The line has been playing well lately,” said Hurley. “We make plays when we need to make plays. I was pleased with our ability to run on them and take advantage of our possessions. We didn’t get many.”
The Ellspermann touchdown set the tone in the second half. Memorial made it 17-0 less than 20 seconds after halftime. It was the same play call the Tigers ran in the semifinal win over Jasper that resulted in a 70-yard score from Leo Collins.
This moment was also the reason Memorial moved Ellspermann, the starting quarterback last year and the first two games this season, to wideout in week four. He is a difference-maker on the outside. The senior leads the Tigers in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
“He’s been making those plays all year,” said Hurley. “Caleb is an example of a good teammate. He’s playing quarterback and had a lot of success. We needed someone on the perimeter. It’s pretty evident it’s changed the dynamic of our team.”
The other half of the equation was the defense. Boonville had the ability to score quickly. Those opportunities were limited on Friday. Clay Conner and Reece Wilder never had many open lanes to run. The Pioneers didn’t score until midway through the third quarter.
Memorial also intercepted a pass at the goal line to end the first half and later recovered a third-quarter kickoff. The Tigers have allowed only 16.2 points per game since a loss to Reitz on Sept. 30.
“We knew we’d have to stop the run,” said Johnson. “We did a good job and the scoreboard shows that. (Conner) is a great dual-threat quarterback and competitor. We had to rush with containing and keep him inside.”
Memorial hosts No. 4 East Central (10-2) in the regional on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT. It’s a rematch of last year when the Tigers won 17-14 on a field goal as time expired. East Central defeated Martinsville 47-0 in the Sectional 23 championship.
This is the ninth sectional title for Hurley in 15 seasons at his alma mater. But for some players, it’s their first. This group trusted the process each week and was the last team standing in the sectional. It didn’t matter how those first few games went.
“It all starts with the man up top,” said Rode. “Coach Hurley, that’s what he does. He’s different than any guy I’ve been around in the playoffs. He always has us ready no matter what. We play for each other.”
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA football: Evansville Memorial defends 4A sectional championship
