When Indianapolis Ritter Senior Carlos deLuna was asked what a sectional championship on Friday night would mean to him, you could see four years of IHSAA football flash before his eyes.
"Everything," said the Raiders leader in tackles. "We've never not won sectionals since I've been here. We've either gone to state or semi-state the four years that I have been here. So you kind of want to just continue on that legacy."
deLuna and the rest of the Indianapolis Ritter (10-1) will get the chance to carry on the legacy of Raiders before them when they travel to cross-town rival Speedway (6-5) in the Football Friday Night Feature Game Of The Week.
Currently in their first year of Class 2A Football, the defending Class 1A champions Indianapolis Ritter have already found out that a return trip to Lucas Oil Stadium would be much harder than their previous year's task. Last Friday night Ritter found themselves in a game that IHSAA Football fans will always remember as the "Clash Of The Champions", as their second round opponent was the defending Class 2A Champions in the Heritage Christian Eagles. The two teams battled what could be considered the worst of elements, as wind and rain seemed to battle both offenses all game long. Raiders Senior Ross Hendrickson found Eddie Cemhill to put Ritter up 6-0, and it took a goal line stand from the Raiders defense to hold on for the victory.
"We were fortunate that we were able to stop them on fourth down," said Hendrickson, who plays both quarterback and free safety. "We were able to stop them on fourth down, and that's definitely a positive to come out with a goal line stand to win the game. We'll carry that on through this week, but hopefully we'll be able to put up some more points."
In order for the Raiders to be able to put up the type of points that Hendrickson is hoping for, Ritter Head Coach Ty Hunt will be looking to his offensive line to keep Hendrickson and his offensive weapons untouched from a tough Speedway defense that has allowed just six points in sectionals.
"I complimented my offensive line in the film room," said Coach Hunt on offensive line that has averaged 41 points throughout the entire season. "And I'm making sure that they recongnize they they are one of the better ones that we've had in a long time. But again, there are some things that we need to improve upon to get accomplished."
The Raiders and the Sparkplugs have already met one time during week four of the IHSAA football season, when Ritter defeated Speedway at home by the score of 57-29. Speedway Senior Tyler Shaw isn't afraid to note what he believes the differences were between the two teams in the first battle of this war on the gridiron.
"It seemed like they wanted it more," said Shaw. "And I think it's changed around that we figured out that we need to play hard, and we want it more this time."
Check Out Jeremiah Johnson's Football Friday Rewind Over Round Two Of IHSAA Sectional Football
Speedway, who was once ranked number one in 2A football during the season, struggled heading into the post-season. With three straight losses during the final three weeks of regular season play, the Sparkplugs have rebounded with a 59-0 victory over Indianapolis Washington, and then defeated a 9-1 Centerville squad 35-6 in route to the sectional championship.
Head Coach Denny Pelley believes his team is getting better and better as the IHSAA tournament carries on. "Well I think every team goes through some ups and downs," said Pelley. "And we went through some ups and downs."
"We played some good football teams, there's no question about it. We had our chances, and we didn't really play well at times. We've got some kids that have gotten better. I don't think there's any question about that in the last four-six weeks. And that's part of it, that's high school football. Kids improve, they understand more what you're asking them to do, and they make plays. It's all about making plays."
Like all of the seniors that step on the field Friday night, one player that you can look to make plays is Speedway Wide Receiver Wes Shambaugh. The Sparkplug realizes that Friday very well could be the last time he ever puts on a football jersey, and is going to do everything in his power to keep Speedway's season alive.
"It means I go out there 100% and play every play like it's my last play," said Shambaugh, when asked what an elimination game every Friday night means to him. "I know, even if I get hurt and we lose it's my last game, and if I get hurt and we win, it's still my last game because I might not be able to play the rest of the tournament. But all of the seniors give 100%, and it's just a great feeling to be out there. Football is one of the best sports ever."
The Indy Sports Nation Feature Game Of The Week takes place this Friday night at Speedway High School at 7:00 p.m. Full highlights of the game can be viewed on "Football Friday Night" on Fox 59 at 10:35, while full coverage of the game can be found immediately after on Indysportsnation.com.
"Everything," said the Raiders leader in tackles. "We've never not won sectionals since I've been here. We've either gone to state or semi-state the four years that I have been here. So you kind of want to just continue on that legacy."
deLuna and the rest of the Indianapolis Ritter (10-1) will get the chance to carry on the legacy of Raiders before them when they travel to cross-town rival Speedway (6-5) in the Football Friday Night Feature Game Of The Week.
Currently in their first year of Class 2A Football, the defending Class 1A champions Indianapolis Ritter have already found out that a return trip to Lucas Oil Stadium would be much harder than their previous year's task. Last Friday night Ritter found themselves in a game that IHSAA Football fans will always remember as the "Clash Of The Champions", as their second round opponent was the defending Class 2A Champions in the Heritage Christian Eagles. The two teams battled what could be considered the worst of elements, as wind and rain seemed to battle both offenses all game long. Raiders Senior Ross Hendrickson found Eddie Cemhill to put Ritter up 6-0, and it took a goal line stand from the Raiders defense to hold on for the victory.
"We were fortunate that we were able to stop them on fourth down," said Hendrickson, who plays both quarterback and free safety. "We were able to stop them on fourth down, and that's definitely a positive to come out with a goal line stand to win the game. We'll carry that on through this week, but hopefully we'll be able to put up some more points."
In order for the Raiders to be able to put up the type of points that Hendrickson is hoping for, Ritter Head Coach Ty Hunt will be looking to his offensive line to keep Hendrickson and his offensive weapons untouched from a tough Speedway defense that has allowed just six points in sectionals.
"I complimented my offensive line in the film room," said Coach Hunt on offensive line that has averaged 41 points throughout the entire season. "And I'm making sure that they recongnize they they are one of the better ones that we've had in a long time. But again, there are some things that we need to improve upon to get accomplished."
The Raiders and the Sparkplugs have already met one time during week four of the IHSAA football season, when Ritter defeated Speedway at home by the score of 57-29. Speedway Senior Tyler Shaw isn't afraid to note what he believes the differences were between the two teams in the first battle of this war on the gridiron.
"It seemed like they wanted it more," said Shaw. "And I think it's changed around that we figured out that we need to play hard, and we want it more this time."
Check Out Jeremiah Johnson's Football Friday Rewind Over Round Two Of IHSAA Sectional Football
Speedway, who was once ranked number one in 2A football during the season, struggled heading into the post-season. With three straight losses during the final three weeks of regular season play, the Sparkplugs have rebounded with a 59-0 victory over Indianapolis Washington, and then defeated a 9-1 Centerville squad 35-6 in route to the sectional championship.
Head Coach Denny Pelley believes his team is getting better and better as the IHSAA tournament carries on. "Well I think every team goes through some ups and downs," said Pelley. "And we went through some ups and downs."
"We played some good football teams, there's no question about it. We had our chances, and we didn't really play well at times. We've got some kids that have gotten better. I don't think there's any question about that in the last four-six weeks. And that's part of it, that's high school football. Kids improve, they understand more what you're asking them to do, and they make plays. It's all about making plays."
Like all of the seniors that step on the field Friday night, one player that you can look to make plays is Speedway Wide Receiver Wes Shambaugh. The Sparkplug realizes that Friday very well could be the last time he ever puts on a football jersey, and is going to do everything in his power to keep Speedway's season alive.
"It means I go out there 100% and play every play like it's my last play," said Shambaugh, when asked what an elimination game every Friday night means to him. "I know, even if I get hurt and we lose it's my last game, and if I get hurt and we win, it's still my last game because I might not be able to play the rest of the tournament. But all of the seniors give 100%, and it's just a great feeling to be out there. Football is one of the best sports ever."
The Indy Sports Nation Feature Game Of The Week takes place this Friday night at Speedway High School at 7:00 p.m. Full highlights of the game can be viewed on "Football Friday Night" on Fox 59 at 10:35, while full coverage of the game can be found immediately after on Indysportsnation.com.
