Brownsburg and Several Teams Advance to Indiana State Football Finals

Several high school football teams across Indiana have secured places in the upcoming state finals set to take place over Thanksgiving weekend in Indianapolis. The semistate games on Friday proved dramatic, leading to a mix of record-breaking performances and the end of notable state finals droughts.

In a significant breakthrough, the Brownsburg Bulldogs are making their first state championship game appearance since their successive titles in 1983 and 1984. The high-flying Bulldogs, ranked No. 4, topped the Center Grove Trojans 31-27 in a match that started strong with a touchdown pass from Oscar Frye to Branden Sharpe, setting an early momentum for the visitors.

Notably, Shakovon Sumpter Bey widened the gap with a crucial 72-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The game transitioned into a defensive showdown in the second half, even as Brownsburg’s defense intercepted a CG pass, putting an end to the Trojans’ 21-game home post-season winning streak that dated back to 2012.

Meanwhile, the Westfield Shamrocks, demonstrating grit from last year’s semistate loss, secured a victory over Crown Point. Carsen Melvin, Westfield’s quarterback, led the effort, both running and passing for touchdowns, leading his team to win 30-7. This victory sets up a much-anticipated rematch against Brownsburg, the only team to defeat Westfield this year.

Elsewhere, Decatur Central hosted Bloomington South, taking a decisive 27-13 victory, and securing their place in the 5A championship game. The Hawks, spearheaded by strong plays late in the game, reinforced their postseason dominance by clinching a win through both a timely interception and consistent offensive efforts.

In another noteworthy contest, New Palestine ended the postseason run of the Martinsville Artesians with a commanding 43-7 victory. Caden Jacobia was instrumental, as he scored three touchdowns, pushing the Dragons further ahead in the pursuit of state glory.

The state finals are set to feature several intriguing match-ups, including Brownsburg against Westfield for Class 6A, and Decatur Central squaring off with Warsaw in Class 5A, among others. Each team will venture to Indianapolis, eager to seize the championship titles across diverse class categories.