Reitz Rules 4A Football

EVANSVILLE REITZ WINS FIRST FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Evansville Reitz won its first IHSAA state football title, defeating Lowell, 33-14, in the Class 4A state championship game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. It was the first state title by a boys team in school history, the second overall and the first since the girls basketball team won it all in 1981. Evansville Reitz took a 26-0 lead and senior quarterback Paul McIntosh had a hand in all four of the Panthers (15-0) first half touchdowns, running for three and throwing for another. He ran it in from seven yards, one yard and 21 yards and then connected with brother Ryan from 22 yards. Reitz scored on four of its first five possessions but had an extra point blocked and a two-point conversion halted. Lowell (13-2) finally answered with 3:18 left before halftime when senior wide receiver Eric Roadruck found senior wide receiver T.J. Lukasik for a 4A championship game record, 77-yard touchdown on a reverse pass, narrowing the deficit to 26-7 at halftime. The Panthers came out strong in the second half as well scoring on the opening drive when sophomore wide receiver Jeff Hudson caught McIntosh’s second touchdown on the day on an 8-yard pass. The Red Devils were forced to punt on their next possession but the punt was muffed and Lowell recovered at the Reitz 14. Lowell found the end zone four plays later when Lukasik caught his second touchdown of the day, this time on a 6-yard pass from junior quarterback Kurt Monix, cutting the lead to 33-14 which turned out to be the final margin. The Panthers, coached by John Hart, were led on the day by McIntosh’s 255 total yards and five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and Hudson’s 4A state finals record eight receptions. Lukasik led the way for the Red Devils, finishing with 95 yards on three receptions and two touchdowns. The Red Devils were severely hampered when their top ground gainer, Brandon Grubbe, was lost to injury early in the game. Lowell came in averaging nearly 218 yards per game on the ground but were held to only 77 for the day. Kirk Kennedy was the Lowell coach. Evansville Reitz’s Zak Kissel was named the winner of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award following the game.