Penn, NorthWood, Jimtown all lose in Semi-State

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Posted: 1:09 AM Nov 22, 2008
Last Updated: 1:09 AM Nov 22, 2008
Reporter: Angelo Di Carlo
Email Address: angelo.dicarlo@wndu.com

17 comments

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Three area teams entered Friday night with an Indiana state championship still in sight.

But by the end of the night, Penn, NorthWood and Jimtown all saw their seasons end in Semi-State.

The Kingsmen lost 38-3 at Carmel in 5A. NorthWood fell to Bellmont 35-21 and Jimtown saw its season come to a close at Cass, 28-7.
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After a 1-3 start, Penn rattled off nine wins to make it the final four.

The Kingsmen jumped out to a 3-0 lead on an Alan Sinclair field goal. But the defending state champion Greyhounds, quickly responded returning the ensuing kickoff to the Penn 19-yard line.

Carmel QB Morgan Newton capitalized, throwing a touchdown pass to Eric Ardiaolo to make it 7-3.

Newton threw a 2nd touchdown pass to Troy Stratford in the 2nd quarter to make it 21-3 at the half.

In the 3rd, Jared Melander threw an interception for Penn. Evan Bergman then busted through the wild bunch defense for another Greyhound score to put the game away.

Penn finishes with a 10-4 record. Carmel will face Center Grove in the 5A State Championship.
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In 3A, Skylar Titus was looking to lead NorthWood back to the state championship game.

Titus led the Panthers to a state title win as a freshmen and now was on his last go around as a senior.

Titus helped NorthWood jump out to an early lead, plunging in from one yard out to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

Bellmont answered with a Trent Busse short TD run. The Braves missed the extra point and NorthWood's lead remained intact.

Titus then extended the lead with a pass to Spencer Hill. Hill made a circus like grab for the touchdown and the Panthers went into halftime up 14-6.

But Bellmont came back and took the lead in the 2nd half.

The Braves led 28-21 in the 4th quarter when NorthWood drove down field looking to tie.

The Panthers failed to convert on a 4th and goal at Bellmont's one yard line. Bellmont than took the next play 99 yards on a reverse for a touchdown to seal the win.
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In 2A, Jimtown was looking to make it a fantastic first season for new head coach Mike Campbell.

But the Jimmies fell behind early, losing at Cass 28-7.

The game was scoreless into the 2nd quarter when Jimtown's Herman Pollard fumbled the ball and Cass recovered.

On the very next play, Kings running back Colton Zeck took it 45 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0.

Zeck then scored another TD to make it 14-0.

Jimtown closed the gap to 14-7 on a Austin Pirtle touchdown catch from Josh Ruben.

But the Jimmies could never get closer from there.
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One area team is left standing. That's Lakeshore.

The Lancers will face East Grand Rapids Saturday at 1pm at Otsego High School in Michigan's state semifinals.

Lakeshore has never made it to the state finals.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: JJ Furlong Location: Elkhart on Feb 25, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Go jimtown i love the new coach he is the best!!!!

Posted by: James Furlong Location: Elkhart on Feb 10, 2009 at 01:23 PM
I go to Jimtown and i was on the football team. Coach Mike Cambell is a great coach and i hope that we can make it as far as we did next season

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 24, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Poor Penn, to sharpen their skills each year to take on power houses from down state they are expected to do this playing teams from the NIC. The horror.

Posted by: Slade Location: Mishawaka on Nov 23, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Pat, like I said before, predicting games at the semi-state and state levels are only a guess. I will give it my best shot for this week. 1A-Sheridan - at the beginning of the season they put Sheridan's name on the trophy. 2A- Heritage Christian - never bet against a parochial school. 3A-Bellmont - they are also a state powerhouse in wrestling. 4A - OMG to Catholic schools - bless me Father but I have to give the nod to FW Dwenger. 5A - Carmel - one poster said a QB from the game went to the hospital- they didn't say which QB - if Carmels QB doesn't play then I give the nod to Center Grove. It would be to late to train another QB for Carmel. Carmels QB is awesome. There is my picks and all games will be a good one to watch.

Posted by: Mike Location: Plymouth on Nov 23, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Oh No! What will the media do now since Penn has lost? This will leave the front page of the sports section blank now!

Posted by: Pat Location: Shenandoah on Nov 22, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I want to wish congratulations to the three area teams that made the semistate in footfall this year. All three teams gave their all, as did all the high school teams in the area. Good job Slade on your picks. You were right on. Again, to the players, coaches, and schools, you should be proud of your school's accomplishments. Thank you. Will the QB for Carmel be ready for the state title game? Good hitting wild bunch.

Posted by: jodi Location: Wilson on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:37 PM
I find it a shame that so little time was dedicated to the highschool football teams on your newscast or in the Tribune. You made reference to Penns Wild Bunch but made no reference to the fact that one of the bunch was on crutches for most of the game.(#53 Andrew Stanley) By the way I hear the QB spent the night at St.Vincent hospital. That seems like pretty important news to me. A little less Notre Dame and a little more local sports would be nice. I'm an ND fan but even I have heard enough. Last time I checked this was South Bend (Michiana) not Notre Dame.

Posted by: Edward Magee Location: South Bend on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:27 PM
I am glad Penn lost, they needed an attitude adjustment!

Posted by: L.f Location: Mishy on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:06 PM
penn must have ran out of money to pay the refs..haha you should budget a little better through the year so you have enough to pay on the big game..

Posted by: Bill Location: Osceola on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Thanks for a great season...

Posted by: Jay Location: Elkhart on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:59 PM
GREAT season NORTHWOOD! I wished you would have gone further (duh!) but great season anyway. Keep up all the good work. Is Zercher still coaching? Good job!

Posted by: Great season Penn-You never gave up... Location: Mishawaka on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:57 PM
What a great season to get to the semi-state level! Hope Melander is going to be o.k. Jim-overated? Penn wasn't rated, and yet made it to semi-state! Way to go guys-we love you!

Posted by: tom on Nov 22, 2008 at 11:19 AM
good job nw/j-town you guys looked respectable. penn you are a big fish in a small pond, but keep adding a few more students you might win the high school spell bowl next year!!!!

Posted by: nwcheer Location: nappanee on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I think if we actually had people who knew how to call a game you would see NorthWood riding to state... you also cant have a coach walk out on to the field and into the huddle and not have anything called... I think to sum it all up call it both ways. You cost a great team the chance to bring home a win. Thanks for that.

Posted by: Jim Location: Spring Hill Florida on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:57 AM
If there ever was a school that was overrated, its Penn for football

Posted by: @home Mom on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Boys among men! Good season, congratulations!

Posted by: Slade Location: Mishawaka on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:17 AM
I heard the Penn game on the radio. After learning the stats of the Carmel team, the QB on Carmel had approx. 3000 yds of offense by himself, and the fullback another 2000 yds for the season. Carmels QB was 6'4" about 230 lbs and runs like a halfback. I didn't expect that much of a blowout, but atleast I did predict Penn to make it to the semi-state. I watched Jimtown on TV at night and the first half was horrible tackling. No offense, No defense equals to a No win. Northwood seems to have lost their game in the last quarter. This leaves the Northern Indiana teams skunked. Good luck to them next season.

Posted by: Proud on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:24 AM
There is nothing any of these teams should be ashamed of! They had a fantastic season and are winners in my book