Just 15 minutes separate Mishawaka from Jimtown.

But that county line certainly divides emotions on this Friday night.

There's misery for Mishawaka after a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to Merrillville in the 5A Regional Championship, while over in Elkhart County, the Jimmies are still jump up and down after a last second victory over Andrean to advance to the 3A Semi-State.

Tyler Zufan kicked a game winning field goal as time expired as the Jimmies beat the 59ers 10-7 at Knepp Field for the 13th regional title in school history, and first since moving up to Class 3A this season.

Andrean scored on the first drive of the game and Jimtown quickly answered on a Brian Hosinski to Herman Pollard touchdown pass to tie the game up at seven.

Instead that way all the way to the finish when Zufan booted the 30-yard field goal to win.

The Jimmies (12-1) will now travel to West Lafayette next Friday in the 3A Semi-State. Jimtown lost in the 2A Semi-State last season.
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Over in Mishawaka, the Cavemen overcame a horrific start but a gamble in the final two minutes didn't pay off as Mishawaka's magical season ended with a 28-27 loss to Merrillville at Steele Stadium.

Down 28-21 with 1:35 left in the game, Cortez Lee scored on a short touchdown run to pull Mishawaka within one.

Instead of sending the game to overtime, Mishawaka 2nd year head coach Bart Curtis decided to go for the win, but Gary Brooks was stuffed at the one yard line on the two point conversion attempt.

The Cavemen recovered a desperation onside kick, but couldn't get anything going from there and Lee was picked off on a 4th and 20 to close it out.

Mishawaka's season ends at 11-2 in just their 4th regional title game in school history and first since 1991.

The fact that the Cavemen were even in it at the end was impressive enough after a horrible start for Mishawaka.

A bad exchange on the opening handoff of the game led to a fumble recovery for a touchdown for Merrillville that put the Pirates up 7-0 just 14 seconds into the game.

On the next Cavemen drive, a bad pitch by Cortez Lee was scooped up by the Pirates and returned 56 yards to Mishawaka 4 yard line. Denzel Pierce then rushed it in from four yards out and Merrillville was up 14-0 just 2:37 into the game.

Mishawaka didn't Cave.

Lee hit PJ Warmoth for a huge 44 yard gain to the one yard line and then Lee rushed it in himself to pull Mishawaka within seven.

Still in the 1st quarter, Merrillville returner Byron Ferrell fumbled a punt and the Cavemen's Anthony Disco jumped on it---turning the tables on the game.

The drive stretched into the 2nd quarter where Gary Brooks rushed in for the short score to tie the game at 14.

Later in the 2nd, Ferrell would drop another Matt Reisdorf punt and Mishawaka would again capitalize.

Curtis would gamble with eight seconds left in the 1st half, electing to go for on 4th and goal. This gamble paid off as PJ Warmoth went in for the touchdown.

Mishawaka scored 21 unanswered to go up seven at the half.

Merrillville's offense started clicking in the 2nd half as Pierce rushed for two more touchdowns to put the Pirates up 28-21.
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In 2A, Fairfield lost to Rensselaer Central 35-0.

In 1A, Culver Community fell to Lafayette Central Catholic 56-0.
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In Michigan, Berrien Springs jumped out to an early 10-0 lead on Muskegon Heights in the Division six Regional final and was threatening to score again when QB Nolan O'Brien fumbled, and Keith Taylor scooped it up and returned it 95 yards for the touchdown.

Muskegon Heights took firm control of the game from there, going on to the 38-31 win.

With the score 10-6, Willie Snead hit Denontay Hudson on a 48 yard touchdown to give Muskegon Heights the lead.

Snead then hit Darrell Terrell for a touchdown before the half as the Tigers led 25-10 at the half.

Heights would build a 32-10 lead when Berrien Springs begins its comeback.

O'Brien threw a touchdown pass to Anthony Johnson to make it 38-31.

Then with 30 seconds left, Berrien Springs got the ball back and were driving. But O'Brien was picked off by Terrell and Muskegon Heights held on for the win.
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St. Joe (MI) will face East Grand Rapids Saturday at 1pm at Grand Rapids in the Division three Regional final.

EGR is the 3-time defending state champion and is undefeated this season.