Friday Night Football: NorthWood advances to state final, Knox and North Judson fall

(WNDU) - Three Michiana-area high school football teams hit the road on Friday night in hopes of punching their tickets to Indianapolis next weekend for the state finals, but only one of them will be making the trip.

The NorthWood Panthers defeated Leo 45-33 in Class 4A semi-state action to clinch their first state finals appearance since 2016. The Panthers (12-2), who last won it all back in 2005, will face East Central (14-0) next Saturday, Nov. 25, at Lucas Oil Stadium.

As for our other two area teams, the drive home will not be so celebratory.

Knox saw its magical season come to an end after running into a buzzsaw at perennial powerhouse Indianapolis Bishop Chatard in the Class 3A northern semi-state. The Trojans had a 35-0 lead at halftime before defeating the previously undefeated Redskins 42-14. Knox finishes its season with a 13-1 record.

In Class 1A, North Judson was only down by two points at halftime to Adams Central, but the Flying Jets took control in the second half and easily defeated the Bluejays 42-18. North Judson finishes the season with a 9-5 record.

Here’s a look at the semi-state scores from across the state:

CLASS 6A

Crown Point 38, Westfield 31 (2OT)

Ben Davis 37, Center Grove 34 (OT)

STATE FINAL: Crown Point vs. Ben Davis - Saturday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. EST

CLASS 5A

Fort Wayne Snider 28, Merrillville 0

Decatur Central 24, Bloomington South 12

STATE FINAL: Fort Wayne Snider vs. Decatur Central - Friday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. EST

CLASS 4A

NorthWood 45, Leo 33

East Central 49, New Palestine 0

STATE FINAL: NorthWood vs. East Central - Saturday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m. EST

CLASS 3A

Indianapolis Chatard 42, Knox 14

Heritage Hills 23, Gibson Southern 20

STATE FINAL: Indianapolis Chatard vs. Heritage Hills - Friday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. EST

CLASS 2A

Fort Wayne Luers 28, Lafayette Central Catholic 7

North Posey 37, Southmont 7

STATE FINAL: Fort Wayne Luers vs. North Posey - Saturday, Nov. 25, at 11 a.m. EST

CLASS 1A

Adams Central 42, North Judson 18

Indianapolis Lutheran 56, Sheridan 14

STATE FINAL: Adams Central vs. Indianapolis Lutheran - Friday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. EST

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