By Chris May
Football Prognosticator Extraordinaire
INDIANAPOLIS – Nick Zachery just keeps making big plays.
Scoring four touchdowns – each of 39 yards or more – and throwing for another, the 6’1” junior quarterback led Sheridan to its IHSAA-record ninth football state title in a 34-28 win over
Rockville Nov. 23 in the Class A state championship game at the RCA Dome.
Zachery amassed 340 all-purpose yards by running for 198 yards with three touchdowns, throwing for 61 yards and a score, and returning an early kickoff 87 yards for a TD. The do-everything standout having a hand in all five Sheridan touchdowns on the day in guiding the Blackhawks to a state championship for the third straight year.
“We made a lot of big plays, and I have to give all the credit to our line,” said Zachery.
While Zachery was giving credit to his line, both legendary Sheridan coach Bud Wright and Rockville coach Herb King knew Zachery was the key to the Blackhawks’ attack.
“Really the difference was number 7 (Zachery),” King said. “He is an outstanding athlete and player for them. We did not have an answer for him.”
The difference became even more humongous when Zachery’s rushing partner in crime, Sheridan junior running back Ty Perkins (189 carries, 1,502 yards, 20 TDs), was forced out of the game with a knee injury in the first quarter.
“We expected (Zachery) to make all kinds of big plays,” said Wright, who earned another state-record ninth championship at one school. “He’s played ever since his freshman year, and he’s a heck of an athlete.
“We rely on him a lot to make big plays.”
And big plays were exactly what he delivered.
After Rockville – making its first football state finals appearance – struck first with a 62-yard touchdown pass on the game’s fourth play from scrimmage, the Sheridan fans may have felt a small setback.
But their junior quarterback/runner/defensive back/kicker/punter/return man answered immediately with his own quick strike.
On the ensuing kickoff, Zachery fielded the ball from his own 13-yard line, wove his way through multiple defenders while tiptoeing the sideline, and found himself still on his feet 87 yards later for a touchdown.
As the game settled in, it became apparent that the Rox – relative new kids on the block compared to Sheridan and its 10 state finals appearances – would not be handled easily.
Rockville took back the lead with 1:18 left in the first quarter on a 12-yard run by senior Zach Clapp, and the score remained 14-7 for over a quarter as each team traded possessions, each with a turnover on downs and a punt.
Zachery struck again on the final drive of the half when he completed three passes in a quick four-play, 66-yard drive that ended in an 18-yard touchdown strike to junior Corey Hamersley. The extra point failed on the play, however, and Sheridan trailed 14-13 at halftime.
Although Zachery’s first half was nice, it was the third quarter that would separate Zachery and Sheridan from their challengers.
Zachery amassed 111 yards in that decisive third period (all on the ground) as he led three Sheridan scoring drives. Two of the drives were consummated by a Zachery touchdown run – the latter a one-play, 40-yard scoring drive courtesy of Zachery’s feet that gave Sheridan a more comfortable 27-14 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Following a Rockville score with 7:47 left in the game, Zachery struck with another one-play drive, this time from 61 yards out.
Still not finished, Zachery snagged an interception four plays later and returned it 41 yards to all but seal the win.
All but, that is. Sheridan was able to hold on despite a final Rockville touchdown with 2:19 left.
Keeping Rockville afloat was junior quarterback Matt King, who threw for 276 yards with three touchdowns. and two interceptions in going 20 of 47. King’s numbers would have been better, but several of his receivers dropped what would have been difficult but critical catches.
Still, it was Zachery’s big plays that won out on the day.
“I was just hoping to get one (state championship) – I never knew I would get three,” Zachery said. “It feels great.
“A lot of our family members have been a part of a state championship – it runs in our families. So everyone can appreciate another state championship.”
Added Wright: “I’ve coached some really good players over the years, and Nick ranks right up there. He can do just about anything on a football field.”
As mentioned, the win set multiple state records for Sheridan.
The Blackhawks’ ninth football state championship is more than any other school in the football tournament’s 35-year history. It is also a record-tying ninth for 43-year coach Wright, who just finished his 42nd year at his alma mater. The win gave Wright one more state championship than **** Dullaghan (one at Carmel, seven at Ben Davis) for most as a head coach.
“He’s a great guy, and I’m honored that I can play for him,” Zachery said. “I love him to death.”
“It will hit me later,” Wright said of the record-setting win. “It was a heck of a ballgame.
“Each one is a different game, each one is a different year. So later on it will probably soak in.”
Sheridan finished the season 15-0, while Rockville was handed its only loss on the season in finishing 14-1.
Rockville’s Clapp named mental attitude award winner
Following the contest, Rockville’s Zachary Clapp was named the winner of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class A football by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Rockville High School in the name of Clapp.
Clapp is the first student-athlete from Rockville to ever win an IHSAA mental attitude award.
Academically, Clapp ranks near the top of his senior class of 64 students. He has been a member of the honor roll every semester thus far and is on track to earn an Academic Honors diploma. Clapp plans to study political science but is undecided on a college choice at this time. He has been a member of the school’s Service Club, the National Honor Society, and the Interact Club.
Athletically, the son of Leonard and Sun Clapp of Rockville was tabbed an All-State defensive lineman last year in Class A by the state football coaches association and is a three-time selection to the All-Wabash River Conference team. During his four years as a starter, he has served the last two as team captain.
The award is presented annually to a senior participant in the state finals who was nominated by his principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.
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