FB 4A FINAL: #6 Reitz makes it two titles in three years over #7 Lowell, 23-9

By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

INDIANAPOLIS – Evansville Reitz made it two Class 4A state championship victories in three years over Lowell at Lucas Oil Stadium Nov. 28 as the sixth-ranked Panthers posted a 23-9 win over No. 7 Lowell.

(CLICK HERE FOR GAME PHOTOS FROM MARK GRICIUS WITH EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY ROBERTS IMAGING, CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM JEFF HEMMER, AND ENJOY THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE FROM CENTER GROVE STUDENT COLIN HEMMER!!)

Junior quarterback Matt McIntosh went 9 of 17 passing for 204 yards with two touchdowns, adding another 59 yards on 15 carries for Reitz (15-0). Senior wide receiver Jeffrey Hudson also took a lateral from McIntosh before connecting on a 46-yard TD pass to junior WR Cuda Dimmett – his second scoring catch of the opening period – on a 3rd and 18 to boost the Panthers to a 13-0 lead just over eight minutes in.

Dimmett had been the recipient of a gorgeous 42-yard pass down the left side from McIntosh for the Panthers’ first score just 91 seconds into the contest (Hudson missed the extra-point kick). Dimmett finished with four receptions for 121 yards, joining Hudson (four receptions for 112 yards, including a 35-yard scoring strike from McIntosh just ahead of the half for a commanding 20-3 lead) in triple digits receiving.

Boje Pejoski had gotten Lowell (13-2) on the board with a 23-yard field goal at 6:48 of the second quarter. But after a 12-yard sack of Lowell senior QB Ray Skamay (3 of 8 for 45 yards and one interception) just 52 seconds ahead of intermission, the 6’2”, 173-pound McIntosh answered quickly with a 16-yard pass to Hudson before throwing it high to the front right corner of the end zone.

The 5’11” Hudson simply outjumped 5’8” senior defensive back Stephen Garton while straddling the goal line, walking in to make it 20-3 at 0:24 (see carousel picture).

Lowell workhorse senior running back Brandon Grubbe (30 carries, 160 yards) then capped off an 11-play drive for the Red Devils with a two-yard TD run to cut it to 20-9 (Pejoski’s extra point was blocked). But Lowell had dug itself too large a hole in fumbling at the 1-yard line and settling for a 3-pointer in two first-half trips inside the Reitz 5.

The Red Devils were making their third appearance in the 4A state title game in the last five years under 19th-year coach Kirk Kennedy. Lowell upset Roncalli, 28-27, for the 2005 championship and fell 33-14 to Reitz two years ago behind a phenomenal QB performance by McIntosh’s older brother, Mr. Football Paul McIntosh.

Hudson finished out this game’s scoring on a 28-yard field goal with 9:18 to play for Reitz, which was making its third championship appearance. The Panthers lost the 3A final to Portage, 33-14, back in 1977.

Reitz’ Bryant wins Mental Attitude Award
Erik Bryant of Reitz was named winner of the 2009 Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award for Class 4A football by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to F.J. Reitz High School in his name.

Since 1989, more than $575,000 in college scholarships has been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana. The award – named in honor of the third commissioner of the IHSAA, who guided the Association from 1962 to 1976 –
is presented annually to a senior in each classification who best demonstrates excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability.

Bryant has been a four-year member of Student Council, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a regular volunteer in his youth group, serving as a Thanksgiving basket deliverer and contributing his help to blood drives.

Bryant was a member of Reitz’s undefeated 4A state championship team two years ago. A two-time member of the Academic All-City Team (2008, 2009), he’s known as an unselfish teammate who looks at the Reitz football team as a family. Erik is also a three-year varsity baseball player.

He carries a 3.5 GPA and is a member of the Magna *** Laude Honor Roll. The son of Kevin Bryant and the late Lori Bryant is undecided on his college and major at this time.

BOX SCORE TO COME!!