Woodmen, Saints win sectional games

6A schools join tournament Friday

Lutheran’s Bryce Lucas (right) had plenty to smile about with teammate Deonte Jones in the Saints’ rout of South Decatur.

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE Lutheran kicker Micah Mattes got a nice workout in the first half as the Saints scored four touchdowns.

Quarterback Blake White is just a sophomore for the Lutheran Saints, who blasted South Decatur 42-12 Friday in sectional action. Woodmen

By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer

Never-say-die Greenwood and Lutheran scored first-round football playoff triumphs Friday. The Woodmen went 60 miles to New Castle (5-5) and two overtimes to keep their postseason hopes alive, 35-34, on kicker Lex Logan’s winning PAT. Greenwood had tied it on a 5-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Luke Hommell to Bryce Hoffman.

A missed PAT due to a bad snap on New Castle’s previous series set up Logan’s winning kick. New Castle threatened late in regulation, but linebacker Dylan Cloyd intercepted a pass. Greenwood’s Nick Willham scored three touchdowns and gained 186 yards on 40 carries. Last year the senior-laden Woodmen marched to the semistate.

Lutheran dominated visiting South Decatur 42-12 as the Saints opened defense of their sectional championship. The Saints led 28-0 at halftime and held the Cougars scoreless until the fourth quarter. South Decatur (3-7) did not complete a pass against Lutheran’s stingy defense, which limited the Cougars’ ground game to 151 yards.

The Saints have jelled on offense and defense, outscoring their last four opponents 149-29. Lutheran won sectional and regional titles last year before being edged by Eastern Greene in the semistate. Underdog Beech Grove fell at Mooresville after leading 14-7 in the first quarter.

The Hornets’ offense struck early as quarterback Jordan Reel scored on a short run and combined with Kyron Tyler for a 37-yard TD pass. Reel threw for 152 yards. Terrice Pope, 12 carries for 75 yards, and Isaiah Hulse, 14 carries for 66 yards, led the Hornets’ ground game.

The resurgent Hornets (6-4) have won 30 games in the past five seasons under coach Mark Weller. Sectional play goes into full mode Friday with 6A teams joining the action. Center Grove and Greenwood are at home.