LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. – For the first time in 31 years, Lawrenceburg is headed back to the state finals. The Tigers won a 41-40 “instant classic” over visiting Brownstown Central Friday night in front of a packed house at Dick Meador Stadium and Neary Field.
It started off as a track meet with Lawrenceburg taking a 34-20 halftime lead behind three rushing touchdowns from Austin Bowling. The senior would make history after intermission, becoming just the ninth Indiana runner to rush for 3,000 or more yards in a season. The Tigers were able to put some distance between themselves and the Braves behind a blocked punt to set up a short field and a half-ending interception to thwart a drive - all courtesy of junior Dawson Craig.
WATCH Lawrenceburg LB Mason Parris talk about the victory:
The second half saw Lawrenceburg not capitalizing on opportunities and Brownstown Central edging their way back in the game behind their all-time leader in points scored, Gavin Bane. Lawrenceburg had the ball first-and-goal on the 8-yard line threatening to go up by three touchdowns with a little over four minutes left in the third quarter. But after a sack of Tigers quarterback Reid Strobl, the Braves got the ball back on downs at their own 31. Bane finished off the drive less than three minutes later.
The game remained 34-26 in the fourth quarter and once again Brownstown Central came up with a big stop. The Braves blocked a field goal attempt by Parker Hahn with 7:27 left. Bane was at it again, scampering 43 yards to paydirt. The two-point conversion tied the score with 5:12 left. The crowd was silenced.
They didn’t stay quiet very long. Strobl hit Hunter Privett after scrambling to avoid a sack. Privett would make the catch and 71 yards later he would put Lawrenceburg back on top. In just 19 seconds the Tigers were back in the lead.
Brownstown Central would score with 1:23 remaining behind Bane’s fifth rushing touchdown of the night. Down a point, the Braves went for the win on the two-point conversion. but Lawrenceburg stuffed Bane short of the goal line to preserve the lead and eventual victory.
The Tigers will play in the Class 3A state title game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Fort Wayne Concordia (12-2). Lawrenceburg won state championships in 1975 and ’78.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 6-14-6-12-40
LAWRENCEBURG 14-20-0-7-41
SCORING SUMMARY
B: Bane 56 run (run failed)
L: Murphy 62 run (Hahn kick)
L: Bowling 57 run (Hahn kick)
B: Stuckwisch 8 run (run failed)
L: Houze 67 pass from Strobl (pass failed)
L: Bowling 3 run (Hahn kick)
B: Bane 3 run (run good)
L: Bowling 3 run (Hahn kick)
B: Bane 5 run (run failed)
L: Privett 67 pass from Strobl (Hahn kick)
B: Bane 5 run (run failed)
Records: Brownstown Central (12-2); Lawrenceburg (13-1)
