South Putnam, Providence ready to clash with state title chance on the line

South Putnam head football coach Chuck Sorrell and Providence coach Daniel McDonald don't need any reminders of what is at stake tonight. 

The Eagles and Pioneers will lock horns tonight in the Class A South Semi-State and are one win away from an appearance next Saturday in the Class A state championship game. 

Providence (12-0) has not experienced losing this season, while the Eagles (11-2) opened the season at 1-2 and had a "come to Jesus meeting" as a program that has turned the tables on their season. Since that loss, South Putnam has ripped off nine straight wins and have held opponents to seven points or less seven times since. 

Both coaches admit they had a feeling their respective teams would be solid heading into the season. 

"I knew coming into the season that we had the potential to be a really good football team, but we had to experience some growing pains early in the season. Those first few games were frustrating at times, but we have matured and our seniors have stepped up and demonstrated great leadership," McDonald said. 

For Sorrell, whose team opened the season as the preseason number one ranked team, it has been all about winning trophies for the Eagles. 

"Our ultimate goal was to have a sectional trophy, a regional trophy and now a semi-state trophy and give ourselves a chance to play for Lucas Oil. That was our goal in December and it has not changed as we have moved through the season with our ups and downs and here we are with a chance," Sorrell said. 

Sorrell said his seniors stepped up after that North Putnam loss, especially defensive standout Zach Dorsett and quarterback Wyatt Mullin. 

"I think Zach Dorsett and Wyatt Mullin and the rest of our seniors realized they only had seven guaranteed seven weeks left. Zach and Wyatt, especially, said there wasn't going to be any more of this. Zach has become the leader we needed him to be for three years, and Wyatt is a leader on the offensive side of the ball. Those two coming out and being the leaders we needed has really carried over and they have dominated in one way or another since. They've had one goal since they were eighth graders and that was to play at Lucas Oil Stadium," Sorrell said. 

Getting to know Providence 

The Pioneers come into tonight's contest averaging 33 points and allowing 10 points a game. 

Defensively, Providence has been paced by defensive lineman Griffin Tucker, who enters with 10.5 sacks, 76 total tackles and 15 tackles for a loss. He has drawn offers from Air Force and Morehead State, as well as a PWO from Indiana State. 

Lucas Thomas is a three year starter at linebacker, and has been an integral part of the defense. He has 88 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles caused, and 5 fumbles recoveries. 

"Whenever we have needed a play on defense, he has been the guy to make the play," McDonald said.

Offensively, quarterback Preston Kempf leads the Pioneers, having rushed for 930 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding another 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns against four interceptions through the air. 

"I am really proud of how he has matured as a leader. Cooper Ross is our second leading rusher with 850 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a punishing runner and has excellent field vision," McDonald said.  

One area McDonald feels could be an advantage tonight is special teams, something he has called a "weapon."

"One weapon we have been fortunate to have this season is our special teams. Nick Stoner, our punter, has done a great job flipping the field on teams, averaging 41 yards per punt, with numerous punts inside the 20. Furthermore, Jaxon Revell has been near perfect on PATs, and has hit some crucial field goals for us," McDonald said. 

What the two coaches said about each other

For South Putnam, the last time the Eagles played in a semi-state was 2002, and Sorrell said he knows what this game means to his football community. 

"We have a lot of names on this team whose dads played on that team. It has been that long ago, and it is a shame because South Putnam football has been so good and it's taken us this long to get back to where we belong we in the final four every year. We are starting to get to that point as a program and now we have a chance to go out there and go. We have a chance to go do something that team didn't do," Sorrell said. 

After watching the Eagles defeat Sheridan 60-19 last week, backed by six touchdowns by Ty Benton, McDonald said South Putnam is "big, athletic and well coached."

"You can't watch South Putnam on film without noticing their size. Those guys are giants. They have several guys who look like they could play on Saturdays. Not only are they big, but they are also athletic and well-coached," McDonald said.

The Providence coach singled out the efforts of Mullin and Benton. 

"I have been really impressed by their quarterback, Wyatt Mullin. He has a strong, accurate arm, and is a load to bring down when he decides to run it. Their running back, Ty Benton, is an explosive, aggressive runner. In the passing game, they do a good job of taking the top off the defense, and their receivers can make plays. 

For us to win, we will have to take care of the ball and play physical, aggressive football," McDonald said.

Sorrell was just as complimentary when it came to the Pioneers. 

"Providence is really good. They are athletic all across the board. They have skill guys we are going to have to cover. They've got a quarterback and running back we are going to have to keep in the box, contain and tackle. We can't let their quarterback get outside the edges and run. He's as fast as our guys. We have to cover their vertical routes. They want to take chances every once in a while. This is a different animal. When we dropped out of the top three, Providence moved right in. They've done everything they are supposed to do and have won all of their football games. Some they've won by a lot and they are here to prove they are number one or two in the state as well," Sorrell said.