DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Talk about a game of contrasting styles.
A year after the South Adams Starfires defeated North Miami to claim the 2024 1A Regional title (40-21), the two teams met on the Warriors’ home field Friday and played one of the most contrasting games of football Starfire fans have ever seen.
South Adams, with -1 rushing yards on the night, scored late to defeat the Warriors, who did not complete a pass, 25-22 to advance to next week’s north semi-state game. A win from Pioneer Friday means that the only thing standing between coach Grant Moser’s team and a return to Lucas Oil Stadium is a home game in Berne against Pioneer.
Besides the obvious contrast between the gunslinging Stars and the ground attack of the host Warriors, much of the game centered around PAT attempts. North Miami never attempted a kick in the game, instead choosing to go for two after each of their scores.
A conversion on two of the three North Miami touchdowns had the Stars chasing points when they had a PAT blocked just before halftime and at one point in the second half, South Adams led by the odd score of 19-14, but the math ultimately boiled down to something much simpler.
The Starfires found a successful, TD-scoring drive in each of the fourth quarters, but North Miami could not find a score in the third quarter.
The Warriors’ final drive saw QB Hartley Hoover sacked from the blind side by Wes Summersett on what would have been just his second attempted pass of the night on 4th down with a minute to go.
It was Summersett who put the Stars on the board, pounding his way into the end zone as the South Adams response to an early Lake Musall touchdown for the hosts.
North Miami answered right back with a touchdown and seemed ready for the challenge early in the second quarter, but after both teams traded punts, Lehman spread out the North Miami D and hit Wes Summersett downfield for a diving, 35-yard catch.
On the very next play, with the North Miami defense still catching its breath, Lehman went into the back corner of the end zone to Derek McKean, who made a dazzling catch himself for the score. Although the PAT was blocked and North Miami retained a one-point lead, it felt more like a tie game, considering no one in the crowd expected anything less than more touchdowns in the second half by both teams.
The play of the game, however, was, without a doubt, the Stars’ touchdown in the third quarter. With North Miami scratching their heads, trying to figure out how they had not hit Will Patterson for a loss on a running play at midfield, Jax Wanner made his way to the sideline with the Stars coming to the line. Keeping both feet in the field of play, Wanner camouflaged himself with his back to the offense, standing still even in the initial moments after the snap.
Uncovered by any defensive back, Wanner sprinted down the right sideline, caught a ball from Lehman at the 30, then out-ran the DB who was covering Derek McKean for the score.
The winning score was a fantastic shot from Lehman, rifled into traffic amidst four different defenders to Derek McKean for the score.
Lake Musall finished the game with 195 yards rushing for the home team. While he hit the Stars hard, teammates Ryan Meredith and Hartley Hoover were held mostly in check.
Along with the positive of playing the semi-state game at home, the Starfires will also have the advantage of playing a fairly similar offense in Pioneer. The Panthers have completed just 20 passes this season and feature four different players with 800+ yards rushing.
Listen to WZBD’s YouTube channel next Friday for free coverage of the semi-state game.
SCORING SUMMARY
Quarter 1
8:11 – NM – Lake Musall 33-yd run, 2-PT attempt good (Ryan Meredith run), 0-8
2:51 – SA – Wes Summersett 1-yd run, Juarez PAT good, 7-8
Quarter 2
10:55 – NM – Ryan Meredith 12-yd run, 2-PT attempt no good, 7-14
2:40 – SA – Derek McKean 34-yd catch from Tytus Lehman, Juarez PAT blocked, 13-14
Quarter 3
3:40 – SA – Jax Wanner 51-yd catch from Tytus Lehman, 2-PT attempt no good, 19-14
Quarter 4
10:03 – NM – Hartley Hoover 40-yd run, 2-PT attempt good (Ryan Meredith run), 19-22
7:21 – SA – Derek McKean 15-yd catch from Tytus Lehman, 2-PT attempt no good, 25-22
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