FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Class 3A Football

Here at VYPE, we had the honored pleasure of sitting down and speaking with Chatard football Vince Lorenzano regarding his team's quest for a ninth state championship and second consecutive football championship. "Chatard has had a long standing tradition that just carries over. It's not so much the coaching, but the essence of the program itself," said Lorenzano in August of 2007. Well, the essence of the program grew even more last fall, as the Trojans accomplished their goals with a 31-7 victory against South Bend St. Joseph's in the 3A state championship. It marked back-to-back state titles for Chatard, and their third consecutive title game appearance overall. In fact, since 1997, Chatard might as well have set up camp at the RCA Dome, playing in eight championship games in the past 11 seasons. The Trojans will have another opportunity this season to add to their stellar football reputation, returning junior tailback Ari Pappas, senior lineman Zach Martin and several other returning starters. Brebeuf could return a strong team as well, after falling to Sectional 21 champion Danville. The Braves went 9-3 a season ago. Speaking of Danville, watch out for the Warriors again this season, despite the loss of star quarterback Colton Cooper. Danville, 11-2 in 2007, fell to Chatard in regionals. PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR THIS SEASON: ARI PAPPAS (Chatard) - At 5-foot-11, 185, Pappas is a shifty back with great running skills. Ran for 82 yards and a touchdown in the state title game last November. ZACH MARTIN (Chatard) - At 6-foot-5 and 260 lbs., Martin is an imposing force for the Trojans running game and RB Ari Pappas. Martin, who has committed to Notre Dame, helped guide Chatard to a 12-3 mark in 2007 and a second consecutive state title. HUNTER MASON (Danville) - Tight end should have a breakout senior year. GARRISON MCELROY (Hamilton Heights) - Offensive lineman was named All-State Junior Team by IFCA. RYAN PLOETZ (Mt. Vernon) BRAD VOLTZ (Mt. Vernon) Class 3A Year Final Score Winning Coach Rec. Runner-Up Coach Rec. Location 1973-74 South Bend Washington 19, Indianapolis Cathedral 13 Bob Van Camp 12-0 Mike McGinley 11-1 S.B. Washington HS 1974-75 Indianapolis Washington 19, Mishawaka 12 Bob Springer 12-0 Bill Doba 10-2 North Central HS (Indpls.) 1975-76 Valparaiso 14, Carmel 13 Tom Stokes 12-0 Dick Dullaghan 11-1 Valparaiso HS 1976-77 Merrillville 28, Indianapolis Cathedral 24 Ken Haupt 11-1 Mike McGinley 12-1 Indpls. Cathedral HS 1977-78 Portage 33, Evansville Reitz 14 Les Klein 12-1 Bob Padgett 12-1 North Central (Indpls.) HS 1978-79 Carmel 35, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 18 Dick Dullaghan 13-0 Larry Bartolameolli 12-1 North Central (Indpls.) HS 1979-80 Columbus East 21, Hobart 14 John Stafford 13-0 Don Howell 11-1 North Central (Indpls.) HS 1980-81 Carmel 13, Hobart 7 Jim Belden 13-0 Don Howell 11-2 North Central (Indpls.) HS 1981-82 Carmel 27, Fort Wayne Snider 0 Jim Belden 14-0 Mike Hawley 13-1 North Central (Indpls.) HS 1982-83 Castle 26, Hobart 23 John Lidy 14-0 Don Howell 13-1 North Central (Indpls.) HS 1983-84 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 22, Roncalli 21 Andy Johns 14-0 Bill Kuntz 12-2 Warren Central HS 1984-85 Brownsburg 17, Concord 12 Mike Godan 14-0 Tom Conn 10-4 Hoosier Dome 1985-86 Roncalli 37, Wawasee 3 Bill Kuntz 13-1 Myron Dickerson 9-5 Hoosier Dome 1986-87 Indianapolis Cathedral 12, NorthWood 0 Mike McGinley 12-2 Jim Andrews 12-2 Hoosier Dome 1987-88 Zionsville 23, Elwood 7 Rick Wimmer 14-0 Mark Hughes 12-2 Hoosier Dome 1988-89 Roncalli 14, Tipton 13 Bill Sylvester 12-2 Mike Tolle 11-3 Hoosier Dome 1989-90 Hammond Bishop Noll 20, Roncalli 14 Jerry Vlasic 13-1 Bill Sylvester 10-4 Hoosier Dome 1990-91 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 56, New Palestine 14 Andy Johns 14-0 Marvin Shepler 12-2 Hoosier Dome 1991-92 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 34, Indianapolis Cathedral 27 Andy Johns 13-1 Rick Streiff 11-3 Hoosier Dome 1992-93 Indianapolis Cathedral 33, Northwestern 14 Rick Streiff 12-2 Dan Robinson 13-1 Hoosier Dome 1993-94 Roncalli 14, NorthWood 12 Bruce Scifres 14-0 Rich Dodson 13-1 Hoosier Dome 1994-95 Roncalli 35, Tipton 14 Bruce Scifres 12-2 Mike Tolle 12-2 RCA Dome 1995-96 South Bend St. Joseph's 28, Jasper 0 Frank Amato 14-0 Jerry Brewer 13-1 RCA Dome 1996-97 Zionsville 14, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 7 Larry McWhorter 14-0 Andy Johns 12-2 RCA Dome 1997-98 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 27, Andrean 24 Craig Barr 14-1 Ted Karras, Jr. 12-2 RCA Dome 1998-99 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 23, NorthWood 6 Craig Barr 13-2 Rich Dodson 11-4 RCA Dome 1999-00 Roncalli 24, Norwell 14 Bruce Scifres 15-0 Gary Scott 13-2 RCA Dome 2000-01 Heritage Hills 27, Zionsville 24 (OT) Bob Clayton 15-0 Larry McWhorter 11-4 RCA Dome 2001-02 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 3, Andrean 0 Tom Dilley 11-4 Jeff Karras 13-2 RCA Dome 2002-03 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 31, Andrean 12 Tom Dilley 15-0 Wally McCormack 13-2 RCA Dome 2003-04 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 49, NorthWood 0 Vince Lorenzano 14-1 Rich Dodson 11-4 RCA Dome 2004-05 Andrean 21, Heritage Hills 14 Brett St. Germain 13-2 Bob Clayton 14-1 RCA Dome 2005-06 NorthWood 7, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 0 Rich Dodson 9-6 Vince Lorenzano 12-3 RCA Dome 2006-07 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 7, Norwell 0 Vince Lorenzano 14-1 Jeff Miller 14-1 RCA Dome 2007-08 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 31, South Bend St. Joseph's 7 Vince Lorenzano 12-3 Kevin Downey 12-3 RCA Dome