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IHSAA football top performers: These players made the difference in regional finals

kyle neddenriep, indianapolis star
·4 min read

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Regionals What we learned: Danny O’Neil leaves it all out in final game

Dearious Carter, Leo: The senior returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 86 yards and another score in Leo’s 41-7 win over Mississinewa in a Class 3A regional.

Kobe Cherry, Center Grove: While older brother Tyler threw two touchdown passes to Noah Coy, the 6-3, 220-pound defensive end had 11 tackles and a sack to help the Trojans blank Warren Central 14-0 in a Class 6A regional.

Ben Davis Giants Alvin Contreras (6) catches the ball for an interception against Cathedral Fighting Irish Zach Meeks (3) on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 6A regional championship game at Key Stadium at University of Indianapolis. The Ben Davis Giants defeated the Cathedral Fighting Irish, 27-24.
Ben Davis Giants Alvin Contreras (6) catches the ball for an interception against Cathedral Fighting Irish Zach Meeks (3) on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 6A regional championship game at Key Stadium at University of Indianapolis. The Ben Davis Giants defeated the Cathedral Fighting Irish, 27-24.

Alvin Contreras, Ben Davis: The senior safety made the game-clinching interception in the end zone in Ben Davis’ 27-24 Class 6A regional win over Cathedral. Contreras, who came into the game with four interceptions, is one of the leaders of a secondary that accounted for three interceptions in the game. He also had seven tackles, one for a loss, punted four times for a 42-yard average, returned two kicks for a 22-yard average and one punt for 19 yards.

N’po Dodo, Decatur Central: The junior running back had 159 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries to lead the Hawks to a 41-7 win over Whiteland in a Class 5A regional. Dodo led an offense that put up 342 rushing yards to help Decatur Central win its second regional title in program history.

Decatur High School junior N'po Dodo (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an IHSAA Regional championship football game against Whiteland High School, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Decatur Central High School.
Decatur High School junior N'po Dodo (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an IHSAA Regional championship football game against Whiteland High School, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Decatur Central High School.

Larry Ellison, Crown Point: The junior running back carried the load for Crown Point in a 34-33 win over Penn in a Class 6A regional victory with 178 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries.

Kendall Garnett, Westfield: The junior running back ran wild with 223 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries in Westfield’s 24-21 Class 6A regional victory over Hamilton Southeastern.

Westfield's Kendall Garnett lll (8) looks for some open space to run on the hand off as Hamiliton Southeastern takes on Westfield High School in the IHSAA Class 6A Regional Championship, Nov 10, 2023; Westfield, IN, USA; at Westfield High School.
Westfield's Kendall Garnett lll (8) looks for some open space to run on the hand off as Hamiliton Southeastern takes on Westfield High School in the IHSAA Class 6A Regional Championship, Nov 10, 2023; Westfield, IN, USA; at Westfield High School.

Jesiah McDaniel, North Judson: McDaniel ran for 115 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries as North Judson knocked off Park Tudor 44-26 in a Class A regional. McDaniel went over 1,000 rushing yards on the season.

Josh Ringer, East Central: The senior running back and Miami of Ohio recruit rushed for 214 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries as the Class 4A top-ranked Trojans rolled to a 47-7 win over Evansville Memorial.

Liam Stone, North Posey: The senior quarterback ran for 122 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries as No. 4 North Posey knocked off top-ranked Triton Central 28-13 to win the Class 2A regional showdown.

New Palestine Dragons Grayson Thomas (4) is tackled by Mooresville Pioneers Tyler Rakestraw (10) during the IHSAA Class 4A Regional Championship game between Mooresville Pioneers and New Palestine Dragons Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at New Palestine High School in New Palestine. Dragons defeated Pioneers 39-6.
New Palestine Dragons Grayson Thomas (4) is tackled by Mooresville Pioneers Tyler Rakestraw (10) during the IHSAA Class 4A Regional Championship game between Mooresville Pioneers and New Palestine Dragons Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at New Palestine High School in New Palestine. Dragons defeated Pioneers 39-6.

Grayson Thomas, New Palestine: The senior running back rushed for 137 yards and five touchdowns on 29 carries as New Palestine pulled away from Mooresville for a 39-6 win in a Class 4A regional with a 27-0 fourth quarter.

Nitro Tuggle, NorthWood: The senior receiver and Georgia commit had 12 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns as NorthWood jumped out to a 24-point lead by halftime on the way to a 38-14 win over New Prairie.

Mang Tung, Fort Wayne Snider: The sophomore kicker drilled a 45-yard field as time expired to give second-ranked Snider a 19-18 win over No. 9 Mishawaka in a Class 5A regional.

Coleton Vondersaar, Westfield: The senior defensive end saw his season end near halftime of Westfield’s regional game against Hamilton Southeastern when he suffered a broken leg. Vondersaar, one of the leaders of the defense with 46 tackles and five sacks for the season, told his teammates all he wanted was a win when he left the field.

Lucas Waldon, Bloomington South: The senior receiver had eight catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns in Bloomington South’s 42-21 win over Evansville North in a Class 5A regional.

Wyatt Woodall, Southmont: The senior running back had 267 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries as Southmont held off Eastern Hancock for a 41-34 win in a Class 2A regional.

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Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football playoffs: Top regional players, stats