Football Friday: Clovers begin postseason life with trip to No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran

Thursday, October 27, 2022

While the rest of the Putnam County teams prepared for the opening round of postseason play, Cloverdale got the chance to practice without the worry of having its season come to an end after the first round of IHSAA Football State Tournament play.

That pressure is reserved for this week as the Clovers will make the same trek South Putnam did a week ago to face A No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran Friday night.

Cloverdale head coach Tyler Lotz said there might be pressure in the sense that it’s win-or-go-home time but said the players were enjoying still being able to practice while the rest of the county schools were taking inventory and having exit talks.

“It’s been awesome and we’ve enjoyed it,” Lotz said. “We were just talking about it and it’s been an awesome feeling to be the last team in the county still playing.

“Regardless of how we got it, it’s good for the young guys to get practice, work on techniques, learn about the offense and get any time they need. For the seniors, and for those who remember taking off their shoulder pads for the last time, it’s a chance for them to remain a part of a football team, to go out and practice, which is something you can’t replicate when you get older.

“It’s been good for everybody,” Lotz added.

The top-ranked Saints blew by the Eagles 42-0 a week ago and it is likely a very small contingent believe anything but the same will happen again this week.

Lutheran quarterback Jackson Willis threw for 264 yards on 15-of-19 passes, connecting for four touchdowns, all in the first half.

Joe Davis added 82 yards on the ground in the face of a stout South Putnam run defense, adding a pair of scores, while Jonny Hall had 13 tackles, helping to corral the Eagles to just 78 yards on the ground.

Lotz said it was easy to see why Lutheran was one of the best teams in the state and the challenge the Saints presented to every team on the schedule.

“Lutheran is the No. 1 team for a reason,” Lotz noted. “They are the real deal.

“They have guys up front who are huge and can hold their own. They let their linebackers make plays and their defensive backs can run with anybody.

“Their line creates holes for a back that is a stout running back they have,” Lotz added. “The quarterback is only a sophomore and is already very good and they have receivers who are fast play makers and given opportunities to make those plays.”

It might be tempting for Cloverdale to go out, roll over and accept their fate but Lotz said that wasn’t the message the team was getting nor was it what the players were interested in doing.

“We’ve been saying it since we got the draw: we have nothing to lose, so go out there and play,” Lotz said. “If you get beat by them, that’s what everyone expects.

“We don’t have any pressure on us. If you go out and play with them, that’s a shock to a lot of people and a huge step forward for our program.

“That would create a lot of positive energy heading into the postseason,” Lotz added. “If you beat them? That’s the upset of the week and year.

“We have nothing to lose and we’ve told them to go out, play hard and, if it’s their last time walking off the field, there are no regrets in how it ended.”

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