Looking Back: 2010 State Champions

   

     In this post, we will look back over the 2010 Tiger football team that brought a state title to the Fishers High School family and set the goal for all Tiger men to reach for.  The 2010 team was not one that many around the state would have tabbed as taking the title at the end but this team proved every week that hard work and team play can beat anyone.

The Right Stuff

     Coach Wimmer started the 2010 season with an experienced bunch of kids that were proven winners over their careers and were very hungry for the titles.  They went through the camp season and the morning workouts driven and committed to excellence.  Only going into their 5th season as a high school program, they had already shown exponential improvement year over year and were building an identity as a team that opponents at any level shouldn't take lightly and expect to be pushed on every play.  9-2 one season prior with a hard fought 0-7 loss to Carmel in the sectionals, the Tigers were primed to take a step forward.

     Taking those biggest steps were seniors on both sides of the ball.  Senior leadership on offense included quarterback Koby Orris, running back Connor McCalley, receivers RC Hauser and Alphonso Hines, tight ends Dakota Slaughter and Cameron Allen, offensive linemen Michael Mango and Chris Chang, and receiver/defensive back Brian Sutton.  Defensive side of the ball included seniors defensive end Taylor Halsted, cornerback Keith Johnson, linebackers Wes Kiskaden, Phil Warner and Patrick Weiler, defensive backs Brandon Gray and Jake McDonald, plus double duty lineman Jordan Willy.  Place kicking duties were expertly handled by Max Larreur.  Take that senior leadership and commitment, throw in some talented under classmen, and you have the perfect formula for what would be the Tigers run to the championship.

Staying Focused

     The season started with a win over Noblesville and hopes were duly elevated then followed by a humbling 17-40 away loss to the cross-town rivals in blue.  Any other team may have rebounded differently after failing to win that second game but this Tiger team was not detoured and would go on to roll off 13 consecutive wins on the way to holding the wooden trophy in Lucas Oil.   Most pundits in the state slated the sectional final to be Carmel vs Blue but thanks to an incredible 17-14 win in the sectional semi at Carmel which included an unforgettable fake punt first down by RC Hauser.  Indeed, Fishers fans seemed to outnumber the home fans as some Carmel fans likely assumed the victory was in hand before the first snap.  Simply unforgettable night!  Walking out of Carmel victorious, the Tigers had set the stage for the revenge of all revenges in the sectional championship at home. Every team, every year sets a goal of walking off the final game as winners and this team's run, including a convincing 28-0 payback over Blue in the sectional championship, was another magical night in the cold November night.  The Tigers walked off warm from victory to more business and, while one more season goal was notched, more was in sight.

More Magic

     From the sectional championship, Tigers traveled north to Ft. Wayne to play in the regional championship against Ft. Wayne Snider.  The game saw a lot of offense and the Snider team seemed to answer many of the scores quickly not allowing the visiting Tigers to rest.  In the end, it would be a 47-34 Tiger regional championship win and the ticket was punched further into unchartered territory and a semi-state matchup in Fishers against Valparaiso.  Playing through November?  Heck yes!

Finishing Strong and The Ultimate Goal

     Valpo came into Fishers 13-0 and out of the heralded north.  The Tiger nation came out in force as always in incredibly cold conditions and were rewarded with a convincing 30-12 victory and the opportunity to meet the final foe in the state championship at Lucas Oil Stadium.  A different Thanksgiving holiday and one that any Indiana high school football player would cherish - practices, ultimate goal still within reach, and stomachs getting fuller but not yet satisfied.

     The state final on November 27th was against 13-1 Lawrence Central, led by eventual Mr. Football Tre Roberson and coached by Jayson West.  Tigers scored first on a 31 yard reception by Alphonso Hines.  Lawrence Central would answer but the Tigers would score twice more to go into half with a 17-7 lead.  Junior Eric Davis contributed exceptionally well in the final game and all season after the Tigers lost team leader and inspiration running back Connor McCalley earlier in the season.  Offensive control and defensive pressure, including 4 sacks by Taylor Halsted, secured the Tigers first state championship with a 38-19 win and an end to an amazing season.

     Great video link from the state final on MaxPreps: CLICK HERE (sorry for the commercial)

     Complete Game by Game Stats from the 2010 season: CLICK HERE

     Order Your 2010 State Game Video here: IHSAA

STILL HUNGRY?  YOU BET!