For the first time since 2017, Ben Davis is an Indiana high school football champ. The Giants beat Crown Point 38-10 Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Ben Davis, ranked No. 23 in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football, rolled to touchdowns on their first four drives of the second half to break open a close game that saw the Giants have a 10-3 halftime lead. Crown Point entered the contest ranked No. 290 in the HSFA 300.
“We didn’t get off to the start we wanted,” said Ben Davis head coach Russ Mann, referring to the small halftime lead. “But, if you were in (the locker room) at halftime, you would have thought we were up 14 or 21 points. We were composed and didn’t show any panic.”
Mann becomes the sixth first-time head coach in state history to win a title in his first season.
The Giants finish 13-1 with the only loss coming to No. 5 IMG Academy of Florida.
Crown Point’s Jeffrey Meschede named Eskew Mental Attitude Award recipient
kjDuring the awards ceremony, Jeffrey Meschede of Crown Point High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 6A Football.
The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability during his four years of high school.
A four-year member of the Bulldogs football team, Meschede plays on the offensive line and was selected a team captain this season. He’ll participate in his fourth year of track and field next spring and has been a member of Crown Point wrestling team which has won the last two state championships.
Meschede maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and is also a member of the school orchestra, playing the upright bass and performing multiple concerts throughout the year.
He is the son of Jason and Vanessa Meschede of Crown Point, IN. He is currently undecided on where he plans to attend college but is interested in studying Computer Engineering.
The award is named in honor of Commissioner Phil N. Eskew, who served as the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-76. Under his leadership, the IHSAA football state tournament was initiated in 1973.
The Indianapolis Colts, the presenting sponsor of the state tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Crown Point High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Jeffrey Meschede.
