Red Devils fall to Celina, end season 10-3
They say the little things make the biggest difference in the outcome of a game. For the Tippecanoe Red Devils, a few mistakes allowed Celina to capitalize and put together a solid game, knocking off Tipp 27-13 in the regional semi-finals last week at Sidney High School.
Tipp trailed 20-6 at the half and the two teams played even in the second half, but it was the small things that cost Tipp a chance to advance to the regional finals this week.
“Our guys proved we belong on this stage, that’s where our program is,” said an emotional Tipp coach Matt Burgbacher after the game. “These kids earned it to be here and the little things matter, the little things in the first half. I thought we played well in the second half. That’s the life lesson we want to preach to these guys - don’t ever focus on the big picture or you will lose that process. You have to take care of those little things first. I am so proud of this group. Not many gave us a chance this season, and after week one, we had a long way to go. But this group has come a long way.”
Celina didn’t waste any time, striking first on their opening drive. Following a punt from the Red Devils, the Bulldogs moved right downfield and finished the drive with an 18-tyard run with 7:20 left in the opening quarter to take a quick 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs then pulled off a big play on Tipp’s next possession as the Red Devils were forced to punt. On the play, John Lutz returned a blocked punt 20 yards for another score, and with almost five minutes left in the quarter, Celina was in command 14-0.
Tipp needed to respond, and they did. A long pass from Peyton Schutlz to Jackson Davis set up the Red Devils at the 30 yard line, and they eventually moved into the red zone. A seven-yard pass from Schutlz to Davis connected from seven yards out, cutting their deficit to 14-6 heading into the second period.
Another score from the Bulldogs with 5:03 left in the half extended their lead to 20-6, which is how the two teams headed into the locker room at halftime. The Red Devils did have a chance to score before the half, but the fumbled at the Celina 10-yard-line.
It quickly was 27-6 on another Celina score in the third, but Tipp answered when Schultz hit Maddox Sivon on a 15-yard pass in the endzone.
Twice in the fourth quarter, Tipp had the ball in the Celina red zone and came away empty. But for the Red Devils, it was another amazing season with kids who stepped up all season long and made a statement that the Red Devils program is considered one of the best in the area.
“Being at Tipp for five years, we are going to graduate a great senior class every year, and I am not talking about them as athletes, I am talking about the person,” Burgbacher said. “Every class is hard to replace, these guys gave us everything they had. You’re tight with all of them ... but this one … probably tighter with my son being in that class, so you get to know these kids a bit more. I am just proud of them.”
