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Thunderbirds are bound for Lucas Oil Stadium!
INDIANAPOLIS - The greatest football season in Eastern Greene history got even better Friday.
Quarterback Caleb Hamilton bulled in from five yards out for the winning score with two minutes, 17 seconds left on the clock.
The Eastern defense stuffed Indianapolis Lutheran’s last ditch attempt to keep the final drive alive.
The Thunderbirds lined up in victory formation as the final 31 seconds ticked down.
Eastern Greene triumphed over Indianapolis Lutheran 12-8 in the Class A semistate Friday at Lutheran High School. And the victorious Thunderbirds are bound for Lucas Oil Stadium for the IHSAA State Finals the day after Thanksgiving.
“I’m super proud of these kids, this program and how far it’s come,” Eastern Greene head coach Joey Paridaen said. “It’s all a tribute to the kids. They’ve worked so hard. And they answered the call every time to keep raising the bar higher and higher.”
Not even a 50-minute power outage could turn the lights out on Eastern Greene’s dream season.
Eastern Greene Superintendent Ted Baechtold spoke of the players’ determination.
“All I can say is these kids never gave up. They persevered, they showed great grit.
“They stood up when things got a little bit sideways on them. They made plays when they had to make plays.”
Baechtold was there when the resurgence of the Eastern Greene football program began.
“For our community we’re a small school out in the middle of nowhere,” the Superintendent said. “But we’re going to Indianapolis. And we’re going to play some more football.”
He continued, “It’s great to see our program at the pinnacle. And that’s where we’re at.”
And the Thunderbirds reveled in their hard-earned victory, eagerly anticipating their long-awaited trip to Lucas Oil Stadium.
“It’s amazing,” lineman Josh Vincent said. “It’s the best feeling ever.
“I thought winning the regional was cool. This is ten times better. Especially the way we did it was amazing.”
Vincent credited the sense of brotherhood throughout the team with the success they’ve enjoyed.
“Everybody’s a brother on this team basically,” he said. “That’s because of how close we are. And that contributes a lot to it because we trust each other.”
And Hamilton, who scored both Eastern Greene touchdowns described the semistate championship as “The best feeling in the world, just being with my teammates and going to Lucas Oil.
But football wasn’t the only thing on Hamilton’s mind.
“Especially having Thanksgiving dinner together Thursday,” Caleb said. “I’ll be with these great, amazing people to celebrate and get ready for state.”
Joel Weimer could scarcely contain his excitement. “We’re excited to go. It’s unbelievable.”
And now the Eastern Greene Thunderbirds are among the last two teams left in the tournament.
Paridaen said those outside the program may not have believed - but the Thunderbirds did.
“We’re in the final two,” the T-Bird coach said. “We believed we were going to be here. And here we are.
“These kids have battled through so much in the four years I’ve been here. Now we get to go play for a state championship.”
The Eastern Greene Thunderbirds and the Pioneer Panthers will meet for the Class A state championship at Lucas Oil Stadium Friday at noon.
