Michigan City’s pained expressions on the field in the aftermath of Friday night’s 21-14 loss at Kokomo in the Class 5A semistate gave way to some cracking of smiles in the locker room.
Without question, there was a sense of sadness among the Wolves. But they also had an appreciation for winning the first sectional and regional titles in program history to reach that point.
“These kids should feel great about what they did,” Michigan City coach Phil Mason said. “It’s still a process for this program.
“It’s a credit to the kids for the work they’ve put in with what we’re trying to do. I’m hurt. I’m disappointed. But I’m trying to make sure these guys aren’t too disappointed and understand how proud they should be of what they’ve done.”
With sheets of rain coming down from the middle of the third quarter, the Wolves (9-4) couldn’t overcome four turnovers, with the Wildkats (9-4) turning two into 14 points.
Still, after Michigan City came up with a goal-line stand at its 1-yard line with 3:47 left, the Wolves drove to Kokomo’s 35 before four straight incompletions, the last with 23 seconds left.
“We had some opportunities to make plays,” Mason said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
Senior linebacker Christian Vasquez offered perspective.
“We played our hearts out,” he said. “Making history, I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.”
Michigan City produced its stop after Kokomo’s Javias Gray recovered a fumble at the Wolves’ 6.
The Wolves drew to 21-14 on senior quarterback Michael McCullough’s 1-yard TD run with 6:34 left in the third quarter. That scored was set up by Ashton Morrow’s fumble recovery at the 3.
Zach Gault also had an interception for Michigan City.
On the opening possession, Kokomo took a 7-0 lead on Jack Perkins’ 5-yard TD run with 6:15 left in the first quarter. The Wolves responded with McCullough’s 71-yard TD pass to Zennon Wilhelm.
Brody Smith recovered a fumble for the Wildkats at the Wolves’ 32, leading to a 13-yard TD pass from Kyle Wade to Perkins with 9:01 left in the first half.
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Smith’s interception at the Kokomo 5 preceded Wade’s 25-yard TD pass to Gray with 1:40 left in the half.
“Two turnovers in the first half killed us because they capitalized on both,” Mason said.
Senior running back Daelon Wren delivered 114 yards on 24 carries. McCullough added 88 yards and the TD on 14 carries. He also completed 4 of 16 passes for 121 yards with the TD and two interceptions.
“The rain and the wind made it tough,” McCullough said. “It wasn’t my night passing. But it was a great season. I was a little iffy if we were going to make it this far. But we worked so hard to get here.
“I don’t think any of us expected to make it this far.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff