MATTHEW VANTRYON | BUTLER UNIVERSITY
Down three points. Under two minutes to play. Season on the line—and the defending state champions standing in the way.
Ben Davis was up to the challenge, and came away with a 40-36 win in the Class 6A regional championship over Warren Central.
When Giants quarterback Kyle Castner found Trew Smith in the end zone with 12 seconds to play, it was the final touch to a back-and-forth affair against the Warriors.
In what was the latest chapter of his record-setting season, Castner threw for 196 yards and four touchdowns.
The second half alone featured four lead changes and a tie. The Warriors had the game all but wrapped up with under two minutes to go after Schulyer Nehrig hit a 45-yard field goal to cap a 13-play, 57-yard drive, but Ben Davis had the last word.
Ben Davis tailback Chris Evans did his part to lead the Giants. Evans finished with 155 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards with four touchdowns—two through the air and two on the ground.
The Warriors took a 27-24 lead to open the second half, as Tirone Young took the opening play from scrimmage 64 yards for the score.
Evans rushed for his fourth touchdown of the game to regain the lead for the Giants, but the Warriors tied the game with under 11 minutes to play. Mykelti Williams took the ball seven yards for the score.
Williams also had a 39-yard touchdown run in the first half, and had 137 yards in the game.
The Giants took a 20-17 lead into the break, despite three turnovers.
Castner found the end zone three times in the opening half.
The BULLPUP 