INDIANAPOLIS - Decatur Central beat Warsaw 38-24 in the class 5A final on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium for the school's first state football championship.
The win was sweet redemption for the Hawks after they fell in the state final to Fort Wayne Snider 33-6 last season.
Decatur Central scored on its first possession as Bo Polston hit Kasmir Hicks for a 38-yard touchdown. The Tigers responded with a touchdown drive of their own on their first possession to tie the game at 7-7.
The Hawks began to take control of the game in the second quarter, scoring 17 straight points on a Fa'Rel Carter four-yard touchdown run, a second Polston to Hicks scoring strike and a Ahston Vogel 33-yard field goal. Decatur Central led 24-10 at halftime.
Warsaw cut into the Hawks' lead early in the third quarter with a Brody Duncan 61-yard touchdown run, but Carter had a four-yard TD rush to push Decatur Central's lead back to two scores and a 74-yard touchdown to help seal the game.
The Hawks' defense made plays when they needed them most, forcing five turnovers.
Decatur Central head coach Kyle Enright joined his dad, Dave in the father-son state champion coach club. Dave Enright led Hamilton Southeastern to a title in 1981.
Providence beat North Judson-San Pierre 35-20 to win the class 1A state championship, while Heritage Hills topped Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 38-15 to claim the 3A title.