Purichia scores 3 ways as Ritter beats Tipton for 2A crown
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — One day after Cathedral’s Terry McLaurin put up one of the memorable performances in recent state finals history, Ritter’s Jake Purichia matched him.
And now, the picture for the Mr. Football award is just as murky as it was a week ago.
Purichia passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns, ran for two scores and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown to lead Ritter in a 56-6 win over Tipton in the Class 2A championship game Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Purichia, the all-time passing touchdown leader in state history, had done everything but win a title. Now, his career will go down as one of the best for an Indiana player.
Purichia said all the numbers didn’t matter as much as finally getting that elusive title. The Raiders lost to Fort Wayne Luers in last year’s final, giving Saturday’s win extra importance.
“It’s awesome for the community, for the school, and then for me, personally, and for the seniors we have right now because it’s our first one,” Purichia said. “Coming up short last year, we knew we had to work hard. We did it for everybody.”
Purichia became just the second player to score three different ways in a state title game, and the first since 1999. Talking about possibly winning the Mr. Football made sense after Saturday’s performance. His season stats: 217-for-334, 46 touchdowns to six interceptions and an additional 444 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing.
“The first thing I wanted was a state championship,” he said. “That (Mr. Football) would be an extra boost. It would be awesome to win it.”
Purichia impressed with his arm strength and accuracy, repeatedly delivering lasers on a dime. He also played linebacker and safety and was the up back on punts.
Ritter’s Kyree Hollis caught five passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns. The junior intercepted two passes, one of which he returned 42 yards for a touchdown. Logan Beaman added 95 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Raiders (13-2).
Tipton quarterback Austin Hooker had a nightmarish game. He completed just 4 of 16 passes for 15 yards, threw four interceptions and was sacked three times. He ran for 75 yards on 16 carries, and Nate Hein added 68 yards on 14 carries for the Blue Devils (11-4).
Purichia ran for two touchdowns and threw for a score in the first quarter to help Ritter take a 21-0 lead.
Tipton scored on a 37-yard touchdown run by Hooker in the opening seconds of the second quarter, but Ritter came right back when Tommy Waites returned the kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown.
Purichia wasn’t done. Of all things, he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. Later, he threw another touchdown pass to Hollis to put Ritter up 42-6 at halftime.
Tipton entered the game averaging 30.7 points per game, but the Blue Devils were held to 63 yards in the first half.
Purichia completed 17 of 24 passes for 227 yards and two scores and ran for 24 yards before the break.
Still, Purichia has doubters. Listed at 6-foot and 205 pounds, he hasn’t drawn interest from big schools. He said he hasn’t worried about it.
“I don’t know what they think,” he said. “I told myself coming in that I wasn’t going to worry about all that. I just wanted to keep my team first. A state championship was my main goal. I try not to worry about all that. It’s whatever, honestly. It really doesn’t faze me that much.”
