(Culver, IN) - After struggling to click on offense in three of their previous four games, New Prairie was looking for a get-right game. The Cougars got right Friday night and came away with their third straight sectional crown at Culver Academies.

 

New Prairie got off to a slow start. Their first play from scrimmage was a penalty, and their first pass attempt was intercepted. After converting on fourth-and-inches, Culver scored first with 4:50 left in the first quarter.

 

But just two plays later, sophomore Reed Robinson broke free on a run to the outside. With a nifty cutback, he turned the 58-yard scamper into a score.

 

That was all the spark the Cougars needed.

 

Four long runs by senior quarterback Marshall Kmiecik set up four short-yardage touchdowns—one each by Kmiecik, Robinson, senior Brock Sinka, and junior Zak Henrich. A fourth-quarter interception by junior Keegan Taylor with 2:42 remaining set up another Henrich touchdown, making the final score 43-14.

 

In the first half, Culver’s methodical short passing game tested the New Prairie defense’s swagger, and the escapability of Culver quarterback Michael McColgan confounded Cougar rushers. But the Eagles were unable to turn big plays into points.

 

New Prairie, however, found their rhythm and capitalized. Head coach Casey McKim credited the offense’s effort and timing. “We were winning our individual matchups consistently, and our backs were really seeing it, and we were kind of in synch again,” he said after the victory. “Our kick-outs were tremendous by our guards, and then our backside pullers, whether we had one or a couple, they did a great job of looking inside.”

 

According to McKim, getting blockers and runners to work together has been a point of emphasis all season. “Really, you know, it’s just nine dancing bears out there working in unison to the beat of the music, and it just so happens that we have guys in front of us, and we adjust our dancing based on what they’re doing. That’s the best way I can describe it.”

 

On Friday night the dancing bears made plenty of running room for New Prairie’s four horsemen: Kmiecik, Robinson, Sinka, and Henrich, who combined for 410 total yards and all six Cougar touchdowns. Kmiecik led the way with 236 rushing yards. Robinson added 127.

 

New Prairie’s defense was feisty once again, with 16 different Cougars registering a tackle. Juniors Hayden Scott and Harrison Groves led all tacklers with 11 each. McKim praised their hustle: “Our kids just kept running to the football. That’s the biggest thing in my mind,” he said. “I was just proud of our kids just attacking all the time.”

 

New Prairie’s victory marked their third straight sectional championship. It’s their ninth sectional title since 2004 and the first sectional three-peat in school history. The Cougars (10-2) will go on the road for the third straight time this postseason to face Northwood (10-2) next Friday.