By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After 53 football seasons at Bedford North Lawrence, there should be few ‘firsts’ remaining to be conquered. During a season that has featured more individual records and accomplishments, fresh from shattering the single-game mark for points, the Stars have an opportunity to add another line to the record book.
During its playoff history, BNL has won multiple postseason games only three times since the current structure started in 1985. Never in back-to-back seasons. That’s the next challenge as the Stars hope to keep their heartbeat in rhythm during the semifinal round of Class 4A’s Sectional 24.
BNL, coming off the most explosive offensive performance in its 534-game history, will host Evansville Harrison (4-6) on Friday night, seeking to reach the sectional final for the second straight season. The Stars (7-3) have won only 17 tournament games in that span, so winning two in consecutive seasons would be a noteworthy milestone.
Surviving would also be significant, and that’s ultimate goal. In this weekly roulette spin of winning or suffering the final consequence, moving forward is all that matters. That’s definitely true for the senior class, which has already lost multiple players this year with physical injuries. They would like to postpone any mental anguish as long as possible. The only way to do that is win.
“The biggest thing, now that we’re seniors, it’s win or go home,” BNL’s Jaden Gilbert said. “You have to take each week like it’s your last. We have to take the game seriously, because it could easily be our last if we’re not careful. It makes you more motivated to want to do your best.”
The Stars were seriously unstoppable during the sectional opener, erupting for a school-record 11 touchdowns and 74 points during the victory at Evansville Central. That’s a certain boost of momentum, although BNL has not won back-to-back games in a month. Harrison, on the other hand, has won four of its last five and stopped Boonville 20-14 in the first round.
“We’ve been preaching, this time of year, you have to have that killer instinct,” BNL coach Brayden Tidd said. “Nobody cares about your feelings, nobody cares about your record. It’s one game at a time, to see who gets to play tomorrow. Carry as much momentum as you can, because now everyone is coming off a win. Everyone is coming off a high.”
“It’s good momentum,” Gilbert said. “But that was last week. It’s cool to break the school record, but hopefully we can do the same thing. There’s been a lot of good teams go through here, it just goes to show the potential of our team, how good we really are.”
What makes Harrison good? Athleticism and speed. Senior quarterback Anthony Bavone threw for 127 yards and ran for 79 during the win over Boonville, while receiver Jareel Mockobee caught five for 111 yards. Running backs Dekyleyon Rankin and Ki’shaun Brown are a powerful combination.
“You have to look to the quarterback,” Tidd said. “He leads them down the field, and he’s dangerous. We have to make sure we’re containing him, make sure he’s in our sights at all times. He can do it all.”
What makes BNL dangerous? The time-bomb running game, set to go off at any moment. Senior running back Malakai Goodman crushed the single-season school record, pushing his totals to 1,929 yards (third in the state) and 25 touchdowns (sixth in the state). He’s averaging a jaw-dropping 11.6 yards per carry.
The Stars also have balance with quarterback Cutler Chastain (1,134 passing yards and 13 TDs), while Gilbert has caught 35 passes for 507 yards, and he now owns the school record for career receptions and receiving yards. That diversity is why BNL ranks seventh in Class 4A in scoring at 41.6 points per game. On defense, Jackson Jones leads the team in tackles (71) and interceptions (four).
“Our mindset has to be attack, whether it’s our defensive assignments or offense,” Tidd said. “Attack and execute. We have to come out and do the job.”
The last time BNL battled the Warriors, it got the job done – in the second half. After struggling to a 7-6 lead at intermission, the Stars pulled away to a 27-6 triumph in the 2023 sectional opener at Harrison. Memphis Louden recorded two touchdown runs and threw for another, while Cal Gates ran for 97 yards and scored twice. BNL, which scored early following Tyler Webb’s blocked punt on the first series, managed only eight offensive plays in the first half as Harrison quarterback Deshawndre Brown was elusive while totaling 87 yards on the ground and 116 passing yards.
The current seniors were nervous freshmen that night. Now they’re more resolved.
“I love this team and give it my all,” lineman Cameron Morales said. “I wish every one of the seniors (with four out for the season) was still here playing. But now it’s win or go home. We just have to continue the run.”
The winner will face either No.8 Evansville Reitz (9-1) or No.11 Heritage Hills (8-2) in the sectional championship next week. If BNL is successful in the semifinal, it will be on the road for the finale.
IHSAA CLASS 4A
SECTIONAL 24
Semifinal round
EVANSVILLE HARRISON at BNL
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Evansville Harrison 4-6; BNL 7-3
Coaches: Moe Sutton, 16-55 in seventh season at Harrison; Brayden Tidd, 15-7 in second season at BNL
Sagarin ratings: Evansville Harrison 55.30; BNL 61.71
Series: Tied 2-2
Last meeting: In the first round of the 2023 sectional, BNL dominated the second half for a 27-6 victory. Memphis Louden ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, while Cal Gates totaled 97 rushing yards and scored twice for the Stars.
Previous game story: Stars arrive fashionably late
Game notes: BNL has never won two postseason games in back-to-back seasons. Evansville Harrison has won six sectional titles, the last in 2015. The winner will face either No.8 Evansville Reitz (9-1) or No.11 Heritage Hills (8-2) in the final. BNL ranks seventh in Class 4A in scoring at 41.6 points per game. BNL also faced Harrison in the postseason in 1993, 1991 and 1990.
