Providence football wins first Indiana state championship in team history

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Pioneers were perfect for their first state title in team history.

Providence High School football won the IHSAA Class 1A state championship, defeating North Judson-San Pierre 35-20 on Saturday in Indianapolis. Quarterback Preston Kempf rushed for four touchdowns and 200 yards, and threw for another score to carry the Clarksville school to its first state title.

In the state championship game between two undefeated teams, Providence (14-0) slowed North Judson's option attack. North Judson went into the state final averaging 54.1 points and rushing for nearly 400 yards per game, but couldn't sustain drives at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"We played great disciplined defense, we played assignment football, No. 7 had a pretty good game," Providence coach Daniel McDonald said to IHSAA TV after the game. "I couldn't be prouder of my guys, my coaching staff, the Providence community."

It's also the first undefeated season in team history for Providence.

North Judson (14-1) scored early in the first quarter as Grason McDaniel recovered a fumble in the end zone.

Providence answered to take a lead midway through the first quarter. Kempf scored a touchdown on a 13-yard run with 5:20 left in the first quarter.

Kempf scored another touchdown early in the second quarter to extend Providence's lead to 14-6.

The Pioneers ended the first half with a sustained drive that was capped with a touchdown. Providence moved down the field with a 17-play, 74-yard drive that last more than eight minutes.

With six seconds left before halftime and the ball on the 2-yard-line, Providence opted to take a shot at the end zone instead of settling for a field goal on third-and-goal.

McDonald told IHSAA TV during a halftime interview that the players wanted a touchdown, and they executed.

"My players talked me out of common sense, they wanted to put one in and score, at a certain point you have to let players take ownership of the program," said McDonald, who is in his fifth season as the team's head coach.

Kempf tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Sipes with two seconds left before halftime to give Providence a 21-6 lead.

North Judson managed just 60 rushing yards in the first half and didn't attempt a pass.

North Judson scored its first offensive touchdown late in the third quarter. Jesiah McDaniel went 13 yards for a score with 3:27 left in the third quarter to make the score 21-12.

"They're a tough physical football team," McDonald said.

Kempf and the Pioneers had an answer.

On the first play on the fourth quarter, Kempf broke loose in the open field and rushed for a 44-yard touchdown.

"He's an explosive athlete, he's the best football player in southern Indiana, our guys don't always get the individual recognition but that was a team-first victory," McDonald said.

With Providence leading 28-12 with less than 11 minutes left, Noah Frossard intercepted a North Judson pass to return the ball back to the Pioneers.

North Judson pulled the game within one possession late in the fourth quarter. Kole Wilcox scored on fourth-and-goal and then converted a two-point attempt to cut Providence's lead to 28-20 with 3:49 left.

Providence Football IHSAA title - 11.30.24 — Providence's Preston Kempf runs in the fourth quarter against North Judson on Nov. 30, 2024. (Photo courtesy of IHSAA)

But Providence once again had an answer carried by Kempf.

On third-and-9 near midfield, Kempf took a shotgun snap, spun off a defender and broke free for a 46-yard touchdown with 2:08 left.

"The guards and tackles, they both pulled, they wrapped and hit them perfectly, I just had to beat that one dude, and I beat him and scored," Kempf said to IHSAA TV.

Of his five touchdowns, Kempf did have a favorite.

"Definitely the last one, the last one sealed the deal, we all knew we were going to win the state championship," Kempf said.

Providence recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and ran out the clock.

"We've been together since seventh grade playing football, so we all know each other, we all trust each other," senior linebacker Lucas Thomas said to WDRB earlier this week.

It was the first time Providence has played in the state championship game since 1993. Providence was the Class 2A runner-up in 1993 and the 1A runner-up in 1973.

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