An inadvertent whistle overturned a fumble recovery for North Judson late in the 3rd quarter and Providence took advantage of an extra opportunity as star quarterback Preston Kempf rushed 44 yards for a touchdown on the opening play of the 4th quarter to lead the Pioneers to a 35-20 win over the Bluejays in the 1A State Championship game Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

#1 North Judson trailed 21-12 late in the 3rd quarter when they appeared to get new life on a fumble recovery. Confusion followed and the call was an inadvertent whistle that forced the play to wiped off the board and re-played. Providence took control and then rushed for the touchdown to put North Judson down 16 in the 4th quarter.

The loss is the only one for North Judson, which dominated competition all season long as they reached the state finals after coming up short in Semi-State the previous three years. It was part of a magical season for North Judson that saw them roll to a 14-0 start before the state finals.

It’s the first state championship for Providence, which was playing in the state finals for the third time.

A fumble recovery for a touchdown in the opening minutes of the games gave North Judson an early 6-0 lead but Providence took control from there. Kempf rushed for four touchdowns on exactly 200 yards on the ground while also throwing for a touchdown.

The end of the quarters proved to be back breaking for North Judson. In addition to what happened at the end of the 3rd quarter, Providence went for the touchdown with two seconds left in the 1st half and converted a pass for a touchdown to go up 21-6 at the half.

Jesiah McDaniel gave North Judson its first offensive touchdown of the game in the 3rd quarter on a rushing touchdown. But for the second time on the day, North Judson could not convert on the 2-point conversion attempt, allowing Providence to maintain a two score lead at 21-12.

North Judson’s best drive of the game came in the 4th quarter with a 16 play drive, culminating with a Kole Wilcox touchdown. The 2-point conversion was good this time, pulling North Judson within 28-20. Unfortunately the drive took 5:01 off the clock leaving just 3:49 left in the game and the Bluejays out of timeouts.

North Judson had a chance to get the ball back as Providence faced a 3rd and 8 but Kempf came through with a 46 yard touchdown run with 2:08 left in the game to seal the victory.

Brock Benson, who was the first ever Sports Michiana Student Athlete of the Week, was named the Mental Attitude Award Winner.