After months of sweat, weeks of strains and strained, played drained of energy in the heat and the cold, we’re finally here: the Indiana high school football state championships.

This weekend, Bishop Chatard and Sheridan both have chances to repeat as state champs. Each team has won eight state titles (tied with Roncalli for the most in state history). Heritage Christian has an opportunity to capture the school’s first state football championship. Carmel and Pike, two schools that sit just thirteen miles apart, will meet in the Class 5A finale on Saturday evening at the RCA Dome.

Today, let’s do a mini-breakdown of the games featuring Central Indiana schools playing Friday.

Visual SportsCLASS A: No. 1 Sheridan (14-0) vs. No. 5 Rockville (14-0)

The only Class A programs left with undefeated records (thank you, Mr. Obvious), kick off state finals at 3:30 on Friday.

Bud Wright’s Blackhawks haven’t lost a game since 2005 – though they won the state title that year, too. Undefeated in 2006 (15-0), Sheridan boasts a winning streak of over 30 games. This season, Sheridan holds the state’s best average margin of victory (36.0). Basically, they’re aren’t many opposing teams even in the ballgame by the start of the 4th quarter.

My associate, Dave McConnell, has been boasting the strength and speed of Nick Zachery, Sheridan’s junior quarterback (who’s yet to not win a state title at the high school level). He’s the kind of All-American quarterback they make movies about. McConnell was dancing around the HSSTM offices earlier this week as he attempted to provide a visual of Zachery’s burst-a-bility. (I know, I just went all Jay Bilas on you.)

While Rockville certainly has a terrific team – you don’t get to 14-0 and a title game  without being good – I do like the Blackhawks in this game to capture a third straight championship and the school’s ninth overall.

CLASS 2A: Heritage Christian (13-1) vs. No. 7 Fort Wayne Luers (10-4)

First of all, tip of the cap to Heritage Christian head coach Ron Qualls, athletic director Jeff Hester and all the parents and athletes who’ve seen this football program come so far in less than a decade. That’s right, this time ten years ago, the Eagles didn’t have a football team; now, they’re a 2A power.

As someone who’s seen the Eagles in person this year, I can vouch for their skills. The offense is loaded with talent, and Heritage’s air-it-out style makes defenses stay on their heels. Senior quarterback Garrett Meador is one of the state’s best signal callers and moves through his progressions quickly, allowing him to find his open receiver(s) and get the ball to them faster.

If the Eagles are going to be successful against a talented and postseason experienced program like Luers, it will need that kind of decision making and play making ability.

FW Luers has won six state championships, most recently in 2002. You can bet they’re hungry for another. Should be one of the best games of the state finals.

More on Friday, when we’ll talk about Chatard-South Bend St. Joseph’s and Carmel-Pike. Until then, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.