Photos via Mike Fender

What: Indiana Class 5A State Championship

Who: Kokomo (9-4) vs. Columbus East (13-1)

When: 7 p.m. EST Friday

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

After dispatching postseason nemesis and fifth-ranked Cathedral in a 42-13 semistate triumph, No. 2 Columbus East now has its eyes on the real prize – the Class 5A state crown.

“They’d eliminated us four times, and to get over the hump was great,” said East coach Bob Gaddis, who won the 4A title in 2013. “I told our kids on Saturday morning, ‘We celebrated last night, great job, everybody’s gonna slap you on the back, now we have to turn around and get ready for Kokomo.”

Congratulations to @EastOlympiansFB for advancing to the @IHSAA1 State Championship game presented by the @Colts!

#PowerofFootball - https://t.co/9mqshpkJN2 pic.twitter.com/JOAnSnPSYr

— USA Football (@usafootball) November 18, 2017

That shouldn’t be a problem. The Olympians have waited for this chance for the past year, after dropping a narrow 16-13 decision to Westfield in last season’s title contest.

“The kids were very disappointed after that game. Anytime you get here and play a close game and you have some opportunities, it’s gonna be tough on kids,” Gaddis said. “But kids are pretty resilient. Our offseason was good, the guys who were leaders on that team as juniors became great leaders, and they were determined to do anything they could to get back.”

RELATED CONTENT: The Power of Football - Columbus East High School

They’re back thanks in part to a high-powered rushing attack that features backs Jamon Hogan (2,184 yards, 35 touchdowns) and Jaedin Miller (720 yards, 20 TDs), and quarterback Josh Major (2,520 total yards, 32 TDs). Their success stems from the push provided by offensive linemen Mark Sciutto, Zach Clark, Dakota Burton, Jacob Bolte and Cole McCarter, and tight ends Isaac VanCuren and Tyler Thomas.

East running back Jamon Hogan

The defense, which has given up 20 points or more just three times, punished Cathedral in the second half as its confidence grew with each possession. Leading tacklers include linebackers Nash Murphy (126), Julian Greenwell (75) and Hunter Dickmeyer (62), DBs Ethan Summa (112) and Caleb Burton (84), and end Ty Henderson (62). DB Jonah Wichman leads the Olympians with seven interceptions.

East defensive back Ethan Summa

They’ll face an unranked Kokomo team that runs its offense out of the double wing formation, where linemen line up foot-to-foot. Four-year starting quarterback Kyle Wade (1,583 passing yards, 518 rushing yards, 26 TDs) makes the show go.

Kokomo coach Brett Colby’s staff includes his father, Ron, and sons Austin and Cameron. Before Colby took over in 2007, the program had one sectional title in 1985. They’ve now won three straight.

After falling to Fort Wayne Snider in the semistate two years ago, and Westfield in last season’s regional, the Wildkats finally punched their ticket to state.

RELATED CONTENT: The Power of Football - Fort Wayne Snider High School

Excitement will be at peak levels this week, as Kokomo plays in its first football state championship.

“We had our entire side packed last week for the semistate. I was so proud for our community to show that support,” said Colby, who is 90-30 with the Wildkats. “It shows our kids, all that hard work is not for naught.”

A few more pictures from a historic night at Walter Cross field as the Kokomo Wildkats become 5A Semi-State Champions for the first time in school history! pic.twitter.com/sZW9bJXj0Z

— Kokomo Athletics (@KHS_AD) November 18, 2017

Gaddis credits his staff for his team’s success this season, and during his 17 years at East, during which the Olympians have gone 185-34.

“Sometimes with assistant coaches, it’s a labor of love. They don’t get a lot of recognition, but our guys work extremely hard at it,” Gaddis said. “I’m lucky I have a lot of guys in our building. Our school corporation does a great job of helping us get coaches in place.”

East coach Bob Gaddis and defensive back Caleb Burton

The 39-year head coach said this team has lived up to its potential.

“We’re playing as well as we can right now,” Gaddis said. “We’re playing with some confidence. Coming into the game, you can’t say, ‘Can we do it?” you have to say, ‘This is how we’re gonna get it done.’”

Power of Football, a program powered by USA Football, highlights how the game continues to lift and capture the imagination of students, families and towns across America, unifying them in exceptional ways and transcending societal differences. Watch the stories of six high schools across the U.S. at poweroffootball.org, and share your own stories on social media, using the hashtag #PowerofFootball.