Ben Davis beats Center Grove: Indiana high school football playoff updates (11/17/2023)

Ben Davis earned a trip to next week's 6A state championship game after defeating Center Grove in an overtime thriller

No. 1 vs. No. 2 lived up to the hype.  

Top-ranked Ben Davis (12-1) took down No. 2 Center Grove (11-2) in the semi-states round of the Indiana high school football playoff on Friday, winning 37-34 in an overtime thriller that featured comebacks by both teams. 

Miami (Ohio) commit Thomas Gotkowski led Ben Davis with four touchdowns, including the game winner to Nate Williams in overtime. The Giants forced overtime after Ben Rudolph made a 20-yard field goal to tie the game with seven seconds left in regulation. 

Ben Davis will take on the winner of No. 3 Crown Point vs. No. 4 Westfield at state next week. The game is being streamed live on the NFHS Network (subscription required).

Catch up on the latest Indiana high school football power rankings, updated Monday. Refresh this page for the latest updates, scoring plays and standout moments.

CENTER GROVE 34, BEN DAVIS 37 (FINAL/OT)

OVERTIME

-- Ben Davis is going to the state championship. Thomas Gotkowski connects with Nate Williams for a touchdown on the Giants' first play, clinching a berth to next week's Class 6A state championship game. (Ben Davis, 37-34 | OT)

-- The Giants defense stands tall and forces a field goal. Patrick Smith hits the 32-yarder to put Center Grove ahead. (Center Grove, 34-31 | OT)

-- Both teams will receive a possession and the chance to score. Ben Davis wins the toss and chooses to play defense first. Center Grove starts at the 10-yard line.

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Center Grove takes a knee to run out the clock. On to overtime with a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium on the line. 

-- Following an offsides penalty on Center Grove, the Giants tie game on a 20-yard field goal by Ben Rudolph. Assuming the Trojans don't score in the final seven seconds, this semi-state game is heading to overtime. (Tied, 31-31 | 0:07)

-- Ben Davis drives down the field and has the chance to tie the game on a 23-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

-- Following a turnover on downs by Ben Davis, Tyler Cherry and Noah Coy connect again for a 30-yard touchdown pass to give Center Grove the lead. The Trojans are successful on the two-point conversion, as Cherry hits Drake McClurg on a short pass. (Center Grove, 31-28 | 2:58)

-- Tyler Cherry finds Noah Coy for a 13-yard touchdown pass, as Center Grove continues to cut into the Giants' lead. The two-point conversion fails, however, as Nylan Brown gets a hand on the pass. (Ben Davis, 28-23, 5:57)

-- Ben Davis goes three and out after being pinned near its own goal line. Following a 38-yard punt, Center Grove starts on offense with great field position.

-- Kent State commit Nylan Brown comes up with a sack to force a 3rd and long for Center Grove, and Tyler Cherry's pass falls incomplete the next play. The punt crew comes out and pins Ben Davis at its own 2-yard line.

THIRD QUARTER

-- This game is far from over, as Center Grove answers immediately with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Cherry to Brevin Holubar. (Ben Davis, 28-17 | 1:35)

-- The Giants are rolling here in the third quarter. Thomas Gotkowski airs out a deep ball to Zane Skibinski for a 46-yard touchdown. That's the third touchdown catch for Skibinski tonight and third total touchdown for Gotkowski.. (Ben Davis, 28-10 | 2:44)

-- Ben Davis adds to its lead, as Thomas Gotkowski keeps it himself and breaks free for a 58-yard touchdown run. (Ben Davis, 21-10 | 5:52)

-- Ben Davis takes advantage of the turnover with a trick play. Zane Skibinski catches an 11-yard touchdown pass from running back Alijah Price. (Ben Davis, 14-10 | 10:41)

-- Ben Davis starts out the second half with an interception by Drew Evans. The Giants will have great field position as they look to regain the lead.

SECOND QUARTER

-- Center Grove moves the ball a little, but the Trojans take a knee as time winds down and heads into halftime with a three point lead.

-- Center Grove forces a punt for the second time this drive, and this time the Trojans don't run into the kicker. 

-- Ben Davis is forced to punt on 4th and 5, but Center Grove is flagged for running into the kicker. That's a first down for the Giants near midfield with just under three minutes left in the half. 

-- Center Grove responds with a quick scoring drive, as Matthew Yoder runs it in for an 11-yard touchdown. (Center Grove, 10-7 | 4:32)

-- Ben Davis strikes on a 61-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Gotkowski to Zane Skibinski, who has a nice run after the catch. Ben Rudolph drills the extra point. (Ben Davis, 7-3 | 6:22)

-- Center Groves goes for it on 4th and 5 from the 21-yard line, and Ben Davis forces an incompletion with heavy pressure in the backfield.

-- Ben Davis turns the ball over on downs, and Center Grove takes over on offense at its own 36-yard line.

FIRST QUARTER

-- Center Grove puts together a long drive and gets on the scoreboard first with a 37-yard field goal by Patrick Smith. (Center Grove, 3-0 | 0:48)

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-- Zach Shugan | zshugan@gmail.com | @sblivein

Lead photo by Tyler Hart.