Gill passes Mustangs to shutout of LC

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MUNSTER -- Quarterback Joe Gill and his receivers defied the odds and made the plays.

Munster coach Leroy Marsh and his staff called the plays that made it all possible on both sides of the ball.

The culmination of incredible plays, led the Mustangs (7-3) to a 23-0 Class 5A Sectional 1 victory over Lake Central on Friday night.

"I think the story tonight was Joe Gill and our team staying really focused," said Marsh after his team withstood a 75-minute lightning delay and a steady rain.

Munster gained a measure of revenge for its season-opening 20-19 loss at Lake Central.

"We figured out in the first game that Munster beat Munster and we didn't want that to happen again tonight."

The victory over the Indians (3-7) was Munster's first in a sectional since it beat West Side 40-20 in 2003, and its first as a 5A program.

"This feels great to finally win one," Gill said.

Last year, the Mustangs were manhandled by Crown Point in the sectional opener.

"We've come a long way from a year ago," Marsh said. "This was a real lift for our total program."

Gill completed 14 of 23 passes for 198 yards, including a 6-yard scoring pass to Josh Lukoshus, who made three receptions for 61 yards.

"We always think we can throw it," Gill said. "We can do whatever we need to do in whatever conditions. Everybody thinks that you can't throw in the rain. I think they thought we couldn't and that might have thrown them off a little."

With his 198 yards passing, Gill broke the school's single-season record for most yards in a season.

The old mark was 1,159 yards, set by Bill Howarth in 1979.

"My wide receivers make the plays and get extra yards, and somehow, I get the record," Gill said. "I have to give them a lot of the credit."

Ian Boswell had three interceptions for the Mustangs' defense, tying the school record for most picks in a season (9).

Linebacker Kevin Nossem also picked off one of Lake Central quarterback Ryan Hennessey's passes.

"Our big goal tonight was to get a shutout, and we did," Marsh said.

"Whenever they got close, our defense stepped up and stopped 'em."