Thirteen seconds.
That's all the time it took for top-ranked Lawrence Central to score its first touchdown in Friday night's Class 5A high school football regional game on its way to a 49-21 pasting of visiting Pike.
The Bears were as explosive as advertised, and not only on offense, which started the game with an 80-yard touchdown run up the right sideline by Isaiah Townsend. There was also a 71-yard punt return by Trey White and two defensive touchdowns by linebacker Brandon Lee, a 62-yard interception return and a 56-yard fumble return.
The 13-0 Bears are a threat to score from anywhere on the field, at any time.
"There's no doubt that's the best team in the state of Indiana," said Pike coach Derek Moyers, whose unranked team knocked off Ben Davis, Zionsville and Avon in the sectional. "If anybody beats them, I'll be shocked. It may happen, I don't know, but if I have to bet the ranch that's who I'm betting on.
"That's as explosive of a team, and as fast and big of a team, as there is."
As expected, Lawrence Central coach Jayson West was a little more measured in his assessment, citing the Bears' 10 penalties for 65 yards. But Lawrence Central was clearly ready from the outset, not only getting the touchdown from Townsend on the first play, but jumping out to a 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter after a 2-yard touchdown run by Alex Rodriguez and the punt return by White.
"That was nice," West said. "We're a little banged up on our line so we need that and our defense needs to help us out with field positions and their own big plays and they did that. It was really a perfect start tonight."
Moyers said he believes Lawrence Central's team is even better than the one two years ago that advanced to the Class 5A title game, losing to Fishers. The argument certainly has merit.
The Bears had Indiana Mr. Football Tre Roberson at quarterback two years ago, but this year have three players with more than 1,000 yards rushing in Townsend, Rodriguez and quarterback Drake Christen. The defense is also much better statistically it was in 2010.
"I'm not saying their quarterback is Tre Roberson, but he may be 1B," Moyers said of Christen. "He's a dynamic player and he makes that machine go. That's what it is: a well-oiled machine."
Pike (9-4) pulled within 21-7 on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Brent Lyles to Taylor Sanders late in the first quarter and had the ball three times in the second quarter with a chance to get closer. But a failed fake punt and fumble cost the Red Devils and when Christen found Rodriguez for a 20-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter, Lawrence Central led 28-7 and never looked back.
Lee, a 6-3, 215-pound junior, was asked if Friday's score might send a message to the rest of the state. He took a quick glance at the "49" and "21" in bright red lights and smiled.
"That should be message to whoever we play next that we're on the road to state," he said. "That's all we're looking forward to -- the road to state."
