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POSEYVILLE, Ind. — Shortly after the clock hit triple zeroes, Waylon Schenk received a Gatorade bath. 

His North Posey Vikings have constantly made history throughout this season, from notching their first ever win against Mater Dei to hosting their first semistate game since 2005 against Southmont. But there’s one more stop to go in this historic season. 

The Vikings are moving on to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis following their 37-7 victory against the Mounties Saturday at Joe Gengelbach Field. The win against Southmont is North Posey's 13th of the year, the most of any team in program history. This is also the second North Posey athletic team to play for an IHSAA state title in 2023; softball won its first-ever state title back in June. 

Schenk, also the school’s athletics director, enjoyed the electric atmosphere when softball came out on top at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium. He and the football team hope to provide that same experience next weekend in Indianapolis. 

“It’s unbelievable that we’re here right now,” senior quarterback Liam Stone said. “It’s just a dream that every kid that plays football in Indiana has. I’m so blessed to have the team around me. We just mesh so well together, and we can win games in November.” 

Added Schenk, “It’s been a long ride, but it’s been a fun ride. It takes a lot of energy and a lot of effort to get to where we’re at. When you finally get there, you kind of exhale a little bit and enjoy it.” 

The atmosphere for North Posey’s last home game of the year was also electric.  

The Joe Gengelbach Field stands were packed hours before the game even started. The North Posey student section, clad in red and black, stormed the field not long after their team won semistate. The Vikings sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” while they took pictures with the trophy, and a man even lifted Stone up in the air while hugging him. 

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Stone was one of many catalysts in North Posey's win against Southmont (8-6). He completed some big throws down the field to fellow senior Jackson Graff and still contributed to the run game when junior Jed Galvin went down earlier in the game.

Galvin wasn't down for long though, accounting for four of the Vikings' five rushing touchdowns. He now has 26 scores on the year.

"When he came back from that injury, I was pretty happy and pretty relieved," Schenk said. "He does so many things for us and kind of opens up our playbook. When we go to the hot hand, he was the hot hand tonight."

The defense had three takeaways of their own, including an interception by Graff that seemingly sent North Posey (13-1) to Indianapolis.

"They've been lights-out all year," Schenk said. "We're giving up less than 10 points per game, and when you're doing that this late in the tournament in the semi-state, it's impressive. They deserve a lot of credit, and so does Coach (Sean) Fisher, our defensive coordinator."

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The No. 4 Vikings have Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (11-3) standing in its way of its first-ever state title. The No. 7 Knights have won 11 state championships in their program's history; their last title was in 2012.

North Posey will eventually lock in on Bishop Luers. But for now, it's going to enjoy this historic win and the opportunity to go back to Indianapolis for the first time in 18 years. It joins Heritage Hills as the second Southwestern Indiana team to compete for a state title this year. And the Vikings know their community will continue to support them no matter what.

"It's great to have this community," Stone said. "Without them, we wouldn't be where we're at right now."

Galvin added: "We just got to build on this week. I don't know what will happen if we win next week. But it will be crazy."

Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Twashington490.