Hemmelgarn, USF win title

Through four years of athletics at Jay County High School, Eric Hemmelgarn was never able to finish a season on top.

The Patriot football team won seven games during his senior season, but was eliminated in the sectional semifinal.

He was a three-time state medalist in wrestling, but fell short of competing under the spotlight.

He was never able to claim he was a champion.

As a college player, he can now say he is a national champion.

Hemmelgarn, a 2014 JCHS graduate, was once again a force on defense in helping the University of Saint Francis football team win the NAIA Football National Championship with a 38-17 victory Saturday over Baker University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“It feels great,” Hemmelgarn, who had three tackles and 1.5 sacks while helping disrupt the second-ranked Wildcats throughout the game, said Sunday night after he and the No. 4 Cougars returned to Fort Wayne. “For me personally, not having any major championships, it really made me appreciate everything I’ve been working hard all season on to help my team be successful.”

Hemmelgarn recorded a solo sack in the first quarter, bringing down Baker quarterback Logan Battrell for a 6-yard loss on the first play from scrimmage after the Cougars (13-1) took a 7-3 lead.

The defensive tackle teamed with Lucas Sparks, who was named outstanding defensive player of the game, for a 9-yard sack in the second quarter on second-and-14 from the USF 44.

“I think Eric Hemmelgarn has been the difference,” ESPN3 color commentator Forrest Conoly, a two-year starter as an offensive lineman at Florida State, said during the first half as Saint Francis led 17-3 at the break.

While Hemmelgarn didn’t reach the stat sheet again until late in the fourth quarter with an assist on a tackle, he was still able to disrupt the offensive timing of the Wildcats (14-1) and Brettell, who was named the NAIA national player of the year on Friday.

“Going into the game Baker had the third-best offense in the nation and was a good passing team,” Hemmelgarn said. “We had to get them flustered, had to get (Brettell) rolled out of the pocket and to throw off balance.

“I brought my best pass-rush moves with me. The QB went down a lot and it was a main game plan. He was overthrowing a lot. That worked out in our favor overall.”

Hemmelgarn added that throughout the week leading up to the game, the USF and Baker teams had participated in activities together and the NAIA seemed to favor the Wildcats. He said that helped Saint Francis play with more of a chip on its shoulder, and the Cougar defense was able to hold a team that was averaging nearly 50 points per game to less than half that total.

“We felt disrespected and we wanted to make sure we made a statement and to not leave any doubts,” Hemmelgarn said. “That was great for our defense to step up.”

The 6-foot, 5-inch, 288-pounder and his defensive teammates sacked Brettell five times and had 9.5 tackles in the backfield for a combined 39 yards lost. The Cougar defense also had two fumble recoveries.

“I think their front three and four guys got after us,” Baker coach Mike Grossner said after the game Saturday. “We knew coming in if we could give Logan (Brettell) time to throw the ball down the field, we would have had some good opportunities. Their defensive front dictated us in the passing game what we were trying to do. We knew going in they were pretty talented up front and that’s where they won the game.”

Hemmelgarn’s parents and all but two of his siblings made the trip south to watch him play. His family was able to attend most of the Cougars’ home games this season but because of their busy farming schedule during the fall, weren’t able to make it to any away games.

“Good to see seven of nine siblings there,” he said, adding that his girlfriend made the trek too. “It was really neat to see some supporters there.”

While “Hemi” was never able to finish as a champion in high school, there was still a Patriot heart beating beneath his Cougar jersey and shoulder pads as he helped St. Francis win its first national title.

“It really makes me proud … I’m able to help my team and help represent Jay County,” he said. “You don’t have to be from a big high school to be a good athlete. Just work hard and you’ll get far.”