Dermont Bogard’s first TD of season is timely one for Merrillville at semistate: ‘I put everything on the line’

WARSAW, Indiana — Merrillville junior wide receiver Dermont Bogard started Friday with nine catches and no touchdowns this season.

The Pirates’ Class 5A semistate game against Warsaw was a good time for Bogard to change that.

“I ran a hitch,” he said. “The quarterback rolled out. I saw the open field and said, ‘Go get those points.’”

The Pirates didn’t get quite enough points in their 31-14 loss, but the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Bogard did his part. He made just two catches for 52 yards, but both receptions came on fourth down, and one was a 35-yard touchdown.

“It means a lot, not just to me, but to my seniors,” he said. “I really wanted to win for them. I put everything on the line for them.”

Merrillville junior running back Jac’Quarious “JQ” Johnson rushed for 202 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, on 24 carries. Senior wide receiver John Peters, a Western Michigan recruit, had four catches for 57 yards.

The Pirates (11-2), ranked No. 3 in 5A in the media poll and the state coaches poll, have reached a semistate in five of the past six seasons but are 0-10 at that level since winning a state title in 1976.

Merrillville coach Brad Seiss, who starred at Warsaw, tried to put the latest result in perspective.

“You see how much these kids care,” he said. “You always want more, and we’ve been stopped at this one game. It’s tough.”

The Pirates threw three interceptions — all of which No. 9/10 Warsaw (10-3) converted into points, including a return for a touchdown — and lost a fumble past midfield to halt a drive.

“It’s really hard,” Seiss said. “We imploded with the turnovers, throwing the interceptions and having the big fumble. It’s tough. You always want to play your best on the biggest stage. Whether it was the way we made decisions coaching-wise, making plays player-wise, we just didn’t get it done. I take responsibility for that.

“You have to give Warsaw credit. Too many mistakes you don’t see throughout the season. It’s tough. I feel bad for the kids. I know they wanted it. We just fell short again.”

Senior defensive tackle Adam Camphor tried to remain upbeat, exchanging hug after hug with teammates.

“After these, we go back, we get in the lab, we pave that path again,” Camphor said. “We pave it all over. Hard work. You have to have passion. You have to have accountability. You have to have trust in your teammates. And you have to have the hard work — every single day.”

Senior quarterback Drew Sullivan expertly helmed Warsaw’s triple-option offense, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.

“We didn’t allow the huge plays. … Three yards and a cloud of dust,” Seiss said. “The quarterback, I don’t know how many carries he had, how many yards he had. But it was a lot, and he’s tough. They just lull you to sleep, limit your possessions, and when you add on not playing all that well offensively, it makes it hard.”

After Warsaw won its first semistate title, Bogard was ready for Merrillville to prepare for another run.

“We have to overcome,” he said. “We have to keep our heads in the game and continue to work as a team. … Next year, we’re going to be back.”