"From a mental standpoint, I think that even if we get behind, it's not going to rattle us, it's not going to shake us, we're going to keep playing through adversity," Wright said.
Those tough games have left the Greyhounds a little bruised up, but the benefit outweighs the aches and pains.
"One of the concerns was having enough gas left in the tank emotionally and physically to keep playing," Wright said. "Our kids, they've got a God-given resiliency that I don't think a lot of people may have. They've found a way to win in different scenarios and different ways. Sometimes, that's what you've got to do to win championships."
In Saturday's other title games, Class 4A No. 9 South Bend Washington (11-3), with record-setting receiver Gehrig Dieter, will play defending champion and No. 2-ranked Indianapolis Cathedral (11-3) and Class 3A No. 1 Indianapolis Chatard will defend its title against No. 6 South Bend St. Joseph's in a rematch of last year's title game.
In Friday's championship games, Class 2A No. 1 Wayne Luers (12-1) seeks its third straight title when it faces No. 4 Evansville Mater Dei (13-1) and Purdue commitment Danny Anthrop leads Class A No. 1 Lafayette Central Catholic (14-0), with its 44-game win streak, against No. 10 Indianapolis Scecina (11-3).
In Class 5A, Carmel will be playing in its fifth title game in six years.
The Greyhounds feature running back Jalen Duncan. The bruising 210-pounder has rushed for 1,574 yards and 22 touchdowns. Quarterback Brandon Denning has passed for 1,230 yards and run for 706.
Carmel's defense has held opponents to just over 10 points per game. Penn coach Cory Yeoman knows his squad is in for a tough one.
"We don't really have a Division I-type guy on the team," Yeoman said. "Just real good high school football players. Kevin's got an outstanding team with some great athletes, a ferocious defense, and a fullback that can take it to the house at any time, and the quarterback can do the same and hurts you deep."
Penn features the running back tandem of Jamil Davis (1,001 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Zach Oakley (977 yards, 18 touchdowns).
Defensively, the Kingsmen allowed just 213 yards per game this season.
"They're very well coached, they're physical, they're always in the right position, they don't make many mistakes, they don't beat themselves," Wright said. "They're kind of like us. They're not real fancy, but they're fundamentally sound in what they do, and they've got a good group of seniors."
In 4A, Cathedral comes off a 62-7 win over Columbus East and top quarterback prospect Gunner Kiel. Gino Gillum has rushed for 1,229 yards and 19 scores and Corey Babb has thrown for 1,709 yards.
All eyes will be on South Bend Washington's Dieter. He set the national record with 437 yards in the Panthers' 63-10 victory over Elkhart Central, and has a state-record 2,003 yards receiving. He will be making official visits to Oregon and Southern Methodist.
"What makes him so good is he is a great ball tracker," Washington coach Antwon Jones said. "He runs great routes. He's faster than people think he is. He's a natural-born football player. He is 100 percent football player. I think he's the best in the nation."
In Class 3A, Chatard boasts a balanced attack. Max VanVliet has passed for 2,166 yards and 27 touchdowns, and Ryan Kleinschmidt has rushed for 1,593 yards and 14 scores. David Arsenault leads St Joseph's with 1,471 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.
In 2A, Luers' James Knapke has passed for 1,984 yards and 27 touchdowns, and Jaylon Smith has rushed for 1,189 yards and 23 scores.
Mater Dei's passing attack is among the state's best. Dane Maurer has passed for 2,951 yards and 33 touchdowns. Cody Hess has rushed for 1,294 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Class A might feature the state's most dynamic and versatile player in Anthrop. He has 1,502 yards and 29 touchdowns rushing, 834 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving and another six touchdowns on returns despite getting roughly nine games worth of action because his coaches sat him during the second half of blowouts.
"As far as speed and athleticism and just raw talent, you'd be hard pressed to find a more exciting kid," Lafayette Central Catholic coach Kevin O'Shea said.
Anthrop's quarterback, Austin Munn, has passed for 2,171 yards and 26 scores.
Scecina's David Tarver has run for 1,553 yards and 19 touchdowns while Thomas Allgood has added 1,142 yards and 17 scores.
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbruntap
