Words that the Munster offense lives by: Move the chains.

“We want to keep the ball as long as we can so the other team can't score,” Munster quarterback Andrew Jumonville said.

Despite losing to Lowell by 31 points in the final game of the regular season, the Mustangs are quietly confident about their chances against the Red Devils in Friday's championship game of Class 4A Sectional 17. Munster is trying to win its first sectional since 1996.

There are several reasons for that level of confidence.

The game is on Munster's field turf as opposed to Lowell's grass. Running back Danny Stanley is healthy. He played in the regular-season game against Lowell but he was hurting, according to Jumonville.

And, Jumonville has been good. Very good. He is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in Northwest Indiana.

Last week, he completed 9-of-16 passes for 89 yards in a 36-15 victory over Highland. Jumonville finished with a quarterback rating of 111.7.

The week before, in what Munster coach Leroy Marsh said was one of Jumonville's best games this season, he completed 10-of-15 passes for 122 yards in a 28-22 upset over East Chicago Central. He also rushed for 66 yards on 15 carries.

Against East Chicago and Highland, the Mustangs were effective at shortening the game.

They held the ball for 32:17 against the potent ECC offense and for 28:42 against the Trojans in a game that was over by halftime.

A two-year starter, Jumonville has completed 92-of-166 passes (55.4 percent) with nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

He has also run for 371 yards.

Last year, Jumonville broke his wrist against Hobart in the seventh week of the season. He returned for the playoffs but only on defense.

Marsh said Jumonville has “improved a lot. He is very accurate. He does well under pressure and he runs the ball just as well as he throws it.”

Jumonville has been helped by a variety of offensive options.

Jaylan Scott, a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, has caught 55 passes this year.

Stanley has rushed for 894 yards and junior running back Dylan Bullock has been solid, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Bullock and Stanley combined for 282 yards last week.

Jumonville, who also plays baseball, said he worked hard last summer. Jumonville's brother, Joe, started at quarterback in 2014 for Munster.

“I've become smarter with some of my reads,” he said. “I'm more comfortable reading defenses. I think Jaylan and I have great chemistry.”

The Mustangs (6-5) have been an enigma.

They lost close games to Griffith and Hobart but beat Andrean and East Chicago.

Against Lowell, Marsh said the team was embarrassed.

“We had a terrible game,” Marsh said. “We weren't motivated and we didn't play tough. Hopefully, we'll be up for the challenge this time.”

mhutton@post-trib.com

Twitter @MikeHuttonPT