Brunt: IHSAA prep football notes
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Points should come in bunches during the Cathedral-Chatard game Friday night at Indianapolis Arsenal Tech.
Cathedral is coming off its first win of the season, a 50-40 win over South Bend St. Joseph’s. The Irish, who struggled to find a ground game in the first two weeks of the season, hammered St. Joseph’s for 419 yards on 46 carries. Caleb Cross led the way with 23 carries for 294 yards and three touchdowns.
That ground game rolled while quarterback Collin Barthel had his normal dynamic game. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Cathedral’s offense has been in beast mode all season, and the addition of an effective ground game makes the Irish almost unfair.
We haven’t even mentioned Ohio State commitment Terry McLaurin, the game-breaking receiver/return man. He has 17 catches for 363 yards this season, has rushed for 71 yards and has another 126 in returns. The explosive offense has allowed Cathedral to remain ranked No. 4 in The Associated Press’ Class 5A Indiana football poll.
While the Irish offense has been impressive, the defense has struggled so far. In Cathedral’s defense (no pun intended), the Irish have faced Ben Davis, Warren Central and South Bend St. Joseph’s. Most teams wouldn’t do well against any of the three. Still, getting ripped for 39 points per game isn’t the way to get things rolling.
Cathedral’s defense will be tested again. Chatard, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, put up 304 yards in a 35-20 win over Roncalli last week.
Alex Kimack leads Chatard’s running game with 562 yards and seven touchdowns in three games. The Trojans can pass, too. Sam Gleaves has completed 67 percent of his passes with five touchdown strikes.
Chatard plays solid defense — the Trojans have held all three of their opponents under 250 total yards. And as it turns out, that loss to Brebeuf wasn’t so bad after all. Still, the Trojans haven’t played an offense like Cathedral’s. Should make for an interesting night.
CARMEL’S OPPORTUNITY
Carmel hasn’t looked like itself this season, but the mother of all remedies presents itself Friday. The Greyhounds face Class 6A No. 1 Lawrence Central on the biggest of stages — Lucas Oil Stadium.
Lawrence Central (3-0) knocked off national power Louisville Trinity 17-13 last week with a stunning defensive display that included an interception return for a touchdown and two safeties.
Carmel (1-2) just lost to Center Grove a week after losing to Trinity 42-35.
The matchup is most interesting because Carmel has excelled on offense but has struggled on defense. Lawrence Central’s defense was championship caliber against Trinity, but the offense produced just two field goals. The winner will likely be the team that gets the most improvement from its struggling half.
There’s more in the MIC on Friday. Warren Central, ranked fifth in 6A, plays at No. 4 Ben Davis and No. 6 Indianapolis Pike plays at No. 2 Center Grove.
BREBEUF LEGITIMIZES RANKING
I guess Brebeuf really is that good.
The Class 3A No. 1 Braves ripped Class 2A No. 1 Cardinal Ritter 49-28 in one of the most surprising blowouts of the young season.
I’m starting to feel like my high school notes are becoming the LeVante Bellamy Show. Every week, I feel almost forced to mention the junior with blazing speed.
Here I go again, but here’s why. He racked up 231 yards and four touchdowns against Ritter. In three games, he’s racked up 448 yards and nine touchdowns with a 9.3-yard average per carry. He also has five catches for 86 yards.
Cardinal Ritter fell from No. 1 to No. 4 in Class 2A. The new No. 1? Lafayette Central Catholic.
Southport enters the 6A Top 10 at No. 10. Christian Perry leads the way with 585 yards rushing and eight touchdowns in three games.
Terre Haute has a new presence in the Class 5A poll: North at No. 8 and South at No. 10.
IRRESISTABLE FORCE vs. IMMOVABLE OBJECT
North Vermillion, ranked No. 2 in Class A, is one of two Indiana teams that haven’t allowed a point. Its victories over Turkey Run, South Vermillion and Covington have come by a combined 170-0.
North Vermillion’s shutout streak probably won’t last through the first quarter this week. Friday’s opponent, North Central (Farmersburg) is the highest-scoring team in the state, regardless of class. North Central has rolled past Union (Dugger) 66-0, North Daviess 47-28 and Turkey Run 75-0 on its way to a No. 7 ranking in Class A.
The other team to shut out all three opponents this season, Attica, is ranked No. 10 in Class A. Its wins over Riverton Parke, Clinton Prairie and Seeger have come by a combined score of 165-0.
ODDS AND ENDS
(All stats are for three games)
Conner Smith of Perry Meridian has passed for 1,036 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception. Jono Bigger of North Newton has passed for 1,031 yards. … New Albany’s Tuwan Payton has racked up 807 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. … Franklin Central’s Aaron Austin has rushed for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. … Sheridan’s Austin Hoover has rushed for 614 yards.
