Class 6A third-ranked Cathedral rolled to a high school football victory over Cincinnati La Salle Friday, 37-6, on senior night at Arlington. Senior receiver Jaron Tibbs caught four passes for 70 yards to become the first player in Cathedral history to catch passes for more than 2,000 career receiving yards (2,014).
Quarterback Danny O’Neil connected with Tibbs on the opening Irish drive for a 41-yard scoring pass, which moved him ahead of previous record holder Luke Sanders who finished his career with 1,963 receiving yards in 2016. Following a missed point after attempt, Ayden Fahey kicked a 34-yard field goal late in the first quarter to give Cathedral a 9-0 lead.
O’Neil rushed for touchdowns from one yard and 16 yards in the second quarter before throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Tibbs with just five second remaining in the first half, giving Cathedral a 30-0 lead at the intermission.
On their first drive of the second half, the Irish took 10 plays to march 74 yards. The possession ended with O’Neil tossing a 10-yard TD pass to David Ayers. The 37-0 score triggered the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Mercy Rule requiring the remainder of the game to be played with a running clock.
La Salle’s Ty Brown broke a 76-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter and complete the scoring. Including Brown’s run, the Lancers could manage only 140 yards of total offense and three first downs against the Irish defense.
Cathedral totaled 382 yards on offense. Carson Johnson rushed for 102 yards on 12 attempts, while O’Neil completed 21 of 28 passes for 217 yards. O’Neil has now thrown three or more touchdown passes in seven consecutive games.
The Irish improved to 5-1, while the Lancers' record fell to 2-5 following their fifth straight loss. Up next for Cathedral is Brebeuf Jesuit at Arlington on Friday for Homecoming. The Braves are 4-2 this season with Circle City Conference losses to Bishop Chatard and Roncalli. The Irish have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two schools.