Indianapolis Cathedral, the top-rated team in Class 5A, jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead and cruised to a 38-14 high school football victory over rival Bishop Chatard Friday night at Arlington. The 4-0 Fighting Irish have now won 15 of the last 17 meetings between the two schools and lead the all-time series 28-19.
Cathedral received the opening kickoff and moved 64 yards in just four plays, ending the drive with Danny O’Neil throwing a 4-yard scoring pass to Michael Page. O’Neil concluded the next Irish possession by finding Tazz Garrett for a 27-yard touchdown pass.
O’Neil made the score 21-0 on a 2-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter. He then connected with Brennan Wooten on a 57-yard scoring play midway through the period. Chatard cut the margin to 28-7 early in the third quarter on Carter St. John’s 1-yard quarterback sneak. The Irish answered with a 25-yard Ben Gomez field goal. O’Neil then scampered ten yards for another rushing touchdown halfway through the final period to put the game out of reach.
O’Neil completed 18 of 30 passes for 255 yards. Jaron Tibbs caught six passes for 132 yards. Tibbs has totaled 100 or more receiving yards in each of the first four games this season. Seth Mencer gained 93 yards on 20 attempts to lead the Irish ground attack.
Cathedral’s defense intercepted St. John three times as he completed just 13 of 34 passes for 101 yards. Tommy Hannon was Chatard’s leading rusher with 64 yards on 13 attempts.
Cathedral travels to Columbus North next Friday. The Irish defeated the Bull Dogs in three prior meetings between the two schools, which were played from 1995 to 1997. Columbus North has a 2-2 record this season with wins over Southport and Columbus East and losses to Gibson Southern and Roncalli. Game time is 7:00 pm at Max Andress Field in Columbus.