HS football notes: Cathedral’s Barthel has dream finish vs. Chatard
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Indianapolis Cathedral quarterback Collin Barthel’s final minutes against Chatard turned out like the story every football player wishes he could share with his grandkids.
Barthel led the Irish nearly the length of the field in the final minutes and scored on a 1-yard sneak with 10 seconds remaining to give Cathedral a 37-35 win last Friday night.
Barthel, as he had all game, found Zach Saum and Terry McLaurin often on the final drive.
“We practiced that,” Barthel said. “That’s what you live for, those two-minute drills against your rivals.”
Barthel completed 22 of 31 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Saum caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. McLaurin, the Ohio State commitment who should be in any conversation about the Mr. Football award, caught 12 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns and ran a kickoff back 96 yards for a score. For the season, McLaurin has 29 catches for 436 yards and five touchdowns for the Irish (2-2).
Chatard’s Sam Gleaves completed 11 of 18 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns, including two to tight end Henry Hill, for the Trojans (2-2). Chatard’s Alex Kimack ran 27 times for 138 yards.
Barthel said the rivalry is friendly.
“It means the world to beat those guys,” Barthel said. “We understand that those are the guys we went to grade school with. We’re still friends off the field, but it feels good to come out on top.”
The road gets no easier for Cathedral. Its next two games are at Cincinnati St. Xavier and Louisville Trinity.
“We have a lot to fix,” Barthel said. “It’s only up from here for us. We know we’ve got some great opponents coming up.”
___
Game of the Week
Lawrence Central and Center Grove certainly aren’t ducking anyone.
Two weeks ago, Lawrence Central beat nationally ranked Louisville Trinity. Last week, the Bears lost to Carmel at Lucas Oil Stadium. Now, Lawrence Central, previously ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press’ Indiana Class 6A poll, will host new No. 1 Center Grove.
The Trojans have earned their ranking. They are responsible for Warren Central’s only loss and Pike’s and Carmel’s only in-state losses. Warren, Pike and Carmel remain in the top eight in the 6A poll.
Lawrence Central’s defense has been outstanding. The Bears held Louisville commitment Reggie Bonnafon in check and scored two safeties and an interception return for a touchdown in the 17-13 win. The Bears held Carmel to just 151 yards in the 17-7 loss.
Lawrence Central’s offense struggled in both games, scoring just two field goals against Trinity and gaining just 198 yards against the Greyhounds. Though the Bears have a stout defense, corralling Center Grove’s misdirection-laden wing-T offense will be a tall order.
Center Grove is coming off a 14-13 win over Indianapolis Pike. The Trojans’ defense also is among the state’s best, allowing 12.3 points per contest.
__
AP Poll
It’s about time to start paying attention to Penn.
The Kingsmen are coming off a 38-0 win over previous Class 5A No. 1 Fort Wayne Snider and have moved up to No. 2 in the Class 6A poll. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Penn held Snider to 63 total yards.
It’s hard to judge northern teams who don’t come to the Indianapolis area to play, but Penn is doing just about everything it can. The Kingsmen have outscored their opponents 168-7.
In Class 5A, Concord moves up to No. 1 and Fort Wayne Snider falls from No. 1 to No. 4 after the loss to Penn.
In Class 4A, Columbus East remains No. 1. Fort Wayne Dwenger moved up from No. 4 to No. 2 after defeating Fort Wayne Northrop 35-0.
In Class 3A, Andrean is No. 1. Brebeuf falls from No. 1 to No. 2, but it’s hard to say if the drop was deserved. The Braves lost to Indianapolis Arsenal Tech, a 6A team that might make some noise by the end of the season. Tech lost its opener 6-2 to Carmel, which currently is ranked No. 5 in Class 6A.
In Class 2A, Evansville Mater Dei moved up tp No. 1. Lafayette Catholic fell from No. 1 to No. 5 after losing 14-7 to Culver Academy, which is receiving votes in 3A.
__
Stars
Here are a few players ISL has been keeping an eye on this season and how they performed last week, along with totals through 4 games:
LeVante Bellamy, Brebeuf: 25 carries, 78 yards, 3 TDs; 4 catches, 27 yards; 58 yards in kickoff returns in 38-31 loss to Arsenal Tech. Totals: 73 rush, 526 yds, 12 TDs.
Darius Lee, Warren Central: 4 rec., 84 yds, TD in 24-7 win over Indianapolis Ben Davis. Totals: 10 catches, 280 yds, 3 TD; 18 carries, 89 yards; 214 yards on kickoff returns.
Jake Purichia, Cardinal Ritter: 13-17, 227 yds, 5 TDs in 41-20 win over Speedway. Totals: 63-92, 1,027 yds, 16 TD, 1 int.
__
No more clean slates
The two remaining teams in the state that were unscored upon this season lost that distinction last week.
North Vermillion still played well defensively, defeating North Central (Farmersburg) 37-7.
Attica shut out its first three opponents, then lost to Rockville 30-28.
