When the varsity football team travels to Center Grove on Oct. 16, the match-up will be the premier high school game in the state, definitely for that evening and perhaps for the entire season.

But this game will not necessarily be the focus for Center Grove Head Coach Mr. Eric Moore.

In an email, Moore wrote, “This is a great game for the media and fans. No doubt the results will be important for both teams in a lot of ways, but our attention is as always for the State playoffs. Two great teams (are) playing on the last Friday night of (regular season) Indiana high school football.  I think both programs have been blessed to still be playing.

“It is what it is as for the game results. (It will be) important for both teams, and he entire state will be expecting us both to go far in the tournament, and both programs have greater things to accomplish after this week.” 

Moore’s team is undefeated and ranked first in Class 6A, while Head Coach Mr. Bill Peebles’ Irish squad is undefeated and ranked Number 1 in the Class 5A pool.

Moore said, “Cathedral will be the best team we play so far this year. As always, they will be difficult in certain situations for us to match their athletic ability. They have great size and speed, which is always a problem.” 

On his team, Moore cited the outstanding play of Tayven Jackson, the Center Grove quarterback, and Connor Delp and Trent Vieth as Jackson’s top targets. Moore wrote, “Carson Steele is our top RB. On defense, Jack Schott and Caden Curry are points leaders.”

This week’s game is a tough matchup between the Fighting Irish and the Trojans, and Moore said, “We should be proud of both teams’ accomplishments so far this year, and I wish the best of luck to the Cathedral team and coaches Friday, but most importantly in the weeks to come as they work to be State champs.”

Editor’s note: Reporter Kailee Swart gathered information for this story.