Cathedral Football is finally back this Friday with a top 10 matchup to start the season. The #4 Irish open the season against #7 Ben Davis Giants at Butler Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm. Cathedral once dominated the 5A level before being moved up to 6A, but are now back in 5A hoping to reclaim that dominance.

Last season was a tough end for the Irish, exiting in the Sectional Championship against highly ranked Lawrence North. Now, back in class 5A, the Irish will have high expectations for themselves, and from the rest of the state. As the number 1 ranked team in class 5A, the Irish will face pressure each week to show why they are ranked number 1. The Irish return a lot this season including 2nd year starting quarterback and senior Cameron Koers, who has high expectations for himself and the team this season. 

“Some expectations are to win state. That is our main goal and we have high expectations as a team because we have lots of seniors and are experienced on both sides of the ball,” Koers said.

Cathedral in 2025 once again faces an incredibly challenging schedule to start the season. Opening with #7 Ben Davis before traveling to play #1 and nationally ranked Brownsburg and then moving on to play the always-strong competitor St. Xavier from Cincinnati.

This will be a demanding start for the Irish but will give them a chance to prove themselves. If the Irish can show they can hang or even beat the big boys in 6A they will have a great shot at bringing home the first state championship for football since 2022.

Koers and the team know they have a difficult road ahead. “I think having a hard regular season schedule helps us to prepare for when the playoffs come around. It will help us to grow as a team and help us to reach our highest potential.”

Cathedral and Ben Davis have a long football history, especially over the last few seasons, like back in 2023 when Ben Davis beat Cathedral in the Regional Championship 27-24. Then, last season the Giants entered the season #1 before getting embarrassed by the Irish in week 1 at home 24-6.

This season looks to bring another great game with both teams being preseason top 10. While this is a big test for the Irish, it could be a win that sparks a special run in 2025, Koers said, “I am looking forward to being able to get back on the field and show what we are all about. We have been working hard all offseason and have been doubted a lot so far and we want to show who we are.”