Guerin Catholic’s Isaac Justin returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown during the Golden Eagles’ Friday, Sept. 26 game with Bishop Chatard at the Eagles Nest. (Mike Navarro)
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – The home crowd was amped up from the opening kickoff and the enthusiasm was high as Guerin Catholic and Bishop Chatard met for the 20th time Friday, Sept. 26.
Unfortunately for the homestanding 3A No. 11 Golden Eagles, 4A second-ranked Chatard’s run game became too much as tackling became an even bigger issue as the Trojans ran away with the Circle City Conference championship with a 56-14 win.
After trading punts, Chatard got on the board first with a Danny Adams 15-yard rushing TD.
Guerin Catholic tied it on the ensuing kickoff when junior Isaac Justin broke in the middle for a 95-yard kickoff return, getting an ovation from the home faithful, tying the game 7-7.
“He did a nice job of returning the ball and made some nice plays on offense too,” said Guerin Catholic head coach Tom Dilley.
Chatard scored three more times in the first to lead 28-7. Adams touched the end zone for two of those. In between, Nick Wilson’s punt attempt was blocked by Jax Guidry and recovered in the end zone by Cole Lunsford.
“We need to tackle. Taking nothing away from them, they’re very good at doing what they do. Coach Doyle and his staff are outstanding, but we didn’t tackle,” Dilley continued.
Quarterback Quentin Klee got the Golden Eagles their second score early in the second when he connected with Aiden Horn for a four-yard touchdown strike to cut it to 28-14.
Not being able to contain the Chatard running game was the biggest task for Guerin Catholic’s defense. Tailback Danny Adams was able to maneuver around and through Guerin defenders on his way to 17 carries for 187 yards and four touchdowns.
Having to play from behind since the first quarter, Guerin’s offense turned away from its normally steady running game and went to the passing game with Klee.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of confidence. We need to develop confidence in our running game,” added Dilley. “We feel really good about the guys who are running the ball. We just need to find a way to get them the ball in space and create some space up front.”
After throwing just 1 of 6 in the first period, Klee was 10 out of 16 in the second and third quarters for 76 yards.
Chatard led 35-14 at halftime and scored three more times in the second half for the runaway win to capture the Circle City Conference football title.
Klee passed 11 of 22 for 90 yards and a TD. Isaiah Lewis caught five for 62.
This week’s opponent is another tough one, as the Golden Eagles will go on the road for the final time in the regular season to face the 6A Pike Red Devils (1-5). Pike lost Friday, Sept. 26 in overtime at No. 7 Warren Central 31-28.
Dilley was asked about Guerin Catholic’s game at Pike game this week and responded a little more extensively beyond the Red Devils.
“What we’re hopefully getting prepared for is the state tournament, hopefully.” said Dilley. “We talked to our guys about playing teams like this. It only prepares you for what you’re going to face in the future, if you learn to fight against these teams. I thought we did that for a good portion of the game.”
The Golden Eagles dropped to 3-3 on the season and finished at 1-2 in the CCC. Bishop Chatard moves to 5-1 and travels to West Lafayette to play the Harrison Raiders (3-3) in Week 7. Harrison won last week at McCutcheon, 21-7.
