Nov. 29, 2014
Indianapolis Cathedral garners some history with win over LaPorte in Class 5A
Coach Rick Streiff and the Indianapolis Cathedral Fighting Irish carried home several historical accomplishments along with another trophy for the school's ever-growing display case.
Max Bortenschlager passed for 195 yards and three touchdowns and Caleb Cross rushed for 108 yards, leading the Irish over the LaPorte Slicers, 56-7, in the Class 5A state championship game.
For Cathedral, it was a record fifth consecutive state title while the final-game victory extended its record of tournament triumphs to 30, dating to 2010. It also was the 12th football championship overall for the Irish, tying them with Indianapolis Bishop Chatard for the most in state history.
Streiff, like his team, continues to build a lofty position in the record books. The win over LaPorte marked the 10th football championship for the coach, moving him ahead of Matt Lindsay (formerly of Fort Wayne Bishop Luers) and Bud Wright (Sheridan), each with nine.
James Schulz led Cathedral with 73 receiving yards and a touchdown on three catches. Evan Christopher rushed for 62 yards and three touchdowns.
The Irish, ranked seventh by the Associated Press, finished 9-5. The Irish have won three consecutive state championships with five losses on their record. NorthWood, in 2005, won the Class 3A crown with a 9-6 record.
Coach Bob Schellinger's Slicers, who were unranked and competing in their first football state championship game, completed their season 8-6.
Charles Salary led LaPorte with 123 rushing yards, including a touchdown.
Cathedral’s Jared Thomas named Eskew Mental Attitude Award winner
At the conclusion of the championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Jared Thomas of Cathedral High School as the winner of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 5A football.
In addition to football, Jared is also a 2-year starter for the Cathedral Varsity Basketball Team. Jared not only excels in sports, he excels in the classroom, achieving a 3.54 GPA, and is a member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. His commitment to academics and athletics is the definition of student-athlete.
He is the son of Michael and April Thomas of Indianapolis and plans to major in Broadcast Journalism at Northwestern University where he will also play football.
Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award, named in honor of the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-76.
The Indianapolis Colts presented a $1,000 scholarship to Cathedral High School in the name of Jared Thomas. The Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the entire football state tournament since 2009 and are sponsoring the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award.
Class 5A State Championship Game Records
Most Touchdowns (tied)
8 by Cathedral
Most PAT Kicks
8 by Vincent Alerding, Cathedral
Most Punts (tied)
7 by Noah Boardman, LaPorte