With seven straight double-digit victory seasons, a state championship is the annual goal at Columbus East High School, one of six programs featured in this year's USA Football Power of Football campaign. 

Now one of four teams left in Indiana's Class 5A, the second-ranked Olympians (12-1) have a chance to reach title game Thanksgiving weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.

"Our kids are obviously excited to play in the semistate," East coach Bob Gaddis said. "They're anxious, one game away from state, in a huge one against a great program."

In their way is No. 5 Indianapolis Cathedral (7-5), a 12-time state champ that ended East's postseason dreams four times from 2006-12, games the Olympians entered with a combined record of 50-2. 

It is a moment East has prepared for since the end of last season:

 

Don't let Cathedral's record this year fool you. The Irish are 6-0 against teams from Indiana, and their five losses came against top-level squads from Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan, four on the road. They have Division I commits in center Emil Ekiyor (Alabama), running back Markese Stepp (Notre Dame), linebackers Hugh Davis (Boston College) and Jackson Barrow (Toledo), and receiver Daijon Collins (Indiana State).

In his 39th season as a head coach and 17th at East, Gaddis said confidence and perseverance are paramount. 

"The Cathedral mystique is very real. You have to respect it but get over it," Gaddis said. "We have to go up there and get off to a good start. We know they'll come out all jacked up and try to deliver a knockout blow. Both teams will make plays. You have to respond when things don't go your way."

Here's a look at Gaddis, the ninth-winningest high school football coach all-time in Indiana with 302 victories:

East, which averages 50.7 points per game, enters with 4,880 rushing yards at 8.2 per carry, while Cathedral gets 74 percent of its yardage on the ground. Both coaches agree the outcome will be decided in the trenches.

“They run extremely hard and get through the line and into the secondary before you have a chance to react,” Cathedral coach Rick Streiff said. “Their line is very impressive and allows them to do those things. How our line stacks up with theirs could be the key to the game.”

Added Gaddis, "I can say the same thing about their line. There's no doubt both teams want to run the football. A lot of things will go on, but this game will come down to the line of scrimmage."

East running back Jamon Hogan has 2,204 rushing yards at 10.5 per carry and 33 touchdowns, and quarterback Josh Major has 2,430 total yards and 31 TDs.

"Jamon isn't very big but he's probably pound-for-pound our strongest guy. He's very consistent, a very hard worker, very humble," Gaddis said. "Josh is a competitor when the lights go on. He's a great leader by example, has great knowledge of what we want to do. He runs the show."

East quarterback Josh Major

The Columbus East line, led by guard and captain Mark Sciutto, and aided by tight end Isaac VanCuren, has gelled more with each passing week.

"As they go, we go," Gaddis said. 

The Olympians' defense yields just 14.2 points per outing. Ethan Summa (97 tackles) leads the unit from his free safety spot, linebacker Nash Murphy paces the squad with 117 tackles, end Ty Henderson has a team-best 13 stops for loss, and corner Jonah Wichman has six interceptions.

"We had a lot of guys with defensive experience back, but we just had to find where they fit and where some guys moving over from offense fit," Gaddis said. "They've gotten better all season. Our defensive coordinator, Eddie Vogel, has been here a long time - just a great guy who does a great job."

Gaddis expects a big Olympian fan presence Friday night at Tech High School for the 7 p.m. tilt.

"I'd say ticket sales are going pretty well," Gaddis said. "We've been to this level before, and we love to see our community support us. We have some really good fans."

Here's what a Friday night at East looks like:

Friday's winner will face the victor between Michigan City (9-3) and Kokomo (8-4) - two programs who have never played for a state title - on Nov. 24 at 7:05 p.m. 

Power of Football, a program powered by USA Football, highlights how the game continues to lift and capture the imagination of students, families and towns across America, unifying them in exceptional ways and transcending societal differences. Watch the stories of six high schools across the U.S. at poweroffootball.org, and share your own stories on social media, using the hashtag #PowerofFootball.