#PowerofFootball’s Columbus East stuns vaunted Cathedral to reach Indiana Class 5A championship

By Brent Glasgow | Posted 11/18/2017

Photos via Mike Fender

In more than 400 games and 300 victories in coach Bob Gaddis’ 39-year career, Indiana Class 5A No. 2 Columbus East’s 42-13 victory over No. 5 Cathedral Friday at Tech High School in Indianapolis might be the closest thing to perfection.

RELATED LINK: Columbus East Olympians - The Power of Football

Gaddis couldn’t recall a contest in which one of his teams capitalized more on mistakes made by the opposition, with virtually none of their own. The Olympians snagged five Irish turnovers and scored the game’s final 28 points in a picturesque performance.

“I can’t remember one quite like this,” said Gaddis, whose program won the 4A crown in 2013. “Our guys were opportunistic tonight. We said coming in that we had to eliminate turnovers and hopefully create a couple and take advantage of them, and we talked about against a team like this, you have to take advantage of every opportunity you get.”

East (13-1) certainly did that. The Olympians recovered a fumble on Cathedral’s first possession, got two more on botched punt returns, blocked an extra point, smothered the punter for a turnover on downs off a bad snap and got an interception.

Jonah Wichman interception

East's Jonah Wichman picks off a Cathedral pass

“All of that gave us the extra boost of momentum we needed,” defensive end Ty Henderson said. “We thought coming in we’d be the better defensive team, but to prove it was really big for us. We wanted to show we can play with anybody.

It was the ninth time this season the defense gave up 14 points or less. Safety Ethan Summa led the way with nine tackles, and the Olympians won the battle up front.

“We knew if we didn’t control the line of scrimmage, we’d have our hands full, and you can’t turn the ball over that many times to a very good team,” said Cathedral coach Rick Streiff, whose team hoped to play for a state-best-tying 13th title. “They’re a well-coached team and they outplayed us tonight.”

After falling 16-13 to Westfield in last year's 5A championship, East returns to Lucas Oil Stadium next Friday to face Kokomo (9-4), a 21-14 winner over Michigan City

“We’ve been to state before and we know how it feels to lose. We don’t like it,” Henderson said. “This time we’ll be prepared to go to that big stadium with our fans, give it all we’ve got and get a win.”

Ty Henderson of Columbus East

East's Ty Henderson disrupts the Cathedral offense

Cathedral (7-6) eliminated East four times from 2006-12 by an average of 38 points. Jamon Hogan, who ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns on Friday, said the Olympians were playing for those squads, too.

“We knew we had to come in and play both halves,” Hogan said. “Our seniors and our whole team just focused the whole way. We knew we had to do it for ourselves and past teams. We played our hearts out.”

Hogan praised the offensive line, which like the defense, took care of business in the trenches.

“I love them,” Hogan said. “They kept at it, an amazing job.”

Quarterback Josh Major only completed four passes, but two went for 23-yard touchdowns – one to Jonah Wichman and another to Cody Horner.

Cody Horner touchdown catch

East's Cody Horner snags a TD pass from Josh Major between two Cathedral defenders.

“Nobody gave us a shot here. We were the only ones who believed,” Major said. “To get this win, it’s huge for our program and feels unbelievable.”

The on-field celebration, and jubilant faces of players, coaches and fans, illustrated just how big a triumph it was.

“Not to toot our own horn, but we’ve won a lot of football games. This is a great, great win for our program,” Gaddis said. “To come on the road and play a team of this caliber, so well-coached, great tradition, it’s a big one.”

It was the 303rd career victory for Gaddis, who ranks ninth on Indiana's all-time coaching list.

 

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