A record-setting performance by quarterback Nathan McCahill lifted Cathedral to a 46-28 win over a game Zionsville squad in the Class 5A championship game Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
McCahill completed a Class 5A game-record 27 passes, attempting 35 and running up 322 yards and a 5A record-tying five touchdowns. Camden Jordan was the main beneficiary of McCahill’s performance as he set a 5A record with 12 receptions, good for 91 yards and a record-tying three touchdowns.
McCahill’s exploits helped the Irish break out to a 22-0 lead in the second quarter and Cathedral held off the Eagles, who finished 7-6.
Cathedral was making its state-best-tying 16th appearance in the finals and the victory gives it the 13th championship in program history – second-best in the state behind Chatard’s 15 titles.
The Irish of coach Bill Peebles finished 13-1, with its only loss coming to 6A champion Center Grove. Cathedral also defeated 3A champ Chatard and 6A runner-up Westfield during the regular season.
In addition, the Irish won their five games in the tournament series by a combined 216-66 score.
Zionsville, coached by Scott Turnquist, fought within 22-14 and 29-21 in the third quarter, but could get no closer. Quarterback Josh Stone went 19-for-31 for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Luke Baumgartner caught nine of Stone’s completions for 153 yards and matched Jordan with three TD receptions.
Class 5A State Championship Records
Most Passes Completed – 27 by Nathan McCahill, Indianapolis Cathedral
Most Passes Completed by a Team – 27 by Indianapolis Cathedral
Most Passing Touchdowns (tied) – 5 by Nathan McCahill, Indianapolis Cathedral
Most Passing Touchdowns by a Team (tied) – 5 by Indianapolis Cathedral
Most Receptions – 12 by Camden Jordan, Indianapolis Cathedral
Most TD Receptions (tied) – 3 by Camden Jordan, Indianapolis Cathedral and Luke Baumgartner, Zionsville
Zionsville’s Zach Bielecki earns the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award
During the awards ceremony, Zach Bielecki of Zionsville High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 5A Football.
The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability during his four years of high school.
He is the son of Rick and Kelly Bielecki of Zionsville. He is undecided on where he will attend college but plans to study Biochemistry.
The award is named in honor of Commissioner Phil N. Eskew, who served as the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-76. Under his leadership, the IHSAA football state tournament was initiated in 1973.
The Indianapolis Colts, a corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Zionsville High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Zach Bielecki.