Irish fan here, let's get back to topic!
I have 5 predictions that will hold 100% true and I am sure both sides can agree on the following:
1. These are two best teams in state regardless of class
2. It will be SRO only so GET THERE EARLY.
3. One of these two teams will be playing in 6A next year
4. The game will live up to the hype
5. The Irish Tailgate / convoy of RV's and motor homes will start showing up at 4PM.
At any rate, for less than 100% prediction....
I think Cathedral will be more prepared for this game than New Pal, given the fact our schedule strength and New Pal has nothing (in certain spots) that we haven't seen so far this year. We have seen the greatest speed and size especially with the Ohio powerhouse teams each with multiple Division 1A players on each team. On the other end, New Pal played a very non-competitive schedule which is no fault of their own...their conference is weak, and if they didn't rest starters after halftime and no running clock I am sure they would have put triple digits on most of those teams! Our common opponent was Center Grove - where we had 146 penalty yards against us otherwise we would have rolled them up big time. Our OL and DL lines are the biggest New Pal will have seen all year (and last year for that matter) so the comment someone made about their starters staying in the entire game and being something 'new' since week two is a valid point that they will not be used too...something their schedule quality may have hurt them more than help them (like us). Spegal is an absolute stud...but with our running back duo of Langdon and Hall (i.e. Thunder and Lightening) in addition to Orin's passing game gives us lots of options to tinker with during the game.
At any rate, New Pal is damn good team and well coached but given the circumstances mentioned above I am going with prediction:
Irish 35
Dragons 24
Finally weather shows high 37/low 25 degrees 7mph wind.