5A Tournament: OFFICIAL Thread

[FastpacedO]

On 10/26/2025 at 1:32 PM, temptation said:

Though they improved and seem to be getting better every week, even the posters on this board have insinuated that this is not a vintage Cathedral squad.  You have to view things on a year to year basis.

Goes to our blue blood conversation in the other thread…

Are they capable of beating New Pal?  

Sure.  

Just don’t think they will.

This years Cathedral team hasn't been as good offensively in many games. Not fully surprising with losing some very good WR's. They had a solid run game and returned their QB from last year. Had some struggles with dropped passes in a few games. Looked to start having some moments in the pass game and injuries set in. 

Defensively the Irish have been about on par with what they typically have been aside from the Brownsburg game. With Brownsburg the only team that has been able to stall Brownsburg's offense has been Westfield. There have been moments this year where the Irish defense has just been on the field too long (St. X game). They still have been pretty solid defensively.

If the Irish are healthy against New Pal at New Pal it should be a pretty good game and both defenses look terrific. If not healthy it will be a stretch for the Irish to beat New Pal at New Pal. Regardless either way New Pal will go toe to toe. Their HC's coaching record (151-14) shows it doesn't matter who they play. They are well coached and disciplined at what they do.

[PHJIrish]

3 minutes ago, FastpacedO said:

This years Cathedral team hasn't been as good offensively in many games. Not fully surprising with losing some very good WR's. They had a solid run game and returned their QB from last year. Had some struggles with dropped passes in a few games. Looked to start having some moments in the pass game and injuries set in. 

Defensively the Irish have been about on par with what they typically have been aside from the Brownsburg game. With Brownsburg the only team that has been able to stall Brownsburg's offense has been Westfield. There have been moments this year where the Irish defense has just been on the field too long (St. X game). They still have been pretty solid defensively.

If the Irish are healthy against New Pal at New Pal it should be a pretty good game and both defenses look terrific. If not healthy it will be a stretch for the Irish to beat New Pal at New Pal. Regardless either way New Pal will go toe to toe. Their HC's coaching record (151-14) shows it doesn't matter who they play. They are well coached and disciplined at what they do.

The Irish stopped Brownsburg 3 times inside the 10, or maybe even the 5, iirc.  All Brownsburg scores were big plays.  The defense has improved since then, but the Bulldogs could have put 50 on the board that night without those stops.

I'm dealing with a case of pneumonia and it looks like I might have to miss my first playoff game in a long while Friday night.  I guess I should save myself for the New Pal game.  The meds are working, but healing is slow when you're my age.

[Footballking16]

For Cathedral to beat New Pal, not only are they going to have to play lights out defensively, they might need to score as a unit or at the very least flip field position all night. Cathedral starting to run the ball better and Dangerfield is back (I think) but still to one dimensional to sustain lengthy drives.

[SMAUG]

1 hour ago, PHJIrish said:

The Irish stopped Brownsburg 3 times inside the 10, or maybe even the 5, iirc.  All Brownsburg scores were big plays.  The defense has improved since then, but the Bulldogs could have put 50 on the board that night without those stops.

I'm dealing with a case of pneumonia and it looks like I might have to miss my first playoff game in a long while Friday night.  I guess I should save myself for the New Pal game.  The meds are working, but healing is slow when you're my age.

Get well soon, if both teams get by this Friday the NP/Cathedral game is going to be special even if only for the hype and I personally want as many true football fans in attendance as possible.  Could be the last one for me with a Dragon on the turf!

[FastpacedO]

16 hours ago, PHJIrish said:

The Irish stopped Brownsburg 3 times inside the 10, or maybe even the 5, iirc.  All Brownsburg scores were big plays.  The defense has improved since then, but the Bulldogs could have put 50 on the board that night without those stops.

I'm dealing with a case of pneumonia and it looks like I might have to miss my first playoff game in a long while Friday night.  I guess I should save myself for the New Pal game.  The meds are working, but healing is slow when you're my age.

I absolutely agree with you that the defense has improved. One of the Irish top DB's (Onghetich) that had I believe 2 Int's week 1 was injured the Brownsburg game iirc. Which didn't do them any favors and Sharpe for Brownsburg had 237 yards receiving 2 TD's. Later in the season here the Irish have been better about bringing pressure in various ways to not give QB's as much time in the pocket. The problem early in the season against BD, Brownsburg, and St. X was the Irish offense struggling to sustain drives leaving the defense either on the field too long or with their backs against the wall with short field for the opposing offense. The defense has made some terrific goal line stands.

They looked to be getting things going offensively but injuries have made them a little inconsistent. Defense and special teams have been the more consistent part for the Irish. If they can get healthy and be balanced offensively it will certainly help the defense out. I hope you get to feeling better very soon PHJ!

16 hours ago, Footballking16 said:

For Cathedral to beat New Pal, not only are they going to have to play lights out defensively, they might need to score as a unit or at the very least flip field position all night. Cathedral starting to run the ball better and Dangerfield is back (I think) but still to one dimensional to sustain lengthy drives.

I can definitely agree with this. I think if they play defense like they have lately and not give up big plays a New Pal vs Cathedral game will become a defensive game and special teams will be very important. If they get healthy offensively and if they can do just enough in the passing game to not allow teams to stack the box against the run. Regardless New Pal and Cathedral will be a great defensive battle so long as the Irish defense doesn't have to spend a lot of time on the field like earlier games this season. The game being at New Pal won't be easy and New Pal is always very well coached

[crimsonace1]

On 10/26/2025 at 7:42 PM, PHJIrish said:

The latest Sagarin gives Cathedral a SOS of 3 and New Pal a SOS of 88.

And schedules don't mean squat once the ball is teed up on Friday night. Players win games, not schedules. 

[crimsonace1]

On 10/27/2025 at 6:21 AM, 23andCounting said:

I just think running into Cathedral will be like running into a brick wall for New Pal. I think the Dragons are probably good enough to adjust and win the game. I'm just predicting Cathedral to throw New Pal into a state of shock in the first quarter. We'll see what happens after that.

NP played a top-10 Decatur Central team in Week 2. They running clocked two Top-30 Sagarin teams in Pendleton Heights & Yorktown. They face a defending state championship team on offense and defense every day in practice. They're going to be fine. I don't think anybody will put them into a "state of shock." 

[temptation]

26 minutes ago, crimsonace1 said:

NP played a top-10 Decatur Central team in Week 2. They running clocked two Top-30 Sagarin teams in Pendleton Heights & Yorktown. They face a defending state championship team on offense and defense every day in practice. They're going to be fine. I don't think anybody will put them into a "state of shock." 

Folks seem to never learn.  This narrative about New Pal has been around for a decade or so.

They’ve proven folks wrong unlike a 6A squad who shall remain nameless so folks don’t jump down my throat and call me names.

[23andCounting]

37 minutes ago, temptation said:

Folks seem to never learn.  This narrative about New Pal has been around for a decade or so.

They’ve proven folks wrong unlike a 6A squad who shall remain nameless so folks don’t jump down my throat and call me names.

New Pal is good, no doubt. I just keep thinking about the brick wall they ran into in 2015. I see something similar happening on Friday night.............still have them winning it though. 

[temptation]

59 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

New Pal is good, no doubt. I just keep thinking about the brick wall they ran into in 2015. I see something similar happening on Friday night.............still have them winning it though. 

Way to play both sides so you can come on here the following morning and drop “I told you so” regardless of the outcome.

[Rodney]

Man the Quakers not even making a footnote in people's posts

[23andCounting]

29 minutes ago, temptation said:

Way to play both sides so you can come on here the following morning and drop “I told you so” regardless of the outcome.

No no. You need to go back and read my posts. I guess I'll say it again. I've got New Pal winning, but getting off to a slow start. Anything other than that doesn't warrant an "I told you so." Sometimes I think you say things to curb your appetite for a debate. I did say I wouldn't be surprised a morsal of an iota if Cathedral won. So yeah, I guess I could come back and play the "I told you so card." However, I'm more likely to come back and admit defeat than I am to toot my own horn after victory. You see Temp, my trash talking could make Larry Bird look like chump change. But I'll be the first to shake your had afterward and congratulate you for kicking my a**. 

[PHJIrish]

5 hours ago, crimsonace1 said:

NP played a top-10 Decatur Central team in Week 2. They running clocked two Top-30 Sagarin teams in Pendleton Heights & Yorktown. They face a defending state championship team on offense and defense every day in practice. They're going to be fine. I don't think anybody will put them into a "state of shock." 

Just posting facts.  I'm sure they're worthy of their lofty rankings.

[PHJIrish]

8 hours ago, FastpacedO said:

I absolutely agree with you that the defense has improved. One of the Irish top DB's (Onghetich) that had I believe 2 Int's week 1 was injured the Brownsburg game iirc. Which didn't do them any favors and Sharpe for Brownsburg had 237 yards receiving 2 TD's. Later in the season here the Irish have been better about bringing pressure in various ways to not give QB's as much time in the pocket. The problem early in the season against BD, Brownsburg, and St. X was the Irish offense struggling to sustain drives leaving the defense either on the field too long or with their backs against the wall with short field for the opposing offense. The defense has made some terrific goal line stands.

They looked to be getting things going offensively but injuries have made them a little inconsistent. Defense and special teams have been the more consistent part for the Irish. If they can get healthy and be balanced offensively it will certainly help the defense out. I hope you get to feeling better very soon PHJ!

I can definitely agree with this. I think if they play defense like they have lately and not give up big plays a New Pal vs Cathedral game will become a defensive game and special teams will be very important. If they get healthy offensively and if they can do just enough in the passing game to not allow teams to stack the box against the run. Regardless New Pal and Cathedral will be a great defensive battle so long as the Irish defense doesn't have to spend a lot of time on the field like earlier games this season. The game being at New Pal won't be easy and New Pal is always very well coached

I agree will all you've said.  And I'm feeling a bit better each day, but healing is a slow go at my age.  I sure hope I'm up to getting to this game.  I'm not even going to attempt a drive to Anderson this week.

[temptation]

2 minutes ago, PHJIrish said:

I agree will all you've said.  And I'm feeling a bit better each day, but healing is a slow go at my age.  I sure hope I'm up to getting to this game.  I'm not even going to attempt a drive to Anderson this week.

Stay home and turn on a slasher movie.

Pretend the protagonist is Cathedral and the victims are Anderson.

You’re welcome.

[Komets2727]

I said if Cathedral was healthy, I called out a possible 31-28 win for them. That started a bunch of people calling me out as if I said something crazy. Cathedral is a very good team, as is New Pal. I said it was possible for Cathedral to win. You’d have thought I was predicting a Frankfort win…

Edited October 28, 2025 by Komets2727

[SMAUG]

2 hours ago, temptation said:

Stay home and turn on a slasher movie.

Pretend the protagonist is Cathedral and the victims are Anderson.

You’re welcome.

PHJ -  If this contest happens, I will personally make certain you get to this game.  If you feel up to it, call/text me anytime 463 269-6064 and I’ll take it from there - it would be my pleasure.  We can cheer for different teams and be gentlemen at the same time - it is possible.

[temptation]

46 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

I said if Cathedral was healthy, I called out a possible 31-28 win for them. That started a bunch of people calling me out as if I said something crazy. Cathedral is a very good team, as is New Pal. I said it was possible for Cathedral to win. You’d have thought I was predicting a Frankfort win…

“Close to healthy.”

Lets be factually accurate here.

[Komets2727]

7 minutes ago, temptation said:

“Close to healthy.”

Lets be factually accurate here.

Just curious, is what Michigan did to win a national title “close to cheating”. Is that factually accurate???

[temptation]

7 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Just curious, is what Michigan did to win a national title “close to cheating”. Is that factually accurate???

Nah, NCAA said so.

[FastpacedO]

10 hours ago, temptation said:

“Close to healthy.”

Lets be factually accurate here.

Not to be too technical but healthy for the Irish will be considered "close to healthy" there are some very key offensive starters that have been out for the season since week 2. So they won't ever be fully healthy or have collectively all of their top players. If they can get the ones that can come back healthy it can be a terrific game. I wouldn't put Cathedral as a favorite over New Pal by any means and by the same token I wouldn't count them out. 

I love these types of match-ups with 2 very well coached teams. I know New Pal still has Plainfield. Plainfield is very well coached and has a good team this year. I think talent and experience wise New Pal has the upper hand on Plainfield, but anything can happen on any given night. I truly feel without a doubt it will be Cathedral at New Pal for Sectional Championship. I hop both teams are as healthy as can be coming in to it so we just see a epic game.

[temptation]

3 minutes ago, FastpacedO said:

Not to be too technical but healthy for the Irish will be considered "close to healthy" there are some very key offensive starters that have been out for the season since week 2. So they won't ever be fully healthy or have collectively all of their top players. If they can get the ones that can come back healthy it can be a terrific game. I wouldn't put Cathedral as a favorite over New Pal by any means and by the same token I wouldn't count them out. 

I love these types of match-ups with 2 very well coached teams. I know New Pal still has Plainfield. Plainfield is very well coached and has a good team this year. I think talent and experience wise New Pal has the upper hand on Plainfield, but anything can happen on any given night. I truly feel without a doubt it will be Cathedral at New Pal for Sectional Championship. I hop both teams are as healthy as can be coming in to it so we just see an epic game.

I get it.  Just making sure to be factually accurate with @Komets2727…he’s hedging so that he can play both sides.

The words “close to” give him an opt out as that is impossible to define.

In the event of a Cathedral win = “I told you so.”

In the event of a New Pal win = “I told you so.”

[23andCounting]

1 hour ago, temptation said:

I get it.  Just making sure to be factually accurate with @Komets2727…he’s hedging so that he can play both sides.

The words “close to” give him an opt out as that is impossible to define.

In the event of a Cathedral win = “I told you so.”

In the event of a New Pal win = “I told you so.”

You're overthinking it.

[Footballking16]

2 hours ago, temptation said:

I get it.  Just making sure to be factually accurate with @Komets2727…he’s hedging so that he can play both sides.

The words “close to” give him an opt out as that is impossible to define.

In the event of a Cathedral win = “I told you so.”

In the event of a New Pal win = “I told you so.”

Assuming no more set backs or new injuries Friday during Anderson, Cathedral will be as close to healthy as they can be in two weeks. 

[temptation]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

You're overthinking it.

You are the king of “what ifs” and moral victories on this board my dude.