Cathedral stuns Ben Davis in IHSAA football: Turning point, play of game, top performers

Cathedral 24, Ben Davis 6.

Yes, that is the correct score. The No. 10 Irish took it to the top-ranked Class 6A defending state champions in the season opener Friday night at Ben Davis.

Insider: Cathedral's 2024 opening statement is convincing. Just ask No. 1 Ben Davis.

IHSAA football scores: Week 1 roundup, highlights, stats from across Central Indiana

More from the game:

∎ Player of the game: Cathedral senior running back Jalen Bonds rushed for 148 yards on 24 carries, which allowed the Irish to control the ball and keep the ball away from the dangerous Ben Davis offense. Bonds, who was injured much of the summer and has been limited in practices, was pulled late in the fourth quarter after suffering from leg cramps, but gave Cathedral what it needed in the run game.

The Irish also got strong games from the running back rotation with sophomore Xavier Dangerfield and junior Jimmy Pappas.

∎ Turning point: The play of the game is noted in the next category and could also be considered in the turning point of the game. But I’ll go with Cameron Koers’ 26-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Slaughter to put the Irish ahead 10-0 with 4:23 left in the first half. Ben Davis missed a 40-yard field goal on the previous possession that would have tied the score 3-3. Cathedral drove 80 yards, capped by a perfect pass and catch from Koers to Slaughter to put the Irish in command. It really started to feel like Cathedral’s game after that drive.

∎ Play of the game: Hard to pick any other play than this one. Ben Davis had the ball at the Cathedral 2-yard-line late in the first half, about to make cut Cathedral’s lead to 10-7. On a low snap, the ball squirted away from Ben Davis quarterback Isaiah Rogers in the backfield. Cathedral linebacker Kyle Harden dove for the ball and over Rogers, but the ball popped loose on the turf as Cathedral’s Owen Reyes tackled Rogers to keep him from corralling the ball. Harden scooped it up and raced 86 yards the other direction for a touchdown and a 17-0 Cathedral lead with 44 seconds left in the first half.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649 .

CATHEDRAL 24, BEN DAVIS 6

Cathedral – FG Van Krisiloff 40

Cathedral – Devaughn Slaughter 26 pass from Cameron Koers (Krisiloff kick)

Cathedral – Kyle Harden 86 fumble return (Krisiloff kick)

Cathedral – Jalen Bonds 17 run (Krisiloff kick)

Ben Davis – Mark Zackery 100 interception return (run failed)

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Cathedral stuns Ben Davis in IHSAA football: Turning point, play of game, top performers