Christian Academy of Louisville faces Union County for the 3A championship, while the Trinity Shamrocks take on Ryle in the 6A title game this Saturday. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two high school football teams from the Louisville area are gearing up for the opportunity to claim a Kentucky state championship trophy this Saturday. Christian Academy of […]
Christian Academy of Louisville faces Union County for the 3A championship, while the Trinity Shamrocks take on Ryle in the 6A title game this Saturday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two high school football teams from the Louisville area are gearing up for the opportunity to claim a Kentucky state championship trophy this Saturday.
Christian Academy of Louisville (CAL) will compete against Union County for the 3A championship, and the Trinity Shamrocks are set to challenge Ryle in the 6A title match.
Both teams find themselves in a familiar scenario. They both hold the title of reigning champions within their classes. On Saturday, they aim to recreate past successes, but a victory for both could forge a new chapter in the schools’ histories.
The Shamrocks currently possess the record for the most state championships in the Commonwealth, boasting 28 titles. Trinity knows what it feels like to step onto Kroger Field as seasoned contenders.
“We’ve been through this before, so we just need to play as though no moment is too significant; we must give it our all,” remarked Zane Johnson, the quarterback for Trinity.
As a sophomore, Johnson contributed to the Rocks’ win in the 6A State Championship during his debut season. While securing a title in 2023 was impressive, Trinity’s head coach Jay Cobb stressed that this level of performance is the expectation.
“There’s a buzz about making it, for sure. But for us, it’s all about winning. Just reaching the game isn’t the ultimate goal,” Cobb said. “We won’t shy away from the pressure. It would be seen as a letdown if they don’t win. We have a significant challenge ahead against a tough Ryle team.”
Ryle enters the 6A championship with a 12-2 record, matching Trinity’s statistics. On their journey to this matchup, they overcame Rivals St. Xavier during the playoffs.
“We’ve scrimmaged against them a few times and played them in the playoffs back in [20]21 up there at their field, so we’re well aware of what to expect,” Cobb stated.
This game will serve as a rematch of the 2006 state championship, where the Rocks triumphed over the Raiders with a score of 41-7.
The goal for the Trinity football team is to achieve consecutive championships to pave the way for even bigger aspirations.
“I aim to win four; I want to secure victories all four years of my starting career,” Johnson expressed.
CAL is positioned similarly, hoping for back-to-back wins and aiming for a third consecutive title.
“It’s a rare achievement,” remarked CAL’s head coach Hunter Cantwell. “I can’t say how many teams across the state have three-peated in any class, but I know it’s a short list. Very few programs can claim they’ve won three straight.”
The last team in 3A to secure three or more titles in a row was Belfry from 2013 to 2016. It would mark the first time in CAL’s history that they would achieve a three-peat.
“It’s incredible; it’s something we’ve been discussing since the start of the year,” stated Connor Hodge, CAL’s quarterback. “It’s the milestone we want to achieve and get into the record books.”
Hodge has been instrumental in helping the Centurions secure their last two victories but previously played as a wide receiver. His brother Cole was the quarterback then. Now, Connor leads the team as the QB.
“This is undoubtedly special, especially knowing it’s my final game wearing a CAL jersey; I want to head out and make a significant impact,” Hodge stated.
The players recognize that this moment is significant both for their careers and for the program.
“Such moments are rare; it’s fantastic that I can share this experience with this group,” said Trey Cotton, a safety for the Centurions. “There’s immense pressure since everyone is depending on us to win this game, and there are high expectations. We feel the weight of that pressure.”
Union County approaches this contest with a record of 12-2. This marks the Braves’ first-ever appearance in the State Championship game. CAL stands at 11-3 and has never faced defeat when a title is at stake.
However, Cantwell encourages his squad to set aside the pressure and the historical narratives when they step onto the field on Saturday, as they are well-acquainted with the challenge and know what it takes to prevail.
“Being familiar with this scenario is incredibly beneficial,” Cantwell noted. “Yet ultimately, it’s still football. If we fail to execute our game plan, we’ll find ourselves in a tough situation.”
Both contests are scheduled to commence on Saturday, Dec. 7, with CAL facing Union County at noon and Trinity matching up against Ryle at 4 p.m.
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