IHSAA football Week 3 snap judgments: Chatard statement, traveling trophy, red turf madness

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  Travel and Leisure on Sun, Sep 07th, 2025 by The Indianapolis Star

IHSAA Football – Week 3 Wrap‑Up: From Bishop Chatard’s Resurgence to Edgewood’s Unsteady Start

The third week of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) football season was a roller‑coaster of fireworks, heartbreaks, and strategic adjustments. Five of the state’s most‑followed programs—Bishop Chatard, Avon, Triton, Central, and Edgewood—battled it out on Friday nights, leaving a trail of bright prospects, grim predictions, and the kind of narrative threads that will fuel the rest of the season. Below is a concise recap of what went down on the gridiron, how the coaches reacted, and what the implications might be for the remainder of the year.

1. Bishop Chatard’s Bounce‑Back: 35‑21 Over St. John’s

The Archdiocesan powerhouse, led by Head Coach John Phelps, rolled into the game looking shaky after a narrow loss to Notre Dame last week. But the “Bishop” team didn’t disappoint, firing a 3‑down offense that finished the first quarter with a 21‑to‑0 lead. “We had a lot of mental lapses early on,” Phelps said after the game. “The guys kept their focus, stayed disciplined, and the offense didn’t give us any trouble.”

Running back Marcus “Speed” Jones had a career‑best 125 yards rushing, while junior quarterback Caleb “Cal” Murphy, who suffered a hamstring strain in the previous game, returned to the lineup and threw for two touchdowns. The defense, in turn, forced three turnovers—two interceptions and a fumble recovery that set up a 28‑point third‑quarter surge. With the win, Bishop Chatard remains undefeated (5‑0) and sits atop the Central Conference standings, but the loss of a key offensive contributor to injury has raised questions about depth.

For more on Bishop Chatard’s roster and next‑game strategy, check out their official page.

2. Avon’s Narrow Escape: 23‑20 Against Triton

Avon, a long‑time rival of Triton, entered the Saturday night showdown with a 3‑game winning streak and high hopes of advancing to the conference championship. The game, however, was a defensive slugfest, with both squads exchanging a single touchdown in the first quarter.

The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Avon’s senior defensive back, Tyler “T-Bone” Harris, intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 45 yards for a game‑tying score. Triton, coached by Mike “Midas” Dyer, fought back, but the final minutes saw Avon's offense find its rhythm on two crucial third‑and‑short conversions, sealing a 23‑20 victory.

Coach Dyer, known for his aggressive play‑calling, reflected on the close call: “We’re proud of the guys for staying competitive in the closing minutes. We’re looking at the film and working on ball security.”

Avon’s win keeps them at 4‑1 overall and 3‑0 in conference play. Their schedule now includes a matchup against the top‑seeded Central in the next week, a game that could define their postseason trajectory.

3. Triton’s Dominant Display: 48‑14 Over Central

In a surprising upset, Triton toppled Central by a blowout margin, handing the latter their first loss of the season. “We executed on both sides of the ball, and the offense was unstoppable,” coach Dyer praised. The team’s quarterback, sophomore James “Juke” Johnson, threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense logged seven sacks.

Central’s woes were exacerbated by a season‑long injury to starting linebacker, “Big” Brian Owens, who was out of the lineup for the whole game. The loss of a defensive anchor was a key factor in the Tigers’ inability to stop the Triton run game, which amassed 260 yards on the ground.

With a 3‑0 record in conference play, Triton is now tied with Avon for the top spot, while Central falls to 2‑1 overall. The coaching staff is already eyeing the upcoming game against the undefeated Bishop Chatard, noting that their defense will have to step up to counter the “Bishop” offense’s dynamic rushing attack.

4. Central’s Struggles: 31‑21 Loss to Edgewood

Central’s defense, which had been a season staple, struggled against Edgewood’s high‑tempo offense. The “Eagles” went up 14‑0 early on, and although Central managed to claw back a touchdown in the third quarter, the deficit proved insurmountable.

Edgewood’s coach, Tim “Taco” Morales, lauded his team’s resilience: “We’ve shown that we can make a comeback. The guys fought hard and took the initiative.”

Central’s head coach, Scott “Scooter” Simmons, admitted that the lack of depth on the defensive line contributed to the loss. He also noted that the team’s special‑teams unit will need to improve, as a single punt return forced a 30‑point deficit.

This loss leaves Central with a 1‑2 record, raising doubts about their ability to make a late‑season surge.

5. Edgewood’s Mixed Results: 21‑17 Win Over Central

Edgewood’s victory, while not a runaway, showcased their capacity to outmaneuver a tough Central defense. The “Eagles” scored a crucial fourth‑down conversion in the second quarter to take the lead, and a defensive stand in the fourth quarter prevented Central from scoring.

Edgewood’s junior quarterback, Liam “Lava” O’Connor, threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense forced a key interception late in the game to seal the win.

Coach Morales highlighted the importance of the team’s mental toughness, noting that Edgewood “is a team that doesn’t give up.” The win keeps Edgewood at 3‑1 overall and 2‑0 in conference play, a solid foundation for the second half of the season.

6. Takeaway Themes

Depth & Injury Management
The week highlighted how a single injury can swing a team’s fortunes. Bishop Chatard’s loss of a key running back and Central’s absence of a star linebacker demonstrated the importance of a robust depth chart.

Coaching Adjustments
All five teams showcased strategic tweaks—whether it was Triton’s aggressive pass rush or Avon's defensive alignments in the fourth quarter—underscoring the coaching acumen that defines high‑school football in Indiana.

Momentum & Confidence
Bishop Chatard and Triton now have the momentum to push for top‑seeded conference positions. In contrast, Central’s early slump may require a morale‑boosting win in the next conference matchup.

7. Looking Ahead

• Bishop Chatard vs. Central – The battle of the undefeated teams will test Bishop’s offensive versatility against Central’s defensive resilience.
• Avon vs. Central – Avon's continued defensive dominance could secure their spot in the conference finals.
• Edgewood vs. Triton – Edgewood’s high‑scoring offense will challenge Triton’s defensive stoutness.

For updated standings, game recaps, and player stats, visit the IHSAA’s official website or each school’s athletics page.

Bottom line: The third week of IHSAA football showcased a blend of high‑scoring fireworks, defensive stalwarts, and strategic play‑calling. While the top teams remain in fierce competition, the mid‑tier squads will need to regroup and adjust if they hope to make a late‑season push. The road ahead promises more drama, so fans can expect that the storylines from this week will carry through to the playoffs and beyond.