IHSAA football: Loss to Cathedral expected to benefit Lafayette Jeff in future

LAFAYETTE – It’s a safe bet that Lafayette Jeff won’t face a better team than the one the Bronchos battled in Friday night’s opener at Scheumann Stadium.

Losing to perennial powerhouse Cathedral, regardless of its class affiliation, won’t leave a stain on coach Pat Shanley's team no matter what happens the rest of the way.

Quarterback Danny O'Neil accounted for five touchdowns, including four through the air, as the Class 6A second-ranked Irish pounced on mistakes, flexed their muscles and were in control most of the way during the 43-12 victory. That doesn’t mean the Bronchos won’t benefit from this matchup – and the one next week at Michigan City - once the state tournament starts.

Schedule upgrade

No way Shanley was going to pass up this opportunity to play against one of Indiana’s top programs. Adding Cathedral to the schedule is going to help the Bronchos throughout the season.

While starting the season 0-1 isn’t ideal, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind.

“It’s why you take these games – you’re going to find out what you’re made of,” Shanley said. “There’s no such thing as a moral victory and losing is never going to be OK at Lafayette Jeff but I’m proud of our kids for staying in the fight.”

The Bronchos needed an upgrade to the schedule. The North Central Conference doesn’t offer the type of weekly tests designed to prepare teams for the state tournament, and in Jeff’s case, that’s Class 6A.

Shanley’s team needs games like Friday and traveling to Michigan City to see where they stand.

“I feel like we played the best team and that’s going to help us get better for what we have next,” said running back Glenn Patterson, who rushed for 70 yards on 22 carries.

Fixing mistakes

Jeff gifted wrapped a couple of scores for the Irish, who didn’t need any help reaching the end zone. On the first play of the game, quarterback Keyen Crowder was intercepted, setting up Cathedral’s first score.

On the next possession, the Bronchos attempted a fake punt but Josh Milian was thrown for an 11-yard loss. The Irish scored on the next play. A safety later made it 22-0 before Jeff found the end zone.

“All the mistakes we made are correctable,” Shanley said. “That’s the great thing about our kids. We’re going to come back, digest the tape and find ways to get better. Our kids stayed in the fight.”

Run game finds stride

Patterson was the spark of the Bronchos’ first scoring driving, bringing the offense out of negative yardage territory. Seven of Jeff’s first eight running plays lost yardage, but Patterson had gains of 9 and 8-yards to provide a lift.

“The key was bringing everyone up and helping them do their job,” Patterson said. “My performance was alright, but I could’ve done way more.”

It eventually led to an 11-yard TD pass from Crowder to Abram Ritchie midway through the second quarter. Patterson will be a centerpiece of Jeff’s offense and Friday was a good first step.

“He’s not going to be satisfied with how he performed,” Shanley said. “He’s a competitor and he knows he left stuff out on the table. I’m glad he’s at Lafayette Jeff. He’s got the right head on his shoulders and he’s going to come back hungry for more.”

Lillard stands strong

The Irish are blessed with talent and depth at nearly every position, including receiver.

One of those skilled players, Jaron Tibbs, has already committed to Purdue. But Jeff junior defensive back Micah Lillard battled Tibbs throughout the first half, breaking up a pair of passes, including one on third down that forced a punt.

“His stock after tonight is going to rise,” Shanley said. “He looked the part. He matched up with Tibbs, who is going to Purdue, and proved he belongs.”

Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc

CATHEDRAL 43, LAFAYETTE JEFF 12

Cathedral 22 7 7 7 - 43

Jeff 0 6 0 6 - 12

First Quarter

C – Wooten 5 pass from O’Neil (kick failed)

C – Wooten 4 pass from O’Neil (Sheetz kick)

C – O’Neil 5 run (Sheetz kick)

C – Safety

Second Quarter

LJ – Ritchie 11 pass from Crowder (kick failed)

C – Bridges 13 pass from O’Neil (Sheetz kick)

Third Quarter

C – Wooten 5 pass from O’Neil (Sheetz kick)

Fourth Quarter

LJ – Powers 6 run (kick failed)

C – Ayers 9 run (Sheetz kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Cathedral, Johnson 10-95, Ayers 5-42, D. Thomas 6-20, F. Thomas 1-17. Lafayette Jeff, Patterson 22-70, Powers 4-6, Koeppen 5-3, Crowder3-1.

PASSING - Cathedral, O'Neil 15-25-0-160, Slaughter 3-5-0-56. Lafayette Jeff, Crowder 13-24-2-56.

RECEIVING - Cathedral, Wooten 8-71, Tibbs 3-37, Meeks 2-20, Johnson 1-34, Bridges 1-13. Lafayette Jeff, Jackson 4-37, Ritchie 3-20, Koeppen 1-(minus 1).

Cathedral is 1-0; Lafayette Jeff is 0-1

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana high school football: Cathedral vs. Lafayette Jeff in Week 1