For the third straight year and second in a row in Class 3A, Bishop Luers returns to the state finals this Friday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The foe? An undefeated Cascade squad making its first-ever state appearance, but one that has been impressive all year long in all facets of the game.
What kind of battle awaits on Friday?
Let’s break it down.
TWO STORYLINES
1. A SEASON OF DOMINATION
What a magical season it has been for Cascade.
When Coach Connor Simmons’ team knocked off Guerin Catholic on Nov. 7 for a sectional title, it was just the second in school history and first since 1992. What has followed is the Cadets’ first-ever regional and semistate titles. This is definitely a team in uncharted territory.
But don’t mistakes unfamiliarity with vulnerability, because this team is loaded. The offense averages 433 yards per game. It has only punted 21 times all year. It rarely shoots itself in the foot, committing an average of only 3.9 penalties a game.
In its unique no-huddle, Wing-T style in which the Cadets throw out of more than a usual Wing-T team, Cascade thrives on wearing down defenses and instilling its will on foes.
2. AN UNLIKELY RETURN TRIP
Coming off back-to-back trips to the state finals and having to replace many key departures to both graduation and transfer, it felt like 2025 was going to be a year in which Bishop Luers would lay the groundwork for its next great team.
After an 0-3 start in which the team offense scored just seven points, it sure looked like that was the direction things were going.
Instead, the Knights utilized the SAC season as a proving ground for getting better. The wealth of sophomores in the lineup improved with each passing week, and a deep and talented roster in the trenches set the tone and led the way.
The result? A return to state for the 19th time for the 12-time state champions who are still seeking their first title in Class 3A.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB TJ Epperson, sophomore, Bishop Luers
Epperson enters the state finals as the Knights’ leading rusher at 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is quick and strong within his 5-foot-7, 165-pound frame and is one half of Bishop Luers’ one-two sophomore running back punch with Brandon Gaither II.
To win this game, Bishop Luers is going to have to run the ball consistently. And credit to the Knights, they have been able to do just that through the playoffs.
QB Brady Trebley, senior, Cascade
When you think of a Wing-T offense, you don’t expect much passing. But the Cadets keep defenses on their toes by throwing it a fair amount.
To say Trebley has been exceptional would be an understatement. He has thrown for 1,971 yards, completed 71 percent of his passes and has thrown for 32 touchdowns, all without a single interception.
That’s right, Trebley has thrown 32 touchdowns without a pick.
Trebley is adept at running the offense, can run the ball as well in a pinch and can be tough to bring down. He presents a huge challenge for Bishop Luers.
DL Jarron Taylor, senior, Bishop Luers
One half of the brotherly duo up front, Jarron Taylor, along with brother Ayle, have been simply dominant all season long.
While Ayle creates chaos, Jarron is a road grater who can eat up space, has a big wingspan and is more fleet afoot than his 6-2, 265-pound frame would indicate. He leads the Knights with 11 sacks and 88 tackles to go with 20 tackles for loss.
With Jarron in the trenches, Bishop Luers has the expectation that it can match up with anyone at the point of attack.
LB TJ Turner Jr., sophomore, Cascade
Bishop Luers has its fair share of sophomore standouts, but Cascade has one of its own in Turner Jr.
The tall and athletic Turner leads the Cadets in several defensive categories, including tackles (124), tackles for loss (30.5), sacks (9.5), forced fumbles (five) and fumble recoveries (three). He also has a pair of interceptions to his credit.
Turner Jr. thrives on being around the ball on every play. It will be up to the Knights to neutralize him, or at least limit him, with blocking and stunts meant to avoid him.
KEY TO VICTORY – CASCADE
Wear the Knights’ defense out
Not only is Cascade’s offense difficult to stop because of its personnel and scheme, it is tough to keep up with as it goes no-huddle. Only one of the team’s 14 victories this season has been decided by less than 16 points – the four-point regional victory over Lawrenceburg. The lowest point total for the Cadets this year was in that same game, 37 points.
The Bishop Luers defense will be a challenge, no doubt. But even if Cascade’s production goes down by a third, they are still going to score three to four touchdowns in this game.
By pushing the tempo, fatigue will become a factor for the Knights defense.
KEY TO VICTORY – BISHOP LUERS
Control the game with the run
Between its exceptional offensive line and the 1,000-yard duo of Epperson and Gaither Jr., Bishop Luers has shown it can take control of a game and not give it back simply on the strength of its rushing attack. It isn’t flashy, but it gets the job done.
That needs to be the top priority again in this one. Cascade’s defense is good, but it has been susceptible in recent weeks to giving up points to really good teams like Lawrenceburg and Gibson Southern, who combined scored 67 points.
Bishop Luers has to be able to move the chains on the ground and convert drives into touchdowns. If it is forced into being one-dimensional, it becomes very difficult to see a path to victory.
BLITZ’S PICK
Blitz won’t mince words, he doesn’t like this matchup for Bishop Luers. At all.
Remember last year when a very good Knights team ran into the buzz saw of Heritage Hills at state? That team was faster and deeper and it dropped 38 points in a 23-point victory.
There could be a lot of parallels The Knights are 0-4 this season when they allow a team to score 13 or more points. Now, it hasn’t happened since Week 9, but the Cascade offense is every bit as good as anyone else Bishop Luers has seen on the schedule this year.
To win, the Knights need a lot of things to go right. It needs to be able to control the clock with its run game. It has to force turnovers. It needs Cascade to shoot itself in the foot with miscues more than it has all season. Bishop Luers needs to win the special teams game in lopsided fashion.
That’s a lot to go right. And it’s possible, of course.
This Bishop Luers team has achieved so much more than Blitz thought at the beginning of the year. But getting to the top step and winning a state title over a team like Cascade seems a leap too far.
BLITZ’S PICK: CASCADE 34, BISHOP LUERS 16
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