INDIANAPOLIS – Two years ago, Bishop Luers capped its season by celebrating a Class 2A state championship following a 40-3 demolition of North Posey.
The win pushed the Knights up into Class 3A due to the IHSAA’s Success Factor. All they did was return to Lucas Oil Stadium the last two Novembers, but fell short of capturing the program’s 13th state crown against Heritage Hills last year and Cascade on Friday.
Now, things get real.
Once again, due to its success, Bishop Luers will be bumped a class again, this time to Class 4A. Never before has the program competed above Class 3A, and all 12 state titles have come in Class 2A.
Suffice to say, a big challenge awaits in 2026 for Coach Kyle Lindsay’s team.
While Friday’s 29-14 loss to Cascade was a disappointment to many, it also showcased a variety of players who will be counted upon as the Knights ascend to Class 4A.
The murmurs around the press box throughout Friday’s game was just how young Bishop Luers’ roster was. While the heart and soul of this year’s team was in the trenches, and guys like Ayle and Jarron Taylor, Zack Wall and Gabe Myers will be missed tremendously, the future was indeed on display against the Cadets.
On the Knights’ first offensive play against Cascade, starting quarterback Tommy Reichert dropped the snap and had to fall on it to avoid disaster. It was definitely nerves, but the sophomore settled in. He missed a few throws through the course of the game, and his receivers didn’t help him with a few drops, but Reichert gained vast experience on the biggest stage in Indiana high school football. He finished 10-of-17 for 142 yards and an interception coming late in the game.
Reichert’s backfield mates, fellow sophomores Brandon Gaither II and TJ Epperson, rushed for a combined 192 yards, with Epperson scoring both Knights touchdowns. Gaither also led the Knights with 73 receiving yards, including a 65-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Nate Javins also hauled in three receptions for the Knights.
On defense, sophomore Dallas Mata had another sensational game with eight tackles and a key forced fumble as Cascade was going into score. Freshman Darius Holley got considerable playing time along the defensive front, notching seven tackles. Sophomore Rory Kelly added four tackles for the Knights.
All of the underclassmen will need to take the experience gained from Friday and utilize it as momentum and drive to get better in the offseason. To say that Bishop Luers is about to face its greatest challenge as it ascends to Class 4A is not an understatement. Those who have said that private schools with a long track record of success on the gridiron should play in the upper classes will get their wish with the Knights.
A potential playoff matchup with rival Bishop Dwenger is just the beginning. Leo. East Noble. Columbia City. All could loom in sectional play. Mishawaka, Lowell and other stalwarts in the 4A north loom past sectionals on the road to Lucas Oil Stadium.
There have been times in which Bishop Luers has made it look easy cruising through Class 2A. The past two years have been tougher, and neither ended with a state finals victory, but getting all the way to Indianapolis showed that the Knights was still one of the top programs in Class 3A.
But now, the challenge becomes even greater.
In a way, this is what Bishop Luers was hoping for. Success in this state nowadays means you get bumped up a class, maybe two. That is where the Knights find themselves heading into 2026.
It is going to be a storyline to watch the next two years, how the Knights handle Class 4A. To succeed at that level, it will need its youthful personnel on display Friday to take the next step.
Much like this program did over the last two years.
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