CAL Rolls Through Lex Cath 43-8, Advances to 3A State Title Game
For the first time in school history, the Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions are heading to back-to-back State Championship games.
On Friday night three-star East Carolina commit QB Cole Hodge poured in five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) en route to a 43-8 running clock victory over the Lexington Catholic Knights in the final Kroger KSR Game of the Week of the season.
Christian Academy-Louisville leads from start to finish as the Centurions punch their ticket to the 3A State Championship Game at Kroger Field in dominant fashion.#5 CAL 43 | #16 Lex Cath 8 | FINAL pic.twitter.com/XOR0VFFBR8 — Daniel Hager November 25, 2023
CAL jumped ahead early on a 37-yard passing touchdown from Hodge to senior receiver Justin Ruffin with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter and never looked back. The stout Centurion defense, which has allowed just an average of 12 points per game this season, continued their strong play Friday night. They were headed towards their fourth shutout of the season until the Knights finally put points on the board with nine seconds remaining in the game.
Hodge connected with Ruffin for another touchdown late in the second quarter, a 59-yarder in which Ruffin juked out nearly the entire Knight defense en route to the score. Ruffin secured his 16th and 17th receiving scores on the season Friday night. Ruffin’s quarterback Cole Hodge spoke to the media following the win.
“It’s the first time [going to back-to-back State Championship games] in school history so we’re really excited,” Hodge said. “This offense is rolling and our defense is really good. I think we have the best coaching staff in the country. These players are really executing the game plan right now.”
CAL’s jukes out the entire Knight defense en route to a 59-yard TOUCHDOWN.#5 CAL 21 | #16 Lex Cath 0 | 3:18 2nd pic.twitter.com/AwOZC2D176 — Daniel Hager November 25, 2023
Christian Academy-Louisville was without starting running back Jeffrey Vazzana, but that didn’t matter. Head coach Thomas Cantwell made running Hodge a priority, and it worked out well for them. The senior leader increased his season total for rushing touchdowns from five to seven Friday night. Cantwell spoke about that “next man up” mentality following their big win.
“I think our coaching staff does just a phenomenal job,” a prideful Cantwell said. “From the moment these guys get here, they get developed and work hard all season. When somebody goes down, they’re ready to step up. I thought Garyon Hobbs and Jackson Settle did a phenomenal job at the running back position, and that doesn’t just happen in a week. Those guys have worked hard and stayed focused even though they weren’t getting carries. They were a big reason why we are advancing tonight.”
Cole Hodge wasn’t the only Hodge to step up Friday night, as younger brother Connor Hodge snagged interceptions No. 10 and 11 on the season. Hodge picked off Lex Cath’s Jackson Wasik just before the halftime break and right after the break. With interceptions 10 and 11, Hodge claimed sole possession of the lead for the most interceptions in the state this season, breaking a tie with four other players.
. comes away with his second interception of the game and 11th of the season!#5 CAL 28 | #16 Lex Cath 0 | 10:51 3rd pic.twitter.com/KKGyzEvwEv — Daniel Hager November 25, 2023
Connor, who holds offers from East Carolina, UT Martin, Central Michigan, and Georgia Southern, also alluded to possibly teaming back up with his brother in Greenville in two years.
“We worked harder than we did last year,” Connor Hodge said. “We worked all offseason and it’s finally here.” When asked about suiting back up with his brother one more time next week (at least in high school), Connor simply responded “This will be my last time playing with him in high school, but we’ll play together a bit in college.”
Christian Academy-Louisville will face off against Bell County in the 3A State Championship Game at Kroger Field next Saturday, December 2 at noon. CAL will be making their fourth ever State Championship appearance, winning all three previous appearances in 2016, 2018, and 2022. Bell County will be making their fourth ever appearance, winning one State Title back in 2008.
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