INDIANAPOLIS
Roncalli was hoping familiar territory would be an advantage.
It was, but not for the Rebels.
Unbeaten and Class 3A No. 3 Bishop Chatard rode its ball control and some poor Rebel special teams play to pick up a 21-13 win Friday night in Circle City Conference play.
Not only was it the first-ever conference loss for the Rebels, it’s the first time in 11 years Roncalli has started the season with three straight losses. The Rebels ultimately finished 3-7 that year.
That season notwithstanding, history is on Roncalli’s side.
The previous two times the Rebels started out 0-3, they won state titles — first in 2002 when they went 0-4 before reeling off 11 straight wins to take the Class 4A championship, and again in 2003, when the Rebels were 0-3 before winning 12 in a row to repeat.
Second-year coach Scott Marsh isn’t thinking about that, though. He’s focused as to what he can do to get his team a win.
“We’re 0-3, but we’re not a bad football team,” said Roncalli coach Scott Marsh. “We’ve lost three one-possession games, we’re playing good teams and we’re not giving up.
“I just have to do a better job of coaching.”
Chatard dominated the first quarter, with running back Daylen Taylor scored on runs of 3 and 1 yards to make it 14-0.
Roncalli, meanwhile, was erratic on offense and didn’t secure a first down until the second quarter. It was the defense that kept the Rebels in the game, especially an electrifying 35-yard interception return by senior Jacob Denney that cut the score to 14-7 in the second quarter.
After that play, the Rebels did show some life, but they could only get as far as the Trojans’ 40-yard line before punting on its next possession.
The offense came alive in the third quarter thanks to another big play, this one a 75-yard touchdown run by senior Elijah Mahan. The PAT, though, was blocked and Chatard kept its lead, 14-13.
Trojan quarterback Mark Nondorf then made things tough for Roncalli with a 44-yard bootleg touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Roncalli had its chances, the last coming with 3:15 left in the game, but each time the Trojans beat them back.
“We’re staying positive,” Marsh said. “Our seniors will set the tone in the coming weeks, but we have to work on things.”
The quest for that first win doesn’t get any easier next week as the Rebels travel to Class 6A No. 7 Columbus North.
