The traditional “Holy War” game between the Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles and the Kapaun-Mt. Carmel Crusaders has been one-sided as of late.
Class 5A’s top-ranked Bishop Carroll has won the past 15 meetings between Wichita's two Catholic high schools.
“Kids come in and inherit that streak, and it’s difficult to overcome,” Kapaun coach Dan Adelhardt said. “Our kids know about the streak. They know we’re going to have to play well to overcome it and beat them. But we’re up for the challenge.”
“It is a big rivalry. We haven’t fared well against them lately. They have a streak going on us, but I know the kids look forward to it. I know they’re excited to play.”
The Golden Eagles (2-0) and Crusaders (1-1) meet in a Friday Night Live showdown at 7 p.m. Friday at Wichita State University’s Cessna Stadium. The Greater Wichita Athletic Conference matchup will be televised statewide on Cox Channel Kansas.
While Bishop Carroll has dominated the series since the turn of the century, there have been several close games during that span.
Bishop Carroll needed two overtimes to hold off Kapaun 26-23 in 2002. The Crusaders were edged 36-28 and 36-34 in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The game has been decided within two touchdowns during six of the past 15 meetings. Kapaun last beat Bishop Carroll 34-8 in 1999.
“We’ve had opportunities,” Adelhardt said. “It seems like every other year, we’ve been close with them.”
Ending the streak this year will certainly be a challenge. Bishop Carroll enters the game ranked No. 1 in Class 5A after defeating Wichita Northwest 43-14 and Wichita East 56-0.
The Golden Eagles are led by senior running back Denzel Goosby, who has already verbally committed to Kansas State. Goolsby (5-11, 190) has rushed for 283 yards on 35 carries.
“He’s a high character person,” Carroll coach Alan Schuckman said. “He’s always striving to do the right things off the field … He’s the type of kid you just love to coach. On the field, he’s not just the best player, he’s the hardest worker. He’s a full meal deal as I like to say. He’s just a very special person to be around.”
Bishop Carroll quarterback Colton Howell has completed 15 of 25 passes for 148 yards, while rushing for 213 yards on 16 attempts. The 6-foot-6 Brett Bell, who is listed as a three-star recruit on Rivals.com, provides solid blocking and a big target as the tight end.
The Eagles’ variety of weapons doesn’t allow the Kapaun defense to focus on the speedster Goolsby.
“We can’t just focus on Goolsby,” Adelhardt said. “He’s obviously a great talent, but they have a lot of weapons. Everybody has to do their job. If they run a reverse, a counter or a flare pass and we don’t do our assignments, we’re going to get beat.”
Kapaun opened its season with a 35-18 victory against Wichita East before falling 48-31 to Wichita Northwest.
The Crusaders are led by junior quarterback Brock Monty. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound dual threat has completed 16 of 37 passes for 134 yards, while rushing for 182 yards on 33 attempts. Rivals considers Monty a three-star recruit for 2016, and he is reportedly receiving interest from such schools as Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, TCU, Kansas and Kansas State.
“He’s just a good kid that every coach would want,” Adelhardt said. “You don’t have to worry about him in the classroom. He’s one of the hardest workers in the weight room. He works hard in practice. He wants to win, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to do that. If it means throwing 35 times a game or if it means running it instead, he’ll do it. He can throw a good ball, and he also has good feet running.”
Kapaun running back Alexander Norris has rushed for 274 yards on 47 carries.
“They have an outstanding quarterback,” Schuckman said. “He’s a guy who can run it and throw it. They’re big up front. Their top 20 players are as good as anybody. The problem is that they’re just lacking numbers, and I think they get worn down. But they have some very good football players. The Kapaun-Carroll game is always going to be a shootout, and I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
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