Football

2025 Season Preview

The 2025-2026 Roncalli football season will be one for the memory books. It started with a 3-0 win over Bishop Dwenger, and it ended with the Royals being Class 4A State Runners-Up, becoming the fourteenth team in Roncalli history to play for a state title! This very much exceeded preseason expectations. The Royals were ranked #10 in 4A in the preseason, but the team eventually climbed their way to that #1 spot by defeating #10 in 6A Columbus North, #4 in 5A East Central and #8 in 4A Northview. All three phases of the game improved throughout the season. The team was led by fast and physical defense all season, consistent special teams performances that scored points when needed and controlled field position and an offense that found its stride midway through the season. Throughout the playoffs, the offense was able to find a rhythm and ramp up scoring production against very talented opponents. They were able to run the ball with greater success, control the line of scrimmage and make explosive plays when given the opportunity. 

The postseason saw the Royals battling it out against one of their biggest rivals, the Bishop Chatard Trojans, whom the Royals had lost to earlier in the season. Not this time, though! Roncalli beat Chatard, who was ranked #1 in 4A at the time, to win the sectional championship. They then took down #4 in 4A Yorktown for the regional title and #2 in 4A Heritage Hills to punch their ticket to Lucas Oil! The 2025 Roncalli football team finished the season ranked #7 in Indiana in all classes! 

Coach Otley had this to say about his 2025 Royals, “I am most proud of this team’s commitment to each other and the brotherhood they built. They were an unselfish group who reset the standard for Roncalli Football. Their success as a team this season is a reflection of their work ethic in the weight room, commitment during summer conditioning, focus during practice and continued drive to improve week in and week out. They handled adversity together, and each time grew stronger. They set a great example of the Roncalli way for future Roncalli Football players!” 

Lots of recognition was given to this group of Royals after their successful season. Senior Collin Ash was awarded the Blake Ress and Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award at the state championship game. He was also named All-Circle City Conference and All-County Honorable Mention. Joining Collin with All-Circle City recognition were seniors Casey Horton, Zane Baker and Luke Baker and juniors Will Hegwood, Alex Jarvis, Luke Roeder and Carson Keller. All-State honors also went to Zane Baker, Will Hegwood, Alex Jarvis and Casey Horton, who was also named All-County. The following Royals were named All-County Honorable Mention: Zane Baker, senior Zach Dozier and Will Hegwood. 

End-of-season Roncalli awards went to the following Royals: 

Offensive MVP: Collin Ash

Defensive MVP: Will Hegwood 

Mental Attitude Award: Senior Alex Toth