Patient and willing, Bobby Metzger preps Central Catholic for 2A semistate championship

Central Catholic junior quarterback Bobby Metzger has become the keystone of the Knights' offense during another historic season in Lafayette.

The 5-foot-11 captain has blossomed using his arm accuracy and speed to drive Central Catholic downfield and into this Friday IHSAA Class 2A Semi-State Championship game at Fort Wayne Bishop Luers on Friday.

Metzger is averaging 13.5 yards per carry while covering 11.8 yards per throw this season. He was forced to learn how to play against varsity speed after becoming a starting quarterback as a sophomore when last year's starter Ben Mazur was injured at the start of 2022.

It was a humbling experience for Metzger who started in five games. But he was later asked to relinquish his starting responsibilities to Mazur at the request of head coach Brian Nay.

"We figured he was just going to do another year at JV and he was going to continue to learn," Nay said. "One of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make was to go back to (Mazur) full time. He did some different things for us and he suited what we were trying to do offensively."

Metzger never sulked and became a hype man for Mazur. The time spent watching games from the sideline, film study and his attitude allowed Metzger to reclaim his starting role after Mazur graduated.

"The way Bobby handled that is almost more impressive than his on-field play," Nay said. "He could have thrown a fit, he could've gone into the tank. But he practiced and prepared as a starter and continued to be an incredible teammate. I think through that experience, as painful as it might have been personally, I think he really gained the respect out of his teammates."

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Metzger has the proven ability to pinpoint deep passes to the receiver downfield and use his eyes and quickness to run for first downs when needed.

Now he's positioned center stage, hoping to guide Central Catholic to its first IHSAA Semi-State title and State Championship appearance since 2019. The Knights have won seven Class 1A State Championships since 1976 but haven't captured a state since being promoted upwards to the Class 2A in 2021.

"It's been amazing just being able to trust the process," Metzger said. "Trust all the players and coaches and just knowing that everyone is your support system, coming out here knowing that you're going to have an amazing time no matter what day it is rain or shine."

Opposing Central Catholic is Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, a program that junior Ray Clayton described as being "a near carbon copy."

These Knights from Fort Wayne have a physical group of offensive linemen led by 6-foot-3 and 287-pound sophomore center Zack Wall. Wall's protection allows Fort Wayne Bishop Luers to comfortably attack gaps in the center using senior 5-foot-6 running back Giovanny Jimenez.

Jimenez is a smaller, elusive back who can catch screen passes from senior quarterback Kohen McKenzie for big gains. And McKenzie has plenty of targets at outside receiver in 6-foot-4 senior Isaac Zay and 6-3 senior receiver Jaylen White.

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Central Catholic junior wide receiver Ray Clayton explained how his team is prepping to compete against a team that has a surplus of athletes on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers has won 11 IHSAA 2A State Championships, earning its first title in 1985. The Knights haven't won a state title since 2012 and are making their second straight IHSAA 2A Semi-State Championship appearance.

"It's film and you get in there and see what their defense is going to be like against you guys," Clayton said. "You kind of scheme things up against them and then it's about putting in the work both on and off the field. On the field we just rep through everything. We just have to get a look in practice."

Central Catholic (10-3) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (6-3)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Series history: (0-0) First matchup between the two programs.

About Central Catholic: Central Catholic averages 24.8 points per game and allows 13.5 points per game. .....Central Catholic is the No. 3 ranked 2A program by MaxPreps. ...... Statistical leaders - Passing: Bobby Metzger (233-374, 2758 yards yards, 33 TD, 10 INT). ..... Rushing: Mason Meister (109 car, 601 yards, 7 TD), Jackson Cain (48 car, 274 yards and 4 TD). .... Receiving: Alex Hardebeck (26 rec, 382 yards, 8 TD), Ray Clayton (71 rec, 911 yards, 7 TD), Cain (46 rec, 453 yards, 6 TD), Hudson Gutwein (35 rec, 401 yards, 6 TD),. ..... Defense: Nick Page (120 tackles, 6.0 TFL, Brinn Robbins (106 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 INT), Albert Schwartz (98 tackles, 8 TFL, 9 sacks), Ryan Delgatto (79 tackles, 15 TFL, 11 sacks). ..... Kicking: Thomas Henry (42-47 PAT, 1-4 FG, long of 21).

About Fort Wayne Bishop Luers: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 22.5 points per game and allows 17.6 points per game. ...... Fort Wayne Bishop Luers is the No. 5 ranked 2A program by MaxPreps. ..... Statistical leaders - Passing: Kohen McKenzie (120-215, 1,666 yards, 19 TD, 7 INT). ...... Rushing: Giovanny Jimenez (161 car, 745 yards and 12 TD), Mickey Daring (133 car, 587 yards and 6 TD). ..... Receiving: Jaylen White (34 rec, 438 yards and 7 TD), Isaac Zay (34, 573 yards, 6 TD), . ..... Defense: Wesley Javins (83 tackles, 21 TFL, 8 sacks), Damiun Jackson (81 tackles, 26 TFL, 9.5 sacks), McKale Woodson (28 tackles, 3 INT), . ..... Kicking: Liam Kelly (26-32 PAT), Angel Rojas (8-10 PAT, 5-8 FG, long of 32).

Ethan Hanson started working for the Journal & Courier in West Lafayette, Indiana after four years at the Record Searchlight in Redding, CA. He previously freelanced with the Los Angeles Daily News for four years. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHansonand ethan_a_hanson on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Central Catholic faces Fort Wayne Bishop Luers for 2A semistate title