How iron man Gavin Copenhaver propelled CAL football to KHSAA Class 3A championship
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Perfection.
From the very first snap of the season, Christian Academy of Louisville football has been on the hunt. With a high-powered offense and a stout defense, CAL looked excellent throughout 14 straight victories. But on Saturday, the Centurions finally caught what at one point seemed inconceivable.
CAL capped a perfect season (15-0) by steamrolling Bardstown 38-0 in the KHSAA Class 3A championship game at Kroger Field. The win gave CAL (15-0) its third state championship all-time (2016, 2018, 2022) and its first since transitioning to Class 3A.
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"We told the guys there's not many teams across the state that can really come up short two years in a row and still have an opportunity for a third," CAL coach Hunter Cantwell said. "Our guys took advantage of it and came out and made sure what happened the last two years didn't happen again."
CAL's seniors took this season personally after falling short of the championship two years in a row — maybe nobody more than running back/linebacker Gavin Copenhaver. The senior has been an iron man splitting time on both sides of the ball for CAL all season long. On Saturday, the team captain put the team on his back.
"I'm very blessed to be a captain because my teammates see me as being able to lead a team," Copenhaver said. "It's a huge role for me and I stepped up."
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It took some time for CAL to get its workhorse going. Bardstown held Copenhaver to 50 yards on eight carries in the first half. After fumbling on the goal line to kick off the second quarter, Copenhaver didn't touch the ball again for nearly six minutes.
But Copenhaver provided a kickstart on the first play of the second half with the Centurions holding onto a 14-point lead.
With one handoff right up the gut, Copenhaver dashed for a 74-yard touchdown through the heart of Bardstown's defense. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Copenhaver's legs were just getting warmed up.
The very next CAL drive, Copenhaver took a simple pitch around the right side and raced up the sidelines for a 73-yard touchdown. Copenhaver looked like he was about to settle for a short-yardage gain before realizing his blockers cleared a wide-open hole for him to take advantage of.
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"I got to lead the way for him and it was such a great feeling to see him running ahead," CAL center Noah Hazelip said. "That's when you know your hard work's paying off."
Copenhaver's pair of touchdowns pushed CAL's lead to 28-0 and put the Tigers on the ropes. Despite doing more than enough offensively, Copenhaver's job wasn't finished. After getting a quick sip of water it was back to defense.
"We have a very well-conditioned football team," CAL defensive coordinator Pat Riley said. "They know what they have to accomplish. If [Gavin] rattles one off he knows he's just going to run back on the field on defense and get that accomplished."
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CAL was the first team to shutout Bardstown since Central did so in 2018. After leading the Centurions in rushing and tackles this season, Copenhaver will be one of CAL's biggest losses heading next season, but he believes that CAL can defend its title.
"I think this is a big thing for us," Copenhaver said. "We've got a great coaching staff, our receivers are still young We're getting some more players. I think this program can really go far."
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Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.
CAL 7 7 13 11 38
Bardstown 0 0 0 0 0
First quarter
CAL - Trey Cotton 23-yard reception from Cole Hodge (Barrickman kick)
Second quarter
CAL - Malachi Embers 13-yard reception from Cole Hodge (Barrickman kick)
Third quarter
CAL - Gavin Copenhaver 74-yard rush (Barrickman kick)
CAL - Gavin Copenhaver 73-yard rush (Missed extra point)
Fourth quarter
CAL - Connor Hodge 32-yard reception from Cole Hodge (Barrickman kick)
CAL - Jack Barrickman 34-yard field goal
Records: CAL (15-0), Bardstown (14-1)
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football championships: CAL overpowers Bardstown in Class 3A
