Fourth-ranked Cathedral begins play in the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Class 6A football state tournament tonight against Indianapolis North Central. The Fighting Irish defeated the Panthers, 49-6, earlier this season in a game that was played under a running clock in the second half. Cathedral lost its regular season finale to top-rated and three-time defending state champion Center Grove, 45-38, two weeks ago. Two-time City Offensive Player of the Year Danny O’Neil completed 23 of 42 passes for 331 yards and four touchdowns in the defeat. North Central is looking for its first victory since week eight of the 2021 season. The Panthers last won a tournament game in 2018 when they claimed the sectional crown before losing to eventual state champion Warren Central in the tourney’s regional round. The Fighting Irish are competing in the Class 6-A tournament for a fourth season under the IHSAA’s Success Factor rule. The Irish have won three 6A sectional titles and, last season, advanced to the semi-state. It’s the first time Cathedral and North Central have played in the tournament since 1976 when the Irish defeated the Panthers 7-6.