Catholic High School, Division III state champion.

The phrase has a great ring to it, doesn’t it? And well it should for a long, long time.

Euphoria still lingers from Thursday, the day the CHS Panthers defeated Notre Dame’s Pioneers, 33-16, to claim the coveted trophy and hold it high for all to see in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. If people weren’t there to witness the action in person, they more than likely followed every play on the radio or television.

The CHS Panthers, et al, left in the rain around midday Thursday after a huge pep rally in the gymnasium and many of them returned triumphant Friday after weathering the after-effects of the rare snowstorm that beautified Acadiana.

The Panthers — coached by one of their own, Brent Indest, who graduated from CHS — were on a mission from the beginning and believed they could win all the marbles in a rematch against the Pioneers. There were long CHS gains on the ground and quick CHS strikes through the air on offense while the defense muzzled the once-potent Pioneers.

CHS made a statement and it was underlined with each score and every stop. They earned the title from the opening whistle to the end when the clock read 0:00.

The reverberations of a convincing victory were felt all the way to the heart of the Teche Area. It was the talk in the office buildings, restaurants, stores, etc., and on the streets on a cold, snowy Friday morning in New Iberia.

“It’s exciting!” Christina Pierce, The Daily Iberian’s publisher, exclaimed several times during the afternoon.

Yes it is. For the coaches, the players, the cheerleaders, the students, the faculty and staff, heck, the entire community, the state championship is very exciting.

That the support was widespread was evident in the numerous signs across the city in the days leading up to the showdown, including one a few blocks east of Catholic High School on Admiral Doyle at New Iberia Senior High School, where the marquee read: “We believe!!!” Geauuuux Panthers!!!” Community spirit, indeed.

An old sports adage comes to mind at this time: “There’s always next year.” Repeat, anyone? 

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR