2000 State Football Anniversary

2000 State Football Team 20th Anniversary

By Mallory (Goebel) Hertel ‘07 Director of Advancement

On November 24, 2020, Mater Dei and local sports enthusiast, Gene Whorl, hosted a 20th anniversary radio show at Leroy’s Tavern on the west side of Evansville. Gene invited former players and current coaches to join him on the mic or call in and reminisce about that spectacular game 20 years ago when the Wildcats capped off their perfect 15-0 season with a dominating 56-10 over the #1 ranked Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. On paper, the match was going to be a nail-biter with the Luers favored to win. But the Wildcats came out with a dominating offense and defense and couldn’t be stopped.

Former players Jake Schiff ‘02, Patrick Mallory ‘02, Nathan Wildeman ‘01, Bobby Schmitt ‘02 and Bryan Benke ‘02 all joined the event in person or called in throughout the 2 hour special radio broadcast. Head Coach Mike Goebel and Defensive Coordinator Coach Darin Knight also called in during the evening to recount that historic game all these years later.

“It was just a great night I think for Mater Dei but for all of Southern Indiana,” said then and current Head Coach Goebel. “We came in ranked #2 and I think that’s how everyone expected us to walk out of the RCA Dome...but we jumped on it right away and Nate Wildeman made a 60 yard run (for a touchdown) and we never looked back.”