Thursday’s season-opener against Cathedral will end a four-year series with one of the state’s top football programs.

Ben Davis has won the last three games against the Irish and owns a 13-6 series advantage. The last three wins have been by a combined 12 points, including a 26-20 win last season.

After this year, the Giants will drop Cathedral and replace them with Indianapolis Tech.

Friday’s game is one of the most hyped games around the state. Ben Davis is ranked No. 22 in the nation by USA Today and No. 3 in the state by the Associated Press. Cathedral is a four-time defending state champion and enters the game ranked No. 1 in Class 5A.

“This is always a big game,” assistant coach Justin Faires said. “We’ll be ready.”

The game is the highlight television game in the new MIC Game of the Week featured on Hometown Sports Network. In addition, Ben Davis grad Dave Calabro and his Friday night football team will be here to provide a pre-game tailgate party. The Giant band also will be the featured Band of the Week on Channel 13.

Ben Davis enters with high hopes for the season. Senior quarterback Kyle Castner is on pace to become the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and senior Asmar Bilal is one of the top-rated linebackers in the nation.

After Friday’s game, the Giants travel to Avon and Pike before returning home to host Center Grove.