Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning began the PeyBack Classic six years ago to give Indianapolis-area high school players the opportunity to perform in the RCA Dome. He has fond memories of playing in the Louisiana Superdome during his prep career in New Orleans and wanted to share the experience.

This year, Manning picked the wrong game.

"It's more of an (event) that it's against Cathedral than we're playing in the RCA Dome," said Bishop Chatard defensive back/fullback Daniel Kleinschmidt.

"We could play the game at Brookside Park, it doesn't really matter," said Cathedral coach Jim O'Hara, whose team will face the Trojans about 8:30 tonight in the doubleheader.

"We're similar in a lot of ways. It's like playing your best friend. This is a game for the rest of their lives, especially the senior kids.

"It's going to be a great football game."

This rivalry blossomed when Cathedral moved from Downtown to its current location on 56th Street, three miles down Kessler Boulevard from Bishop Chatard.

The programs have each appeared in eight state title games -- Bishop Chatard winning seven and the Irish five -- and have played 31 times since 1970, with the Trojans having a 17-14 edge.

"Coach (Vince Lorenzano) always tells us it's about us and (our team) improving, so we try not to think too much about playing Cathedral," said Kleinschmidt.

His team will play after Hamilton Southeastern-Zionsville face off in the 6 p.m. opener of PeyBack Classic VII.

"But it's a rivalry game. You can't really help it."

The game has not lived up to its billing on the field during the past decade, as only one game in the series has been decided by nine points or less -- Bishop Chatard's 24-21 victory in 2004.

This season, however, has the makings of a classic, as Bishop Chatard is atop the Class 3A poll and Cathedral is No. 2 in 4A.

"(Cathedral is) easily one of the top five teams in the state athletically, there's no question about that," said Lorenzano, who will be going for the 100th victory in his career.

Bishop Chatard (3-0) is seventh in the state in scoring margin at 40.3 and defeated Roncalli 41-7 last week.

The Trojans are led by running backs Joe Holland (44 carries, 378 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Tyler Kleinschmidt (24 carries, 282 yards, 5 touchdowns), but the team has developed a potent passing attack to go with its traditionally strong ground game.

Chatard was held to a season-low 236 rushing yards by Roncalli, but junior quarterback Robbie Doyle completed 8-of-10 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. He's completed 13-of-23 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns this season. Brandon Newburn has been the primary target, with five catches for 109 yards.

"I'm really happy with (the passing game)," Lorenzano said. "(But) the biggest thing we have to (address) is to do a better job run blocking. The offensive front has been our focus this week. If you can't run, you're going to have trouble scoring, no matter how much throwing you do."

Cathedral's offense has relied heavily on tailback William Stubbs, who has rushed for 450 yards and five touchdowns on 52 carries. The defense has been led by linebacker Max Davis (25 tackles), safety T.J. Stark (21 tackles) and defensive lineman Kakpindi Jamiru (18 tackles, 4 sacks).

The Irish opened the season with victories over Carmel and Detroit Renaissance, but lost 23-3 to nationally ranked Cincinnati St. Xavier last week.

"I thought our kids had self-doubt at times," O'Hara said of the loss. "The way we tried to approach it is to get them to trust in themselves more and to trust what the coaches are teaching."