Yes, there actually was life before Chatard started racking up state titles, difficult as that may be to believe now. When the high school football season begins Friday, the Trojans -- ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A preseason poll -- will begin their quest for a third straight state championship and state-record 10th overall.

At the school, tucked away in a corner of a glass case filled with autographed footballs, trophies and other memorabilia honoring its championship teams, is a plaque honoring the 1983 team.

"You know, you hope it's not just taken for granted that Chatard is going to be a state champion," said Jack Fillenwarth, a two-way starter at tight end and defensive end as a senior in 1983. "There have been so many championship teams, but being the first one . . . that doesn't really sink in until all these years later."

Getting there

There was nothing to take for granted in 1983, although Chatard had already established its football program. From 1973 to 1982, the program won four city titles and 82 percent of its games.

In 1982, the Trojans went 10-2, losing to Carmel in the Class 3A regionals of what was then a three-class playoff system. The loss to Carmel was also coach Steve Purichia's last game at Chatard. He accepted a job at Perry Meridian the next spring.

Schwanekamp, though just 26 at the time, had been a Chatard assistant for five years. The new coach had a couple of things working in his favor as the 1983 season began. First was a team oozing with talent. Senior running back Delvin Bailey was one of the state's best players, as were senior lineman Rick Masters, senior receiver and defensive back Terry Franklin and junior defensive end Damon Taylor.

"I don't mean it to sound cocky, but we thought we were going to win every game," said Mike Harmon, a senior center in 1983 and currently the school's assistant athletic director and baseball coach.

The other factor working in the Trojans' quest for a state title was a reshuffling that resulted in Chatard dropping to Class 2A of a four-class playoff in the short-lived "cluster" system.

After an undefeated regular season that included a 13-7 overtime win over Roncalli and 26-0 victory against Cathedral, Chatard was ready for the playoffs.

The Trojans made it look easy in the postseason, outscoring three playoff opponents 113-6. All that stood between them and the title was Luers.

Place in history

Dave Slater almost ruined it all.

Chatard was considered the favorite in the championship game at Lawrence Central against Luers (9-4), which had lost three straight games to end the season.

But Slater -- Luers' 5-11, 190-pound running back -- was trouble at every turn.

"All week we talked about Dave Slater this, Dave Slater that," said Mike Hackman, a senior defensive end and fullback on the 1983 Chatard team. With Slater controlling the game on the ground with 188 rushing yards, Luers took a 16-14 lead on a field goal early in the fourth quarter. It was the first time all season Chatard had trailed.

With Bailey sidelined with leg cramps, Schwanekamp called on his quarterback. On third-and-8 from the Luers 48, Sahm hit Chris Barnes over the top for the go-ahead touchdown.

"It was a great call," Sahm said. "All I had to do was get it there."

Chatard had to survive one more scare. On the ensuing drive, Luers quarterback Don Effinger broke into the clear for what looked like a possible touchdown run. Instead, lineman Mark Newbold tracked him down at the Chatard 17 after a 47-yard gain.

The Trojans held from there, securing the program's first championship in dramatic style.

Chatard won it again in 1984, establishing itself as one of the premier programs in the state. Current senior lineman Zach Martin said as players come through the CYO program, they are constantly reminded of the school's football tradition.

"Most of these guys I've been playing with since the third grade," Martin said. "Everybody knows the tradition here and that it goes back a long way. It's not a burden, but when you have Chatard on your chest, it means something. It means you're going to have to work hard to meet those expectations."

Bishop Chatard's football state champions

1983 -- Took Class 2A title with 20-16 win over Fort Wayne Luers at Lawrence Central in the last year state championships were held outdoors.

1984 -- Blasted West Lafayette 35-7 to repeat as Class 2A champs.

1997 -- A nine-minute, 21-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter gave Chatard a 27-24 win over Andrean for the Class 3A title.

1998 -- Coach Craig Barr won his second title with a 23-6 win over NorthWood in the Class 3A game.

2001 -- Defeated Andrean 3-0 for the Class 3A title despite losing four games during the regular season.

2002 -- Knocked off Andrean again, 31-12, to cap a 15-0 season with Class 3A crown. It was coach Tom Dilley's second title.

2003 -- Pummeled NorthWood 49-0 for third straight Class 3A championship and coach Vince Lorenzano's first.

2006 -- Defeated Norwell 7-0 for its eighth championship.

2007 -- Rolled to another Class 3A title with a 31-7 win over South Bend St. Joseph's.