CAL football starts 4-peat journey in unfamiliar territory

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For the first time since 2021, Christian Academy of Louisville's football team won't have a Hodges at quarterback.

Cole Hodges started this run, leading CAL to back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, his younger brother, Connor, who had excelled as a wide receiver and defensive back, transitioned to quarterback and guided the Centurions to a third consecutive state crown.

With Connor Hodges graduated, the race for QB1 in 2025 is now between Jackson Burke and Brodie Pfeiffer.

CAL head coach Hunter Cantwell said it's been enjoyable working with new players under center.

"Both are really talented guys coming off a scrimmage this past Friday with Cooper," Cantwell said. "Both played extremely well, so the race is very tight, and we haven't settled on a starter just yet. But, hopefully, through this week of practice and our last scrimmage, somebody will come out on top."

Running back Jeffrey Vazzana said it's a little weird not having one of the Hodges boys under center.

"It is a little different because I have played all of high school with them," Vazzana said. "So it is definitely a new experience, but (Burke and Pfeiffer) are two great, amazing athletes."

CAL once again has a tough schedule, featuring opponents like defending back-to-back Class A Bowling Green, six-time Class A state champion Pikeville and Lexington Christian Academy.

"There is a pretty good process set up, and the kids just learned to trust the process," Cantwell said. "It's not coming off year one state championship, trying to figure out how to repeat. Three in a row, the guys understand you have to get lucky along the way, got to have the requisite but just doing the little things day in and day out that worked in the past. They know that if they commit to those things, they will put themselves in a position to have success."

CAL will open the season Aug. 22 at home against Pikeville.

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