jason frakes, louisville courier journal
·4 min read
Each weekend during the football season, the Hodge brothers gather in the family basem*nt and go to work in front of the five TV screens showing high school, college and professional games.
Cole and Connor Hodge have played key roles in elevating Christian Academy’s football program to elite status in Kentucky, and it’s partially the result of their passion for the sport and their weekly study sessions.
Centurions head coach Hunter Cantwell knows he’ll find a handful of play suggestions from the Hodges — many now included in the playbook — on his phone each weekend.
“They’re football nerds,” Cantwell says with a laugh.
As CAL begins pursuit of its third straight Class 3A state championship, there’s a new Hodge in charge.
Cole Hodge graduated after quarterbacking the Centurions to back-to-back state titles and earning second-team All-State honors from The Courier Journal last season.
Connor Hodge — an elite wide receiver and safety last season — will take over at quarterback when CAL opens its season Aug. 23 at Owensboro.
“We don’t feel any pressure,” Connor Hodge said. “It’s a new year, and we want to go out and get another one and three-peat.”
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In a surprising turn, Connor will have his brother by his side this season.
Cole Hodge signed with East Carolina University and planned to head there this summer. But a torn labrum in his hip forced Cole to have surgery in May. After talking with East Carolina coaches, Cole decided to reclassify to the Class of 2025 and stay in Louisville until January.
That change in plans has allowed Cole to hang around CAL’s program this summer and mentor his brother’s transition to quarterback.
“It’s been amazing,” Connor Hodge said. “Coach Cantwell has to work with the entire team, so he’s not really focused on me. After every play, Cole will come over and tell me what I did right and what I did wrong. He’s been playing it for three years, so he knows everything. He’s a pretty good coach.”
Connor Hodge played quarterback in middle school but had to find a different role as his brother led the CAL offense the past three seasons.
Last year as a wide receiver, Connor led the state in receptions (114), ranked second in receiving yards (1,494) and ranked third in touchdown catches (23). As a safety, he had a state-best 11 interceptions and earned first-team All-State honors.
Connor said there was “some rust” while making the transition back to quarterback this season, but 6 a.m. workouts and constant film sessions have him ready as the season opener approaches.
“Wherever you put him, he finds ways to make plays and have success,” Cantwell said. “We’ve really liked what we’ve seen out of him up to this point.”
While Cole Hodge was primarily a pocket passer, Connor Hodge will give the Centurions more of a running threat at quarterback.
“No matter who we see or what defense we face, he’ll be touching the ball on every play,” Cantwell said. “That’s going to bring a lot of headaches (for defenses) because of the elite athlete he is.”
Cole and Connor were born 11 months apart and have shared a bedroom for as long as they can remember.
Their father, Kenny, said there’s never been much of a sibling rivalry.
“They’re best friends,” he said. “They never, ever argue. … I kind of wish they’d get after each other a bit, but, no, they’re extremely, extremely close. They do everything together.”
That will continue in January, when the Hodge brothers will head to the East Carolina football program. Connor plans to graduate early from CAL — skipping his senior season on the basketball team — and will return to playing wide receiver while Cole pursues a spot at quarterback.
Both plan to study pre-med at East Carolina, but you can bet they’ll continue studying football on the weekends.
“In this day, it’s great to see guys who are that involved and bought in,” Cantwell said. “They both just love the game.”
More high school football: Meet 10 of the top quarterbacks in Louisville area for 2024
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Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football: Hodge brothers return for 3A power Christian Academy
