Getting bigger, faster, and stronger can be taught. Executing plays, reading defenses, and managing game situations — those come with practice. But building a bond, a sense of family that drives a team to play for one another — that can’t be coached. It has to be team-oriented.
And for the Holy Cross Indians, that’s exactly what turned a 3-8 season in 2024 into a perfect 10-0 regular season in 2025 — the first undefeated campaign in program history.
Their 29-6 victory over Bellevue on Thursday night wasn’t just the final chapter of a dominant season; it was the culmination of a year defined by growth, grit, and togetherness.
“The family atmosphere is incredible,” Indians second year coach Curt Spencer said. “These guys are together all the time. It’s nuts. It’s kind of crazy, actually. It’s what makes this group special. The families are tight and close. I just think it helps everything.”
From Growing Pains to Glory
A year ago, the Indians were young and banged up. Key players were sidelined. Mistakes piled up. Games slipped away late. But through those growing pains, a foundation was forming.
“Koz (Bruce Kozerski) built the foundation,” Spencer said. “We’re just carrying it on.”
The hunger showed from the opening kickoff this fall. Holy Cross outscored opponents 391-60 during the regular season, winning all but two games by at least 23 points. Their only real tests came in a one-point thriller against then–top 10 Bracken County, 25-24, and a grinder versus Bishop Brossart that ended 6-3.
“Those games made us realize like ‘wow’, we can really do this,” junior Max Hunt said. “Those games showed our whole entire team adversity and that we can be disciplined.
Those weren’t blemishes on an otherwise dominant run — they were moments that defined it.
“Nobody flinched,” Spencer said. “These kids don’t get down on themselves, they believe in themselves and the end results. I mean, we came back, ended up with the next score on the interception. We set it up. And these kids don’t get down on themselves. They don’t they believe in themselves. They believe in the end results, and the families believe in it. I mean, it’s a great process. And I mean it’s
The Heart of the Offense
Holy Cross’ resurgence began under center with quarterback Brian Ferguson, back healthy and thriving after missing the majority of 2024 due to an injury. The injury helped him evaluate some things from the sidelines to be full go come this season.
“I just feel the team really revolves on how the quarterback acts and if he puts his head down and work, the team will put its head down and work,” Ferguson said.
The dual-threat senior has been a nightmare for defenses — racking up 917 passing yards and 17 touchdowns through the air with just one interception, while adding 661 rushing yards and 14 more scores on the ground.
“He’s like having a point guard on the football field the way he sees the field,” Spencer said. “He’s a special kid.”
In the backfield, Charles Oglesby and Dustin Wilson form a bruising one-two punch. Oglesby leads the rushing attack with 758 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Wilson has chipped in 199 yards as the go-to back for short-yardage battles. Together, they’ve powered an offense averaging nearly 40 points per game.
The versatility doesn’t stop there. Junior Max Hunt, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound force, has been a Swiss army knife — blocking in the trenches, catching passes (17 receptions, 265 yards, 5 TDs), and wreaking havoc on defense.
“Incredible leader and great kid,” Spencer said. “He leads by example and the kids listen to him and they follow. His versatility helps us a ton.”
A Relentless Defense
As explosive as the offense has been, it’s the defense that’s built Holy Cross’ identity. The Indians are allowing just six points per game, with four shutouts and only four opponents scoring more than six points.
Wilson anchors the defense with a team-high 67 tackles, while the front seven has been downright disruptive — posting 74 tackles for loss and 21 sacks.
Leaders like Garrett Frederick (14 TFLs, 7 sacks), Oglesby (9 TFLs), and Jacob Rieselman (8 TFLs, 7.5 sacks) have kept opposing offenses on their heels.
“It’s just all about communication,” Wilson said. “Love working together with the boys. I feel like in order to keep succeeding, we all just got to communicate and keep together.”
Defensive playmakers have thrived in the turnover battle, forcing 24 total takeaways — with Xavier Thornberry and Andrew Russell leading the way in interceptions and fumble recoveries with three each, respectively.
The Road Ahead
The district title — the first in program history, even topping the 2011 state championship team’s achievements — marked another milestone in a storybook season. But the Indians know the journey isn’t over.
With home-field advantage locked in through at least the first two rounds at Thomas More, Holy Cross will open the Class A playoffs against Dayton, with a potential rematch looming against Newport, the same team that ended their season 35-0 a year ago.
One Family, One Mission
Ten wins, zero losses. A district crown. A defense that dominates. An offense that finishes. And a locker room that feels more like a family than a football team.
The numbers tell one story — 10-0, 391-60, four shutouts. But the heart of this team tells another. It’s about belief, brotherhood, and unfinished business.
“We all bond perfectly,” Ferguson said. “We’re all focused. We all want to win, and it shows with what we’re doing this year.”