Holy Cross of San Antonio

Bragging Rights. Legacy. The Holy Bowl.

by Jacob Bermudez ('25) on September 11, 2025

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Few games in San Antonio capture history, pride, and rivalry like the Holy Bowl. When Holy Cross and Central Catholic meet, it’s more than football.

It’s about tradition and community, and writing the next chapter in a story that spans generations. 

The rivalry that started sixty-one years ago in 1963 began with Central’s size and depth giving them the early advantage. By the time of their first meeting, Central had already been established nearly a decade longer than Holy Cross, and the Buttons used that foundation to secure the series lead. But Holy Cross, the small private school on the West Side, quickly learned to compete: with grit, resilience, and relentless drive to find a way, no matter the odds. 

Through the 1980s and ’90s, the rivalry hit its peak. It wasn’t just about the players on the field; it was about two schools that despised losing to one another in anything, whether football or beyond. Every Holy Bowl carried emotion that spilled far past the final whistle. 

And in recent years, that emotion has fueled one of the biggest turnarounds in the rivalry’s history. Last season, the Knights showed once again that they’re no longer the underdogs. For the fifth straight meeting, Holy Cross took down the “big boys” from downtown, proving to San Antonio that they’re the real deal. 

But 2025 has brought a different challenge. The Knights sit at 0–2, coming off back-to-back heartbreakers to start the year. 

In Week 1, Holy Cross dropped a 27–20 battle to Antonian in one of San Antonio’s most storied rivalries. Sophomore quarterback Rocky Orozco set the tone, throwing for 117 yards and two touchdowns while adding 97 yards rushing and a score on the ground. Senior running back Taylor Flores chipped in 97 rushing yards along with 32 receiving yards, as the Knights’ offense moved the ball well but couldn’t overcome a few key second-half plays from the Apaches. 

The following week, the Knights fell just short again in a 36–33 thriller against San Antonio Christian. The offense once again piled up production, led by Orozco’s 128 passing yards and one touchdown through the air, paired with 86 yards rushing. Flores carried the ground attack, breaking loose for 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Knights surpassed 200 rushing yards and four rushing scores as a team. Still, late-game opportunities slipped away in the final minutes. 

Despite their 0–2 start, Holy Cross has shown resilience and balance. With Orozco commanding both the air and ground attack, and Flores carrying the load in the run game, the Knights have proven they can move the ball against anyone. That dynamic will be critical if they want to extend their Holy Bowl winning streak. 

Central Catholic, still holding a commanding 36–14 lead in the all-time series, enters determined to flip the recent script. After five straight losses in the rivalry, the Buttons are eager to restore their feeling of order and reclaim bragging rights in a game that defines pride for both sides. 

The Holy Bowl is more than just another game on the schedule. It’s bragging rights. It’s pride. It’s legacy. And in San Antonio, there’s nothing quite like it.