With rumors swirling around Philip Rivers and a potential return to the college where he first found fame, the former NFL All-Pro quarterback and his high school team still had a job to do Friday night.
Rivers and the Cardinals opened up postseason play on Nov. 6 with a home game against Glenwood (AL). The night also marked the return for his son Gunner, a four-star NC State quarterback commit
, who sat out the last few weeks recovering from a knee injury he suffered back in Week 1.While the rumors were already swirling, the noise will only grow louder as St. Michael Catholic's season ended with a 42-35 loss.
In his return to the field, Gunner played a key role in leading the Cardinals on multiple scoring drives and throwing multiple touchdowns.
However, with the game tied at 28 early in the fourth quarter, Glenwood scored to take the lead and recovered the ensuing onside kick.
They would go up 42-28, forcing the Cardinals to play from behind for the remaining seven minutes. St. Michael Catholic cut it to a one-possession game with under three minutes remaining, but Glenwood recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
After four years with the program, Gunner leaves as the team's all-time leader in every passing category and ranks highly among the state's all-time passing leaders. Like his dad before him, Gunner announced his commitment to NC State on Feb. 23.
Will he now get to follow his dad to the next level?
Philip has been the most popular name in the race for NC State's open job after long-time coach Dave Doeren was fired on Oct. 26. During his playing days in Raleigh in the early 2000s, Philip set several program records that still stand today.
After his NFL playing days ended, he was named head coach at St. Michael Catholic in 2021. Over the last six seasons, he's compiled a record of 48-20, winning six playoff games along the way. The Cardinals finished the season 6-4.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philip Rivers' HS season ends amid NC State coaching rumors
