Friday Marks the Official Return of Markese Stepp

2018 Cathedral (Ind.) running back Markese Stepp battled a hamstring injury for months before the season opener in 2016. Stepp’s first carry of last season was a 46-yard touchdown run, but the Notre Dame commit irritated his hamstring at the end of the run and was lost for the next eight weeks.



The four-star did return to the field in a very limited role during the playoffs, but Friday will mark the first time in over a year the 6-foot, 225-pounder will step onto a field 100 percent healthy.

“It means a lot,” Stepp said of getting back on the field. “I’m excited, and I can’t wait. I can’t put my excitement into words to be back out there and get the feeling of what Friday night lights feel like again.”

Stepp did get a small taste of game day last weekend, as Cathedral scrimmaged Pike.

“It went well,” stated Stepp. “It could have gone better, though. As a team, we didn’t play to our best. We didn’t focus in some ways, but there aren’t any flashes of that this week. We’re ready to go.”

As a sophomore, Stepp rushed for 888 yards and 12 touchdowns to put himself on the radar for some of the top programs in the country.

The Indianapolis native now enters his senior with Mr. Football hype and teams wanting to take their best shot at Indiana’s top player, but Stepp and his Fighting Irish are focused on taking care of business.

“Our expectation is to go undefeated and win a State Championship,” Stepp stated. “We aren’t going to settle for anything less than that this year.”

Cathedral typically plays a tough schedule, but this season the team will travel over 1,400 miles and play schools from four states.

The chance to play each Friday night is enough for Stepp, but he also admits there are three out-of-state programs he is looking forward to playing.

“I am looking forward to all of the games,” explained Stepp. “Detroit King (Mich.), St. Edwards (Ohio), and St. Xavier (Ohio) do stand out, though. I am really looking forward to St. Xavier (Ky.) this Friday too. We also have Pickerington Central (Ohio) week three.”

Playing two of the best teams in Ohio and the other is one of the top programs in Michigan is a chance for Stepp to showcase his ability, but they will also prepare him for life at Notre Dame.

“I think it gives me a great feel heading into college,” Stepp said. “We are playing teams that have kids going to top colleges and seeing that competition will help me a lot down the road.”

With all the hype and opponents circling his name, Stepp has set some lofty goals for himself and his team. If Stepp does reach his goals, 2018 Michigan offensive line commit Emil Ekiyor, and the rest of line might be getting a dinner from Stepp in December.

“My team goals are going undefeated and winning the State Championship,” said Stepp. “My personal goal is to run for 3,000 yards, and of course it’s all about the offensive line too. We have to come together because, without them, it’d be impossible. I also want to have 30 touchdowns this year.” 

Stepp will also make a jersey number change this fall from 41 to 30. Brody Stephens, the 8-year-old, battled cancer twice before passing away in April. 30 was Stephens favorite number and Stepp will wear it to honor a kid that had an impact on his life.

"He’s an inspiration to everybody,” Stepp told the Indy Star earlier this year. “Even for people who aren’t going through tough times, it reminds them when they face the toughest moments to keep pushing and fighting."