Football
SAC Power Poll: Week 9
1. Carroll (9-0)
Week 9: 45-8 win over Wayne
Previous Ranking: #1
Sectional: Bye Week(Will play Penn on 10/28)
With no surprise, the Carroll Chargers now have their 2nd straight SAC title and their first outright SAC title since joining the conference in 2015. The Chargers started off a little slow against Wayne as they trailed 8-7 at the end of the 1st quarter but then in the last three quarters they outscored the Generals 38 to 0. Quarterback Jimmy Sullivan played a pretty solid game throwing for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns one downside was matching his season high in interceptions as he threw two picks. Once again the Chargers were stout defensively getting a total of 9 TFLs as Michael Dierckman and Ashton Pesetski each got two. The Chargers will have an off week this week but will be gearing up for the start of their postseason which will start on October 28th when they play against the Penn Kingsmen.
2. Snider (8-1)
Week 9: 52-7 win over Bishop Luers
Previous Ranking: #2
Sectional: Bye Week ( Will play Bishop Dwenger on 10/28)
The Snider Panthers are on a roll like no other, now winning 7 games in a row on an average margin of almost 40 points beating their last seven opponents on a score of 44.3 to 5. This time it was a slow start to the game very similar to Carroll’s performance this week leading just 17-7 at the end of the first half but that did not last long as the Panthers outscored the Knights 35-0 in the 2nd half. The offensive attack was spread out as Luke Haupert threw for three touchdowns two of which were hauled in by Kamari Juarez. The Panthers also got 4 scores on the ground as Langston Leavell broke the pylon twice while De’Alcapone Veazy and De’jour Johnson each scored once. Defensively this team was making plays all night long as Brandon Logan, Naveon Warren, and Lukas Rohrbacher all got an interception. With the Panthers’ dominance since week two, they have certainly made the case to be #1 on this power poll but the Chargers themselves have been rather dominant and remain unbeaten. The Panthers will not be playing this Friday as they are on a bye week but on October 28th they will rematch the Bishop Dwenger Saints, a team they beat 28-0 just over a week ago.
3. North Side (7-2)
Week 9: 48-21 win over Concordia
Previous Ranking: #3
Sectional: Bye Week(Will play Anderson on 10/28)
What a season it has been so far for the Legends, with their 7 wins on the year it matches the most regular season victories for this team since 2012. Now in Coach Ben Johnson’s second year at North Side his program shows great promise as they have snapped a streak of 8 straight losing seasons. In their final regular season game. Jontae Lambert had another statement game with 265 yards and 3 TDs which is now the 6th time this season Lambert has rushed for over 200 yards and at least one score. Brauntae Johnson also stood out once again with 134 yards and 2 TDs. Davon Doughty and Josh Masasu stepped up on defense for the Legends each getting 2 TFLs. The Legends’ journey now will advance to the postseason as they will begin facing off against Anderson on October 28th.
4. Bishop Dwenger (6-3)
Week 9: 45-20 win over Northrop
Previous Ranking: #4
Sectional: Bye Week(Will play Snider on 10/28)
The Saints got a nice bounce-back win to close out the regular season over the Bruins. The scoring for the Saints was very spread out as Owen Zimmerman, Tobias Tippman, and Aj Ley all scored on the ground. Braxton Bremes threw a touchdown pass to Preston Ross. The Saints’ defense also came up with a score as Max Carey got a Pick 6. The Saints also forced two other turnovers as CJ Davis and Tommy Poiry both got fumble recoveries. The Saints will now spend the next two weeks game planning for a rematch against the Snider Panthers on October 28th.
5. Homestead (5-4)
Week 9: 49-6 win over South Side
Previous Ranking: #6
Sectional: Bye Week(Will play Hamilton Southeastern on 10/28)
The Spartans’ offense certainly put on a show in a 49-6 win over South Side in week nine. Kam Johnson had another outstanding performance on the ground for Sparty as he rushed for 140 yards and 3 TDs. With the 3 TD performance, Johnson has now scored 7 times over the past two weeks for Homestead. Quarterback Peyton Slaven also played a great game throwing for three touchdowns. The most dominant aspect of the game for the Spartans was certainly their pass rush as they totaled up 7 sacks 4 of which came from Jackson Christmon. After the dominant win last week Homestead will now gear up for what is likely to be the most difficult opponent they will play all season long as they will face the Hamilton Southeastern Royals on October 28th. Last week the Royals knocked off the previously #1 team in the state, the Brownsburg Bulldogs so the Spartans are going to be put to the test right away in the postseason.
6. Bishop Luers (4-5)
Week 9: 52-7 loss against Snider
Previous Ranking: #5
Sectional: vs Prairie Heights
The Knights were faced with the outstanding Snider Panthers in Week 9 and they were able to keep it competitive early on as it was 17-7 at the end of the 1st half but the Panthers were just too much for the Knights overall. The lone score on the night from the Knights came on a 13-yard touchdown connection between Charlie Stanski and Isaac Zay. The Knights will now move on into the postseason and face a Prairie Heights team that they beat last year 44-7.
7. Concordia (3-6)
Week 9: 48-21 loss against North Side
Previous Ranking: #7
Sectional: @ Woodlan
The Cadets’ offense was able to get some things working against the Legends as quarterback Eli Mattox threw for 3 touchdowns. Ajani Washington, Noah Trent, and Khalyn Thomas were the ones to bring in touchdown receptions. The Cadet defense also made some big plays as Avery Cook got an interception and Cameron Cage got a sack. Now the Cadets will move forward into the postseason as they will face the Woodlan Warriors.
8. Wayne (2-7)
Week 9: 45-8 loss against Carroll
Previous Ranking: #8
Sectional: vs Columbia City
The Generals put up a fight early against the top team in the conference as they led the Chargers 8-7 from there the Chargers were able to take control though. The Generals passing attack did have some success as Christian Trimble threw for 104 yards and a touchdown on just 12 pass attempts. The Generals’ defense was also able to get two interceptions as Deonte Williams and Kairoe Lloyd each got one. Looking ahead to the postseason now the Generals will have a difficult task as they will take on the NE8 champs this Friday.
9. Northrop (1-8)
Week 9: 45-20 loss against Bishop Dwenger
Previous Ranking: #9
Sectional: Bye Week(Will play Fishers on 10/28)
The Bruins struggled to finish out the regular season as the Saints controlled the game throughout. Even though the Saints did control most of the game the Bruins were still able to cross the pylon three times, once through the air and twice on the ground. The passing touchdown was a connection between Keone Bates and Matt Morgan while Tavon Freeman and Julante Hinton got the two scores on the ground. Hinton’s run was actually a 35-yard touchdown that broke out on a 4th and inches play that Hinton just powered straight up the middle on the way to the house.
10. South Side (0-9)
Week 9: 49-6 loss against Homestead
Previous Ranking: #10
Sectional: @ Leo
The Archers finished off the regular season with a tough loss last week and this time it was without former head coach Guy Lee as he resigned due to health concerns. In the game, Larrenz Tabron and Jayden Morris were bright spots for the Archers as they both played great. Morris made a couple of unbelievable grabs and truly showed off his athletic potential. As for Tabron he showed good pocket composure and had great accuracy on his passes but the Spartans’ pass rush made it almost impossible to get anything going offensively for the Archers.
