1: Bishop Dwenger
Week 1: at Wayne
Winning back-to-back championships in any sport is very difficult. It’s hard enough to win one. When asked about this, head coach Jason Garrett agreed that it’s always tougher the second time around.
“To repeat in anything is probably the greatest challenges that’s out there. But we realize that and what we’re trying to do is see it as an entirely new mountain to climb and see it as an opportunity, given that it’s a challenge, and try to build on, as we always say, the ‘who’ before the ‘whats’.”
Dwenger’s goal remains the same, compete for and win another state championship. This goal will start upfront with Luke Wiginton and Joe Henry on the offensive line, as they look to bully opposing defenses just like last year. Junior running back Devon Tippmann is primed for another tremendous year, standing out as the premiere back after his brother T.J graduated last year.
Week 1 against Wayne could be tricky, but if they’re able to come out with a win, they should be unbeaten heading into a major week 4 matchup with Homestead. For now though, the Saints are our favorite to repeat as SAC Champs!
2: Snider
Week 1: at North Side
Snider has been consistently good for many years now and they should continue to be a force in the SAC this season.
The Panthers return quarterback Jon Barnes Jr., who threw for over 1,000 yds. last season and had a 61% completion percentage. He will have two very good options to throw to at receiver, with Alonzo Derrick and Drew Sims. Lenny Bennett will be one of the best running backs in the conference and will give the offense a balanced attack.
On defense, Snider is loaded as always. Giannini Belizaire will be upfront, with Kameron Trotter behind him, and Jayshawn Underwood as the best defensive back.
It’s important to note that the top 3 teams on this list could all make a case to be #1. There’s very little separation between them and they are in a tier of their own. That being said Snider is a VERY strong 2.
3: Homestead
Week 1: at Northrop
Defense wins championships. It’s one of the most common sayings in football and it’s a saying that Homestead would like to come true this season. With a defense that includes linebackers Cam Rogers, Nik Martin, and Cole Etchison, and Jake Archbold in the secondary with Ryan Burton, much of the Spartan defense is led by experienced playmakers. The offense isn’t too far behind. Luke Goode, Braden Hardwick, and Griffin Little will be a three-headed monster at QB, RB, and WR and will give Homestead a huge boost on that side of the ball.
The schedule is also favorable. The first 3 games are against Northrop, Concordia, and Bishop Luers and 2 are at home. It’s always nice to play weaker opponents at the beginning of the season so that they can be used to tune-up for tougher games later on.
Homestead took the top spot in our Twitter Power Poll receiving 41% of the Votes. Dwenger finished 2nd with 35% and Snider took 3rd at 41%.
4: Carroll
Week 1: vs Bishop Luers
Coach Doug Dinan’s team will be a bit of a wild card this year. Sophomore Jeff Becker has shown in practice that he can be the starting quarterback. It’s possible he could look completely different once the real thing happens. He could be worse, or even better than expected.
The Chargers should feel comfortable about their defense. Larry Sible is the player to watch on the defensive line while, Ray Vollmer and Lincoln Lantz are a part of a strong secondary.
Regardless, the question remains, will Becker give Carroll a consistent offense? We should find out early in the season, with Luers and Snider in the first two weeks. For now, the potential is there for Carroll to be a top team in the SAC once again.
5: Concordia
Week 1: vs South Side
Concordia comes into the season with a very solid team overall. Brandon Davis will be a reliable QB for the Cadets and Amir Drew is an elite talent out of the backfield. Jalen Vanderbosch and Tyler Grossman are also great targets at wide receiver. The defense isn’t quite as strong, but it should hold its own against most teams.
The Cadets will be in a lot of shootouts this year, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing with this high-powered offense that could outscore most teams. Through the first three weeks, they will have to face Homestead and Snider, which isn’t exactly ideal. Concordia is a sleeper team though in the SAC this season.
6: North Side
Week 1: vs Snider
North Side looks to be the team to make the biggest jump from last year. After a 2 win season, this North Side team is hungry to compete again in the SAC. They won’t have to wait too long to prove it against the best either.
“Everybody knows North Side has a gauntlet. We have Snider, Dwenger, Carroll and our biggest thing is we want to know how we match up against the top tier guys in the SAC,” coach Brevard said after his team’s scrimmage on Friday.
The Legends have underrated talent that will help them match up. Ronald Collins is a solid QB and Alex Holliday-Robinson should be more than enough as a RB. Preston McElroy should have a good year at linebacker and the secondary is loaded with Theo Redman, Jalen Harris, and Arieon McCarter. The schedule is tough early, but North Side could hang around towards the end of some of those games.
7: Wayne
Week 1: vs Dwenger
The Generals have one of the undisputed best running backs in the SAC, Keshaun Fields, who will also play linebacker alongside Cam Webb. They also have a new addition at wide receiver, the former Bishop Luers Knight Janarion Moore. Wayne’s DB’s are also very talented. Ronald Elliot and Myheir Baker should make some great plays back there.
The schedule isn’t unbearable, but it won’t be easy playing the defending state champs in Bishop Dwenger right away. Other than that, Wayne has the right players to be a surprise team again in the SAC.
8: Bishop Luers
Week 1: at Carroll
Norman Knapke’s 3,190 passing yds. and 37 TD’s will be missed, as will Jordan Pressley’s 665 yds. and 37 rec., and Justin Gaston’s 509 yds. and 33 rec. Couple that with losing Janarion Moore, their most productive receiver (836 yds. 45 rec.) and you realize just how much the Knights lost in the offseason.
However, Luers can’t dwell on that too much as the season approaches. Returning wide receiver Jamic Johnson is a bright spot on offense. The defense will be lead by Nick Birkmeier and Ramon Anderson. But the production they had last year just won’t be the same. Unfortunately for the Knights, Carroll and Homestead are on the schedule within the first three weeks as well.
9: Northrop
Week 1: vs Homestead
Northrop will likely lean on RB Jeremiah Green for their offense in 2019. He was decent last year, but a huge positive was that he only had 3 fumbles on 176 carries. Quelen Pettus is the wide receiver to watch for on the Bruins. On defense, Nigel Robertson is expected to be a force on the line, while Jaden Smith appears to be the leading DB.
Overall, the production is lacking a bit for Northrop. They’ll need players to step up on both sides of the ball if they want to improve their record from last season. They’ll definitely be tested in their first game against the Spartans, but a win at home would obviously put them right back in the thick of SAC championship contention.
10: South Side
Week 1: at Concordia
Another disappointing season for the Archers last year will not discourage them in 2019. It’s a new year and it’s another chance for South Side to make some noise in the SAC. All it takes is for them to gain some confidence and that’s exactly what coach Norfleet is trying to give his team.
“That’s what we try to do is instill the confidence in the kids by preparation and if the kids are buying into it and doing what they’re supposed to do, then the confidence comes. That’s when the 0-10 starts getting corrected.”
There is talent on the roster, with Manny Knight at LB and Dillon Jackson playing DB. Other areas have improved since last year, such as the offensive line, which coach Norfleet says is the first time he’s had 5 guys willing to play on the line.
The Archers are moving in the right direction and they are hopeful for the future. This season, they’ll try to improve and take one game at a time.
