We’re about to get some answers about Bishop Dwenger’s football team. Is the Saints’ unblemished record a tell-tale sign or a mirage?
Dwenger, the only unbeaten team in the Summit Athletic Conference after three weeks, travels to Homestead on Friday night for its first real test since opening night.
Yes, Dwenger is 3-0, a game up on the five rivals tied for second. Yes, the Saints have allowed a conference best of only 28 total points. Yes, they have a defense sporting 30 tackles for losses already.
But…
They beat high-powered Wayne in a game that would have been less drenched had it been played in the rinse cycle of a car wash. Their other two wins were over the only teams in the conference yet to claim a victory.
So we don’t yet really know the Saints.
“A lot will be understood better after Friday night,” Dwenger coach Jason Garrett said.
Here’s what I’m looking to learn when Dwenger plays at Homestead:
IS THE DWENGER DEFENSE THE BEST IN THE SAC?
Those 30 tackles for loss, led by six delivered via outside linebacker Hayden Ellinger, indicate a team intent on breaking quick to the ball and delivering a blow. They have seven sacks, led by Ellinger’s two. They’ve allowed no points in the first half of games this season. Ellinger leads the team with 15 total tackles, TJ McGarry has 12 and Sam Obergfell and Jordan Watercutter have 11 apiece. Brenden Lytle has three interceptions.
Ellinger credits Dwenger aggressiveness for the success, especially in tackles for loss.
“It’s kind of just the way Dwenger always plays,” Ellinger said. “We’re aggressive and like to hit. You hit them as soon as you can hit them, and it just so happens they’re still in the backfield.”
Homestead put up 622 yards offense against Bishop Luers last week and somehow lost the game. The Spartans present a supreme defensive challenge for the Saints.
“Let’s see if we can hold them under 600 yards,” Garrett said. “It’s back to our identity. Are we playing true to Bishop Dwenger football and, in particular, are we playing true to Bishop Dwenger defense? Our hope is our guys respond and play physical and fast and aggressive and play downhill.”
COULD THE DWENGER OFFENSE WIN A SHOOTOUT?
The Saints probably don’t want to get into a shootout because that plays into the strengths of Homestead, its quarterbacks Jake Archbold and Luke Goode and its never-ending stream of wide receivers. The Spartans (2-1) have shown an ability to score in bunches on everybody.
Dwenger beat Wayne 22-0 and North Side 22-8 before a 47-20 win over South Side last week.
The Saints rely heavily on the ground game, averaging 155 yards rushing with a variety of backs, including McGarry, T.J. Tippmann, Devon Tippmann and Lucas Krohn. Junior quarterback Patrick O’Keefe is 15-of-36 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns, both to Griffin Eifert. Another dangerous receiver, Patrick Finley, is out with an injury.
“I’ve never been in a shootout,” O’Keefe said. “Being a sophomore last year, all I had to do was not turn over the ball. This year, I don’t know. If it comes to that, we’ll see where it takes me.”
IS DWENGER THE MOST DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED TEAM IN THE SAC?
Maintaining discipline, in terms of protecting the ball, avoiding penalties and limiting missed tackles, has been a consistent Dwenger trait throughout its long, successful history.
The Saints’ best teams don’t beat themselves.
This team has several juniors and some sophomores in the lineup, but veterans like 6-foot-6, 310-pound University of Wisconsin-bound lineman Joe Tippmann set the tone for concentration.
“The team, collectively, has been working together great,” Tippmann said. “We’re running the ball well, we got our passing game together more last week and we’re looking to improve on that. The two common denominators (in the wins) have been our run game and our offensive line play.”
McGarry, a running back and middle linebacker, said the focus of the team has been unyielding so far.
He has a point. Yes, they were heavy favorites the last two weeks, but they started both games in a strong manner and took control.
“For our team right now, it’s about being consistent,” McGarry said. “We’re staying true to ourselves and do what we do. Never treat any team different than if you’re preparing for a championship game. We’re always looking forward to where we’re going. This game is not the end-all and be-all. They’re a very good team. Every team we play is good and we have to treat them all that way.”
IS DWENGER THE TEAM TO BEAT FOR THE TITLE?
If Homestead finds a way to beat Dwenger, the SAC will be in a real free-for-all mode. If Dwenger wins, it would show the Saints are capable of dealing with a high-powered offensive team in good weather conditions.
A Dwenger win would establish the Saints as the early-season frontrunner and add another boost of confidence.
“This is high school football at its best,” Garrett said. “These are the types of environments and games you always remember. In that part of it, I sense a great deal of excitement from them. We want to have fun. If you sense any pressure, work through that. It’s not about one individual. It’s about us doing the best we can do.”
Dwenger sits alone atop the SAC after a third of the games. That’s way too early to predict a champion. It’s just the right time to make a statement of intent.
