Every high school football team is guaranteed one playoff game, so we’re officially at the halfway point of the season. We’re far enough to have a feel for things, but with enough time left for a few more surprises.
Could the good times be just beginning for North Side? Could Wayne show Snider it’s a new landscape in 2018? There are some fascinating games ahead.
Let’s have a little fun – and perhaps generate debate – with some Summit Athletic Conference mid-season awards.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS
Hayden Ellinger and TJ McGarry, Bishop Dwenger
I’m going with a duo here, because I’m not sure how you separate the two Dwenger linebackers, let alone get away from them if you’re an opposing quarterback. Defense is the No. 1 reason Dwenger is 5-0 and these two are the big dogs. Their combined numbers: 62 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. They force quarterbacks to hurry and make mistakes and the players around them capitalize on that mindset. Take either one out of the lineup and the Saints wouldn’t be the same.
Other contenders: Joe Tippmann, Dwenger; Craig Young, Wayne; Norman Knapke, Bishop Luers; Gaven Vogt, Carroll; Jake Archbold, Homestead
IMPACT COACH
Kurt Tippmann, Snider
Tippmann rarely gets mentioned for his coaching because people assume the Panthers will dominate. He entered this season with only two returning starters on defense and one was injured early on. He had to replace much of the offense, including the quarterback. Since being thumped 38-14 by Carroll, Snider has allowed only two touchdowns in the last three games. The Panthers held Concordia and Homestead to one score apiece, and those are offensive-oriented teams. It’ll be interesting to see Panthers take on Wayne this week, but Tippmann has done a tremendous reloading job. Extra kudos for his class move of driving to North Side last Friday night to congratulate Mike Brevard on his first win.
Other contenders: Jason Garrett, Bishop Dwenger; Derrick Moore, Wayne; Kyle Lindsay, Bishop Luers
UNFORGETTABLE GAME
North Side 52, Bishop Luers 49
This game was like nothing I’ve seen in the SAC since I’ve been a sportswriter. (FYI: I once used a typewriter.) The only game with similar fury was Snider’s win over New Palestine in the 2015 state championship. Consider this: Luers quarterback Norman Knapke threw for 551 yards, a school record only 12 yards shy of the state record, and the Knights still lost. North Side’s Alex Holliday-Robinson rushed for a school-record 328 yards and Brevard kept his team focused when the lost the lead late. This back-and-forth, big-play bonanza won’t soon be topped.
Other contenders: Bishop Luers 38, Homestead 36; Wayne 41, Northrop 40
IMPACT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Craig Young, Wayne
If I was Wayne, I’d throw the ball to Young every other down. I know, that shows I’m not a football coach. Fair enough. But it’s clear how unstoppable Young is when he does have the ball. He has caught 15 passes in five games and eight of them have gone for touchdowns. He averages 24.1 yards per catch. He ran for a 70-yard touchdown. So he’s had the ball in his hands on offense 22 times and nine of those times he’s ended up in the end zone. Did I mention I’d throw the ball his way more?
Other contenders: Kamari Anderson-Drew, Concordia; Gaven Vogt, Carroll; Jordan Presley, Bishop Luers; Bailey Meerzo, Northrop
IMPACT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Tristan Pernell, Wayne
I could easily put Ellinger or McGarry or both in this spot, too, but let’s spread the love around a bit. Pernell, a quick, hard-hitting linebacker, has simply been all over the field, every game. He has 45 tackles (24 solo) with 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. He often gets overlooked because of the playmakers around him, but few players have been as solid week in and week out.
Other contenders: Cam Rogers, Homestead; Tavareon Scott, Snider; Camari Harris, Bishop Luers; Darius Alexander, Wayne; Jaden Smith, Northrop; McGarry and Ellinger, Dwenger
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Camdyn Childers, Carroll
Childers played at Bishop Luers in 2017 and was a part of the offense, but hardly the featured performer. He caught 18 passes for 177 yards last year. Fast forward to 2018 and Childers is making the case for the best receiver in the area and one of the best in the state. He has caught 34 passes for 640 yards (128 yards per game) and seven touchdowns. Whether it was the change of locale or offense, Childers has found his comfort zone.
Other contenders: Brandan Young, Wayne; Davieun Berry, Northrop; Quelan Pettus, Northrop; Jake Byrd, Concordia; Lincoln Lantz, Carroll
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
Griffin Little, Homestead
Little is considered by many the No. 2 receiver in the Spartans lineup, which is a credit to the talents of teammate Trevin Taylor. But I’d list Little as No. 1A when you look at his production. He has 31 receptions for 538 yards (107.6 per game) and three touchdowns.
Other contenders: Jamic Johnson, Bishop Luers; Alex Holliday-Robinson, North Side; Alonzo Derrick, Snider; A’Nyis Lockett, Snider; Liam Fletcher, Concordia; Omar Jackson, South Side
SURPRISE TEAM
Bishop Dwenger
Maybe this isn’t a surprise, considering many pointed to the returning talent as an indicator of the Saints’ potential. But considering the up-and-down, crazy nature of the SAC, any team sitting 5-0 at this point in the season is somewhat surprising, especially a team with a new head coach. The Saints shut out Wayne and even though it was a lousy night, that’s an underrated accomplishment.
Other contenders: Wayne, Bishop Luers
MOST IMPROVED TEAM
North Side
The Legends were 0-10 last season and not very competitive. The mindset changed from the opening game, a 31-8 loss to Snider. While they lost their first four games, they saw showed steady improvement, then erupted with the 52-49 win over Luers last Friday. Brevard has done a great job building morale and has some playmakers in Holliday-Robinson and Ronald Collins. The potential is there to finish the season strong.
Other contenders: Northrop, Wayne
MOST LIKELY TO MAKE A POSTSEASON RUN
Bishop Dwenger
The Saints are built for the point in the season when the weather turns nippy and passing games can be derailed by conditions. The strengths of the Saints – defense, running game, defense, special teams, defense – is conducive to the postseason.
Other contenders: Wayne, Bishop Luers
