Patrick Finley’s 10-week timeout to heal his collarbone allowed him to soak in a few things about the Bishop Dwenger football team.
He has a new appreciation for the scout team, for example. He was able to sit back and see how much the Saints love physical play. And he realized how much he ached to get back on the field.
Finley, a junior wide receiver, was cleared to resume playing Wednesday.
On the first play from scrimmage in Dwenger’s 40-7 win over Angola in the Class 4A regional championship Friday at New Haven, the Saints called a play-action pass.
“(Finley) came up to me, he knew the first play we were going to go deep and he said, ‘So much for working me back into the offense,’ ” sophomore quarterback Brenden Lytle said. “He’s always positive. He was a little nervous before the game. I said, ‘Calm down, you’ll be fine. Do your thing.’ And he did his thing.”
Lytle hit Finley deep, and Finley found the end zone for a 49-yard touchdown.
“I was real nervous before the game,” Finley said. “As soon as I got out there and ran the route, I knew (Lytle) would put the ball on the spot.”
The two connected again later, with Finley catching the ball at the 3-yard line and fighting through four would-be tacklers for another touchdown. Finley also caught a 35-yard pass, giving him three catches for 98 yards.
“(Finley’s return) brought a lot of energy to our guys, to our locker room and to him,” Dwenger coach Jason Garrett said. “I’m so, so happy for him and his family and our team.”
Dwenger (12-1) will play Mishawaka for the semi-state championship next Friday.
The return of Finley, along with the improved play by Lytle, gives the Saints some new options on offense. Lytle’s increasing confidence is showing. He threw a perfect strike to quarterback-turned-clutch-receiver Patrick O’Keefe for another touchdown.
The Saints aren’t veering away from the run. After all, Devon Tippmann rushed 22 times for 234 yards and a touchdown against the Hornets. They also benefit from the leg of kicker Michael Garrett, who hit a 39-yarder Friday.
“I think we’re really coming together and it’s the best time to come together, going to the semi-state,” Tippmann said. “We came out fast and showed what we can do on both sides of the ball.”
Finley’s presence can’t be overstated. He has speed and playmaking ability as a receiver and a kick-return man, and the fact defenses must worry about him should help the entire offense.
Dwenger was obviously a strong team while he was out, and their strengths became apparent to the guy who couldn’t wait to get back on the field.
“It was an experience,” Finley said. “I got to cheer my guys on and see the hard work everyone does on the practice field, especially the scout team and the work they do. …We’re a hard-nosed football team. We like to hit people. We’re physical. We love playing with each other.”
Finley, Lytle, Tippmann and Garrett all said they believe the Saints continue to improve.
Sitting one win away from another trip to state, that statement ought to generate optimism for Dwenger fans.
“I feel like we’re hitting (our peak) right now,” Lytle said. “The passing game has opened up a lot. Devon’s helping us out and all the running backs are helping us out.”
CLASS 3A
BISHOP LUERS 42, MISHAWAKA MARIAN 6
It’s all about the playmakers at Bishop Luers, and they seem to be hitting their stride at the best time.
Norm Knapke threw five touchdown passes and Jordan Presley scored four touchdowns as the Knights beat Mishawaka Marian 42-6 in the Class 3A regional championship at Luers.
Three of Knapke’s touchdowns were to Presley (74, 12 and 15 yards) and he threw a 48-yard score to Nate Moore and a 46-yard score to Justin Gaston. Presley’s other touchdown came on a 1-yard run set up by another Presley run.
Knapke finished 15-of-29 passing for 306 yards. Presley rushed 12 times for 73 yards and caught four passes for 111 yards. Moore caught four passes for 95 yards.
Luers (9-4) will play West Lafayette for the semi-state championship next Friday.
CLASS 6A
CARMEL 20, SNIDER 6
The Panthers’ offense was frustrated all night by Carmel, as Snider finishes 9-3 with a regional championship loss.
Carmel intercepted Snider quarterback Jon Barnes three times, limiting him to 11 of 18 passing for 87 yards. Carmel also limited the Snider running game, with A’Nyis Lockett carrying 18 times for 44 yards. Snider’s sole touchdown came courtesy of the defense, as Ethan Hoover returned a fumble 46 yards for score in the fourth quarter.
Hoover led Snider with nine tackles, Tavareon Scott had seven and Gianini Belizaire six.
