This week’s column is a shout-out to the other guys on semi-state bound Bishop Luers and Bishop Dwenger, the unsung football warriors who are just as important as their Friday night highlight-reel high school teammates.
These are the players delivering plays on the periphery of media attention that often centers around quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and linebackers.
These are the guys like Bishop Luers’ 6-foot-2, 330-pound senior Gabe Hendricks. Now, you wouldn’t think Hendricks could be overlooked with that kind of size, but it’s hard to catch the eye with Norm Knapke flinging the ball and receivers zipping this way and that. Hendricks has a knack for pressuring quarterbacks and has also taken on center duties on offense.
These are the guys like Bishop Dwenger defensive back Sam Obergfell, who ranks sixth on the team in tackles, has three interceptions and often ends up in the right place at the right time.
Luers (9-4) hosts West Lafayette (13-0) in the Class 3A semi-state at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Luersfield. Dwenger (12-1) travels to Mishawaka (12-1) in Class 4A at 7 p.m. Friday in Mishawaka.
The usual names will get their due if Luers and/or Dwenger find a way to reach the state championship games Thanksgiving weekend.
Today, let’s recognize a few of the sometimes unrecognized. In addition to Hendricks and Obergfell, hats off to these terrific underrecognized football players:
BISHOP LUERS
Josh Dippold, senior defensive back/linebacker. Dippold has 73 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and an impressive five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He has also blocked a punt. “A team leader and a model of consistency, he has a 4.5 GPA,” Luers coach Kyle Lindsay said.
Jack Sweeney, senior offensive/defensive lineman. He’s a team captain who helps anchor the offensive line at left tackle, not only helping with pass protection but with Jordan Presley’s 1,200 yards rushing. He helps Luers average 380 yards of offense per game.
Will Derrick, senior offensive/defensive lineman. Lindsay calls him the quickest lineman on either side of the ball on the team. Derrick leads Luers with 16.5 tackles for loss.
Ramon Anderson, sophomore free safety. He has 67 tackles and three interceptions despite being 5-foot-6 and weighing only 143 pounds. “He’s a small but mighty tackler,” Lindsay said. “Very good in the open field.”
Allen Jackson, senior linebacker. Jackson, another team captain, receives a little media love, but not enough considering he leads Luers with 114 tackles, has 9.5 tackles for loss and was selected to the Blue-Gray All-American Game in Dallas.
Some other Luers players who have been critical but don’t necessarily receive a lot of publicity are receiver/defensive back Jamic Johnson, linebacker/tight end Nick Birkmeier, second-year senior lineman Mike Murphy and right tackle Sam Garretson, who missed three games with a concussion.
BISHOP DWENGER
Nick Hosier, senior offensive lineman. Hosier doesn’t get the acclaim of some on the Dwenger offensive line but he’s a big reason the Saints averaged a shade under 200 yards rushing per game. “A quite leader on and off the field,” Dwenger coach Jason Garrett said.
Jared Lee, senior linebacker. The attention went to TJ McGarry and Hayden Ellinger early in the season and with good reason. But Lee has come on strong after shaking injury. He has 52 solo tackles, third behind McGarry’s 60 solos and Ellinger’s 57 solos, despite Lee missing two games. “He has become quite a contributor on the defensive side,” Garrett said.
Vinnie Tippmann, senior tight end. He’s been another key cog in the offense, primarily as a blocking tight end. But his biggest catch of the season helped the Saints beat Wayne in a sectional championship showdown.
Alex Kolkman, senior center. Kolkman makes all the calls on the offensive line, Garrett said, and has had only one bad snap all season “and that was in a game where field conditions were very rough.”
Michael Garrett, senior kicker. He has hit five of six field goals, with a long of 41 yards and has converted 27 of 32 extra points. He has hit 15 field goals in his career, a steep total for a high school player and gives Dwenger the ability to find a key three points in any tight game.
Dwenger’s list of under-recognized players could also include major contributors such as lineman junior Jordan Watercutter, versatile senior defensive player Charlie Howe, sophomore lineman Vinnie Fiacable and former quarterback turned receiver Patrick O’Keefe.
