Football
SAC Power Poll: Preseaon
1. Snider
2021 Record: 9-2
Week 1: vs North Side
- The Panthers are coming off of a great season where they went 8-1 in the SAC which tied for first place. The Panthers are losing a lot of firepower on both sides of the ball from last year including Tyrese Brown who was a 1000-yard rusher last season, but they also return a lot of talent. Such as quarterback Luke Haupert, wide receivers Kamari Juarez, and Kedrell Billingsley along with running back Langston Leavell who had 5 games last year of 70+ yards showing potential while behind Tyrese Brown. Brandon Stuckey returns and will be leading the Panther offensive line. On defense, they return a nice core of linebackers with Lukas Rohrbacher, Nicolas Talamantes, and Zyon Greene. Amarrion Moore also returns on the defensive line for the Panthers. The returning talent on both sides of the ball for the Panthers makes them a true contender for the SAC title and with North Side and Carroll as their first two opponents they will be tested early.
2. Carroll
2021 Record: 10-2
Week 1: at Bishop Luers
- For the past couple of years, Carroll has been a team known for their offensive firepower with Jeff Becker at quarterback along with elite offensive weapons like Jameson Coverstone and Luke Carmody. With those guys now graduated, it seems like the Chargers are going to shift this year and lean a little bit more on the defense. Dylan Bennett will be the leading force for the Chargers’ defense as he is coming off of an All-SAC first-team season. Along with Bennett, three other starters return on defense including Jorge Valdes, Justin Anderson, and Braden Steely. On the offensive side of the ball, the Chargers might not be as explosive in years past but will still have the potential to put up some points. With sophomore running back Nate Starks alongside sophomore quarterback transfer Jimmy Sullivan the Chargers have some young talent with a lot of potential. Last season’s All-SAC 1st team Tight End Jayden Hill also joins the Chargers squad and joins a receiving core that includes Cooper Rudolph, and Gabe Starks.
3. North Side
2021 Record: 2-7
Week 1: at Snider
- The Legends are coming off of a difficult 2-7 season where they showed the potential to compete with the top of the SAC. On the offensive side of the ball, it’s clear the Legends have the tools to put together a top offense in the SAC with star receiver Brauntae Johnson now paired with transfer quarterback Bohde Dickerson. Then mixing in quite possibly the best running back room in the SAC this year with Dominick Malone, Javius Davenport, and Jontae Lambert who got over 700 rushing yards last season, plus returning 4 starting offensive linemen with Jordan King, Da’von Haney Jr, Mitch Vargovich, and Khriston Stalling. The Legends offense looks ready to put up some big numbers this year. Defensively the Legends return 7 starters including cornerbacks Brashawn Brassett and Micheal Dye along with transfer linebacker Davon Doughty who was an all-SAC honorable mention last season. And not to forget All-SAC first-team defensive lineman Mitch Vargovich. On both sides of the ball, the Legends return loads of talent and add in quarterback Bohde Dickerson to make for an interesting squad that will look to compete for the SAC title and go for their first winning season since 2013.
4. Homestead
2021 Record: 6-4
Week 1: vs Northrop
- Year in and year out with Coach Zolman at the helm the Spartans have been a well-rounded and well-balanced team with no seasons below .500 in Zolman’s 18 years at Homestead. This year the Spartans don’t return too much experience with just 6 starters returning from last season, but the Spartans offense does have continuity under center with quarterback Peyton Slaven along with returning talent at the running back position with Brett Fuchs and Kam Johnson. Eric Williamson and Jackson Bell also return as starters on the offensive line. On defense, the Spartans return two starters: Johnny Waddell and Jackson Christmon who was 1st Team All-SAC last season. Overall the Spartans are going to be a young team this year with just 6 returning starters which means they are going to have to find their way quickly in SAC play to compete for a SAC title.
5. Bishop Dwenger
2021 Record: 7-5
Week 1: vs Wayne
- Dwenger is coming off of a season with their lowest win total since the 2014 season with 7 wins which shows how consistently great the Saints have been. The Saints lose a lot of firepower on offense with Evan Springer, KJ Tippman, Henry O’Keefe, and Rocco Ciocca all graduating. Sam Campbell is going to be the starter at quarterback this year for the Saints. Campbell is an all-around athlete who has experience at wide receiver and defensive back. Like normal, the Saints are going to be dominant on the line of scrimmage with a loaded running back room with Teddy Steele and Trent Tippman. It’s very likely for some of the biggest names on this Saints squad to play both ways for the majority of the season such as Ethan Plueger, Ashton Skarie, Teddy Steele, and transfer CJ Davis who was All-SAC first team last season.
6. Wayne
2021 Record: 4-8
Week 1: at Dwenger
- The Generals return two All-SAC 1st Team members from last season in running back Lamarion Nelson and defensive end Nehemiah Young. Nelson rushed for 1,621 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and once again will be the leading force for the Generals offense this year. Defensively Wayne is going to be looking to improve this year after allowing 32.8 PPG last season. Returning defensive starters Nehemiah Young, Keaton Walker, Darrion Alexander, and Cayden Rochford will headline the General’s defense this year.
7. Bishop Luers
2021 Record: 10-2
Week 1: vs Carroll
- Last year the Knights made a leap from 8th in the SAC to tying for the SAC title. A big key to their success last year was their explosive offense that was led by Carson Clark, Brody Glenn, Sir Hale, Jayden Hill, George Buday, Antwain Lake, and Brendan Mitchell who all are no longer with the Knights. Trying to replace that much production is going to be very difficult but that does not mean that it can’t be done. Quarterback Charlie Stanski, running back RJ Hogue, and Wide receiver Brayden McInturf will try to take on the challenge of replacing that production. Defensively the Knights return 4 Starters including RJ Hogue, Jackson McCullough, Mikey Daring, and Nick Thompson who was 1st team All-SAC last season. Just like the Spartans the Knights are going to have to find their rhythm quickly in SAC play.
8. Northrop
2021 Record: 3-7
Week 1: @ Homestead
- The Bruins are looking for newfound success this year with new head coach Quentin Bowen. On the offensive side of the ball, the key returners are quarterback Keone Bates Jr alongside wide receivers Jayden Schmenk and Jaylen Williams. Schmenk and Williams were both All-SAC honorable mentions last season. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bruins return junior defensive end Julante Hinton who was 2nd Team All-SAC his freshman and sophomore year. Along with Hinton, Northrop has linebackers Omarion Rogers and Tavon Freeman return. Schmenk and Williams are also likely to play both ways and be in the secondary for the Legends. Northrop has the talent to surprise some people this year in Coach Bowen’s first season at the helm.
9. Concordia
2021 Record: 2-8
Week 1: at South Side
- Coming off of a 2-8 season from last year the Cadets will look to improve this season. Quarterback Eli Mattox returns and will be leading the Cadet offense once again this year. Bubba Craig also returns and he will be the anchor on the Cadet offensive line coming off of an All-SAC 2nd Team season. On defense, they return a core of linebackers including Tyler Moher, James Rusher, Lance Chandler, and Tim Okeowo along with defensive end Grant Hayworth.
10. South Side
2021 Record: 1-9
Week 1: vs Concordia
- The Archers are now entering year two of the Guy “Tiny” Lee era and they are looking for an improvement in the win column this year as they haven’t won 3 or more games since the 2013 season. Micheal King III, a lineman who plays on both sides of the ball is returning this season after being named All-SAC 2nd Team last year. Adrian Macon is another key returning player for the Archers this season. Week one is going to be a prime opportunity for the Archers to start the season off right when they face off against the Concordia Cadets.
