Football
SAC Power Poll: Week 4
1. Carroll (4-0)
Week 4: 38-0 over Northrop
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 5: vs Bishop Dwenger
The Chargers have made it clear they are the #1 team in the SAC week in and week out through these first four weeks. On both sides of the ball, this team just looks unstoppable. This week on offense quarterback Jimmy Sullivan found the end zone 4 times twice on the ground and twice through the air. Sophomore running back Nate Starks also made big plays with over 100 yards in total along with 2 touchdowns. Defensively the Chargers got their first shut out of the season while getting 9 sacks in total with 3 from Royce Jones. Next week the Chargers will look to get their first 5-0 start since 2014 in a game against Bishop Dwenger.
2. Snider (3-1)
Week 4: 42-0 win over South Side
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 5: vs Homestead
The Panthers’ week 3 dominance carried into week 4 as they have now won two straight games with a score of 42-0. The passing attack was working all night for the Panthers as Luke Haupert threw for three touchdowns on the night. The Panthers also rushed for three touchdowns with Langston Laevell, Uriah Buchanan, and De’juer Johnson all getting across the pylon. The special teams unit also made some big plays for the Panthers including two blocked punts by Zyon Greene. The defense also made some big contributions including TFLs from Austin Ganaway and Lukas Rohrbacher. Next week the Panthers face off against the Homestead Spartans as both teams are trying to stay alive in the race for the SAC title.
3. North Side (2-2)
Week 4: 45-16 win over Wayne
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 5: vs South Side
This week the Legends started off a little slow as they trailed the Generals 8-6 in the 2nd quarter and it still was just a one-possession game at half as the Legends had a 14-8 lead at the break. It was really in the 2nd half where the Legends offense was able to explode with 31 second-half points. Jontae Lambert led the way with 231 yards and 2 TDs on the ground for the Legends. Kaden Hurst stepped up big in the absence of Brauntae Johnson with 103 yards and a TD on 5 receptions. Defensively Josh Masasu was all over the field with 14 tackles on the night. Brashawn Brassett also played great with 9 tackles, a TFL, and a forced fumble.
4. Bishop Dwenger (3-1)
Week 4: 14-10 win over Homestead
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 5: @ Carroll
Entering week 4 of SAC play the matchup between the Saints and Spartans was the top two scoring offenses going head to head so you would expect a high-scoring affair when they met up in week 4 but it was quite the opposite as the defenses for both teams made big plays all night long. The biggest was a game-sealing interception by Max Carey for the Saints as the Spartans were just outside the redzone with 30 seconds left in the game. The biggest storyline from this game is just how impressive Sam Campbell was as a dual-threat quarterback. Campbell was consistently an elusive runner for the Saints making it hard for the Spartans’ defense to stop. As the Saints passing attack was in limited action but when it was used it came up with some big plays as Stellan Ruston and Carter Minix both came up with huge 40-plus-yard receptions. After beating one of the two remaining unbeatens last week the Saints will try and knock off the last remaining unbeaten the Carroll Chargers.
5. Homestead (3-1)
Week 4: 14-10 loss against Bishop Dwenger
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 5: @ Snider
Last week the Spartans were in a heavy-weight battle against the Saints in which they fell just short of a late-game comeback attempt. After facing a 14-0 deficit at halftime the defense was able to shut out the Saints in the 2nd half but it just wasn’t enough as the Spartans’ offense struggled against the elite Dwenger defense. When the Spartans’ offense was clicking it was mainly due to Brett Fuchs who put up 82 rush yards on 12 carries along with 100 receiving yards on 10 receptions. As for the defense they had a phenomenal second half in which they just completely shut down the Saints’ offense. Jackson Christmon and Aiden Shepherd both made big plays for the Spartans getting multiple TFLs. As the Spartans move forward it does not get any easier as they are in the middle of a four-week gauntlet in which their next three opponents are Snider, North Side, and Carroll.
6. Bishop Luers (2-2)
Week 4: 41-14 over Concordia
Previous Ranking: #6
Week 5: vs North Side
Charlie Stanski played absolutely perfect this week for the Knights completing 14 passes in 15 attempts with 241 yards and 2 TDs. Nick Thompson was the leading receiver on the night with 105 yards and two touchdowns on just 3 receptions. The run game was also clicking for the Knights as Zamarion Jackson found the endzone twice. Defensively the Knights played elite forcing 5 turnovers. Giovanny Jimenez and Cadell Wallace both got one interception along with two interceptions from Jackson Mccullough. The Knights will now try and carry this momentum into week 5 as they will host the North Side Legends.
7. Wayne (1-3)
Week 4: 45-16 loss against North Side
Previous Ranking: #7
Week 5: vs South Side
The Generals were able to keep the game within reach in the first half against the Legends as the run game was once again able to control the clock. In the second half, the game slipped away from the Generals as the Legends took control. Lamarion Nelson once again had a nice performance on the ground this time with 137 yards. Defensively the Generals got two sacks with Mikelion Ragsdale and Keaton Walker each gettin’ gone. Cayden Rochford also made some big plays with 10 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. Next week the Generals look to get back on the winning side of things as they face off against the South Side Archers.
8. Concordia (1-3)
Week 4: 41-14 loss against Bishop Luers
Previous Ranking: #8
Week 5: vs Northrop
The Cadets struggled overall in week 4 but were able to finish strong outscoring the Knights 14-0 in the 4th. Quarterback Eli Mattox was able to connect for two touchdowns on the night, one with Noah Trent and the other with Khalyn Thomas-Williams. Tyler Moher and Grant Hayworth both had nice performances defensively for the Cadets with a combined 15 tackles and 3.5 TFLs. Next week the Cadets will look to bounce back against the Northrop Bruins.
9. Northrop (1-3)
Week 4: 38-0 loss against Carroll
Previous Ranking: #9
Week 5: @ Concordia
The Bruins took on the challenge of the unbeaten Carroll Chargers in week 4. They struggled early on as the Chargers got a 38-0 lead in the 2nd quarter. The Bruins’ defense was able to shut out the Chargers in the second half. Next week the Bruins will look to get their second win of the season in a winnable game against the Concordia Cadets.
10. South Side (0-4)
Week 4: 42-0 loss against Snider
Previous Ranking: #10
Week 5: @ Wayne
The Archers faced off against the Snider Panthers this week whose only loss is against the lone unbeaten Carroll Chargers. The Panthers were just too much for the Archers as they were able to control throughout. Next week the Archers look to bounce back against Wayne.
