Football
SAC Power Poll: Week 8
1. Carroll(8-0)
Week 8: 51-0 win over Concordia
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 9: @ Wayne
The Carroll Chargers got another dominant victory in week 8 and this one locked up the SAC title giving the Chargers a second straight SAC championship. With Carroll clinching the bell it is now the 4th straight year that either the Chargers or Homestead Spartans have won at least a share of the conference which is significant because when these two teams joined the conference in 2015 they were not able to win the bell in any of the following four seasons. Now 8 years in the conference with 4 combined championships these teams seem very well adjusted to SAC play. The game against Concordia where the Chargers clinched the conference it was another showcase of how great they are in all aspects of the game. Quarterback Jimmy Sullivan threw for 5 touchdowns and even caught one thrown by Cam Herschberger and not to mention that all came in the first half for Sullivan. The Charger defense also showed out as they held the Cadet offense to just 60 total yards. Next week the Chargers will look to remain unbeaten when they face the Wayne Generals.
2. Snider(7-1)
Week 8: 28-0 win over Bishop Dwenger
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 9: vs Bishop Luers
The Snider Panthers’ streak continued in week 8 as they got their 6th straight win. The scoring from the offense was spread out as Uriah Buchanan and Langston Leavell rushed for touchdowns and Luke Haupert threw one to Lincoln Firks. The score came from a Bishop Dwenger field goal attempt in which Ke’drell Billingsley blocked the kick, scooped it up, and scored. Defensively the Panthers also came up big all night as they held the Saints scoreless. Some of those big plays were an interception by Brandon Logan and a sack by Lukas Rohrbacher that forced a turnover on downs. Next week the Panthers will try and extend their winning streak to 8 games when they play the Bishop Luers Knights.
3. North Side(6-2)
Week 8: 49-12 win over Northrop
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 9: vs Concordia
The Legends high flying offense showed out in week 8 as they have now scored 42 or more each of the last 5 weeks. Quarterback Bohde Dickerson threw for 5 touchdowns last week as he has now thrown for 15 touchdowns in the last three weeks versus just one interception. Brauntae Johnson hauled in three of those touchdowns for 136 yards on 8 receptions. The other two receiving TDs were brought in by Kaden Hurst. Jontae Lambert also showed out again in the run game with 276 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Davon Doughty made a big impact with 7 tackles and 2 sacks. The Legends will try and continue their dominance next week when they play against the Cadets.
4. Bishop Dwenger(5-3)
Week 8: 28-0 loss against Snider
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 9: vs Northrop
The Saints showed some promise in the first half against the Panthers as they were trailing just 7-0 and set up with a 1st & goal with just 41 seconds left in the first half but they were unable to convert. From there the Panthers were able to control the game making it difficult for the Saints throughout the 2nd half. Next week the Saints will look to bounce back against the Northrop Bruins.
5. Bishop Luers(4-4)
Week 8: 42-0 win over South Side
Previous Ranking: #6
Week 9: @ Snider
The Knights’ trend of never going on a streak this season continued into week 8 as they got a dominant bounce-back win over the Archers. It was a balanced attack for the Knights as Charlie Stanski threw for 2 touchdowns while Zamarian Jackson rushed for 2 touchdowns and Giovanny Jimenez rushed for one. The score for the Knights came from the defense as Wesley Javins picked up a fumble and took it all the way for 6. Javins also got 2 sacks on the night.
6. Homestead(4-4)
Week 8: 61-54 win over Wayne
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 9: @ South Side
The Homestead Spartans offense showed out in week 8 snapping a 4-game losing streak and putting up 61 points. Quarterback Peyton Slaven played a phenomenal game throwing for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing for 73 yards and a score. Grant Leeper was Slaven’s favorite target of the night as he brought in 148 yards and a touchdown. Kam Johnson was very successful on the ground for Sparty as he rushed for 146 yards and 4 scores. The issue for the Spartans is that this is now the 4th straight game the defense has allowed 49 or more points after allowing just 12.8 points a game through the first four weeks of the year which is not a trend you want to be on as the postseason nears. Next week the Spartans will look to put it all together on both sides of the ball against South Side.
7. Concordia(3-5)
Week 8: 51-0 loss against Carroll
Previous Ranking: #7
Week 9: @ North Side
The Cadets ran into the ever-so-dominant Carroll Chargers in week 8 and they were just too much for the Cadets to handle. Defensively the Cadets were able to get in the backfield a couple of times as James Rusher got 2 TFLs and Grant Hayworth got a sack. Next week the Cadet defense will be put to the test once again against the high-scoring Legends offense.
8. Wayne(2-6)
Week 8: 61-54 loss against Homestead
Previous Ranking: #8
Week 9: vs Carroll
The Generals’ offense was fantastic in week 8 looking absolutely unstoppable but it just wasn’t enough as they fell just short of upsetting the Spartans. Christian Trimble had a career game against Sparty when he threw for 425 yards and 4 touchdowns. Lamarion Nelson also showed out as he got 191 total yards along with three touchdowns. Jacob Sharin was also a big playmaker for the Generals as he came up with 3 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown along with a 79-yard kick return touchdown. The Generals will look to continue their offensive success next week when they play the Carroll Chargers.
9. Northrop(1-7)
Week 8: 49-12 loss against North Side
Previous Ranking: #9
Week 9: @ Bishop Dwenger
The high-flying Legends offense was too much for the Bruins to handle in week 8 as they fell 49-12. As for the scoring, both touchdowns on the night came from great goal-line pushes from the Bruins offensive line. Julante Hinton and Keone Bates were the two to cross the pylon for the Bruins.
10. South Side(0-8)
Week 8: 42-0 loss against Bishop Luers
Previous Ranking: #10
Week 9: vs Homestead
The Archers had another difficult week as they faced the Bishop Luers Knights in week 8. The Archers next week will be looking to gain some momentum heading into the postseason when they play the Homestead Spartans.
