A massive shift took place over the weekend in the SAC, as Snider took down the defending champion Carroll Chargers in a heated game. How long will Snider last atop the SAC? Can they make it to season’s end?
Big Division
1. Snider (5-0)
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 5: 27-24 W vs 6A #9 Carroll
Week 6: at 6A Homestead
Brandon Logan may have earned himself Most Valuable Performance of the Year honors after the Panthers’ massive win over Carroll. Not one, but two pick-sixes that brought Snider into the game and brought Snider the victory. This is how well-rounded Snider is. When the offense is struggling, the Panthers can always turn to the defense to get the job done.
2. Carroll (3-2)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 5: 27-24 L at 5A #1 Snider
Week 6: vs 4A Wayne
Jimmy Sullivan has to be kicking himself after this one. Two games this season that have had the results drastically altered by costly interceptions–both this one and the Hamilton Southeastern game. This Carroll team is really good, and so is Sullivan. But the mistakes HAVE to be cleaned up.
3. Bishop Dwenger (2-3)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 5: 28-27 W vs 6A Homestead
Week 6: at 6A Northrop
Down 21-7 late in the third quarter, hope seemed lost until a field goal and successful onside kick in the waning minutes of the third brought the Saints hope. An 18-point fourth quarter led by the QB play of Ethan Springer catapulted Dwenger to the comeback win, as Springer threw for 142 yards and three scores. This was a much-needed win for Dwenger.
4. Homestead (2-3)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 5: 28-27 L at 4A Bishop Dwenger
Week 6: vs 5A #1 Snider
This was a rough one for Homestead. The running game was moving like a charm, as senior back Brett Fuchs ran for 169 yards and two scores on 28 carries. But once the fourth quarter hit the Saints’ defense dialed in. Homestead’s offense needs strong QB play. The Spartans can’t rely on the running game to win games against offenses with the firepower necessary to tack on points in bunches.
5. Northrop (0-5)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 5: 38-6 L at 5A North Side
Week 6: vs 4A Bishop Dwenger
North Side tore up the Bruins’ secondary on Friday, as the Bruins gave up 209 passing yards on just 18 attempts by the Legends. The Northrop defense still needs time to build chemistry and experience.
Small Division
1. Bishop Luers (3-2)
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 5: 38-0 W vs 3A Concordia
Week 6: at 5A North Side
First shut out of the year for Luers, and the exact opposite result as the 38-0 shutout loss in 2020 to Concordia. A game with few flaws for the Knights, except in penalties. Luers got called for 12 penalties which tallied 106 yards against them—something other SAC teams won’t let slide without consequences.
2. North Side (2-3)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 5: 38-6 W vs 6A Northrop
Week 6: vs 2A #15 Bishop Luers
Once again, Coach Johnson called in Tae Johnson to man the offense at quarterback. Once again, Tae Tae handled the task excellently, throwing for 211 yards and two scores with no interceptions (all of that off just 17 throws). North Side’s offense seems to be back in stride after a rough start to the year. Don’t count the Legends out of the Small Division race just yet.
3. Wayne (3-2)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 5: 47-6 W at 4A South Side
Week 6: at 6A #9 Carroll
The Marcus Cooper-Deonte Williams Jr. connection was going off Friday night against the Archers. Of Cooper’s 217 yards, 137 went to Williams. Of Cooper’s two scores, both were off connections to Williams. Wayne is notoriously all about the running game, but Friday was a brilliant display of what the Generals can do through the air.
4. Concordia (0-5)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 5: 38-0 L at 2A #15 Bishop Luers
Week 6: vs 4A South Side
After throwing 42 attempts in Week 4, Carter Ripke could only complete four passes against a stout Legends defense. The defense couldn’t slow North Side down, and the offense couldn’t do much of anything. On to the next one.
5. South Side (0-5)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 5: 47-6 L at 4A Wayne
Week 6: at 3A Concordia
South Side has a chance this week to take the goose egg off their record against Concordia. Their biggest challenge this year on defense has been defending the pass, and they face a Concordia team that has been very on-and-off through the air. The Archers are coming to Zollner Stadium with a purpose on Friday night.
