The big storyline of Week 5 is being spoken of across the state, as Homestead hosted 5A #1 Snider and pulled off an overtime upset behind a stout defensive performance in the second half. The Big Division race is completely up for grabs in a four-way tie.
Big Division
1. Snider (5-1)
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 6: 23-20 (OT) L at 6A Homestead
Week 7: vs 6A Northrop
The offense was missing something against Homestead, and whether it was fire or desire, what the Panthers did wasn’t enough to halt the upset. Ke’ron Billingsley threw for 117 yards and no touchdowns. Uriah Buchanan ran for 126 yards but only broke out for one rush above 20 yards. Snider just didn’t step up, and maybe underestimated what Homestead is capable of.
2. Carroll (4-2)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 6: 17-10 W vs 4A Wayne
Week 7: vs 6A Homestead
Much like Snider, Carroll found themselves on upset alert. Unlike Snider, the Chargers were able to narrowly sneak by Wayne thanks to a phenomenal effort by the defense. Braden Steely (who also ran for over 100 yards) and Ashton Pesetski combined for 19 solo tackles and 30 total tackles, with Pesetski adding a 10-yard sack. A scary-but-needed comeback win for Carroll.
3. Bishop Dwenger (3-3)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 6: 42-14 W at 6A Northrop
Week 7: at 2A #11 Bishop Luers
For a second straight week, Ethan Springer threw for 150+ yards and 3+ scores as his QB play continues to get better every week. All three phases stepped up against Northrop as the Saints breezed by the Bruins.
4. Homestead (3-3)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 6: 23-20 (OT) W vs 5A #1 Snider
Week 7: at 6A #12 Carroll
Homestead kept feeding the ball to Brett Fuchs, and it worked from start to finish as his walk-off touchdown in overtime capped off a 167-yard performance. A stunning upset to shake up the SAC race—and even to keep Homestead in the race at 3-1 in conference play.
5. Northrop (0-5)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 6: 42-14 L vs 4A Bishop Dwenger
Week 7: at 5A #1 Snider
Northrop’s woes continue against Dwenger, as they could do nothing to slow Springer down. Next up, they have a date with arch-rival Snider.
Small Division
1. Bishop Luers (4-2)
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 6: 30-28 W at 5A North Side
Week 7: vs 4A Bishop Dwenger
In a tough road game with major Small Division implications, Luers absolutely demolished the Legends’ passing game, allowing just 28 passing yards in a game that came down to offensive proficiency. It was not pretty, but it was just enough to remain undefeated in conference play.
2. Wayne (3-3)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 6: 17-10 L at 6A #12 Carroll
Week 7: vs 3A Concordia
Wayne’s defense dominated, holding Jimmy Sullivan to one touchdown and forcing two uncharacteristic interceptions. However, the offense was outmatched in every way and had to gut their way to just ten points. Still, a valiant effort against the defending 6A runner-ups.
3. North Side (2-4)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 6: 30-28 L vs 2A #11 Bishop Luers
Week 7: at 4A South Side
North Side’s ground game exploded as both Kamden Johnson and Tae Johnson ran for 100+ yards. Outside of them, however, North Side’s offense really struggled behind a lack of big plays. The defense also failed to capitalize off of 120 penalty yards by Luers.
4. South Side (1-5)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 6: 35-6 W at 3A Concordia
Week 7: vs 5A North Side
South Side forced five interceptions and four fumbles (two recovered) against Concordia in a fiery performance by the Archers’ defense. Concordia couldn’t keep up one bit, and South Side has their first SAC win since August of 2021.
5. Concordia (0-6)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 6: 35-6 L vs South Side
Week 7: at 4A Wayne
Concordia hasn’t been winless this deep in the season since a 0-10 finish in 2010—Tim Mannigel’s first year. Things have not looked great this year for Concordia, as a one-touchdown, five-interception performance against 0-5 South Side showed just how rough it’s been for the Cadets in 2023.
