Bishop Dwenger (6-1) at Snider (6-1)
Prediction: Dwenger wins 24-21
This game used to be, and to an extent still is, the one that decides the SAC. With Homestead’s dominance this year in the conference, things have been a little different, but historically this game would often settle who was #1 in the conference. This year it’s for #2 as well as to gain confidence heading into sectionals in a couple of weeks. We know Dwenger is capable of going far and they could do it again this year with the SAC’s most efficient passer QB Brenden Lytle (1,305 yds, 12 TD, 66% comp) and three very capable ball carriers behind him, with Louie Tippmann (414 yds, 1 TD), Devon Tippmann (278 yds, 9 TD), and Patrick Finley (269 yds, 3 TD) paving the way for big plays on offense. Snider’s senior quarterback Jon Barnes Jr is coming off one of his best performances of the season (15-21, 195 yds, 3 TD vs Northrop) and will look to go out with a bang in his final game at home. Fellow senior WR Alonzo Derrick will look to build off a good game last week as well, after he racked up 7 catches and a touchdown. This game will come down to time-of-possession or, in other words, who has the ball more. That’s what Dwenger does best and it should aid them in a win over the Panthers.
Carroll (4-3) at Concordia (3-4)
Prediction: Carroll wins 42-20
The Cadets will have one last chance to showcase their talent against a team in the upper half of the standings. QB Brandon Davis (1,318 yds, 12 TD) has been gobbling up yardage through the air and should continue to do so on Friday. RB Amir Drew (736 yds, 5.7 yds/car, 10 TD) has been a huge playmaker on this offense and has been tough for many defenses to contain. And then there’s WR Jalen Vanderbosch who is still tearing it up with 429 yds, 28 rec, and 4 TD. With this kind of offensive firepower, you may be wondering why we didn’t pick them to win. Well, when Carroll’s defense leads the SAC with 10 interceptions and they’re facing the most interception-prone quarterback in Brandon Davis, who has thrown 11 this year, it doesn’t spell a win for Concordia. The Chargers should win fairly easily.
Wayne (0-7) at Homestead (7-0)
Prediction: Homestead wins 56-0
Anything over a 40-point victory is what should be expected of the Spartans this week. Unfortunately, that shows you where we are with Wayne right now. They couldn’t beat teams like South Side and Bishop Luers, and have gotten clobbered by stiffer competition. The offense has been hot and cold, while the defense has been a question mark at best, allowing 30+ points 6 times this year. With QB Luke Goode (1,912 yds, 20 TD, 64% comp) and the Homestead defense facing the Generals this week, it could get ugly fast.
Northrop (4-3) at North Side (3-4)
Prediction: Northrop wins 31-27
This should be yet another fun, close game this week. North Side has improved every week, though last week it took a little extra effort to pull out a win against South Side. The Bruins found a little offense bit of offense last week in their game against Snider. Still, it wasn’t enough to get what would have been a huge upset. However, this game will be another opportunity for RB’s Damarius Cowen (490 yds, 6.1 yds/car, 4 TD) and Jeremiah Green (480 yds, 4.4 yds/car, 7 TD) to run wild as they have all year, nearing a collective 1,000 yd mark. The running back on the other side will be tough to stop too, as Alex Holliday-Robinson comes off an 82 yd and 1 TD performance last week. The team that is able to run the ball more effectively should be the team that wins it.
South Side (1-6) at Bishop Luers (1-6)
Prediction: South Side wins 21-10
It will be interesting to see if South Side will bring the same focus that they’ve had over the last few weeks, after blowing a lead to their arch rival in their biggest game of the year. It will be equally interesting to see if Luers will be focused after they got beat 47-0 against Dwenger. It will be yet another game that’s won by the team that wants it more. Look for South Side QB Demere Clark (611 yds, 6 TD) to keep his hot streak as South Side wins a low scoring game.
