Concordia (4-4) at North Side (3-5)
Prediction: North Side wins 33-20
Concordia isn’t allowing very many points, only 118 all year, but they aren’t scoring very many either, only 148 total. This makes them simultaneously the best statistical defense in the SAC and the second worst offense. North Side is the opposite with an explosive offense led by new school single-season passing leader Duce Taylor, who has 2,261 yards through the air and 29 touchdowns. The defense though has been among the worst in the SAC allowing 281 points through 8 games. In a game featuring an elite offense and a tremendous opposing defense, while both teams have been proportionally bad on the other side of the ball, something will have to give. While Concordia largely slowed down Carroll’s passing attack and offense last week, North Side knows they also have a quality running back they can depend on in Jasuan Lambert (993 yds, 7.5 yds/car, 10 TD) who has kept defenses honest. He’s the key in the Legends win this week.
Northrop (4-4) at Bishop Dwenger (7-1)
Prediction: Dwenger wins 28-13
If you told Coach Doerffler at the start of the year that his Bruins would be 4-4 heading into the Dwenger game, he’d certainly be satisfied with that. With all the playmakers and experience that Northrop lost, specifically on the offensive side of the ball, it’s quite impressive that Northrop has found their way to an even record on the year. It’s all been because of RB Damarius Cowen’s 171 average yards per game behind one of the best offensive lines in the SAC. They’ve given the Bruins another opportunity to finish the season with a winning record. This week they face the Saints, a team they nearly knocked off this time last year. While Northrop could linger in this game for a while, especially with both teams’ emphasis on running the football and draining the clock, it’s hard to see the Bruins last for four quarters in this game. Dwenger’s physicality prevails again for their eighth win of the year.
Homestead (7-1) at South Side (1-7)
Prediction: Homestead wins 56-6
If you didn’t already know by now, Homestead can clinch the SAC with a win over South Side. Though it didn’t look like it right away, this Homestead offense has suddenly become the most potent in the conference and is averaging a league-leading 37.4 points a game. The Spartans have yet to lose to South Side under Coach Zolman, and have won every by double digits. We don’t expect anything too crazy this week either, with Homestead winning another conference championship, this time on the road.
Carroll (6-2) at Wayne (1-7)
Prediction: Carroll wins 35-20
Here’s an interesting statistic: over the last three years the Chargers have won 2 of their 3 matchups with Wayne, but have only won at most by 10 points. Carroll hasn’t been able to pull away from Wayne on the scoreboard and, in the case of 2018, they even lost by a point to a Generals team on a magical run. Now with a new head coach at the helm, Wayne will try to make things prickly again for the Chargers. Carroll should make things look better on the scoreboard this year, but it will take a great effort from QB Jeff Becker, now with 2,145 yards and 27 touchdowns, to gain some separation.
Bishop Luers (3-5) at Snider (4-4)
Prediction: Snider wins 31-28
This ought to be a fun game with each team eager to collect another win. Both Luers and Snider have great players on the offensive side of the ball, with running back’s Sir Hale and Tyrese Brown turning in plenty of 100+ yard performances in the past few weeks, but it’s defense that will be the key this week. Snider has been great on that side of the ball, but the Knights have allowed an average of 38.9 points to teams this year. That could be the difference between getting a late stop or giving up a late touchdown, giving the Panthers the edge in this one.
