For the first time in the Jason Garrett era, Bishop Dwenger is coming off a season in which it did not win some sort of postseason championship.
The 41-6 drubbing at the hands of Snider to open the playoffs signified the first one-and-done for the Saints since 2014.
Safe to say, the conclusion of the 2022 campaign has been more than enough incentive for Coach Garrett’s squad over the past year.
But the schedule is daunting. Like seriously so.
Bishop Dwenger will open with a Brownsburg squad that may be one of the best teams in 6A, followed by a visit to Ohio to take on Archbishop Moeller, ranked No. 33 nationally in the preseason by MaxPreps.
The first three league games are against North Side, Carroll and Homestead in Weeks 3-5, leaving no margin for error early in the SAC race.
Needless to say, the Saints will need to hit the ground running.
The defense will be challenged early and often in the first half of the season, a unit that lost All-SAC First Team players in linebacker Robert Pelkington and defensive backs CJ Davis and Teddy Steele.
However, Bishop Dwenger does return several starters in the secondary – senior Max Carey (50 tackles, 12 passes defended, two INTs) and juniors Brady O’Keefe (29 tackles, 17 passes defended, one INT) and Ryan Groves (26 tackles, six passes defended, two INTs). That trio will be the backbone of the back end that will need to be ready from the jump.
The Saints thrive on allowing their linebackers to roam and make plays. Expect more of the same in 2023 with seniors Christian Lozada (53 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks) and Trent Tippmann (38-10.5-2.5). But also keep an eye on other players to emerge at the second level.
Up front is a question, with Bishop Dwenger being uncharacteristically owned up front at times a year ago. Nick Pelkington returns with a year of starting experience, with the league taking notice when he was a sophomore a season ago by being voted All-SAC Second Team.
Offensively, Garrett will decide on a starting quarterback after the scrimmage, with Braxton Bermes, Carroll transfer Ethan Springer and Henry Jordan all under consideration. Bermes saw the most action of the trio last year behind Sam Campbell, but Springer is a senior.
Senior Carter Minix is primed for a breakout season at wide receiver. He led Bishop Dwenger in receiving yards a season ago and hauled in five touchdowns, but didn’t get the volume with only 22 receptions. He is also a dangerous return man, averaging close to 30 yards per return on punts and kickoffs.
The reliable Ashton Skarie has moved on to Saint Francis, leaving a void up front on both sides. Seniors John Paul Henry and Wyatt Tippmann will anchor the offensive front, back after starting last year. Other guys in the trenches to watch include seniors Max Brinker, Daniel Ley and Joseph Schenkel as well as juniors Andrew Trahin and Peter Thiel. All are capable of being thrust into the lineup on offense and/or defense.
Tobias Tippmann is back after leading the Saints in rushing attempts (74), rushing yards (375) and running touchdowns (six) a season ago. Look for Minix and Trenton Tippmann to get some carries as well, with juniors Paul Baumgartner and Lucas Collins also in the mix
WHY #10
Bishop Dwenger is a football institution not just in this area, but the entire state. A 6-4 season a year ago wasn’t what people expected (particularly certain alumni), but Carroll and Snider – with three dubs between em over the Saints – were clearly better teams and the North Side game was a toss-up.
Turning the page to 2023 has been an easy thing to do for Bishop Dwenger while finding the desire to get better. This program prides itself on toughness and physicality. There wasn’t enough of either last year.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Bishop Dwenger may not be favored in a game until Week 6 at Northrop. The schedule makers did the Saints no favors in the SAC matching the Saints up with teams expected to be in the top 4-5 of the league in consecutive weeks. Factor in the daunting non-conference matchups and the first half of the season could be a rough road for Garrett’s squad.
But that doesn’t mean this team is necessary bad if it struggles. If motivation stays strong and positive, this could be a dangerous squad entering October and the 5A playoffs.
CRITICAL GAME
Sept. 1 vs. North Side
Bishop Dwenger and the Legends will open the SAC facing off in Week 3 at Shields Field. This one was a back-and-forth affair in 2022 that went North Side’s way.
For a considerable amount of time, Dwenger was able to ease into the conference slate with challenges awaiting in the regular season’s second half. Not anymore. With Carroll and Sparty to follow this one, the Saints’ margin for error is slim.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Carter Minix, senior, WR/RB
CJ Davis was Bishop Dwenger’s explosive player a year ago. Minix needs to be that guy this season.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior can make defenders miss and has exceptional field vision. While the Saints’ offense will once again prioritize grinding out yards and moving the chains, in the high-flying SAC, Bishop Dwenger needs to keep pass with some guys who can put up some dynamic plays. Minix can set the tone with his performance.
4 Trackbacks / Pingbacks