The big boys are back in the SAC with a whole new look to the conference. That look comes because the SAC is now split into two divisions and will feature non-conference games to start the season.
This is the type of schedule that many in the area have been asking about for years and it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
As far as in conference goes though, who takes the lead?
THE FAVORITE: CARROLL CHARGERS
What has us so confident? Start at quarterback, with Jimmy Sullivan back for his junior campaign after throwing for 2,203 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. While learning on the fly at times a year ago, the then-sophomore still was the best QB in the area, adding 182 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Fellow junior Nate Starks is also back fresh off an 1,134-yard, seven TD campaign a year ago. In fact, the top four rushers from last year’s squad have returned, with Braden Steely (482 yards, 13 TDs), Sullivan and Noah Balbo.
The passing attack needs to replace Cam Herschberger (737 yards, seven touchdowns) and tight end Jayden Hill (472 yards, four TDs) as well as classmate Cooper Rudolph (218 yards, TD), but the Chargers will look to senior Hansen Haffner (479 yards, team-high 10 TD receptions) to be the X-factor.
There are no shortage of viable candidates at wideout outside of Haffner, but pay particular attention to sophomores Mason Baughman and Jaidon Van Pelt, a pair of breakout candidates.
Senior center Jake Wilson will be the anchor along the offensive line that has a plethora of bodies and talent alike.Carroll will miss Royce Jones along the defensive front, but Ashton Pesetski is back after leading the team in tackles (84), tackles for loss (19) and sacks (12) in 2022.
Justin Anderson is back at linebacker and Steely at safety as two of the top players at their respective positions in the northern part of the state.
THE CONTENDER: SNIDER PANTHERS
Uriah Buchanan (435 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns) is going to have to carry the load not just out of the backfield but possibly for the offense as the only returning skill position player in the Panther lineup. It will be up to Ke’ron Billingsley to take over the quarterback spot from a multi-year starter that graduated. Billingsley didn’t take too many snaps a season ago but was 5-of-5 when he did throw the ball. Boston Conley, Allen Bolton and Trevor Jarvis step as at receiver while Jack Langas returns to the starting role at tight end. Just 54 yards of receiving from 2022 return to tthe Snider lineup. Langas will also help protect the front line with three returning offensive linemen, led by tackle Ethan Dodson. The line will also return Pau Lian and Carter Wilson.
Five defensive starters are back, punctuated by one of the area’s best and most hard hitting linebackers in Lukas Rohrbacher. Rohrbacher (86 tackles, 2 sacks) can prove to be a game changer and will be joined in the linebacker corps by Jake Tippmann, Landin Fry, Nate Ruffin and Dallas Woodson. The defensive line will see two returning starters with Will Kelso and Adam Blakey back; Isaac Cruz and RJ Nichter will join them on the defensive front.
The real strength for Snider’s defense on day one is going to be an experienced secondary. Senior Austin Ganaway (27 tackles, 2 INT) has spent two years starting in the defensive backfield. He will be joined by fellow returning starters Levi Overholser (37 tackles, 2 INT), Brandon Logan (50 tackles, 3 INT) and Jamarion Kalagbodi while Javarus Bowers will add to the depth.
THE REST:
NORTH SIDE LEGENDS
The centerpiece is senior Brauntae Johnson, committed to Notre Dame. The two-way stud went for 69 receptions, 1,081 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago. But there are questions elsewhere at wideout. Junior Jamari Pearson will command a great role with the transfer of Kaden Hurst to Leo. Expect some youngsters to get a chance to shine outside of the top two.
Losing Bohde Dickerson to graduation hurts. He was the unquestioned MVP of the Legends a year ago behind center, tossing for 2,111 yards and 28 touchdowns. Into the role steps senior Dylan Schible with huge shoes to fill. Jordan King anchors the line, with the Purdue commit joined by fellow seniors Jeremiah Adams and Ean Coburn as well as junior Fernando Brockway. The addition of Homestead transfer Kamden Johnson (625 yards, 13 TDs last year) along with seniors Javius Davenport (13 carries, 65 yards, two TDs) and Chris Granger will step up admirably in the backfield.
Junior Josh Masasu is back in the middle of the defense after leading the team in tackles last season. The defensive front has the potential to be nasty with seniors Da’Von Haney (38 tackles, three sacks) and Jamie Roy (27 tackles) lining up with the junior duo of Tobias Delaney and James Early (10 tackles, two sacks). Pearson and Tristen Newsome are two of the area’s best in coverage in the secondary. Add Brauntae Johnson to that equation and the defensive backfield should be stout.
HOMESTEAD SPARTANS
A summer quarterback competition to replace Peyton Slaven saw a trio of players in the mix. It is believed that Michael White, a sophomore will get the first shot at QB1. But Coach Chad Zolman has options if things don’t work out for the talented youngster. Leading rusher Kam Johnson transferred to North Side, and with graduation further gutting the depth chart the most proven back outside of do-everything Brett Fuchs is is junior Jake Thrash (24 carries, 80 yards, two TDs). Speaking of Fuchs, he is back after hauling in 43 receptions for 705 yards in 2022, both team highs.
Junior Kail Swager showcased some big-play ability when he averaged over 16 yards per reception a season ago. Senior Nathan Bardwell will also command a bigger role. The Spartans return both starting guards in seniors Jackson Bell and Luke Geise, although Eric Williamson and Gavin Cozad lead voids up front. Homestead returns six players with starting experience in the 3-3-5 defense it employs, although First Team All-SAC Jackson Christmon’s graduation leaves a hefty void. A trio of seniors, Preston Haught (22 tackles), Arlondo Sheets (27 tackles, three TFL, two sacks) and Xander Swihart (16 tackles, one sack, one TFL) will all be looked upon to command the trenches on defense, something the Spartans were unable to do against the better teams on the schedule last year.
Senior Aiden Shephard is a player to watch at linebacker after notching 45 tackles and five TFL last fall. He will be joined by fellow senior Jose Espinoza (14 tackles, two TFL) and junior Sam Steward (38 tackles, two INTs), who can play at the second and third levels of the defense.Wyatt Little at safety returns as a senior. He had a pair of INTs last year and will likely be the leader on the back end.
BISHOP LUERS KNIGHTS
The offensive reins will be handed to senior Kohen McKenzie. Seniors Gio Jimenez (338 rushing yards, five TDs in 2022) and Mickey Daring (300 yards, eight scores) will be the two-headed monster at running back. While 1,000-yard receiver Nick Thompson and Brayden McInturf have graduated, Coach Kyle Lindsay is high on the trio of senior Isaac Zay (31 catches, 490 yards, five TDs), junior Jaylon White and sophomore Daveon Surry. If there is a strength of the offense in terms of experience, it will actually be in the trenches with a multitude of starters and key contributors back – including seniors Tristian Woodcox(413 pounds!) and Dalton Bogdon, junior Michael Brough and sophomore Zack Wall.
The Knights accumulated 16 interceptions last season. Only twoof those – one each from Jimenez and Zay – are back. But there is potential on the back end with the likes of juniors Jaylen White, Jacob Felger and Evan Wilkensin addition to sophomores McKale Woodson, Dee Hogue, Surry and Xavier Martin. The linebacker corps should be the strength of the defense with Zay and Daring as the vets with fellow seniors Finn Saxe and Jarell Thomas commanding greater roles. Up front, the defensive line should be more effective and deeper. Senior Damiun Jackson is back after posting 29 tackles, five TFL and 2.5 sacks last season.
BISHOP DWENGER SAINTS
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).
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. 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.
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
WAYNE GENERALS
Believe it or not but Wayne is a team of high intrigue again heading into a new season. They have a lot of really good pieces in place and the book on the Generals is whether or not they can string all of it together quickly. That said, they did lose high yardage running back Lamarion Nelson and quarterback Christian Trimble so there are still holes.
There receiving group of this team is extremely talented so once Wayne settles in to a new quarterback, the options are abundant. It starts with Harold Mack, one of the best rising receivers in the area, who caught 36 passes for 499 yards in 2022. Back too is Jacob Sharin (452 yards), who made plenty of big plays last year too. Seniors Deonte Williams Jr. and Ki’shawn Toles will also both be big offensive weapons for Wayne. Kamron Gallamore and Peyton Alt will return along the offensive line.
The quarterback position, at last known, was still a two man race with Marcus Cooper and Leo Wilkinson still fighting for time.
The defense is a very young one for Wayne, but Darrion Alexander (60 tackles) will return to help take the lead in that department. Adrian Wooten will be one to watch in the defensive backfield while Lenahs Martin will help off the defensive line and Taiwan Johnson and Zaire Sullivan could help significantly on the defensive end.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CADETS
Teh Cadets will face the reality very quickly that they are young and have a lot to replace due to graduations and transfer. Senior Carter Ripke will step into the QB1 role after the graduation of Eli Mattox, who seemed to be the QB at Concordia forever. Ripke, who also plays defensive back, is not a new face tot he Cadet lineup, but taking over the quarterback duties is big for him. Noah Trent (318 receiving yards) will be the only receiver back with significant catches last season, but up and coming junior athlete Avery Cook will help quite a bit lined up wide as well. The Cadets lost their other top five receivers (next to Trent) with two graduating and two transferring. Grant Wood and Jason Wiegmann will lead the offensive line.
The defense will rely on some of the same faces on offense with the team being so young. Wood (2 sacks) will take the lead on the defensive line, while Wiegmann will join fellow junior Zack Spielman at linebacker. Ripke and Cook will be leaders in the secondary with Cook’s 28 tackles in 2022 being the highest total coming back to the Cadets; he also tallied a pair of interceptions last fall.
“We will be very young this year. We currently only have three seniors on the team and two didn’t play last year due to injury,” Concordia coach Tim Mannigel said. “We’re pleased with our other classes and think there and many very good football players in those classes. It remains to be seen how quickly that youth will mature.”
NORTHROP BRUINS
The Bruins will face a pretty big rebuild as they try to gain traction in the SAC this season. It starts at quarterback, where sophomore David Callison looks to be in the lead from a position battle with senior Axel Bullins. Julante Hinton (239 yards) is the offense’s leading backfield returner with Jay Barksdale-Wilson likely getting significant time back there this season too and sophomore Legend Relue available. Senior Devion Woods (207 receiving yards) is the only pass catcher back with over 40 yards receiving in 2022; senior Jermont Guilford and sophomore Jerquaden Guilford important parts in the receiving corps and Jaxon Hughes is back at tight end.
Riley Murphy, Decorian Pittman and Mason Widmer return along the offensive line.
The secondary is one place where Northrop should have he most experience. Aaron Robinson (29 tackles, 1 INT) and Bryce Madison (23 tackles) are returners with Donlaray Reese and Camren Hamiel joining them in the defensive backfield. Of course, Hinton returns after leading the Bruins in tackles with 64 last fall and his presence from the middle linebacker spot is huge. Another linebacker back is Adrian Portee-Boyd (44 tackles). Ezekiel Cowherd returns along the defensive line.
Landen Hirsch (long snapper) and kicker/punter Jakob Gump are both returning.
SOUTH SIDE ARCHERS
A new coach, a new turf field and a lot of new and fresh energy and expectations could make South Side one of the biggest and brightest stories of 2023.
Coach Andre Goodwell seems like the perfect fit to rebuild the program that once was a state contender. He has told multiple outlets how excited he is about the speed of he team and their ability to play physical.
South will want to lean on a couple of the few returners they have in two way players Ambrose English and Isaac Lee (15 tackles) back. They will be key for the defense with a secondary that could be strong with those two returners alongside Anthony Pearson at safety.
English and Lee (208 yards) are both back at receiver as well to help a young and inexperienced offense. The quarterback dynamic could be an interesting and ever evolving one as the team replaces a graduating senior in Larrenz Tabron. That evolution will come between senior Cody Jenkins (158 yards), who backed up Tabron last season. Sophomore Robert Murphy and touted freshman Kendrick Alexander could also see snaps and find ways to contribute.
The backfield is young but there are plenty of options with Brian Elridge, Dominick Malone and Cylis Portee although South Side returns just three yards of rushing from last season. The program also returns athlete Cadell Wallace, who caught for 167 yards last season as well as having 27 tackles and a team high four interceptions for Bishop Luers.
SAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
“A Division”
1. Carroll
2. Snider
3. Homestead
4. Bishop Dwenger
5. Northrop
“B Division”
1. North Side
2. Bishop Luers
3. Wayne
4. Concordia Lutheran
5. South Side
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