While every team in the area has visions of a winning season, some have more motivation than others.
For some, it could be high preseason expectations. For others, it could be bouncing back from a down season or setting the tone for future success.
There is a multitude of reasons why, but suffice to say there is a bit more incentive with the teams below to put together a solid, if not stellar, 2024 campaign.
BISHOP DWENGER
If there is one area team that its fan base treats like a college program, it is Bishop Dwenger. Every loss (and win) is put under a microscope, magnifying what it means in relation to the state of the program.
The Saints are 19-15 over the last three seasons, although a 42-20 dub over Snider in the 2021 sectional championship continues to be underappreciated.
Why has Bishop Dwenger struggled by Dwenger standards? The defense has allowed opponents to score in double digits in 24 consecutive games and 33 of the last 34. So it’s safe to say that the Saints’ defense needs to be the catalyst if this team is going to compete for a Bell this year. The senior class is laden with proven defenders – Nick Pelkington, Peter Thiel and Tommy Poiry, among others.
The Saints allowed an average of 32.2 points against Homestead, Carroll, Bishop Luers and Snider last year, plus 31 to Leo in sectionals.
Success for Bishop Dwenger will rely on the defense improving.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
If anyone thought that the Braves would hit the ground running in Year 1 of 11-man football after winning a state title in 8-man in 2022, they got a rude awakening.
The Braves went 1-9 last season, with their lone win coming against Vanlue High School in Ohio in Week 10, an institution with a total enrollment under 75 kids.
If anything, 2023 was proof that Blackhawk Christian has a long way to go to be a contender in Class 1A. This fall won’t be about piling up wins, but rather showing in Year 2 that the Braves are on the right track when it comes to growing a program. Coach Brice Bennett has confidence that this team can take the next step, with son Chip Bennett back as QB1.
Vanlue is on the schedule again in Week 7, but road games at Bluffton and South Adams won’t do Blackhawk Christian any favors. This is a program still trying to find its footing. A step forward on the field, even by a win or two or just being more competitive (seven losses last year by 33 or more points), would do wonders for the future.
EAST NOBLE
It was a reasonably successful season for the Knights a year ago, eight victories in what turned out to be Luke Amstutz’s final head coaching campaign.
In steps Alex Stewart, who inherits a talented roster and a familiar nemesis – Leo. The Lions have beaten six straight times and have ended East Noble’s season in each of the last three years.
There is no doubt that the Knights will be a player at the top end of the NE8. But with Rylee Biddle at QB1 and a very good defense led by the likes of Dylan Krehl, Pace Agee and Logan Hatton, will it be enough to finally knock off Leo again?
GARRETT
There is a lot of excitement around Garrett this preseason. On paper, this could be the Coach Chris DePew’s best squad 2016. That team won 12 games and captured sectional and regional crowns before falling to eventual state champion Concordia.
The ceiling may not be as high as that squad, but the offense returns its quarterback in Calder Hefty, the leading receiver Parker Skelly and all but 64 of its 2,002 rushing yards from a year ago.
Close losses to Eastside and Angola last season stand out, as well as a rout at the hands of West Noble. But a year old and more experienced, these Railroaders should be the favorite in the NECC Big Division.
Garrett hasn’t won a division crown since, you guessed it, 2016.
HOMESTEAD
Want to hear a weird stat? The Spartans are 4-2 in their last six games against Snider. That includes a 23-20 overtime victory a year ago. Homestead also beat the other SAC co-champion in 2023, a 10-7 decision over Bishop Luers in Week 9.
But overall, Homestead has been largely pedestrian over the last three seasons, going a combined 16-14.
Once again, we enter 2024 wondering if Homestead can find the consistency to put them in the conversation with Snider and Carroll as one of the most complete squads in the league.
The Spartans are excited about their skill players. Junior QB Michael White should break out this year, and Kail Swager and Liam Moore are two exceptional, but unappreciated, wideouts who will turn heads this fall.
But there are questions about the front lines. Homestead is accustomed to having big, hulking and athletic guys along the offensive and defensive lines, but there has been a drop-off in that regard the last few campaigns.
If the lines can develop and control the line of scrimmage, Homestead can ascend up the SAC again.
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