Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area semistate matchup scheduled for this Friday as teams vie for a trip to Indianapolis over Thanksgiving weekend.
We continue by looking at Class 3A where undefeated Garrett (13-0) travels to perennial power Bishop Luers (9-4).
TWO STORYLINES
1. TEAM OF DESTINY?
Earlier in the season against West Noble, Garrett celebrated its one and only state championship team – the 1974 Railroaders.
Here we are 50 years later with the program just one victory away from returning to the big stage at state for the first time since that championship.
This team has gotten it done with offensive dominance. It has done with lock-down defensive performances. It has done it in routs. It even has done it while down multiple scores in the second half, like it was last week against Knox.
The common theme has been that Coach Chris DePew’s squad has found a way to have the most dominant and exciting team at Garrett in the last half century. Just one more game stands between the Railroaders and the entire town of Garrett invading Indianapolis next Saturday.
2. A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR A PERENNIAL POWER
Bishop Luers is no stranger to big games. Its 17 semistate championships ranks only behind Bishop Chatard (18) as the most in state history. However, the Knights have not won a semistate while in Class 3A, losing semistate games in that class in 2014 (to Andrean) and 2018 (to West Lafayette).
Friday is a chance to make history, something that doesn’t happen very often for the Knights, winners of 12 Class 2A state championships.
It won’t look and feel much different once the opening kickoff is launched at 7 p.m. at Luersfield, but representing in Class 3A for the first time would be a big deal for Bishop Luers, which has ousted back-to-back undefeated teams to reach the semistate round and is looking to oust a third in Garrett.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
CALDER HEFTY, SENIOR, GARRETT
Hefty’s heroics in taking over the second half of the regional game against Knox was just the latest in a season full of them for the senior.
At quarterback, Hefty has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He won’t pick you apart through the air, but he will make plays to keep you honest defensively. He also keeps defenses off-balance with the ability to run, evidenced by his 1,131 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.
As a defensive back, he is third on the team in tackles and has picked off two passes, created a pair of fumbles and recovered another.
DEE HOGUE, JUNIOR, BISHOP LUERS
Another all-around talent in the vein of Hefty. While being a consistent difference maker on defense, he has come alive of late on the offensive side.
He is second on the team in rushing, but has scored in four straight games while toting the rock, while rushing for 365 yards over that same time span. Hogue can also make you pay as a receiver, with 13 catches to his credit on the year.
Defensively, he is one of several play-making guys in the secondary.
With Daryea Williams, Hogue presents the best 1-2 punch of running backs that Garrett will have faced all year.
AIDEN HUNT, JUNIOR, GARRETT
When the Railroaders shut down West Noble running back Seth Pruitt not once, but twice this year, Hunt was at the tip of the spear. The interior lineman leads the team in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6.5) to go with 55 tackles.
Hunt is strong and physical. He is a two-way guy who never seems to go less than 100 percent. Garrett’s ability to corral the Luers’ running backs close to the line of scrimmage and not allow them to get to the second and third levels will be key. Hunt has been filling that role against opposing offenses all year long.
AYLE TAYLOR, JUNIOR, BISHOP LUERS
Last year it was Damiun Jackson who wreaked havoc throughout the Class 2A playoffs, this year in 3A it is Taylor.
At 6-foot-4 and a touch over 200 pounds, the junior edge/outside linebacker is equal parts smooth, quick and disruptive. His length allows him to get off or around blocks and seal the edge. He loves to get after the quarterback, evidenced by his team-high nine sacks and 16 hurries.
But Taylor is arguably at his best in run defense, where he has an eye-popping 22 tackles for loss.
The secondary is stout for Bishop Luers, but Garrett must find a way to combat Taylor, or scheme away from him.
KEY TO VICTORY – GARRETT
CARVE UP LUERS ON THE GROUND
With Parker Skelly, Garrett can be effective through the air, but the easiest path to victory for the Railroaders is being able to move the ball with its rushing attack.
Coach DePew’s team is averaging 297 yards per game on the ground. It has found ways to feed Camren Ruble, Alex Guzman and Hefty time and again to move the chains.
Garrett does not have to pull off chunk running plays, it only needs to move the chains effectively without having to go to the air too much. The Bishop Luers secondary is too good for the Railroaders to consistently have success vertically. Keep this one ugly with handoff after handoff after handoff.
KEY TO VICTORY – BISHOP LUERS
EXECUTE FOR A FULL FOUR QUARTERS
Whether it is untimely penalties or taking the foot off the gas late, Bishop Luers is still an imperfect football team. It is also a young football team. You could say that this squad is a year ahead of schedule, with the junior class laden with talent in key positions in all three facets of the game.
Garrett is the best team that the Knights will have faced in the playoffs, a list that includes undefeated Mississinewa and Maconaquah. Bishop Luers cannot afford mistakes in this one. Turnovers and penalties must be held to a minimum. Missed opportunities could loom large. In other words, the Knights need to play its most complete game of the entire season.
PREDICTION
Coming later today when Blitz makes his semistate picks.
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