Four years without a sectional championship isn’t a significant drought for most programs, but for Bishop Dwenger it feels like an eternity.
The Saints enter the 2025 campaign seeking some big accomplishments, namely some hardware. Whether it comes in the form of an SAC Victory Bell, postseason trophies or a combination, Coach Jason Garrett feels he has the roster and coaching staff to make some noise after consecutive 6-6 seasons.
A total of 14 starters are back, including eight on the offensive side of the ball. Perhaps the biggest boost is the five projected linemen all have starting experience – multi-year starters Andrew Trahin and Lewis Morris at tackle, KC Pieper and Noah Weimer at guard and center Vance Diepenbrock, a long snapping standout who recently committed to Bowling Green.
Senior Henry Jordan returns and is healthy after battling a recurring injury in 2024 that limited him to action in just six games and a total of 89 pass attempts.
The top two rushers return, with Gus Tippmann having rushed for 744 yards and four touchdowns as a junior last year. Fellow senior AJ Shefferly ran for a team-high seven touchdowns last fall. Both are multi-year starters.
In terms of receivers, Beckham Russell is back for his senior campaign after leading the team in receptions (15) and receiving yards (247) in 2024. Tight end target Nicholas Tippmann will give Jordan a lifeline to throw to. Keep an eye on junior Thomas Danys, who could emerge as a top threat.
While leading tackler Dylan Tippmann is gone, the Saints have two standout defenders to build around in senior Doug Henry (100 tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles) at linebacker and Houston Ellinger (93 tackles, 10 TFL, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one INT) in the secondary. Both are aggressive and fundamentally sound at their respective levels of the defense.
Pieper will see action at linebacker, while Trahin and Lewis Morris will see more time along the defensive front.
The secondary is laden with experience in addition to Ellinger. Senior Jackson Parrish will contribute, as will juniors Cooper Campbell, Carter Zent and Nicholas O’Keefe.
Senior Lucas Nguyen has been a weapon at kicker for years for Bishop Dwenger. Last season, he placed 27 of his 45 kickoffs into the end zone while hitting all 11 of his field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards.
WHY #6?
There is a lot to like about this Bishop Dwenger team. The defense has proven contributors and the offense has adopted a more modern approach while keeping the earmarks of the traditional Saints attack close. A healthy Henry Jordan gives the offense significant potential, in addition to veteran running backs and a cadre of receivers that are better than last year’s stats indicate when the team struggled to find consistency through the air.
The non-conference schedule has a better chance of giving Bishop Dwenger some momentum against Roncalli and St. Francis De Sales. A Week 4 showdown at Carroll will be telling.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There is very much a “wait and see” approach with the Saints outside the program. Over the summer and through pre-season scrimmages, they have looked absolutely phenomenal. Spring practices were utilized to their fullest extent, and Bishop Dwenger dabbled in the 7v7 side of things in June to help the offense find some rhythm and consistency.
By mid-season, this initial ranking could seem very low. But a lot will still come down to the play of the linemen on both sides and being able to execute.
CRUCIAL GAME
Week 4 at Carroll
This game will not decide the SAC, but it will go a long way towards finding out if the Saints will be in the conversation.
Carroll has owned this conference in recent years, winning three of the last four league titles. Conversely, Bishop Dwenger has lost four straight in the series by an average of 26 points. Capture a win here, or even a close loss, will show that this Saints team is different.
CRITICAL PLAYER
QB Henry Jordan, senior
The offseason was tremendously kind to Jordan. Not only did he get his body right, he got plenty of reps with his receivers and zeroed in on what will take him to the next level. Working closely with former Carroll quarterback Jimmy Sullivan will undoubtedly pay dividends as well.
Jordan has looked precise and confident in his throws over the summer. If the line can give him protection, his play will translate into him emerging as one of the best quarterbacks in the area by season’s end.
Be the first to comment