Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area regional matchup scheduled for this Friday.
We dip into Class 3A as Bishop Luers (7-5) heads to Twin Lakes (10-2).
TWO STORYLINES
1. NOT YOUR TYPICAL LUERS
The road to regional hasn’t been a straight and easy shot for Bishop Luers, which captured its 29th sectional title in program history last week.
With a wealth of sophomores on the field and a small junior class, the fall began with inexperience abound in all three facets of the game for the Knights. An 0-3 start in which Coach Kyle Lindsay’s team scored just seven points combined was rough, but as experience has been gained, so has production and, with that, victories.
Bishop Luers has lost just twice since that 0-3 start, defeats at the hands of SAC champion Bishop Dwenger and runner-up Carroll, both of whom captured sectional titles last week.
The timid sophomores are now playing like confident juniors, and with that has come better results, especially offensively.
2. O’SHEA WORKING HIS MAGIC AGAIN
As he did at Lafayette Central Catholic in the early to mid-2010s, Coach Kevin O’Shea is producing a winner at Twin Lakes. Last week’s sectional title was the first in 23 years for the Indians, who have won double-digit games in a season for the first time since 2003.
Much like Bishop Luers, the Indians aren’t laden with impact seniors. which makes O’Shea’s efforts all the more impressive.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
TOMMY REICHERT, SOPHOMORE, BISHOP LUERS
The Knights have gone back and forth all season between Reichert and fellow sophomore Knox Johnson, but settled on Reichert down the stretch and into the postseason.
Reichert is still learning, but with every game gains more confidence and looks more comfortable running the offense. After throwing three interceptions in his first three appearances of the season, he has tossed four touchdowns with just a single interception in the last four games.
This game isn’t solely in Reichert’s hands, but if he can continue to limit mistakes and turnovers, it bodes well for the Knights.
ETHAN NEED, SENIOR, TWIN LAKES
One of the few seniors that have put up big offensive numbers for the Indians, Need is a 6-2 receiver who can go up and high point the ball and has deceptive quickness off the line of scrimmage.
Need is Twin Lakes’ big-play guy, as his 22.2 yards per reception indicates. For the season, he has hauled in 38 balls for 843 yards and 10 touchdowns. Need partnered with junior Ledger Shaffer, who has 49 receptions and 10 touchdowns of his own, gives the Indians a solid one-two punch in the passing attack.
JAXSON HILL, SENIOR, BISHOP LUERS
The senior safety did not see much action a season ago as the Knights were loaded with experience in the secondary. But as most of that group moved on, Bishop Luers needed to find some guys with confidence on the back end.
Hill has filled that role, holding things down for the Knights at safety. He leads the team with three interceptions to go with 44 tackles. He has really emerged as a reliable safety net as the last level of defense and is adept at playing the ball in the air. Twin Lakes is gonna take some shots downfield. Look for Hill to be in the thick of it attempting to shut that down.
MATTHEW “CHEWIE” WALTERS
A leader along both lines for the Indians, Walters has dealt with torn ligaments in his wrist this season, but it hasn’t stopped him from leading the defense with 145 tackles to go with five tackles for loss.
If Twin Lakes is to win this game, it needs to find a way to at least win some battles consistently up front. Walters will be a big part of trying to contain a tough and physical Bishop Luers defensive front, as well as an offensive line that has been opening holes routinely in the playoffs for running backs.
A leader despite being only a junior, the Indians will look to Walters to be a consistent force against the beasts up front for the Knights.
KEY TO VICTORY – BISHOP LUERS
RUN THE FOOTBALL
The backfield tandem of TJ Epperson and Brandon Gaither II – both sophomores – has grown stronger as the season has progressed. By moving the chains consistently on the ground, Luers has had the luxury of picking and choosing when it goes vertical with Reichert, as opposed to being forced to via necessity by playing from behind.
Combined, Epperson and Gaither II have rushed for close to 2,000 yards on the season. A hearty night on the ground will help pave the away to a regional crown for the Knights.
KEY TO VICTORY –TWIN LAKES
BE AGGRESSIVE DEFENSIVELY
This isn’t a dominant defense by any means, but the Indians have forced 20 turnovers this year, including 14 interceptions, half by junior Ledger Shaffer.
Twin Lakes is not winning this game by sitting back and being passive on defense. Coach O’Shea has been around long enough to know that. It must bring pressure to rattle Reichert and perhaps force him into some mistakes. It needs to take chances to bottle up the run and perhaps take its chances in man coverage downfield.
The Knights are still a young team with a lot of kids learning how to handle the playoffs. Being creative and assertive on defense could put Luers off balance enough to keep this one close.
PREDICTION
Coming Friday when Blitz makes his regional picks.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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