For the first time since 2018, Bishop Dwenger will battle for a Class 4A state championship at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The opponent? A familiar one in Roncalli, who the Saints played in Week 1 on the road and fell by a 3-0 score.
The rematch is set for a 3 p.m. kickoff on Saturday afternoon. Can Bishop Dwenger return to Fort Wayne with the big trophy?
Let’s break it down.
TWO STORYLINES
1. REMATCH OF WEEK 1
A few people mentioned how the Week 1 showdown in Indianapolis between these two teams could be a potential state finals preview. Well, turned out to be just that.
It was a battle of defenses in that 3-0 game on August 22, with Roncalli kicking a field goal midway through the fourth quarter for the lone points of the game.
Bishop Dwenger, with some new offensive packages entering the season, was still finding its way on that side of the ball. But since that game, the Saints have only scored single digits in a game just once, and that was a 9-6 victory over Carroll on Sept. 12.
So, suffice to say the Bishop Dwenger offense will be better this time around.
But Roncalli has also improved since Week 1. After that win over Bishop Dwenger, the Royals dropped tough road games to Franklin Central and Bishop Chatard, but since then they have gone undefeated in games against in-state foes, including a revenge dub over Chatard in the sectional and a dominant 42-14 performance over second-ranked Heritage Hills in semistate.
2. STRENGTH ON STRENGTH
Outside of undefeated New Palestine in Class 5A, Bishop Dwenger is allowing the least amount of points of any of the teams that qualified for state at 8.1 per game. Even in a loss in Week 1, the Saints kept Roncalli 30 points below its scoring average.
Conversely, the Royals are averaging over 211 yards rushing and 353 total yards per contest.
What gives on Saturday?
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB/LB AJ Shefferly, senior, Bishop Dwenger
When you think of traditional Bishop Dwenger football players, Shefferly fits the profile. He is decently sized, but by no means gargantuan. That said, he is a tough, hard-nosed football player.
On offense, he is Bishop Dwenger’s leading rusher with 746 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is the guy who can gain the tough yards in short-yardage situations. On defense, he is one of the leaders in tackles (65), tackles for loss (13.5) and is tied for the lead with Houston Ellinger in sacks (6.5). Shefferly can play the pass and run and is a steady presence wherever he lines up.
QB Collin Ash, senior, Roncalli
In Roncalli’s spread option scheme, Ash makes the machine go. He has rushed for 1,015 yards and 23 touchdowns this season while also throwing for 1,843 yards, 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Bishop Dwenger was able to bottle Ash up in the first game, but he has hit his stride as the season has gone on. Smart and savvy with the football, the Saints’ defense will key a lot on Ash and slowing him down.
LB/DE KC Pieper, senior, Bishop Dwenger
It was Pieper who jumpstarted the Saints in the semistate round against South Bend St. Joseph with his fumble recovery for a touchdown. It was his fifth recovery of the season to go with 121 tackles, three sacks and a team-high 18 tackles for loss.
The 6-foot, 210-pound Pieper is utilized in a variety of ways by the Saints. He can play inside and out at the second level of the defense and can come off the edge in Dwenger’s 3-3 stack defense.
Look for No. 15 to be moved around a lot pre-snap on Saturday.
DL Casey Horton, senior, Roncalli
Bishop Dwenger’s bread and butter is the run game, and its run game bread and butter is between the tackles. Horton is a tough body to move along that defensive front for the Royals.
Horton has 84 tackles to go with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Sometimes, Horton’s impact is not seen on the score sheet with his ability to completely take away the interior in Roncalli’s 4-2-5 scheme, forcing ball carriers to kick it to the outside where linebackers are waiting.
Neutralizing Horton will be a big priority for the Saints’ offensive line.
KEY TO VICTORY – BISHOP DWENGER
Win the special teams battle
If there is a part of the game in which the Saints have a significant advantage, it would be on special teams. Lucas Nguyen is one of the top kickers in the state, and he can be good from 53 yards and beyond. During practice at Lucas Oil Stadium earlier this week, he hit a 57-yard bomb.
If this game comes down to the kicking game late, or special teams in general, you have to like the Saints’ chances.
KEY TO VICTORY – RONCALLI
Take away the run
Bishop Dwenger is at its best when it can grind defenses down with the running attack and allow Henry Jordan to strike through the air when opportunities arise. Roncalli holds opponents to 127 yards on the ground.
This is expected to be another low-scoring game, but if the Royals can force Bishop Dwenger to the air more than it wants to, it could be the difference.
BLITZ’S PICK
Throw the first game completely out the window. Yes, it is a rematch from Week 1, but both of these teams are significantly better than the first time around.
For Bishop Dwenger, it has risen to the occasion time after time through the season, particularly on defense. Six points allowed to Carroll. Only three to Roncalli. Limiting Homestead to three points. Seven points to Leo. Shutouts of Columbia City and East Noble. Time and time again.
In Blitz’s mind, this is where this game is won. Bishop Dwenger’s defense is fundamentally sound, aggressive and opportunistic. Between defense and special teams, a couple key plays will go the Saints’ way, and that will make all the difference.
Bishop Dwenger brings home a state title for the first time since 2018.
BLITZ’S PICK: BISHOP DWENGER 19, RONCALLI 15
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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