Rumors are rampant that the Summit Athletic Conference, a bastion of northeast Indiana high school athletics since its creation in 1973, could dissolve as soon as 2027.
That’s terrible news for purists like Blitz, who have only known the SAC as Fort Wayne’s league.
We have been covering it here at OTH, from the initial discussions to Carroll and Concordia opting out of playing each other. Add the news this week that Homestead and the Cadets won’t play this year, and things seem to be happening at a rapid pace.
So if we reach a point where the SAC is no more, what does Blitz believe is the best-case scenario for all 10 of the teams that currently reside in the league?
Now, Blitz is a football guy bear. He only cares about football. Selfish? Yes. Understandable? Also yes. So we are going to tackle this exercise looking through the football-only lens.
BISHOP DWENGER: Goes independent
With its first state championship in seven years and a resurgent interest in the program within the youth (and parents) of CYO, the Saints are on a high. It has also impacted the school at large, with Bishop Dwenger back to a waiting list to attend after seeing enrollment drop for most of this decade.
Bishop Dwenger football is a brand, and if the SAC goes away, it could lean into that brand by going completely independent. It would allow the Saints to not only play other parochial schools around the state more consistently (think Cathedral, Roncalli, Bishop Chatard) but also step out of state and take on some of Ohio’s best private school powers.
The Saints would still play some local teams, namely rival Bishop Luers, but would grow its brand more with its newfound schedule freedom.
BISHOP LUERS: Joins the Northeast Eight
For the first time in its history, the Knights will compete in Class 4A the next two years due to Success Factor. While Bishop Luers has been promoted twice in recent years due to Success Factor, its current enrollment would place it firmly in Class 3A.
Whether 3A or 4A, a perfect fit for the Knights would be the Northeast Eight. Teams like Leo, East Noble and Columbia City are similar programs in terms of talent level, and the program has scheduled the Lions, Knights and New Haven in recent years, with the season openers against Leo the last two years being very competitive.
Both entities gain in this scenario. Bishop Luers plays a more consistent schedule with schools its size, and the Northeast Eight makes itself deeper in postseason contenders.
CARROLL: Goes independent
Could the SAC simply split into two five-team conferences? Perhaps. In that scenario, Carroll would pair with Homestead, Bishop Dwenger, Northrop and Snider.
However, Blitz believes that Carroll would like to follow the path of its baseball program, which has never been a part of the SAC and has the autonomy to schedule whoever it wants. The Chargers would still play rival Homestead, as well as Bishop Dwenger and Snider, but would also schedule the best out of Indy, as well as teams like Penn and others out of “The Region” in northwest Indiana.
CONCORDIA: Joins the Allen County Athletic Conference
The Cadets need an infusion of good into the program. They are low on numbers and have not beaten a league foe outside of Wayne since September of 2022.
This is a multi-year rebuild for Coach Tim Mannigel. Not playing Homestead and Carroll is a solid step, but if the SAC ceases to exist, a home in the ACAC would be a game-changer.
There have been rumors for years that Concordia would like to join the ACAC. True or not, it makes a lot of sense. Like-sized schools and competition more the Cadets’ speed.
HOMESTEAD: Joins slimmed-down SAC
There’s a belief by some that Carroll and Homestead mirror each other in what they do. That was a fact when the duo joined the SAC, but strictly for basketball and football. But, in Blitz’s mind, the football programs are currently in different places.
Carroll has proven it can handle the rigors of Class 6A and win games against like-sized foes. Homestead, meanwhile, has struggled. It is 1-8 in out-of-conference and playoff games in the last three years and hasn’t won a sectional game since 2020.
So while Carroll could go the independent route, Blitz believes Homestead just isn’t ready for that yet. The Spartans would be best served sticking around in a slimmed-down SAC with the likes of Northrop, North Side, Snider, Wayne and South Side. A big fish in a small pond, so to speak. It will have plenty of open dates to schedule up and challenge itself against 6A teams around the state.
Remember, this is football-only. What works for one sport may not work for the rest. But the Spartans are already independent in everything else but hoops and football.
NORTHROP: Joins slimmed-down SAC
Those with short memories will picture Northrop as the program that won eight games a year ago and slayed rival Snider twice. But Blitz looks further back and sees a program that, prior to 2025, hadn’t finished with a winning record since 2003.
So while some think that Northrop is ready to battle heavyweights like Carroll and Bishop Dwenger on a consistent basis, Blitz sees the need for further evidence that the Bruins have returned to prominence.
Blitz isn’t convinced that Fort Wayne Community Schools wants to see its five high schools split in terms of conference affiliation. Therefore, all five stay together in Blitz’s scenario, along with Homestead.
NORTH SIDE: Joins slimmed-down SAC
The Legends are another team that have been high on recent hype but low on results. No conference title since 2013. No sectional championship since 1990.
Much like Northrop, North Side is best served standing pat. And, like previously mentioned, FWCS schools staying together is very likely.
The schedule will open up with four non-conference dates, allowing the Legends to expand their slate and help them build momentum. For instance, a Week 1 victory this year over East Noble would be HUGE.
SNIDER: Joins slimmed-down SAC
The Panthers have been strangely quiet on the topic of the SAC’s future and potential realignments. Perhaps that is because Snider doesn’t see the system as broken?
While fans of the black and yellow would love nothing more than to see Snider add more big non-conference games against some of the best in central Indiana and playoff rival Penn, the Panthers don’t need a vast shift in how it operates.
FWCS stays together. That includes its most successful football program.
SOUTH SIDE: Joins slimmed-down SAC
We have seen steady growth from the South Side football program under Coach Andre Goodwell. The three victories last season were the most since 2013 and the win over Bishop Luers in 2024 is one of the biggest upsets in recent history in the SAC.
Staying in “the SAC six” gives South Side stability in its schedule but also allows them to challenge itself against similar-sized schools. The Week 1 games against Marion have been wildly competitive and entertaining. Finding more of those types of games will be key.
WAYNE: Joins slimmed-down SAC
While the Generals were winless last year, it was only 2023 when Wayne went 5-5 and beat the likes of Northrop and North Side.
Year 2 of Coach Darrion White’s tenure is going to see improvement, with a roster of young talent and the social media campaign of “Why Not Wayne” garnering momentum as the program looks to retain the athletes in its feeder schools.
Remember, in Blitz’s mind, FWCS schools will stay together. When it comes to Wayne’s league home, why fix what isn’t broken?
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
Be the first to comment