Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area regional matchup scheduled for this Friday.
We continue in Class 4A as Bishop Dwenger (11-1) gets set to host Muncie Central (9-3) with a trip to semistate on the line.
TWO STORYLINES
1. QUICK TURNAROUND
Coach Kyle Buresh has quickly turned around the Muncie Central program. After building up Mississinewa into a consistent threat in central Indiana, he is well on his way to doing the same with the Bearcats. In just his second season in Muncie, he has led his program to the regional round for the first time in 20 years.
With an undefeated Logansport and a Yorktown team that beat Muncie Central by 17 points in the regular season, the Bearcats looked to be, at best, the third team in Sectional 20. Instead, the Bearcats beat Yorktown by one and Logansport by four to win a sectional crown.
2. REIGNING SUPREME
Bishop Dwenger is taking the defense of its Class 4A state championship seriously. After beating Roncalli in last year’s final and graduating the largest senior class in the program’s history, the Saints made it through the SAC with a single loss (to Carroll), then blew through the ultra-competitive Sectional 19 with the closest game decided by 19 points.
The defense is once again the defining trait of this team. An all-senior starting 11 has the poise, experience and moxie to take on any and all challenges.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
MASON FERGUSON, JUNIOR, MUNCIE CENTRAL
Ferguson has been key to Muncie Central’s run to its first regional game in 20 years. The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 2,455 yards and 28 touchdowns on the season, and has rushed for 381 yards and four more scores.
Ferguson can sling it downfield in a hurry. He has three receivers who have 600 or more yards receiving – Kye Hiatt (46 receptions, 903 yards, 8 TD), Carlos Echols Jr. (45-720-11) and Doiron Montgomery (32-607-6), meaning multiple downfield threats that Bishop Dwenger must contend with.
It has been a true breakout season for Ferguson, but he will have his hands full against the Saints’ defense on Friday.
KOLYN CAMPBELL, JUNIOR, BISHOP DWENGER
Despite missing a few games this season due to injury, Campbell has cemented himself as the Saints’ top backfield option. Strong and physical with a touch of speed, Campbell is averaging 6.5 yards per rush for the season as he has amassed 766 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Campbell’s impact has grown in the playoffs. He scored seven touchdowns in the three sectional games. He is also an adept pass catcher as a check-down option.
DE’MARSHUWN CLEMENS, JUNIOR, MUNCIE CENTRAL
Clemens is a beast, all 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds of him. He can line up on the interior or on the edge of the defensive line and has amassed 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and a blocked punt so far this year.
An IFCA Junior All-State selection as a sophomore, Clemens has drawn FBS interest for his mix of size and talent.
If Muncie Central is to compete in this game, it needs to be able to hold its own up front. Clemens will be a big part of that effort.
NICK O’KEEFE, SENIOR, BISHOP DWENGER
With Muncie Central’s wealth of pass catchers, Bishop Dwenger’s secondary will need to be on its toes on Friday. There were not much in the way of prolific passing attacks in the SAC this season, with the exception of Carroll, and the Saints gave up 49 points in that game.
O’Keefe has quietly put together a masterful senior campaign. He enters Friday with seven interceptions and was recently named All-SAC First Team at defensive back. He is also a threat in the return game and can flip the field with his ability to get upfield on kicks.
KEY TO VICTORY – MUNCIE CENTRAL
PLAY FREE
Muncie Central has nothing to lose here. It is a growing program whose best seasons are in the future with Coach Buresh. The first sectional in 20 years has already made Bearcats fans beyond thrilled with this season.
So the key here is Muncie Central plays its game, loose and without pressure. If it can get a few big scores early to put some pressure on Bishop Dwenger, it will be more than most people expect out of this matchup. While unlikely, perhaps the Bearcats catch the Saints a bit off guard after a tough, hard-fought win at East Noble last week.
KEY TO VICTORY – BISHOP DWENGER
CONTROL THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
This is where the big mismatch is. Even with a guy like Clemens, Muncie Central doesn’t have the amount of dudes up front to hold their own against the Saints over four quarters.
All Bishop Dwenger needs to do is have the mindset that it is going to dictate this game from the inside out. The Saints want to move the ball on the ground and mix in some pass to keep the defense honest. Defensively, the Saints’ wealth of experience matches up well with Muncie Central’s playmakers. And while the quarterback has thrown for almost 2,500 yards, will he have the time to be comfortable in the pocket on Friday? Or will he be running for his life due to consistent Bishop Dwenger penetration?
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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