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4A No. 2 Bishop Dwenger (13-0)
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Week 14 - Football Game of the Week Preview
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4A No. 2 Bishop Dwenger (13-0)
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USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith
11-19-2009
When:
6:00 p.m., CST on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
Where: Lowell high school - 3 miles west of I-65 and Route 2
TV/Radio/Internet: WWCA
(1270) FM, WZVN (107.1) FM, WLPR (89.1) FM, WJOB (1230) AM, WLQI (97.7) FM
(This is the only game being played in the northern half of the state Saturday)
Tickets: $7
Tickets area available 7-9 p.m. Thursday night at Lowell and also from 10-to-2
p.m. Friday at Lowell. They're also selling the sectional and regional
championship sweatshirts for $15 and $20. You meant to get one last week,
didn't you? You need to get to this game early. This will be a
standing room only crowd because no one else is playing. Dwenger
will bring a good crowd and there are a lot of NW Indiana football people who
have not seen Lowell play this year and some may brave the 45 degree weather to
see them in their biggest game of the year.
Enrollment: Bishop Dwenger - 4A enrollment - 1,035; LOWELL -
4A enrollment - 1,224
To the winner: The winner faces either top-ranked Cathedral (13-1) or
Evansville's Reitz Memorial (14-0) on the floor of the 67,000-seat Lucas Oil
Stadium Saturday, November 28 at 3:30 p.m., EST (2:30 p.m., CST) in
Indianapolis.
Weather: Good enough. Game-time temperatures will drop
into the Mid-40s. Rain is scheduled for Thursday but this game isn't until
Saturday night so the field should be in decent shape. The Lowell playing field
was dry on Nov. 6 for the sectional title game and there hasn't been that much
rain since that time. The field might be a little slick but nothing like
the mud-pie conditions of October. Wind will not be an issue. Less than 10
miles-and-hour. I keep saying this but I know that everybody understands
that this is as good as you're going to get this time of year. The only better
November weather exists during the day in the sunlight. I cant explain why we
don't play Saturday playoff games at 3 p.m. so you don't have to rely on the
lights and so everyone can get home Saturday night. There's just not going
to be any 60-degree evenings in late November. Not around here. For
those of us who stood in the rain five weeks in a row earlier this year, I'm
okay with 45 and dry.
Parking: The crowd will be large but that might not mean an
overflowing parking lot. In 2007, Bishop Dwenger brought fans in large fan
buses. If they do that again, it will ease the congestion at Lowell Saturday. I
would not be shocked to see some room on the visitors side Saturday.
Dwenger fans remember the old visitors bleachers at Lowell and, since its almost
a three-hour drive from Fort Wayne to Lowell, they may chose to stay home and
listen on the radio. Dwenger people may feel, they're returning to the Lucas Oil
Stadium for the state finals and its easier to get from Fort Wayne to
Indianapolis than it is to get from Fort Wayne to South Lake County. On
the other hand, everyone who cares about Lowell football and can get to Lowell
is coming to the school Saturday. It is a Saturday. Arrive early and
be patient.
The HISTORY:
FAST FOOTBALL FACT:
Bishop Joseph Dwenger was the second bishop of the diocese of Fort Wayne,
Indiana. John Henry Luers was the first. That’s why the Catholic high schools
in Fort Wayne are named Bishop Dwenger and Bishop Luers.
FORT WAYNE: There no school in the top half of the state
with the football tradition of Fort Wayne's Bishop Dwenger. They have won
a state record 16 regionals and three state titles and the Saints have had only
seven losing seasons in the 45-year history of the football program. No
Dwenger coach (they have had six) has ever retired with a losing record.
Dwenger
is 76-6 over the last six seasons and one of those losses was two years ago this
week, 10-7 at Lowell.
That Dwenger team featured John Goodman, who is now the third string QB at Notre
Dame.
Dwenger
came from behind to defeat Lowell 38-22 last year at the semistate level and
that team included 6-foot-5 receiver Tyler Eifert, who is also not at Notre
Dame. It isn't a shock that present Dwenger juniors (DE) Dan Springman
(6-8, 240) and (HB) Remound Wright are said to be considering (and being
considered by) that big Catholic College 90 miles to the northwest.
Bishop Dwenger is the two-time defending champion of the Summit Athletic
Conference which is almost certainly the top non-5A football conference in the
state. The 10-team league has three 5A schools, four 4A school, two 3A
schools and one 2A school, Bishop Luers. When you look at the conference,
it's easy to see how Luers has won six state titles. Every single league
game they play is against someone in higher enrollment class and then every
playoff game is against 2A competition. That is a perfect competitive
situation.
Dwenger defeated the 3A league rivals they faced this year included Snider
(11-2), their arch public rival.
Dwenger
stomped on the arch-Catholic rival Luers 62-0. Dwenger has respect for
Lowell after the last two seasons but they lost 10-7 to Cathedral in the final
game last year. They are thinking state title.
Dwenger
is 78-25 in playoff games in the 37 years of the state tourney. As it was
two years ago, it would be a major achievement if Lowell could defeat a team of
this stature twice in three seasons. It would mean that Lowell has reached
Dwenger's level, something that, even 10 years ago, was unheard of.
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| Bishop Dwenger head Coach Chris Svarczkopf. (Photo by Mark Smith) |
4A No. 2 Bishop Dwenger
LOWELL's Halfback Hall-of-Fame
1,000-yard rushers for Lowell since 1990
1. Scott Gray (2005) 323 carries, 2,336 yards
2. Michael Pickett (1994) 339 carries, 2,256 yards
3. Brandon Grubbe (2009) 338 carries, 2,077 yards
4. Toby Goetz (2004) 276 carries, 1,939 yards
5. Brandon Grubbe (2008) 316 caries, 1,831 yards
6. Matt Pernick (1996) 229 carries, 1,827 yards
7. Michael Pickett (1993) 273 carries, 1,687 yards
8. Brandon Grubbe (2007) 281 caries, 1,675 yards
9. Justin Henley (2002) 1467 carries, 1,552 yards
10. Justin Henley (2003) 227 carries, 1,413 yards
11. Mike French (2000) 220 carries, 1,382 yards
12. Matt Pernick (1995) 175 carries, 1,349 yards
13. Max Znika (2006) 224 carries, 1,302 yards
14. Mike French (1999) 226 carries, 1,280 yards
15. Sean Anderson (2001) 242 carries, 1.048 yards
16. Nick Holley (1997) 131 carries, 1,014 yards
Indiana High School
All-time career leading rushers*
*according to the IHSAA
Name - School - Last season - Total yards
1. Otis Shannon Cathedral 2000 7,560
2. Nick Zachary Sheridan 2008 7,331
3. Brandon Robinson Heritage 1998 7,303
4. Luke Schmidt Jasper 2005 7,275
5. Darren Evans Warren Central 2006 7,220
6. Alex Smith Franklin County 1992 6,895
7. Brett Law Sheridan 1989 6,864
8. Dwight Brown Perry Central 2005 6,607
9. Tyler Gholston Floyd Central 2003 6,509
10. Chris Spillmann Owen Valley 2000 6,465
11. Seth Rainey Mount Vernon 2002 6,437
12. Josh Smith Attica 2000 6,392
13. Ricky Crider Evansville Reitz 2005 6,356
14. Kevin Cartwright Jasper 1995 6,355
15. Cory Jacquay New Haven 2001 6,318
16. Robbi Petre Clinton Central 2000 6,080
17. Bo Hundt Bremen 1992 6,031
18. Bryan Schroeder North Harrison 2006 6,003
19. Israel Thompson Martinsville 1996 5,977
20. Derrick Ellis Arlington 1999 5,859
21. Andrew Wolf East Central 1998 5,808
22. Pete Buchanan Plymouth 1977 5,772
23. Drew Leer Lakeland 2001 5,683
24. Travis Hollingsworth Western Boone 1990 5,662
25. Brandon Grubbe LOWELL 2009 5,583
NW Indiana All-Time
Leading Rushers
1. Brandon Grubbe - LOWELL - 2007-2009 - 5,583 yards
2. Mike Barsich - Whiting - 1991-1994 - 5,062
3. Paul Strabavy - Whiting - 1995-1998 - 5,024
4. Matt Handlon - Valpo - 1998-2000 - 4,600
5. Andrew Patten - Wheeler - 2002-2004 - 4,497
6. Tyler Radtke - Griffith -1999-2001 - 4,428
7. Airrence Shark - LaPorte - 2004-2007 - 4,215
8. Michael Pickett - LOWELL - 1992-1994 - 4,198
Lowell's Halfback
Hall-of-Fame
1,000-yard rushers for Lowell since 1990
1. Scott Gray (2005) 323 carries, 2,336
yards
2. Michael Pickett (1994) 339 carries, 2,256 yards
3. Brandon Grubbe (2009) 338 carries, 2,077 yards
4. Toby Goetz (2004) 276 carries, 1,939 yards
5. Brandon Grubbe (2008) 316 caries, 1,831 yards
6. Matt Pernick (1996) 229 carries, 1,827 yards
7. Michael Pickett (1993) 273 carries, 1,687 yards
8. Brandon Grubbe (2007) 281 caries, 1,675 yards
9. Justin Henley (2002) 1467 carries, 1,552 yards
10. Justin Henley (2003) 227 carries, 1,413 yards
11. Mike French (2000) 220 carries, 1,382 yards
12. Matt Pernick (1995) 175 carries, 1,349 yards
13. Max Znika (2006) 224 carries, 1,302 yards
14. Mike French (1999) 226 carries, 1,280 yards
15. Sean Anderson (2001) 242 carries, 1.048 yards
16. Nick Holley (1997) 131 carries, 1,014 yards
17. Steffan Peck (2006) 198 carries, 995 yards
18. Chris Goult (1999) 156 carries, 949 yards
Bishop Dwenger (13-0) Update...
FORT WAYNE: Bishop Dwenger is
intimidating. They have scored 593 points and allowed just 98 and the
argument that they don't face tough competition is not believable. The one
flaw you see in the Dwenger story is location. Dwenger has played only
five road games and only one (at Northridge (6-5) was outside Fort Wayne.
The Saints may do so well in the SAC (they have won the last four SAC titles)
because they are a powerful team in a speed-oriented league. For them to
defeat Luers 62-0 and then for Luers to win four playoff games indicates a
different style of play and personnel. Dwenger was third in the SAC last
season in basketball.
Dwenger is such a big team. I don't know where they find these boys.
The Saints are very big with defensive tackles Tony Bobay (6-3, 275) and Domonic
Sevell (6-1, 275) plus end Tony Springman (6-8, 240). Senior Scott
Campbell (5-11, 275) leads the offensive line. He played against Lowell in
the 2008 semistate.
Lowell wants to move them from side to side with pitchouts and reverses trying to wear them out for halfback Brandon Grubbe (338 carries, 2,077 yards). BD's Wayne Markley (6-4, 192) is a first-year starter with 74 of 138, for 1,308 yards, 15 TDs and three interceptions. Landon Feitcher (5-11, 175) has caught just 24 passes, but he has gained 467 yards, almost 20 yards per catch.
The big threat for the Saints is junior running back Remound Wright (5-9, 175) who has gained 1,632 yards and 34 touchdowns on 181 carries. Dwenger runs somewhat of a spread offense (three wide receivers), but they run out it more than they throw from it. The Saints' idea is to spread the defense with threats on the outside and then let Markley and Wright make plays. Wright scored four TDs in last week's 49-12 rout of undefeated Delta. He ran for two TDs, caught a TD pass and scored on a 68-yard pass and a 72-yard punt return.
But the numbers, to me, are misleading. This isn't an offense-dominated team. Dwenger's defense shuts everybody down and sets up the offense. The line of Bobay and Sewell (6-1, 275) plus ends Springman (6-8, 240) and Brian Gabet (6-3 210). Springman has eight QB sacks. Bobay has six. Pass rushing end Joel Beier (6-4, 200) also has six sacks. Feitcher, who has five interceptions, is a two-year starter at safety and Wright is a two-year starter at cornerback. Corner Cameron Smith has four interceptions. Senior kicker Emerson Ueber was 7-for-7 on extra points last week and he has three field goals this season.
Dwenger gave up 14 points a game over the first
six games. The closest game, a 31-21 win over Wayne, was game Dwenger led
14-0 and 24-7. I do not believe Dwenger has trailed at any time in the
second half all season.
LOWELL (12-1) update...
Lowell has scored 102 points in the last two games, and while they certainly haven't faced a defense like Bishop Dwenger will show them, they are clearly entering week 14 on positive note. After 13 games, it's hard to know the condition of each player in the offensive line. But center Anthony DeMario (6-1,194), guards Tyler Wright (6-4, 233) and Chad Ulanowski (5-10, 215) plus tackles Luke Mitrisin (6-3, 281) and Dominic Rebesco (6-2, 215) are starting every game and the yards keep coming. Lowell did not have a 300-yard rushing game until week seven against Hammond high and they had just one during the regular season. But the Devils have rushed for over 1100 yards in the last three weeks against South Bend Washington (72 carries- 340 yards), Concord (61 carries- 525 yards) and Morton (51 carries - 267 yards).
That's very unusual because the further you go in the post-season, the more likely you are to see top run defenses. The Lowell offensive line totally dominated the Concord game, responding to every early score and breaking down the Minuteman defense. The biggest product of this season for the future is that three of the offensive linemen are underclassmen and, after struggling in the early part of the season, they are giving halfback Brandon Grubbe (338 carries, 2,077 yards) room to run. Lowell may have to be creative in finding room for Grubbe on this night, but not until Dwenger proves they can stop him. Grubbe (6-1, 195) gained 143 yards on 26 carries against Dwenger last season.
I don't know how much Dwenger sees of repeated
quick-hitting runs by a 195-pound runner sprinting at them behind a 215-pound
fullback and a good solid right side with Ulanowski, Mitrisin and tight end Joe
Bell (6-4, 207). It's not so much what Lowell does, it's the speed at
which they do it.
Senior QB Ray Skamay is 40-of-114 for 662 yards and last week at Morton, he
threw a deep pass on the first play from scrimmage. Since that's on tape
and Dwenger saw it, you're unlikely to see that again. The Saints seem
built to rush the passer and collect interceptions. I think this may be
the night that the Devils QB breaks out his running shoes as the Saints overplay
Grubbe and wide receiver Cole Midgett.
Miss-direction plays will be important and Midgett will get chances for big yards on a dry, solid field. Dwenger's line is big but Lowell will stretch plays wide to find out how mobile they are. You're sure to see Lowell's full house' backfield with Grubbe, Nate Cleveland and Jordan Juarez. Remember that Lowell doesn't want to break long TDs. They want long drives that take eight minutes off the clock and force the other teams' offensive stars to watch and wait.
If Lowell can hold Dwenger to less than 10
possessions in the game, they should win. To do that, they have to take
four or five minutes off the clock every time they get the ball.
Lowell has lost eight fumbles all season and they have thrown just five
interceptions all season. That's one turnover a game.
For a team that has rushed for 3,609 yards to have
lost just eight fumbles is a hidden secret to Lowell's success. Most of
that is Grubbe, who rarely loses the ball.
Now I'm not at practice, but let's just say that Lowell has offensive gimmick
plays they have not run this season and they are working on one or two of them
this week. When you face a team from outside your area, all they know abut
you is what they see on film. One of the hidden blessings of last week's
romp over Morton is that Lowell didn't have to do anything extraordinary on
offense.
Kicker Boge Pejoski was 6-of-6 in extra points last week, 7-of-7 against Concord the week before, 3-of-3 against Washington. The senior has not missed a conversion in the post-season.
Brandon Grubbe has punted 14 times in four post-season games for a 31-yard average. It's a modern day football miracle that Lowell has done so well in the kicking game when they began the season with no one who had ever kicked anything in a varsity game.
Lowell's defense has 26 quarterback sacks and 13 interceptions. Last week, they had four sacks (it seemed like more) and three interceptions. It's hard to stop good offensive teams without getting any turnovers.
If the Devils return a kick for a TD they will win this game. That's how close it is. But kick returns have not been a strength and I can't tell you why.
Lowell has committed only 45 penalties all season
losing just 363 yards.
The Bottom Line...
SAGARIN RATINGS: Dwenger by 5 1/2 points.
How can a Lowell team that's beaten three Top-10 teams in the postseason be an
underdog? That's what Dwenger's 37-point win over Delta (12-1) and their
10-0 shutout of 5A Snider (11-2) did for them. Dwenger is also 3-0 against
5A schools. On the computer, Dwenger is rated second in Class 4A and
Lowell is third.
LOWELL (11-21-2009) This is a defensive battle early on as both teams
successfully slow the other's top running threat. Dwenger eventually puts
together series of runs for a 7-0 halftime score. Lowell's patient offense
will pay off when a fumble allows the Devils to tie the game on a short run by
Brandon Grubbe in the third quarter. But Dwenger will run the ball on some
passing downs and Remound Wright will break a long fourth quarter TD to give
Dwenger the lead. The Saints highly-regarded defense will hold up and
Dwenger returns to the state final.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that this is the third Lowell-Bishop Dwenger game and I have picked the first two games incorrectly. Two years ago, I didn't see the Devils winning at home and they did. Last year, I thought Lowell could pull off an upset on the road and they couldn't.
Why? The Fort Wayne teams are ALL very difficult to read because they play all their regular season games inside the city of Fort Wayne and inside their conference. Dwenger could be overrated as a lot of Lake County people say every year, or they could be the state's best team as, frankly, their scores the last two months indicate.
Any serious observer would agree that Dwenger has more individual talent than Lowell. But how much does home field mean? In Lowell's case, a lot. Maybe 5-10 points. What if Lowell can get two or three turnovers? I don't think they can get them, but we're about to see.
Bishop Dwenger 16, LOWELL 10