Week 14 -  Football Game of the Week Preview

4A No. 3 Lowell (13-0) at 4A No. 2 Bishop Dwenger (13-0)

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith
11-20-2008
 
 

When:  Saturday, November 22, 2008

Where:  Zollner Stadium - Concordia high school, 1601 St Joe River Dr., Fort Wayne, IN

Tickets:  $7

Kickoff:   7:00 p.m., EST (6:00 p.m., CST)
Radio-TV:  WTMK (88.5) FM, WHLP (89.9) FM, WKIF (92.7) FM, WJOB (1230) AM

ENROLLMENT:  Bishop Dwenger - Class 4A, enrollment - 1,038; LOWELL - Class 4A, enrollment - 1,254

WEATHER:  Hard core.  Upper 20s at the start of the game.  Low 20s by the second half.  No rain but possible snow flurries.  It is a mistake to play this game at night when it could easily have been started at 3 p.m. in the afternoon (next week's 4A state title game will be played on a Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.) in the sunlight.  Football people tend to say that cold weather doesn't matter and the winning team Saturday will insist it wasn't really THAT cold.  But 25 degrees and a 15-20 mile-an-hour wind?  For high school football?  I am somewhat concerned about Lowell fans who might plan to suck down some firewater to keep warm during the game and then attempt to drive back from Fort Wayne in the dark.  If you need a pint of 'Old Grand Dad' to cheer on the Devils, please stay home and listen on the radio.  It's not worth it.  To be honest, I would not take grandma or grandpa or little baby Becky to this game with these conditions.  You'll need hats, face masks for little folks, maybe one of those full body ski outfits.  If you smuggle a small gas heater into the stadium, I won't tell anybody.

Anyone who says the sub-freezing cold doesn't affect the game hasn't been on the sidelines in sub-freezing cold.  While it's no bargain for anyone concerned, I think the weather may slightly favor Lowell.  The turf will be hard and the Devils are probably the faster team.  Lowell and Griffith both were crippled last week on a wet turf at the regional when their backs could not get good footing.  Dwenger has better size in the offensive line, but Lowell's two-way players (they have seven) might be better off staying in the game and not standing on the sidelines.

If teams want to throw the ball, look for them to do it early in the first and third quarters before everybody's hands freeze.  You also may see some 'no huddle' offense to keep players moving in the extreme conditions.

PARKING:  Zollner Stadium is used by several Fort Wayne schools for big games so I assume they have parking.  I have not been there since the early 90s and the stadium has been remodeled since then.  As far as I know, you do not have to pay to park.  Concordia (which is where Zollner Stadium sits) does know that a lot of Lowell people are coming, but the weather and the night start (which means some Lowell people won't get back until midnight) will keep many Red Devil fans home.  My memory of Zollner Stadium is that you can walk to the parking lot at halftime to get warm.  Check with Lowell Thursday or Friday to see if there will be fan buses.  That would be the way to travel.  Remember that if Lowell wins, there will be a victory parade back to Lake County.  In warm cars.

CLASS 4A
FRIDAY - No. 4 Cathedral [10-2] at No. 1 Columbus East [13-0] 7:30 p.m., EST
SATURDAY - No. 3 LOWELL [13-0] at No. 2 Bishop Dwenger [13-0] 7:00 p.m., EST

**the winners meet Saturday, Nov. 29 at 3:30 p.m., EST in the
63,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2008 sate title.

LOWELL (11-20-2007) David Lang's 30-yard field goal with six seconds to play gave Lowell perhaps their greatest victory, a 10-7 upset of 4th-ranked Bishop Dwenger in the 2007 4A Northern Semistate.  Junior Tyler Eifert grabbed a 21-yard pass from Notre Dame recruit John Goodman to put the No. 1 team ahead 7-0 after three quarters on a painfully cold 34-degree night.  But Brandon Grubbe's 30-yard run tied the game with 6:51 to play.  After both teams failed on 4th down gambles near midfield, Lowell drove deep into Dwenger territory.

Lang's 11th field goal of the season won the game, the first time Lowell had ever beaten an undefeated team in the post-season.  The Devils would lose the state title game the next week, 34-13 to Reitz Memorial of Evansville.  Both teams would bounce back to win 13 consecutive games going into Friday's one-year-later rematch.

The SERIES:  Last year's semistate meeting was the only matchup of Lowell and Dwenger that I can find in any sport.  Lowell lost a semistate semifinal to Fort Wayne Snider in basketball in 2000.  Bishop Joseph Gregory Dwenger was the first ordained bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana and this 45-year-old high school, the third largest Catholic high school in the state, is named after him.  This isn't a football town.

I was not aware that Fort Wayne is credited with being the birthplace of the National Basketball Association.  In 1949, Fred Zollner merged two small leagues into what is now known as the NBA.  His old team, the Fort Wayne Pistons, are now the Detroit Pistons.  Zollner Stadium, the home of Concordia Lutheran high school, is named in his honor. Dwenger, Concordia's next door neighbor, uses the field for big games.  It is reportedly a top caliber field that was just renovated six years ago.

Fort Wayne is a very much into sports.  They have eight minor league teams in four sports.  The Summit Athletic Conference (SAC), of which Dwenger is the undefeated champion, is arguably the best non-5A league in the state.  The SAC, which has teams in four different classes of the playoffs (Indy's Metro Conference and NW Indiana's Duneland Conference are all 5A football schools), has 12 football state championships in 36 years.

There are 10 Fort Wayne high schools, including private schools Concordia, Bishop Luers and Bishop Dwenger.  The SAC began in 1971 with the 10 teams it has now.  Before that, seven Fort Wayne teams played what was called the Fort Wayne City Series, which in the 1950s included Fort Wayne North, South and two long gone schools, Fort Wayne Catholic and Fort Wayne Central.

Because of Fort Wayne's pro basketball legacy, high school athletics were always very popular and the SAC has always been quite competitive in basketball and football.  Fort Wayne Snider (372-107-1) has the best winning percentage (77.5%) all-time in high school football in the top third of the state of Indiana.  Bishop Dwenger (347-137-1, 71.2%) is fifth all-time. Bishop Luers (360-168-6, 67.9%) is 10th all-time.  All three schools have 18 sectional championships and Luers has seven state titles.  Dwenger is 73-25 in state playoff games in the 36-year history of the tournament.  It's hard to argue the success they've had.

I sensed the Saints were very surprised they got beat at Lowell last year in the semistate championship game.  Very surprised.  The Devils most definitely got Dwenger's attention last year.  The Dwenger people, in the person of coach Chris Svarczkopf and later in the Fort Wayne newspapers, were very impressed by thousands of cheering Lowell fans and the effort of the Devils last November.  Bishop Dwenger will probably treat Lowell as they do Snider, their hard-running rival.  That is the ultimate in Fort Wayne respect.

Lowell's Nate Cleveland (26) and Andrew Eldred (1) lined up outside the tackles to control the Griffith option, 11-14-2008.  (All photos by Mark Smith)

Cody Midgett (6), who has a team leading six pass interceptions this season, has scored a TD in each of Lowell's last three games.

Offensive coordinator Jim Carlson, talking to the team after the sectional title game. Lowell is trying to reach the state finals for the third time in four years.

Senior Justin Juarez (55) holding up the sectional title trophy. Lowell's senior class has seen four consecutive sectional championships.

Lowell fans bundled up against the cold as they will have to be Saturday night in Fort Wayne.  (All photos by Mark Smith)

Lowell Red Devils (13-0)
Coach Kirk Kennedy, 146-67 in (18th year)
8-22 (W) 7-0 at Crown Point  (3-8)        
8-29 (W) 47-20 Morton (8-4)      
9- 5 (W) 42-0 Kankakee Valley (3-7)   
9-12 (W) 27-12 at GRIFFITH (7-4)
9-19 (W) 55-7 at HIGHLAND (0-10)
9-26 (W) 35-32 HOBART (9-2)
10-3 (W) 63-0 at Hammond (7-4)
10-10 (W) 24-7 MUNSTER (7-4)
10-17 (W) 35-6 at ANDREAN (6-7)

Sectional 10 Quarterfinals 
Oct. 24 (W)  24-7 at (South Bend) Washington (7-3)
Oct 31 (W)  20-14 (OT)  Plymouth (11-1)
Nov. 7 (W)  49-20 (South Bend) Clay (6-6) - Sectional Title
Nov. 14 (W) 19-13 Griffith (8-5) - Regional Title
Nov. 22 (Sat)  4A Northern Semistate - at Bishop Dwenger (13-0) 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Nov. 29 (S)  Class 4A state final - Lucas Oil Arena  (3:30 p.m. EST) downtown Indianapolis


Bishop Dwenger (13-0)
Coach Chris Svarczkopf - 77-17 (7 years)
8-22 (W) 36-7 Concordia (4-7)
8-29 (W) 24-12 Harding (6-5)
9-5  (W) 29-19 FW North (7-4)
9-12 (W) 41-0 Northrup (1-9)
9-19 (W) 49-0 Elmhurst (0-10)
9-26 (W) 48-7 at Wayne (5-7)
10-3 (W) 24-0 at FW South (6-6)
10-10 (W) 27-24 Snider (11-2)
10-17 (W) 14-0  Bishop Luers (8-4)

Class 4A Sectional 12
Oct 25 (W) 21-17 East Noble (6-4)
Oct 31 (W)  42-0 at Columbia City (3-8)
Nov. 7 (W)  47-7 Wayne (5-7)
4A Regional
Nov. 14 (F) 49-20 at Delta (12-1)
Northern 4A Semistate
Nov. 22 (S) LOWELL (13-0)
Nov. 29 (S) 2008 Class 4A - title game - Lucas Oil Arena (3:30 p.m. EST) in Indianapolis

4A Bishop Dwenger (13-0)
Coach: Chris Svarczkopf (77-17) 7th year
2007 record: 13-1
Sectional titles: (18)  including 2006, 2007 and 2008
Regional titles: (15) including 2006, 2007 and 2008
Semistate titles: (5) 1983, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2002
State titles: (3) 1983, 1990, and 1991

FORT WAYNE (11-22-2008)  Bishop Dwenger returned six offensive starters off the team that lost at Lowell 10-7 last November.  QB Trevor Yerrick (6-0, 180) is a rookie, taking over for all-stater John Goodman, who is now at Notre Dame.  Halfback Robby Kimes (5-11, 165) ran for 100 yards and three TDs last week in the 49-20 win at Delta.  Kimes has 1,122 yards on 159 carries (he has six 100-yard games), but that's only about 12 carries a game.  The strength of the Saints is in the offensive line.  Center Stephen Fiacable (6-2, 255) and guards Steve Seculoff (6-2, 260) and Gus Springman (6-3, 265) allow Dwenger to control the ball.  If there is one reason this team is 13-0, it is the power and experience in the offensive line.

All-stater Tyler Eifert (6-5, 220) lines up at wide receiver or tight end.  He caught 29 passes for 522 yards during the regular season and those numbers tell you that Dwenger doesn't throw that much.  Eifert will run the ball.  He ran 22 yards for a TD against arch-rival Snider in a 27-24 win in September.  You have to watch him every play, even though he's not involved directly in that many of them.

In the Snider game, Yerrick was 9-of-19 for 102 yards and two TDs and he ran 13 times for 61 yards.  Eifert caught five of those passes.  The Saints average 230 yards rushing per game and Yerrick (72 of 127, 1,290 yards, 12 TDs, one interception) has carried 113 times for 508 yards and 13 TDs.  Note that Yerrick throws the ball less than 10 times a game.  He's thrown just 36 passes in the playoffs.  Dwenger has a traditional football offense that runs on two of every three plays.

Defensive back Landon Fletcher (5-11, 175) had 10 tackles against Snider and Brian Fogler (6-5, 195), Eifert (6-5, 220) and Seculoff (6-2, 260) give Dwenger a big defense.  The Saints have seen faster teams than Lowell, considering they've played Snider and Luers, the defending 2A state champs.  How did they do?  Dwenger beat Snider 27-24 and Luers 14-0.

This appears to be a team that dominates on offense.  Dwenger makes very few turnovers and the Saints' defense isn't on the field very much so they can fly to the ball and do damage. Like every other high school team, the key is the offensive line.  Unlike Lowell, however, Dwenger hasn't had to play any close games since the first week of the playoffs.  The Saints have blown out their last three foes and they have had only two games all year decided by 10 points or less.  If this game is close in the fourth quarter Saturday, Dwenger will be in a place they rarely have been this year.

4A Lowell  (13-0)
Enrollment: 1,254
2007 record: 13-2
4A Sectional titles: (9) 1992, 1994, 1999, 2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
4A Regional titles:  (4) 1994, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2008
4A Semi state titles: (2) 2005, 2007
4A State Titles (1) 2005

LOWELL  (11-22-2008) Lowell has struggled on offense for most of the playoffs and that may simply be because of the competition.  The Devils have trailed in all four playoff games so far by at least one touchdown.  I would say they can't keep doing that, but in Lowell's state tournament run in 2005, they trailed by six points in each of the final three playoff games (and by 14 points in the semistate and state title game) before rallying to win.  I can't tell you how strange that is.

I can not know this, but I would suggest that no team has even trailed by seven points in five consecutive playoff games in the same season and rallied to win all five and reach the state finals.  Obviously Lowell isn't trying to fall behind and then rally.  There are three possible explanations and two of them aren't flattering:

1.) Lowell isn't as talented as many of the winning teams they are defeating, but the coaching staff can get them to play above their heads for short periods of time, stealing games they have no business winning. (I told you it wasn't flattering.)

2.) Sometimes players aren't playing as hard as they think they are.  Lowell may be a little overconfident (all big winning teams get that way) and they need the other team to embarrass them a little bit before they respond and play up to their capability. (See? This one isn't that great, either.) 

3.) Lowell's game plan is wearing down the other team.  When you play winning squads, you face teams that do not often have to go hard in the fourth quarter.  Lowell's 'maximum drama' style of play means they ALWAYS have to go hard in the fourth quarter.  The Devils own the fourth quarter because they have a lot of practice at it.

Lowell needs to run a lot early in this game and junior halfback Brandon Grubbe (289 carries, 1,685 yards) is the No. 1 runner.  The Devils can't assume that Bishop Dwenger can stop them like they did most of the game last year because this isn't the same defense.  Dwenger had a 280-pound middle linebacker named Mike Mentzer who is now at Indiana University. The Saints are tough against the run, but they can't be better than they were last year.

Lowell senior Jake Belt (20 catches - 458 yards) is averaging a ridiculous 22 yards a catch.  He may be used as a decoy this week, because Dwenger definitely saw last week's tape.  Dwenger is very tall in the secondary and Lowell may be reduced to either very short 'underneath' passes or very long passes.  The Devils run 20 plays in a row and then hit you with the big pass.  It's hard to throw against Dwenger consistently, as pass-happy Delta found out last week when they got smoked.

Fullback Bryan DeSomer (82 carries, 435 yards, 8 TDs), running behind center Ryan Russnak (6-3, 175) with Justin Juarez (6-3, 227), Brian DeMario (6-3, 232), Nick Schultz (6-0, 238), and David Eastling (6-0, 213) will be a major factor this week in ball control.

If Dwenger looks at last week's tape, they will not see DeSomer or Cody Midgett (38 carries, 359 yards) carrying the ball much.  I've always wondered how many tapes faraway teams get to see of each other.  QB Kurt Monix (71 of 126, 1,453 yards, 11 TDs, 6 INTs) will have to play the score a little better this week.  Championship teams have to gamble, but there were a couple of situations where the score dictated the ball be thrown away.  Three interceptions against Monix was a career high, but he made the game's biggest play, a 37-yard TD pass with 28 seconds to play.

Senior kicker Matt Berkos had a string of 40 extra points in a row broken when he missed two in the mud against Griffith in the regional.  He should be back to normal if the field at Dwenger is dry and hard, which it is supposed to be.  Lowell has allowed just 57 points in the first half all season and they have outscored 13 foes 176-20 in the second quarter.

Dwenger uses some shot gun formation plays, but they run out of them.  Pass rushing ends like Nate Cleveland (6-4, 200), who had 10 solo tackles last week, and Joe Bell (6-3, 195) have to get to the QB.  Dwenger's Trevor Yerrick runs himself or passes on most plays.  You simply have to put the quarterback on the ground early and often.  Lowell didn't sack South Bend Clay's QB Justin Laureys that much, but they hit him so often it stopped the Clay attack.

Lowell played a wide-angle defense last week, which encouraged Griffith to run up the middle against tackles Nick Schultz (6-0, 238) and Logan Wright (5-11, 256) plus big inside linebackers Justin Juarez (6-3, 227) and David Eastling (6-0, 215).  Juarez had six solo tackles last week.

Lowell has allowed only eight rushing TDs all season, but this may be the best offensive line they've faced.  Lowell has used halfback Deron Johnson in the defensive line in passing situations and this is a week for more of that because you have to run to Yerrick to force a decision.  I wouldn't mind seeing Johnson 'loop' with one of the defensive ends the way the Indianapolis Colts do with their line.  Lowell has to get the ball out of Yerrick's hands as quickly as possible.

Kurt Monix averaged 37 yards a punt last week and he averaged 34 yards against Clay.  Monix has not run a fake punt all year, but any team with the quarterback as their punter always has that option.  The extra day will help Lowell because they played a much tougher game last week than Dwenger did.  But to my knowledge, while all players have minor injuries at this time of the year, no Lowell player is playing with an injury that significantly limits his play.  That's a minor miracle after 13 weeks.

4A No. 3 LOWELL (13-0) at
4A No. 2 Ft. WAYNE DWENGER (13-0)
at Zollner Stadium  -  capacity - 4,500   Sagarin ratings: Bishop Dwenger by 3