Sectional 1st Round Preview: Snider vs Bishop Dwenger

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Classes 1A through 4A, Sectional play begins this week. For the rest of the state, their road to Lucas Oil Stadium begins a week from now. The grind of this season reaches it's climax and the field will begin to thin out. In the northeast portion of the state, one of the games to watch is between Snider and Bishop Dwenger. These two rivals met in the regular season with Snider taking home the win. But the regular season does not matter any more. With this big game looming, we preview some of the standout players to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Snider Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way for the Snider offense is their Senior Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='185238' first='Luke' last='Haupert']. Haupert's experience could be very useful in the playoffs. Haupert has been very good at avoiding turnovers this season. Haupert has shown good command of the offense. Extending drives and avoiding costly mistakes will be important in this one. Haupert can also hurt defenses with his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snider is a team that seemingly always finds a way to run the football well, and this year is no different. Pacing the ground-game is Senior Langston Leavell. Leavell has the vision to spot the hole and make any necessary cuts. He shows great patience in allowing the blocks to get set up. Leavell consistently picks up chunk yardage. If he can do that in this game, the Bishop Dwenger defense could get tired.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Panthers do put the ball in the air, look for [player_tooltip player_id='366861' first='Kamari' last='Juarez'] to make plays. The Senior is a consistent target. He can stretch the field and find ways to get open. Juarez brings his playmaking ability to special teams as well. He is a solid kickoff returner. Winning that third phase could be pivotal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snider's defense is led by Middle Linebacker Lukas Rohrbacher. The Junior has been a centerpiece for the Panthers all year. Rohrbacher is a tackling machine. It would not be surprising to see him consistently around the football. He can come up with tackles-for-loss and big momentum plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong Safety Brandon Logan can make plays on the back end that can change the game. Logan can create turnovers and disrupt the passing-game. If one ball is overthrown, that could be a big problem for the Saints. Logan is a solid tackler. He is someone that the coaches can feel confident when he has to come up with the stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Dwenger Saints</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Due to injury, Bishop Dwenger had to make a quarterback change during the regular season. But in spite of being inexperienced, and being thrust into the spotlight, Sophomore Braxton Bermes has held his own. Bermes has completed 39/78 passes. Bermes has compiled 555 rushing yards. He has thrown seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fortunately for the Saints, they can run the football well. Junior Tobias Tippmann currently leads the team in rushing yards. He has posted 375 rushing yards on 74 carries. Tippmann has averaged a little over five yards-per-carry. Tippmann has accumulated half-a-dozen rushing touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Complimenting Tippmann is Senior Teddy Steele. Steele has recorded 244 rushing yards on the year on 38 carries. He has averaged over six yards-per-rush. Steele has ran for a pair of touchdowns. If the tandem of Tippmann and Steele has a big night, then the Saints could be in business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assisting Bermes are a solid pair of receivers. Junior C.J. Minix has accumulated 375 receiving yards. Minix has reeled in 15 receptions, a third of those going for touchdowns. Minix could also be an option on various run plays. He has 82 rushing yards this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior C.J. Davis concluded the regular season with 334 receiving yards. He recorded 23 receptions. Davis will be looking to build upon his tally of five touchdown receptions. Davis has ran for 67 rushing yards. If the two C.J.'s can have big games then the Snider secondary could be looking at a long night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>C.J. Davis also makes his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball. Davis has posted 67 tackles this year. Four of Davis' tackles have resulted in a loss of yardage. He has snared five interceptions. Davis has defended against 16 passes and forced one fumble. Davis' playmaking ability will be crucial on both offense and defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Dwenger consistently plays sound defense. Senior Robert Pelkington is another player who upholds that standard. Pelkington currently sits at a mark of 66 tackles. The Outside Linebacker has posted two-and-a-half sacks. He consistently gets after the quarterback. Pelkington has hurried the passer on 13 occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->