High School Football Game of the Week Preview – Mater Dei Versus Bosse

In order to get their first official win of the season, the Bosse Bulldogs will have to bring their best effort against the undefeated Mater Dei Wildcats.

Let’s start by clarifying the term “first official win”. The Bulldogs did post a 25-19 win against non-conference opponent Washington in week two but had to forfeit the win due to an ineligible player. So while they physically won a game, in the eyes of Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) officials, their record currently stands at 0-5.

The Bulldogs no longer have last year’s multi-threat quarterback, Jalen Pendleton leading the way. Pendleton, also a standout basketball player during his time at Bosse has taken his skills to the hardwood of Southern Illinois University.

The offensive workload now rests on the shoulders of running back, Carrington Crutcher. The 5’9″, 195 pound junior ran 23 times for 182 yards and one touchdown during last week’s 42-14 loss to Memorial. In order to replicate that effort against the always aggressive Mater Dei defense, the offensive line will have to block effectively and open up running lanes. Never an easy task for any team lining against Wildcats defensive linemen, Ben Polk, Dakota Richardt, Nathan Wright, and Blake Schoettlin.

Minus the offensive and defensive lines, the Bulldogs don’t field the biggest team in the area in terms of size. Of the 48-man roster, seven are six feet tall or taller. Mater Dei on the other hand lists 25 out of their 63-man roster at six feet or taller. Bosse will have to rely on its speed and conditioning to keep themselves in the game.

The Wildcats enter the game looking to keep its undefeated streak in tact. The Wildcats were dominant from the start in route to their 45-7 win over the visiting North Huskies last week. Balancing a potent and efficient passing game from Jace Hartz with a strong running attack led by junior Nolan Goebel, along with a stout defensive effort that resulted in one forced fumble and two interceptions (one of which resulted in a touchdown), they proved once again they’re ranked number one in Class 2A for a reason.

Ask any Wildcat coach or player and they’ll tell you that they take the season one game at a time, as they should. That leaves it up to observes like me to look ahead in the schedule and see that if things play out like I think they will, the October 5th game against what I assume will be a still-undefeated Castle will be a phenomenal game that will leave one team without an undefeated record, and the other with the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference (SIAC) title.

As always, you can catch every snap of Friday night’s Mater Dei – Bosse game on Newstalk 1280AM, and online at Newstalk1280.com with pre-game at 6:30 and kickoff at 7:00.