It’s hard to believe, but Friday just about marks the one-year anniversary of Bluffton’s regional championship game against Bishop Luers.
I think most can agree that there wasn’t much of an expectation in that game, as the Knights were just that good in a 35-6 victory.
Even coach Brent Kunkel admitted last Friday that they went into the game playing with house money and that they were happy to be there.
Fast-forward to now, and the team is salivating at another shot — a chance at revenge. The players need this game.
“We had them up there last year and got embarrassed,” senior Hunter Wenger said after the sectional championship last week. “Everything in the summer we’ve been working for has been towards them. I think we have what it takes, and I’m ready for them.”
“That’s what our kids want,” Kunkel said a few minutes later. “Our kids want to be up there. They want to play against this team or play against that program, because I feel like they feel like they got something to prove.”
I’ll never forget the moment walking down to the field after that loss. In the middle of Kunkel’s speech, Luers received the regional trophy and celebrated at midfield with Bluffton kneeling on the left endzone. Kunkel stopped dead in his tracks and told his team to watch it happen and to remember that feeling.
My article on the game is apparently famous in the Bluffton locker room, where players tapped it to their lockers with the headline “Bishop Luers ends the Tigers’ historic season in the regional final.” I would guess that the guys took the message to heart and used it as motivation. You’re welcome.
The inspiring moment has brought the Tigers to the same game, at the same place, on the same field. The only difference is the matchup is a heck of a lot tighter than last year.
The AP poll has Bluffton directly behind Luers, but the Sagarin computer rankings have the Tigers five spots ahead.
This Luers group has had some ups and downs this season and is perhaps more vulnerable.
Some key games include a one-point win over a good Dwenger squad, a win over Wayne, and a three-point loss to Homestead.
In some other key results, the Knights won by four against Eastside, and got blown out by the NE8’s top schools in New Haven and East Noble.
But the vulnerability came in the first round of the sectional when 2-8 Churubusco held a 24-20 lead at halftime but fell by 11.
Leading this year’s team has been senior quarterback Kohen McKenzie. He’s got a pretty good arm, tossing for over 1,500 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions (against good competition).
This is his first year as the starter, as he sat behind Trine University signee Charlie Stanski.
For the rest of the offense, the Knights brought back all but one of their main ballcarriers.
In the game last year, Giovanni Jimenez exploded for nine carries for 100 total yards. He’s the leading rusher on the team with 676 yards.
Believe it or not, I think Bluffton’s best shot to get them this year will be on the ground defensively.
The Knights aren’t particularly great in the run game, with no rusher over five yards per attempt. Combine that with the Tigers’ front and second unit, and they might force some more plays through the air.
McKenzie is slightly over 50 percent on completions, and the seven picks look intriguing.
And of course on the offensive side, Khamel Moore, Tucker Jenkins, and Cooper Craig have been fantastic. For a win Friday night, the three and that experienced O-line will need big games.
For the game overall, it’s clear Bluffton has a much better chance to belong on the same field. I even think it might have the slightest of edge if you factor in all the returning starters that have been waiting for this moment for an entire year.
I’m not going to make any sort of prediction other than it won’t be a 29-point difference this time around.
This should be the biggest test to see how far the Tigers have come, and I hope to see a packed visiting stands Friday night!
sports@news-banner.com
