Bryan Ault

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Snider offensive tackle Ethan Dodson says the Panthers’ big matchup this weekend against Carroll will be a “fight from start to finish.”  

“Preparing like this helps the team come together and be on the same page,” Dodson said. “We know we will face adversity.  Our job is to push through it and move on to the next play if something goes wrong or right.”

The 2022 Class 6A state runner up will pack a heavy punch on offense when they take on cross-town rival Snider.  The Chargers are coming off back-to-back high-scoring wins – a 78-6 victory over Fort Wayne South (Sept. 1) and a 40-13 victory over Bishop Dwenger – after beating Indianapolis power Warren Central in Week 2.

The Chargers are led by quarterback Jimmy Sullivan, who is off to a hot start after the season’s first month.  So far, he has thrown for 533 yards and 5 touchdowns with just two picks.  He holds offers from Minnesota, as well as seven MAC teams.

“Their strength is their pass game and receivers,” Snider defensive back Jamarion Kolagbodi said. “Their best player is (Sullivan).  You can trust him to make big plays in big-time situations and he will if you give him the opportunity.”

But the 5A Panthers, led by 15th-year head coach Kurt Tippmann, have some firepower of their own led by Ke’ron Billingsley and Uriah Buchanan.  The Panthers haven’t scored less than 41 points so far in 2022.  Through four games, Buchanan has 65 carries for 657 yards and seven touchdowns.  Billingsley also has 128 yards for five touchdowns.

“Obviously, Snider’s run game is strong and our defense has to be flying around all night and gang tackling the ball carriers,” said Carroll safety Braden Steeley, a Western Michigan commit. “They are good in the trenches on both sides of the ball but we have some great athletes working hard this week and ready to play on Friday.  Buchanan has been carrying the load for Snider’s run game but both backs have good speed and power.”

“Every year we know Snider is going to come out run heavy and it’s the same this year,” Justin Anderson said. “They are a team who can definitely run the clock down with the run and use it to their advantage the whole game so we just stop the run (early).”

“We do feel as if they do not have as strong a passing game as their run but we will still be ready for anything and everything,” Anderson added. “Our main focus on Snider right now is stopping their running back. We know he can make some plays, so we have to make sure to contain him.”

Carroll won last year’s matchup 28-21, handing Snider their lone regular season loss in 2022.

“As a team, they are well coached, aggressive, fast, and physical,” Dodson says. “They can make plays on both offense and defense. And they play like they are on fire. As a team we have to play every snap like it’s our last, making sure we go out and make plays and prevent them from making big plays as well.”