The Bishop Dwenger Saints are coming off back-to-back .500 seasons at 6-6, but have high expectations coming into the 2025 football season. They managed to reach the Sectional Championship, but were shutout by the East Noble Knights 38-0.The program has a record-breaking senior class with 37 players entering their senior season. Head coach Jason Garrett is hoping that the team’s senior leadership attributes to more success this season.

“We will look to continue building and fortifying our culture of Trust, Unity and Toughness. The
leadership of our largest senior class in the history of Bishop Dwenger (37 seniors) will be vital to our
overall team success,” coach Garrett says.

With key losses to graduation to players like defensive end Tommy Poiry and defensive back Brady O’Keefe. Poiry finished with four sacks last season, which was second on the team. O’Keefe led the team in interceptions with three on the season. The good news is, the Saints return nearly all of their offensive firepower from last season. In fact, they return offensive starters from last season. In 2024, the Saints averaged 135 rushing yards per game and 60 passing yards per game. This season, this should improve with most starts returning on offense.

Saints Key Returning Offensive Players

Dwenger welcomes back their quarterback Henry Jordan, running back Gus Tippmann, and wide receiver Beckham Russell. With Jordan back and healthy for his senior season, their hoping for more success with their passing game this year. As they strive to improve their passing attack, the running game will once again be the catalyst on the offensive side of the ball.

Last season, Tippmann led the team with 744 yards and also added four rushing touchdowns. Also returning is senior running back Anthony Shefferly, who ran for 294 yards and led the team with seven rushing touchdowns. While also providing the team on defense as one of the top linebackers, Shefferly is the team’s power back, meanwhile Tippmann at 5’5 provides the speed, hitting the outside gap for huge yard gains. With both returning for their senior seasons, their running game has the potential to be amongst the best in the Summit Athletic Conference this season.

Their anchor and Junior All-State offensive tackle from last season Andrew Trahin returns to lead the offense. The 6’5, 285-pound tackle has been garnering interest from more colleges after his junior season, but announced his commitment to Eastern Michigan University back in June. He is expected to have another huge season for the Saints.

Saints Key Returning Defensive Players

Dwenger returns seven starters on defensive this season. Linebacker Dylan Tippmann finished with 100 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and one forced fumble last season for the Saints. That was more than enough to be named to the Junior All-State team, and 1st Team Summit Athletic Conference. In addition to Tippman, senior linebacker Doug Henry returns after a 100-tackle season as well for the Saints.

Trahin will lead the defensive line a be pulling double-duty for the second season on both the offensive and defensive line. Alongside him in the team’s 3-3 stack base defense will be senior Lewis Morris. He finished with four sacks last season and looks to help provide some additional pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season.

Leading the secondary will be 5’11, 190 pound senior safety Houston Ellinger. One could argue he was snubbed from Junior All-State honors last season. He finished with 93 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and an interception. He also is a quality kick returner in addition to causing ruckus for opposing quarterbacks and running backs. He is a baller that can do almost anything on a football field, but his ability to cover zones and man-to-man on defense is amongst the best in the state. He is joined by fellow senior defensive back Jackson Perrish, who finished with 38 tackles last season.

The Saints also return one of the top kickers in the state as well in Lucas Nguyen. After receiving a Junior All-State and 1st Team Summit Athletic Conference selection last year, many could expect an even bigger senior season from him this year.

Key Underclassmen & Newcomers To Watch in 2025

One of the top newcomers on the team will be former Carroll Chargers running back Kayden Bush. Bush transferred to Dwenger for his senior season and while he is one of the top baseball players in the area, he is hoping to make more of an impact on the football field with the Saints this season. Gunnar and Alex McCarthy are expected to see some time on the field this season as well as they also embark on their senior season. Aidan Bowman is hoping to provide some additional help on the offensive and defensive line for the Saints.

In terms of underclassmen, juniors Cooper Campbell, Carter Zent, and Nicholas O’Keefe all are expected to have an increased role in the secondary. Zent finished last season with two interceptions and 33 tackles. With more responsibility this season, both Campbell and Zent could have huge junior seasons.

Key Games in 2025

Week 4: September 12th at Carroll (lost 31-3 last season)

Week 5: September 19th vs. Homestead (lost 17-14 last season)

Week 8: October 10th vs. Snider (lost 17-6 last season and rivalry game)