Recent games between Bethel University and Saint John’s have been intense. Bethel notched their first win against the Johnnies in 1999 and repeated that feat in 2000. Saint John’s was able to put together a string of 5 consecutive wins from 2001 through 2005, but the Royals ended that streak in 2006 at Clemens Stadium to clinch the MIAC championship. The 3rd ranked Johnnies travel to unfriendly Royal Stadium in Arden Hills this Saturday to dispatch the 16th ranked Royals. Both teams again sit poised to claim the MIAC title and automatic play-off berth with a win in this final regular season game of 2007.
Orchestrating the Royal offense is senior quarterback Ben Wetzell. Wetzell, a dual threat, returns for the Royals after an all-MIAC 2006 season. He has completed 119 of 199 passes for 1442 yards and rushed the ball 136 times for 672 yards. He’s thrown 12 touchdowns and rushed for nine more while throwing nine interceptions. Junior Aaron Bernstett is Wetzell’s top target with 53 catches for 639 yards. Junior Kyle Lee has 37 catches for 603 yards, and Junior Nick Otto has 26 receptions for 279 yards. Wetzell has also thrown 50 receptions for 287 yards to his fullback, sophomore Dusty Wahl. On the ground, head coach Steve Johnson has found another promising freshman running back to replace the departed Phil Porta. Freshman Logan Flannery has shared the bulk of the rushing duties with Wetzell. Flannery has carried the ball 183 times for 849 yards and caught 13 passes for 184 yards, but he left last weekend’s game with an injury. The severity of this injury is unknown, but I would assume that he will play this weekend. Senior Jared Bangs has also seen time at running back with 62 carries for 249 yards. A talented offensive line is lead by returning all-MIAC senior Tommy Davis at center. Davis is flanked by fellow senior Brad Dahlman, juniors Mike Ervin and John Scrabeck, and sophomore Chris Luedemann. The offensive line averages about 280 pounds, although Scrabek himself is 6-3, 309.
It’s been said that defense wins championships, and I think this could be the case this weekend. The Royals have been stingy on the ground, only giving up 730 yards so far, but they have given up nearly 2000 yards through the air. All-MIAC safety Brandon Carr leads the Royal defensive efforts. Carr, a senior, has recorded 52 tackles and a team-high five interceptions. Fellow senior safety Jamie Wagner leads the team in tackles with 62 and has also recorded two interceptions. Senior Ryan Herm and junior Nathan Holm round out the defensive backfield at the cornerback positions. Holm has two interceptions while Herm has one. Seniors Steve Luebke and Lucas Blodgett along with juniors Darin Schwarze and Nate Voronyak start at linebacker for the Royals. Voronyak has recorded 11 tackles for loss with five and a half sacks this season. Luebke, a returning all-MIAC selection, has five and a half tackles for loss and two sacks. The defensive line is lead by senior defensive end Aaron Mills with four sacks. Sophomore Eric Rhode plays at the other end, with senior Aaron Moberg filling up the middle.
Sophomore Nate Gutshall handles placekicking and kickoff duties. He’s averaged 51 yards per kickoff, hit three of eight field goals, and made 34 of 38 on extra points. Sophomore Kevin Ness punts for the Royals, where he’s averaged 36 yards per punt.
This looks like an evenly matched game. I think the outcome will come down to execution and big plays. A punt return or big interception could definitely decide this game. The winner will be the team that makes fewer mistakes. Bethel’s got a distinct home-field advantage when you couple their annoying fans with the fact that they have refused to bring in additional seating for the Johnnies. One can only hope that their grounds crew doesn’t “accidentally” turn the sprinklers on Friday evening. Saint John’s has the Gagliardi advantage and the fact that Steve Johnson has been know to make some boneheaded calls in big games. I’m not ready to declare a winner yet, so stay tuned for my prediction later in the week.
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