WHITING, Ind. – The Bellarmine sprint football team will have an opportunity for redemption Saturday night in northwestern Indiana when they take on Calumet for the second time this season.
 
Bellarmine (3-2) was blanked by Calumet (4-0) in the teams' first meeting at Holy Cross High School on September 27, 48-0. The Crimson Wave rushed for 227 yards and threw for 173 yards for an even 400 yards of offense while holding the Knights to 202 yards, including -9 on the ground.
 
In the two games since posting a negative rushing mark, however, Bellarmine has emphasized the ground game, specifically with running back Brenden Reid. The senior accumulated 113 rushing yards in Bellarmine's 9-7 win at Quincy and then added to that with 200 yards in a 45-7 win over Oakland City on Senior Day. The latter effort earned him MSFL co-Offensive Player of the Week honors.
 
The Knights accumulated just 141 yards through the air the past two games after throwing for 211 in the first game against Calumet. Freshman Dylan Morris handled the passing duties against Quincy while senior Vernon Duncan earned the start against OCU and was later relieved by both Morris and junior Max Gibbs.
 
Calumet is coming off a no contest against fellow undefeated Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The two teams barely got started on Saturday before weather wiped out the rest of the game, which the league has announced will not be made up.
 
It remains to be seen if the odd week might affect Calumet and benefit Bellarmine. The Crimson Wave already present enough of a challenge on defense with their offense that wears down opponents by averaging 173.3 yards on the ground, second in the MSFL behind to Midway's 179.0. On the other side of the ball, their staunch defense has allowed just seven points this season, registered, oddly enough, by 0-5 Oakland City. They also allow a league best 135.3 yards of offense per game—a total that the Knights bested in September by 66.7 yards, though they were still unable to dent the scoreboard.
 
Bellarmine currently sits in second behind Calumet in the MSFL Red Division standings. As of right now, the Knights appear to be destined for playoff semifinals matchup at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on November 8. Coach Harold Davis and company would need to beat Calumet Saturday, beat SMWC on November 1 and see Calumet lose to 3-2 Midway on November 1 in order to host the first-round game against the No. 2 team from the Black Division, currently Midway.
 
Kickoff from Ray P. Gallivan Field at Jeff Cain Stadium on Saturday is set for 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT).
 
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