By JESSE TEMPLE
jtemple@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE — To say that members of Delta’s football program haven’t salivated for months over the prospect of an inevitable matchup with Fort Wayne Dwenger at regionals this week would be to suggest the earth is flat, chocolate tastes bad and Carrot Top’s acting is Oscar-worthy.

In other words, one would not be telling the truth.

Just ask Logan Young, Delta’s standout wide receiver, who played in last season’s devastatingly lopsided regional round defeat at the hands of Dwenger. In that game, the Saints took the Eagles to the woodshed with a 49-20 beatdown, at Delta no less.

“You think about that a lot,” Young said. “We’ve really been talking about it all year, ever since the beginning of the year. Now that we finally get a chance to redeem ourselves and play them again, we’re really excited.”

Certainly, when Class 4A No. 5 Delta (12-0) takes on Class 4A No. 2 Fort Wayne Dwenger (12-0) at 7 p.m. tonight in the regional round at Dwenger, redemption will be on the Eagles’ minds.

Last year’s season-ending loss against Dwenger stands as Delta’s only defeat in the last two years. The Eagles possess a 24-0 record against everyone else.

“These past couple weeks, we’ve been focusing on each team,” Delta running back Teddy Dawson said. “But I’d be lying if I said this game wasn’t in the back of my mind.”

Delta coach Grant Zgunda hasn’t had a real need to critique many poor games from his team over these past two years. But he’s spent more than his fair share of time analyzing footage of last season’s ugly affair against Dwenger.

How often has Zgunda watched the tape?

“You don’t want to know,” Zgunda said. “A lot. Just a lot.

“That’s just the way coaches are. You can call it a sickness or whatever, but you tend to harp on the ones you lost and maybe don’t appreciate the ones you win very much.”

Young said he’d only viewed parts of last season’s blowout, which was plenty enough for him.

“I watched it one time and it was just the highlights of the game,” Young said. “And it wasn’t very long. I can tell you that. I’ve had the chance to watch it, but I just couldn’t. I get a sick feeling when I think about that game.”

Zgunda noted last year’s tape revealed that his team allowed too many big plays. On two occasions, Zgunda cited his team’s inability to contain Dwenger on third and 20 or longer. Both possessions resulted in Saints touchdowns.

This year, Zgunda believes Delta is more prepared for Dwenger, thanks to a tougher schedule. The Eagles defeated two difficult Fort Wayne schools at sectionals, sandwiched between their 7-6 mud bath victory against Southside.

In 2008, the Eagles won all three of their sectional games by three touchdowns or more.

“Last year, I think it was kind of easy, just to be blunt,” Zgunda said.

Delta and Fort Wayne Dwenger have been on a crash course with each other in the regional round seemingly all season. Both teams’ offenses are potent. Both teams’ defenses are stout.

The Saints average 45 points scored and seven points allowed this season. Delta, meanwhile, is scoring at a clip of 34 points a game and allowing a hair under 10 points per contest.

Delta’s defense actually has not allowed more than a touchdown in any of its last four games — staggering numbers, but not nearly as staggering as Dwenger’s stats.

The Saints haven’t surrendered a single point since Sept. 25, a span of six games.

Without a doubt, tonight will be the Eagles’ toughest matchup since the last time they played Dwenger.

Zgunda wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s an ultimate challenge,” Zgunda said. “And if you’re a competitor, you love it. You don’t want to go play somebody that’s 2-9. This is what it’s all about.”

Contact prep sports reporter Jesse Temple at 213-5807.