The return of junior Evan Feichter had a big effect on the Bishop Dwenger defense in a 48-12 win Saturday over Hammond Morton in a Class 4A semistate.

With Feichter out last week, the Saints gave up 26 points at home to New Haven in a 42-26 regional win.

Feichter returned from an ankle injury Saturday and although he didn’t get one, the Saints (13-0) had five interceptions against the Governors (12-2).

“We have been needing him,” Dwenger coach Chris Svarczkopf said of Feichter. “Now he gets more time to get even better. I don’t think he is still 100 percent.”

The Saints will play Cathedral in the 4A state title game next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“We were focused on stopping them from running the ball, and we wanted to stay deep because they like to throw the ball to No. 2 (D’Jari Griffin), and that’s what we did,” said senior Jalen West, who had two of the interceptions and also rushed for two scores.

The big special teams play came from junior Steven Espinoza on the first play of the second half with an 85-yard kickoff return.

“(Special teams coach Cory Kitchen) knew all week we could return one,” Svarczkopf said. “We just got the ball to the right person, and off he went. That was a big play. Nothing like a special teams play.”