The first time picking games is similar to that inaugural day at a new job.
The butterflies in the stomach.
A bit of awkwardness with others.
The nervous sweats that makes your fur cling to your body and gives out an odor that warns potential prey that a carnivore is in the area.
Hey, we’ve all been there, right?
But the staff here at OutsidetheHuddle.net has made me feel relaxed and comfortable as I tackle Week 4. Here we go, the first-ever Blitz Picks.
BISHOP DWENGER AT HOMESTEAD. Last year entering this Week 4 showdown, Dwenger was 3-0 and in the conversation for the best team in the SAC, then lost 42-0 to Homestead. This year, the pre-game narrative is the same. Will the result be similar? The Spartans have had to play catch up too much in the last two weeks. This one will be decided late. BLITZ PICKS HOMESTEAD BY 2.
CARROLL AT NORTHROP. Senior QB Gaven Vogt has already accounted for 940 yards of total offense in three weeks for the Chargers. Vogt, Camdyn Childers and the rest of Carroll’s offense should have another week of gaudy numbers in a game that is sure to be a shootout. BLITZ PICKS CARROLL BY 13.
BISHOP LUERS AT CONCORDIA. This 3A showdown has become one of the best games annually in the SAC. The series is tied at five wins apiece over the last 10 meetings, including last year’s split that saw Concordia win in the regular season and the Knights triumph in the sectional championship game. Can Luers win another nail biter? BLITZ PICKS BISHOP LUERS BY 3.
SNIDER AT SOUTH SIDE. Anyis Lockett may get the media love but junior Lenny Bennett is averaging almost 7.5 yards per carry for the Panthers. Also eye-opening is the fact that Michael Ledo Jr. is averaging 19 yards per reception. BLITZ PICKS SNIDER BY 48.
WAYNE AT NORTH SIDE. The Generals have scored a combined 76 points over the last two weeks in victories over Luers and Northrop. What is that mean for a murderous final four games of the year starting with Snider on Sept. 21? I am not smart enough to know that yet. Wayne has North and South the next two weeks to prepare for the late-season gauntlet. BLITZ PICKS WAYNE BY 16.
DEKALB AT EAST NOBLE. The brutal early-season schedule for the Barons continues this week. Coach Pete Kempf’s team deserves some credit as it has been the toughest challenge for undefeated Angola thus far, a 31-20 loss in Week 1. East Noble has had some key personnel missing in a few games this year, leading to some questions. This one will be closer than many think. BLITZ PICKS EAST NOBLE BY 12.
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT COLUMBIA CITY. Preseason scuttlebutt had Columbia City being at least 4-1 heading into the pivotal three-game stretch with New Haven, East Noble and Leo. But the improvement of both the Vikings and DeKalb (next week’s foe) makes that far from a guarantee. BLITZ PICKS COLUMBIA CITY BY 14.
LEO AT NEW HAVEN. This feels like a game that is going to be decided by the New Haven rushing attack, or lack thereof. Since the injury to Stephen Owens in the opening game of the season, the Bulldogs have found it difficult to do much in the run game. A balanced attack is key to keeping the Leo D off balance. Historical note: Leo has never won at New Haven (0-3 all-time). BLITZ PICKS LEO BY 3.
NORWELL AT BELLMONT. The improvement of these two teams has helped raise the floor of the NE8 this season. The Braves are winless but pushed South Adams to the end and hung around Columbia City for a time. Norwell has also looked the part of a team finding its way under third-year coach Josh Gerber. This one could be fun. BLITZ PICKS BELLMONT BY 4.
JAY COUNTY AT ADAMS CENTRAL. The Patriots were able to put up plenty of points on AC a year ago, dropping 42 on the Flying Jets yet still finding a way to lose by 28. This AC team is for real and should roll as it opens league play. BLITZ PICKS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 26.
SOUTH ADAMS AT HERITAGE. The season-ending injury to the Starfires’ Nic Stuber is concerning, particularly for an offense that is averaging just under 20 points per game. In a scheduling quirk, Heritage finally gets to play on its new turf for the first time this year after three straight road games. BLITZ PICKS SOUTH ADAMS BY 20.
SOUTHERN WELLS AT MONROE CENTRAL. The Golden Bears of Monroe Central are ranked No. 3 in the most recent AP Poll in Class 1A. The resume includes a pair of shutout wins and a defense allowing an average of 2.7 points a game. It will be a long night for the Raiders. BLITZ PICKS MONROE CENTRAL BY 39.
WOODLAN AT BLUFFTON. Many want to pile on Woodlan for starting the year 0-2, but consider the competition. Leo is always tough, while all Marion Local (Ohio) has done is win six state titles in the last seven years in Division VI. Running back Reggie Blackmon will give Bluffton fits all night in this one. BLITZ PICKS WOODLAN BY 22.
CENTRAL NOBLE AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS. The Cougars should breeze to a third-straight win. Coach Trevor Tipton’s team has its biggest challenges coming in a few weeks (Churubusco, Eastside). BLITZ PICKS CENTRAL NOBLE BY 35.
CHURUBUSCO AT EASTSIDE. Did the Eagles refocus after getting a scare from a rebuilding Garrett team last week? Here’s hoping so because going to Butler and securing a win is no easy task. ‘Busco has lost its last two at Eastside. BLITZ PICKS CHURUBUSCO BY 7.
FREMONT AT PITTSFORD (MICH.). Fremont is playing a school from our neighbors to the north for the third straight week. Pittsford hasn’t allowed a point this year in wins over Morenci and Petersburg Summerfield. I have no idea if those opponents are good, but they have some strong names. BLITZ PICKS PITTSFORD BY 31.
LAKELAND AT GARRETT. The Railroaders were able to contain Churubusco’s run game for a fair amount of last week’s game. It will have to do the same with the Lakers, who are averaging six yards a carry and 812 total rushing yards already this year. BLITZ PICKS GARRETT BY 2.
WEST NOBLE AT ANGOLA. It’s only Week 4 and I am already looking forward to seeing what Angola can do in the 4A playoffs. That Sectional 19 is murder, but the Hornets are the defending champion. BLITZ PICKS ANGOLA BY 22.
ELKHART MEMORIAL AT WARSAW. Fort Wayne football fans may recognize the name of the coach of Elkhart Memorial – one Scot Shaw, former coach of the Wayne Generals in 2014, the year they shared the SAC title. Shaw and the Chargers will have their hands full with a Warsaw team that has looks as competitive as it has in years in veteran coach Bart Curtis’ first season. BLITZ PICKS WARSAW BY 6.
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