Blitz’s Week 5 Power Poll

We all need a boost on Mondays, right?

What better way to get the mind going at the beginning of the week than with a weekly power poll from Blitz?

1. BISHOP DWENGER

WHY #1?

The Saints answered people’s questions in a big way last Friday, limiting Homestead’s offense to its fewest points in a regular-season game since 2014. Defensive Coordinator Casey Kolkman let his athletes run wild against the Spartans, with T.J. McGarry, T.J. Tippmann and Hayden Ellinger shining in big moments on both sides of the ball, but particularly on defense.

But Blitz is never satisfied. While Dwenger passed Friday’s test, it has a tough road ahead with Carroll, Concordia, Luers, Snider and Northrop making up the remainder of the schedule. Can the Saints score enough points to go 5-0? Defense will be key in the quest for the SAC Victory Bell.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

You can’t be higher than No. 1.

2. WAYNE

WHY NO. 2?

It is tough to keep leaning on the “no respect” thing when you’re 3-1 and your lone defeat is to Dwenger, but the Generals are going to give it a go.

While North Side doesn’t present a huge challenge, it was good to see a few indicators last Friday out of Wayne – 1) the big-play ability of Craig Young and 2) a dominant performance from the defense.

To succeed over a Weeks 6-9 gauntlet that includes Snider, Concordia, Homestead and Carroll, Young will have to be that matchup nightmare he showed against the Legends on long touchdowns through the air and on the ground. Perhaps more importantly, the defense will need to perform well against some solid offenses.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

The lone blemish on the season was the Week 1 disappointment in the rain to Bishop Dwenger. Could things have been different in the dry? Maybe a rematch in the playoffs?

3. BISHOP LUERS

WHY NO. 3?

Arguably no team in the area has a better resume of victories than the Knights – who own wins over Carroll, Homestead and Concordia.

While the offensive numbers are gaudy, the most impressive aspect of Luers has been its ability to make the plays down the stretch to win close games. From a clutch score and defensive stop late in a Week 1 victory over Carroll to a last-second field goal to beat Homestead, the Knights have executed when it counts.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

The lone loss to Wayne was decided by double digits. That still looms large in the mind of Sir Blitz.

4. SNIDER

WHY NO. 4?

Despite outscoring their last two opponents by a combined score of 92-7, the offense is far from a finished product. But it is showing signs of life. Junior Jon Barnes Jr. seems to be taking command of the starting quarterback spot, but expect to see Deuce Taylor at times in some packages.

Meanwhile, Anyis Lockett and Lenny Bennett continues to show that they are one of the best 1-2 backfield combos around.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

Despite the improved play, Snider’s three victories are over teams a combined 1-9. Turnovers have also been a problem (eight through four games).

5. HOMESTEAD

WHY NO. 5?

Despite a two-game losing streak, the Spartans have shown it has what it takes to hang with the best teams in the area. Some want to debate the negatives that can go with a two-quarterback system, but Luke Goode and Jake Archbold have combined for 143 pass attempts and have thrown a total of zero interceptions.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

We knew that the defense would regress a bit with the loss of so much talent, particularly on the front line, but the 29 points per game is substantial. This week’s game against Snider at Spuller is big.

6. NORTHROP

WHY NO. 6?

How about those Bruins!? We have seen Northrop jump off to quick starts against teams only to fade in the second half. In last Friday’s 20-point win over Carroll, the Bruins played a complete 48 minutes in earning the signature win.

Can Bailey Meerzo and the offense continue its assault on the likes of Concordia, Luers, Snider and Dwenger? Time will tell.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

Two losses, even close ones like the one-point defeat at Wayne, make it tough to put the Bruins any higher at this point.

7. ANGOLA

WHY NO. 7

Coach Andy Thomas would love Blitz to temper the enthusiasm and say the Hornets need to take it “game by game,” but there is no getting away from the parallels to last year. Could Angola go undefeated in the regular season for a second straight season? It’s looking promising.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

Six SAC teams reside above Angola in this power poll. The last time the Hornets played an SAC school, Dwenger destroyed them 34-0. Will it be different this year?

8. CARROLL

WHY NO. 8

Gaven Vogt continues to pick apart SAC defenses. The senior sits on 1,048 passing yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Over half of Vogt’s passing yards have gone to Camdyn Childers (538 yards, six touchdowns).

The rout of Snider is still darn impressive.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

There is no way around the fact that the loss to Northrop was a big letdown. Perhaps the Chargers were looking ahead to Dwenger this week?

9. CONCORDIA

WHY NO. 9

One third of Kamari Anderson-Drew’s catches have gone for touchdowns. This despite every opponent knowing he is going to get plenty of looks.

Senior Liam Fletcher continues to be one of the most underrated defenders in the area. He leads the team in sacks (four) and is second in tackles (25).

WHY NOT HIGHER?

Three straight losses have the Cadets looking for a win with Northrop coming to town this Friday. Don’t fret, Concordia will be in thick of 3A come playoff time.

10. EAST NOBLE

WHY NO. 10?

The fluidity of the NE8 has it difficult to lock down just who is truly the best in the league. This week, we are going with East Noble here. The Knights have yet to beat a team with a winning record, but this week’s game at Leo will be telling, despite the Lions only being 2-2.

East Noble has had to find ways to win in different ways as Bailey Parker continues to settle in at quarterback.

WHY NOT HIGHER?

A lack of a signature win has your beloved bear with a hint trepidation on just how good East Noble is. The lone loss is not a bad one to 6A Warsaw, but it is a team that East Noble had beaten three straight years entering 2018.

NEXT FIVE

11. Adams Central

12. New Haven

13. Leo

14. Columbia City

15. South Adams