Throughout this week your trusty furry pal Blitz will delve deeper into each sectional in the area – from which teams look like legit contenders to players to watch.
Let’s get it started with Sectional 43 in Class 1A.
FAVORITE
ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0)
There may be two undefeated teams in this sectional, but only one (to Blitz) feels like a favorite.
The Flying Jets may have their best team since the 2000 state championship squad, a team that actually lost three ACAC games that year. The offense is high powered and the defense is physical and overpowering.
One of AC’s greatest assets is its quick starts. It has been able to take many teams out of the contest by burying them in the first quarter.
The Flying Jets will likely have to beat three teams with winning records to win Sectional 43. It’s not easy, but neither is trying to beat AC.
CONTENDERS
SOUTHWOOD (9-0)
Many outside Wabash County questioned whether the Knights’ impressive regular-season record last year was a mirage. Southwood shuttered all that with a trip to the 1A state title game.
One year later, the Knights have navigated the season thus far without a loss. Whereas last season it was quarterback Carson Blair leading the way with his eye-popping numbers, the defense is the unit to watch in 2018.
Southwood has held teams to just over five points a game so far this year, although Tippecanoe Valley put up 20 in Week 9. It is a junior-dominated defense, with middle linebacker Riley Whitesel, defensive end Dillion Filip and cornerback Jackson Simons anchoring each level of the defense.
CHURUBUSCO (8-1)
The Eagles appeared to be destined for their first undefeated regular season since 2011, but West Noble had different plans in Week 8.
Did that reality check refocus and reenergize Coach Paul Sade’s team? It better hope so with a visit from South Adams this Friday.
The one constant this year with ‘Busco has been defense. The 17 points surrendered to West Noble was a season high, with just two other teams reaching double digits in points scored.
The offense is stout, but it will be the defense that will have to lead the way if Churubusco is to pull a few upsets and win the sectional.
SOUTH ADAMS (7-2)
Late September tarnished an otherwise stellar regular season for the Starfires. The team has been able to move forward after the loss of junior Nic Stuber to injury, although you would be kidding yourself if you didn’t acknowledge that his loss weakened the team on both sides of the ball.
The Starfires were handled by Adams Central 49-12 in Week 6. If the two teams match up again in the sectional semifinals, the defensive front seven of South Adams must be exponentially better to give the team a shot.
THE REST
EASTSIDE (5-4)
The Blazers had a solid regular season, although four of their wins came against teams with a combined six victories.
Coach Todd Mason’s team gets Southwood this week. Senior quarterback Joe White will need to air it out if Eastside is to have a shot at the upset. He is capable, having thrown for 1,300 yards and 13 TDs on the year.
NORTHFIELD (5-4)
Three years ago, the Norse won just four games in the regular season yet beat Adams Central in the regional championship.
Unfortunately, this year’s AC team is much better. With a first-round matchup with the Flying Jets on tap, Northfield will likely be one and done.
SOUTHERN WELLS (1-8)
The positive for the Raiders is that they drew the same Fremont team that they beat in Week 1 for their lone win of the season.
Unfortunately, the rest of the sectional is much tougher.
FREMONT (1-8)
The year was 2009 the last time Fremont won a postseason game. Things don’t look too promising when it comes to ending that skid.
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