When the calendar hits October, we in the prognosticating business knows it is time to be at our best. We want to be peaking at the right time. Sure, a hefty win-loss record in the regular season is nice, but it is those predictions in the postseason that many remember.
Coaches and players may think the pressure is on, but it has nothing on being a cartoon animal looking to appease the masses with accurate game predictions.
Thankfully, Blitz is entering the playoffs on a high note, going 16-3 last week.
Let’s see if I can keep it going.
Last week: 16-3
Overall: 83-29
CLASS 5A
NORTH SIDE AT ELKHART CENTRAL. There is a lot of talk around town that the Legends are a sneaky pick to win Sectional 10. But the Blue Blazers are better than their 4-5 record indicates. All five losses came to teams with winning records, including single-digit losses to Monroe out of Michigan (6-2), Mishawaka (8-1) and Penn (7-2). If North Side can slow down running back Mark Brownlee (1,462 yards, 15 TDs), it has a shot. BLITZ PICKS ELKHART CENTRAL BY 8.
CLASS 4A
EAST NOBLE AT DEKALB. This one wasn’t close in the regular season (35-7), but Blitz does not foresee a repeat of that lopsidedness, with DeKalb 4-1 since that drubbing. In the end, Bailey Parker, Kaiden Harshberger and the Knights are too strong, but the Barons represent on their home field. BLITZ PICKS EAST NOBLE BY 14.
ANGOLA AT CULVER ACADEMY. People don’t understand just how much Culver is looking forward to this rematch. A year ago, Angola edged the Eagles in OT, blocking an extra point that clinched the victory. Just like last year, an undefeated Hornets team comes calling. Both defenses are stingy, making this in all likelihood a low-scoring game. Blitz wants to pick Culver here, but to avoid what happened to my predecessor (RIP Pig), I will go Hornets. BLITZ PICKS ANGOLA BY 1.
WAYNE (7-2) AT SOUTH SIDE (0-9). This is a “get right” week for the Generals, who feel like they are still looking for that complete game displayed against Snider in Week 6. Momentum starts building for Coach Derrick Moore’s team here. BLITZ PICKS WAYNE BY 35.
NEW HAVEN AT COLUMBIA CITY. After two-straight defeats to conclude the regular season, the Bulldogs are now 4-5, the most losses for the program entering the postseason since 2009. One of those losses came at the hands of the Eagles in Week 6. Either NH is going to rise up or it is going to fall apart completely. Blitz is betting on the former. BLITZ PICKS NEW HAVEN BY 6.
LEO AT JAY COUNTY. The Patriots will not be an easy out, especially if Parker Grimes (1,322 yards, 12 TDs) gets going in the passing game. Leo has been one-and-done in the playoffs each of the last two years. That trend will not continue. BLITZ PICKS LEO BY 9.
BISHOP DWENGER AT LOGANSPORT. This is a looooong trip for the Saints, one that will be made more tolerable if the newly-painted SAC Victory Bell makes the journey to Cass County. The Berries haven’t scored more than 15 points in a game since the first week of September. BLITZ PICKS DWENGER BY 23.
CLASS 3A
WEST NOBLE AT NORWELL. The Chargers have seven wins and a victory over Churubusco on their resume, yet Blitz is feeling the Knights here. A good showing last Friday against Columbia City shows that Norwell has not laid down despite five straight defeats. Picking games isn’t fun unless you pick an upset or two, right? BLITZ PICKS NORWELL BY 3.
HERITAGE AT BISHOP LUERS. Ummm, well, at least Heritage doesn’t have far to go up US-27 for this one. BLITZ PICKS LUERS BY 44.
CONCORDIA AT LAKELAND. The Lakers have shown the ability to score points, putting up 40-plus in four straight games. Unfortunately for Lakeland, it isn’t going to be able to slow down Jake Byrd and the Drew Crew. BLITZ PICKS CONCORDIA BY 18.
GARRETT AT BELLMONT. Am I crazy to think the Braves are the favorite here despite not having a victory? Coach Marty Ballard’s team has been close to a victory several times, including three-point losses to both New Haven and South Adams. Chalk up a win this week. BLITZ PICKS BELLMONT BY 4.
CLASS 2A
WOODLAN AT BREMEN. These two teams have a combined five-game losing skid. Luckily for one, a victory is coming on Friday. Bremen’s offense is balanced with quarterback Ryan Caldwell and top running back Nathan Mullen. Woodlan’s defense just won’t get enough stops in this one. BLITZ PICKS BREMEN BY 8.
WABASH AT CENTRAL NOBLE. Too much Cougars here. BLITZ PICKS CENTRAL NOBLE BY 22.
BLUFFTON AT MANCHESTER. The running back duo of Everett Johnson (Bluffton) and Delton Moore (Manchester) have combined for 2,972 yards and 35 touchdowns. Expect one team to outrush the other. My bet is on the Tigers. BLITZ PICKS BLUFFTON BY 14.
WHITKO AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS. Whitko I guess. I don’t know. BLITZ PICKS WHITKO BY 10.
CLASS A
EASTSIDE AT SOUTHWOOD. The Blazers have five wins, but have struggled to put points on the board against good teams. Undefeated Southwood is a good team. That’s not…good. BLITZ PICKS SOUTHWOOD BY 20.
SOUTHERN WELLS AT FREMONT. Week 1 saw the Raiders beat Fremont 42-0. They haven’t won since. Until now. BLITZ PICKS SOUTHERN WELLS BY 42.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT NORTHFIELD. Your crazy stat of the week: Adams Central is converting 53 percent (51 of 96) of its third downs for the season. Ridiculous. BLITZ PICKS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 23.
SOUTH ADAMS AT CHURUBUSCO. Two years ago, these two teams battled for a sectional title, a game the Starfires won by two. Many senior starters for ‘Busco remember that game. Revenge is sweet when it is served up in a town nicknamed after an animal (not a bear, unfortunately). BLITZ PICKS CHURUBUSCO BY 2.
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