Your furry friend Blitz got off to a good start in the first week of the playoffs. Sure, he could boast and gloat, but it only gets harder from here, just as it does for area teams still alive in the postseason.
While we have a few scintillating matchups this week, Week 12 is shaping up to be a doozy. Could we see a surprise or two between now and then?
Last week: 16-3
Overall: 96-32
CLASS 6A
SNIDER AT CARROLL. This one has all the makings of a rout. The Panthers want revenge from the Week 2 thrashing at the hands of the Chargers. Meanwhile, a Carroll defense that looked so good in that 38-14 victory has allowed 34 or more points four times in the last six outings. Blitz feels that Carroll will hang around longer than most people think. BLITZ PICKS SNIDER BY 18.
HOMESTEAD AT NORTHROP. Expect a lot of points in this one if Spuller Stadium is not a complete quagmire. The first matchup between these teams in Week 1 saw 73 points scored. Northrop goes into the second half within striking distance, but the Spartans offense is too much going away. BLITZ PICKS HOMESTEAD BY 20.
WARSAW AT PENN. The Kingsmen destroyed the Tigers in a 40-0 shutout in the postseason a year ago. Warsaw is better, with Bart Curtis deserving of every coach of the year award in the state of Indiana, but Penn is still a step ahead. BLITZ PICKS PENN BY 14.
CLASS 5A
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT HARRISON. The Vikings’ offense is predicated on opening holes up for a solid run game. But Harrison has the defensive front to limit that, at least in matchups not involving HN beast Damon Kaylor. BLITZ PICKS HARRISON BY 11.
CLASS 4A
NORTHWOOD AT EAST NOBLE. How does one knock off the top-ranked team in 4A? It starts with slowing down running back Bronson Yoder, who has rushed for over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. The Knights have held just two teams in single digits in points, with DeKalb finding plenty of offense last week. East Noble will play well, but the Panthers are on another level. BLITZ PICKS NORTHWOOD BY 8.
NORTHRIDGE AT ANGOLA. There was plenty of talk from Culver about getting revenge last week on an Angola team that ended the Eagles’ season a year ago. Instead, the Hornets went in and took care of business in a 20-point win. Another business-like approach this week will put Angola in the sectional championship game. BLITZ PICKS ANGOLA BY 22.
WAYNE AT NEW HAVEN. Two years ago, these two teams opened sectional play, with the Bulldogs crushing the Generals by 42 points. There is no doubt that Coach Derrick Moore and his upperclassmen remember that thumping. BLITZ PICKS WAYNE BY 23.
LEO VS. BISHOP DWENGER. Most of the talk leading up to this one is from people unhappy it will be played at Luersfield. Fact is, the Saints would handle the Lions no matter where the game was played. Too much Dwenger D here. BLITZ PICKS BISHOP DWENGER BY 20.
BISHOP LUERS AT WEST NOBLE. This game could be close for a bit if Brandon Pruitt and the WN offense can catch Luers napping. Unfortunately, a West Noble defense that has held just one team to single digits in points is going to be completely outmatched. BLITZ PICKS BISHOP LUERS BY 24.
BELLMONT AT CONCORDIA. Kudos to the Braves, who got their first win of the season last week over Garrett. Things won’t go as well this Friday, however. BLITZ PICKS CONCORDIA BY 32.
BREMEN AT CENTRAL NOBLE. Fifteen wins in the last two years has not garnered any respect for Central Noble. A win on Friday could get people to notice. It will be tough, with Bremen quarterback Ryan Caldwell one of the toughest at the position the Cougars have faced all year. BLITZ PICKS BREMEN BY 5.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT BLUFFTON. Speaking of no respect, a victory on Friday will give Bluffton its seventh win of the season, its most since 1982. That’s a long time. Everett Johnson and company roll to the sectional final. BLITZ PICKS BLUFFTON BY 29.
SOUTHWOOD AT FREMONT. Nine of Southwood’s 10 opponents have been held below double digits in points. Fremont just doesn’t have the weapons to be a threat. BLITZ PICKS SOUTHWOOD BY 41.
CHURUBUSCO AT ADAMS CENTRAL. Tom Richards doesn’t get much pub, but the Churubusco quarterback is dangerously efficient. He has completed 69 percent of his passes this season and has thrown just four interceptions. When trying to find a way in which the Eagles can win this one, it centers on Richards. AC is too strong, however. BLITZ PICKS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 12.
The two closest matches: Northwood at East Noble, Bremen at Central Noble. I vote for GOTW and most likely upset being East Noble over Northwood.