Now that we have some actual on-field games to analyze, some are quick to judge how this team is great or this team stinks.
Blitz tries to be a tad more patient, typically waiting a few weeks before he gets crazy and crowns a team a state contender.
But that doesn’t make for good reading, does it?
Did we have some movement in this week’s power poll?
1. HOMESTEAD (1-0)
WHY #1?
The Spartans scoffed at Blitz’s pick of Northrop last Friday, knocking around the Bruins in a 43-6 final.
Braeden Hardwick picked up right where he left off at running back, rushing for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win.
In its last five regular-season games, Coach Chad Zolman’s defense has held SAC teams to 8.6 points per game.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
No one ascends past No. 1. It’s just now allowed.
2. SNIDER (1-0)
WHY #2?
Maybe it was the off-season transfer drama between the two teams or maybe the Panthers just wanted to prove they aren’t going anywhere despite a new cast of characters.
Whatever the reason, Snider’s 51-0 torching of North Side in Week 1 put everyone on notice that the Panthers may very well be the team to beat in the SAC.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
You could make a pretty solid case that the Panthers should be No. 1 in this poll. Maybe that’s why Blitz has them No. 2, to incite discussion (and rage).
3. BISHOP DWENGER (1-0)
WHY #3?
Brenden Lytle completed 14-of-16 passes for 207 yards in the Saints’ destruction of Wayne last Friday.
To put that in perspective, Lytle did not complete his 14th pass of the season last year until Week 4 against Carroll.
So what does that mean? Blitz believes it means that this Bishop Dwenger team is going to have a balanced offense that can win games on its own, instead of relying predominantly on a solid running game.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Blitz feels about Dwenger like he does about Snider – an easy case can be made for the Saints to be No. 1.
But let’s keep them down here for a bit longer.
4. EAST NOBLE KNIGHTS (1-0)
WHY #4?
The Knights triumphed 34-31 over Plymouth last week in the most exciting area game that no one is talking about.
In what is the first of surely several games in which Bailey Parker destroys an opposing defense personally, the senior went for 360 total yards in the win.
Another challenge awaits when Mishawaka comes to Kendallville this Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Without games against the “Big 3” in the SAC, it is tough to rank East Noble higher than No. 4. You can bet if the SAC did actually have non-conference games, Knights coach Luke Amstutz would be first in line to play the big boys.
5. CARROLL CHARGERS (1-0)
WHY #5?
This is one of those teams that Blitz is cautiously optimistic of. It is tough not to be impressed with the 42-0 blanking of Bishop Luers last week, but we still don’t know if the Knights are that bad or Carroll is that good.
We don’t have to wait long to find out with the Chargers heading to Spuller to take on Snider this week.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Knock off Snider, or even hang close and give the Panthers a game, and we will talk.
6. LEO LIONS (1-0)
WHY #6?
For the second-straight season, the Lions are 1-0 after a shutout of Woodlan. But this year, an emphatic 36-0 rout truly got the attention of Blitz.
Leo really was sort of the forgotten team of the NE8 entering this season, but it got eyes back on itself in a hurry with Friday’s victory.
Peyton Wall needs to be seen by everyone. Seriously, the kid can play on both sides of the ball.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Just how good is Woodlan? Leo made quite the jump in Blitz’s top 10, but uncertainty still factors in a bit as we have more to learn about both the Lions and Warriors. A visit from Angola this week will help clarify things.
7. DEKALB BARONS (1-0)
WHY #7?
Is that a serious question? Coach Pete Kempf and his team earned arguably the biggest program win this century last Friday with the 41-39 downing of Angola.
Big props to that program, the coaches and the community on what was a special night in Waterloo.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Again, how good is Angola? Did it drop a bit in 2019? We will find out about the Hornets this week, but DeKalb also has a pair of challenges ahead with road tests at Garrett this week and New Haven in Week 3.
Could DeKalb be one and done in Blitz’s top 10? Stay tuned.
8. ANGOLA HORNETS (0-1)
WHY #8?
While the Hornets did drop their first regular-season game since 2016, the offense looked pretty darn good. Ryan Brandt throwing touchdown passes? Mercy! Antonio Luevanos going off on the ground? Seriously, Angola has some offensive scoring prowess.
Good chance to rebound against a quality opponent this Friday at Leo.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The 41 points surrendered by Angola was the most since a 45-27 loss to Fairfield on Sept. 25, 2015.
That is a very concerning stat for Mr. Blitz.
9. CONCORDIA LUTHERAN (1-0)
WHY #9?
After sputtering a bit early, the Cadets got on track against South Side for a 41-14 victory in Week 1.
There were sure signs of progress, with Amir Drew being his typical self at running back and Brandon Davis taking strides forward at the quarterback spot.
A trip to Homestead this week will give us some clarity regarding Concordia.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
South Side looks improved, but Concordia looked out of sync for the better part of a half against a team many predict to finish 10th in the SAC.
With Homestead and Snider up the next two weeks, let’s see if the Cadets can put a scare into either of the 6A powers.
10. SOUTH ADAMS (1-0)
WHY #10?
Why not? South Adams took care of business with a shutout of Winchester on the road. The last time Winchester did not score in a game at home? The 2012 season opener against…South Adams.
Stats are cool sometimes.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
This is a significant jump for the Starfires from Blitz’s preseason rankings in which he did not have South Adams ranked in his top 15. Baby steps here.
Plus, Coach Grant Moser bothers me. (Let’s see if reads this)
NEXT FIVE
11. WAYNE
12. NEW HAVEN
13. NORTHROP
14. ADAMS CENTRAL
15. COLUMBIA CITY
Be the first to comment