Our pal Blitz took some chances with his picks in Week 1, thinking there is always an upset or two that catches people off guard.
Turns out, most of Week 1 went as expected, although close matchups dominated the Northeast 8 slate.
Nineteen wins against just a trio of losses is a respectable place to start for Blitz. But he knows you demand excellence from him, perfection even.
Last week: 19-3
Overall: 19-3
CARROLL AT SNIDER. The best game on paper in the SAC this week has some intriguing storylines, not least of which being what the Chargers did last year in Week 2 to Snider, a 38-14 punking. Carroll looked impressive in dominating Bishop Luers Week 1, but was that a case of the Chargers being that good or the Knights being down? BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 17.
CONCORDIA AT HOMESTEAD. If there is any team that seemed to get less respect coming out of Week 1 than the Spartans, Blitz sure hasn’t heard it. Seriously, Homestead thoroughly abused a Northrop team that is in all likelihood better than it was in 2018. Concordia got right in the second half against South after being tied at 14. It can’t afford a slow start Friday on the road. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 21.
NORTH SIDE AT BISHOP DWENGER. Plenty of eyes will be on Shields Field on Friday night, the official unveiling of a stadium that the Saints will now call home on campus for the first time in history. There will be pageantry. There will be excitement. And there will be a beatdown on the turf. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 32.
NORTHROP AT SOUTH SIDE. The Archers have lost five straight in this series, including a 28-0 shutout loss a year ago. Jeremiah Green was held to just 32 yards on 15 carries for the Bruins in Week 1. Here is thinking he breaks out against South in Week 2. Keep an eye on Demere Clark for South, who made some impressive throws at QB last week. BLITZ SAYS NORTHROP BY 9.
WAYNE AT BISHOP LUERS. Which of these teams is better than what they showed in Week 1? The two teams with high hopes lost by a combined 77 points to begin the season. Ouch. Which team’s quarterback settles in quicker and begins to make plays to open up the offense? That is the key here. BLITZ SAYS WAYNE BY 2.
ANGOLA AT LEO. This would have easily been the OTH Game of the Week if the Hornets had been victorious in Week 1. Instead, Angola will attempt to avoid starting 0-2 for the first time since 2015. Angola’s defense really struggled last week against DeKalb. Peyton Wall could have another huge night for the Lions. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 3.
BELLMONT AT SOUTH ADAMS. James Arnold returns at quarterback for the Starfires after sitting out Week 1 as he moves past his offseason injury. That’s bad news for a Bellmont team that was torched by Adams Central last week, a team that does not have as dynamic of an offense as South Adams has. Coach Grant Moser’s team goes to 2-0 despite bad coaching decisions (JOKES PEOPLE, JEEZ). BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 41.
CENTRAL NOBLE AT COLUMBIA CITY. The Eagles have not opened a season 2-0 since 2015. That squad then lost its next six straight. Columbia City will get its running game going (just 37 rushes on 22 carries against Gavit in Week 1) and pick up that second win to start the campaign. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 13.
DEKALB AT GARRETT. Another good inter-league matchup involving a team in the NE8. Take note SAC. The Barons look to put the emotions of last week behind them and go on the road and beat a quality opponent. The physicality of DeKalb up front will be the difference here. BLITZ SAYS DEKALB BY 10.
JAY COUNTY AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. The Patriots have not lost their first two games in a campaign since 2008. Unfortunately, an anemic offense still finding its way won’t get enough going on the road to prevent that 0-2 start. BLITZ SAYS HUNTINGTON NORTH BY 14.
MISHAWAKA AT EAST NOBLE. Arguably the best game in the area in Week 2. The methodical running attack of the Cavemen is the key here, especially with sophomore QB Justin Fisher in his first start on the road. If East Noble can bottle up the run, a focus in the offseason, the Knights win this one, perhaps even in convincing fashion. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 13.
NEW HAVEN AT MISSISSINEWA. The Bulldogs may have lost in Week 1 but they showed that they are going to be a factor in the NE8 this season. A road test at Mississinewa is next up. Cade Campbell rushed for 164 yards for the Indians in Week 1. He will be a focal point. BLITZ SAYS NEW HAVEN BY 2.
NORWELL AT HERITAGE. The 47-point margin of victory for the Knights in Week 1 was its most lopsided W in six years. Another strong running night will have Norwell coasting by the second half. BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 26.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT EASTSIDE. So what you’re saying is, the Flying Jets aren’t going to regress as much as people thought? Well, that’s disconcerting if you are a member of the ACAC. Friday’s road game at Eastside will be a better test, however. Blitz stupidly picked against AC in Week 1. Let’s make it 2-for-2? BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 2.
MANCHESTER AT BLUFFTON. Is Cody Mittlestedt the next running back for the Tigers to become a household name like Everett Johnson and Brandon Lockwood did the last few years? He should have plenty of room to run on the home turf on Friday. BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 11.
SOUTHERN WELLS AT BLACKFORD. Former Marion coach Randy Sehy is building something with the Bruins. An eight-win campaign in 2018 was followed up last week with a competitive game at Monroe Central, a state-ranked foe in 1A. This is all bad news for Southern Wells, in case you didn’t pick up on that. BLITZ SAYS BLACKFORD BY 40.
WOODLAN AT MARION LOCAL (OHIO). It was a season opener to forget for Ben Reidy, who completed just 42 percent of his passes and threw four INTs in the Warriors’ 36-0 loss to Leo last week. Perennial power Marion Local reached the Division VI championship game last season in the Buckeye State. This won’t end well. BLITZ SAYS MARION LOCAL BY 29.
CHURUBUSCO AT LAKELAND. The Eagles amassed 380 yards rushing in Week 1, an astounding number. Lakeland is better than Whitko, Churubusco’s opponent last week, but good enough to slow down the running attack? BLITZ SAYS CHURUBUSCO BY 12.
FREMONT AT LENAWAEE CHRISTIAN (MICH.) Fremont ventures across state lines to take on Lenawee Christian, which is nicknamed the Cougars. Blitz is not going to pretend to know anything else other than it is a small program in terms of numbers, a good matchup for the Eagles. BLITZ SAYS LENAWEE CHRISTIAN BY 4.
OSCEOLA GRACE AT FAIRFIELD. Who is Osceola Grace you ask? It is a club team out of the Mishawaka area, non-IHSAA sanctioned. Fairfield gets its first win under Coach Matt Thacker. BLITZ SAYS FAIRFIELD BY 7.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT BRONSON (MICH.) OK, this is getting out of hand. Your scouting report for Bronson? They are the Vikings. After that, Blitz would just be guessing. BLITZ SAYS BRONSON BY 11 (I GUESS, WHO KNOWS?
WAWASEE AT WEST NOBLE. Hey, a game between two teams Blitz has heard of! This one will be one to watch in Ligonier, with Brandon Pruitt making a play late on both sides of the ball to lead the Chargers. BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 4.
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