Week 4 saw some interesting results in some of the big games around the area, including Bishop Dwenger-Homestead and East Noble-DeKalb. But did it result in some significant movement in Blitz’s Power Poll for this week?
Let’s take a look.
1. HOMESTEAD (4-0)
WHY #1?
The Spartans took care of business on the road at Shields Field, handing Bishop Dwenger a 17-15 loss.
The defense continues to impress, with the unit now allowing an average of 6.8 points per game. All three levels of the defense have athletes, and they will be challenged yet again this week when Snider heads to the southwest part of town.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
No. 1 reigns supreme.
2. SNIDER (4-0)
WHY #2?
The Panthers once again made quick work of an opponent, downing South Side 44-0 in a game that was over before most other games had reached the fourth quarter.
Questions remain on just how good this team is. Its lone close game was against a Carroll squad in which Blitz is unsure just how powerful they are.
Snider has a chance to prove it is tops in the area this Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Not yet, but could very well be No. 1 come Friday night.
3. BISHOP DWENGER (3-1)
WHY #3?
Pardon Blitz for not dropping the Saints after the close loss to Homestead in Week 4. There were enough positives seen against an elite opponent to keep Bishop Dwenger in the spot it has held since the beginning of the season.
There is some concern, however, particularly with a defensive front seven that had trouble holding its own at times against the Homestead offensive line and allowing Braeden Hardwick to rush for over 200 yards.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
You could make a case that Bishop Dwenger could be No. 2 here, but Snider without a loss deserves that spot in Blitz’s mind.
4. EAST NOBLE (4-0)
WHY #4?
Well, that wasn’t close, was it? The Knights went in to Waterloo and made it look easy against previously-undefeated DeKalb, coasting to a 35-7 victory.
At this point, while the NE8 has a lot of competitive teams, it truly looks like East Noble is a cut above the rest.
That said, Leo comes calling this week in a series that has been back and forth over the last several years. East Noble needs to be at its best on Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Could East Noble beat one of the top SAC teams in front of it in this poll? Blitz would love to see it on the field, and he is sure he isn’t alone.
5. CARROLL (3-1)
WHY #5?
The Chargers may very well end up No. 2 on this list in the near future. With its lone loss a one-point setback to Snider and Bishop Dwenger coming up this Friday, Carroll remains a team full of intrigue. in the SAC.
Jeffrey Becker has gotten a fair share of the accolades, and for good reason. However, guys like wide receiver Layton Mitchell and d-lineman Larry Sible have been huge week after week.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The loss keeps them here, at least for now.
6. LEO (4-0)
WHY #6?
Another week, another win for the Lions, who took care of business over New Haven in Week 4.
Blitz is cautiously optimistic with Leo, which really hasn’t been tested of yet in terms of facing a top contender (all due respect to an improved Norwell team). That test comes Friday in Kendallville.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Leo has blown out three teams that are a combined 1-11. Those trio of squads are Woodlan, Angola and New Haven, which look good on paper but are down this year.
7. SOUTH ADAMS (4-0)
WHY #7?
Have you seen the Starfires play? Do yourself a favor and check them out at some point. This isn’t your run of the mill 1A team grinding out victories. South Adams can spread the field offensively and pick defenses apart.
Now, could the Starfires beat anyone higher on this poll? Maybe not. But in Blitz’s mind, this team is the top team in the ACAC by a significant margin.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
As referenced above, the schedule is not as daunting as the teams above in terms of higher-class opponents.
8. DEKALB (3-1)
WHY #8?
It was a disappointing Friday night last week in Waterloo with the Barons falling hard 35-7 to East Noble. It is tough for Blitz to drop DeKalb too far, because he thinks East Noble is far and away the best team in the NE8. Despite a 28-point loss, the Barons could still be the second-best team in the league.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A loss is still a loss. DeKalb can climb back up in this poll, starting with a win over Columbia City on Friday.
9. COLUMBIA CITY (4-0)
WHY #9?
The Eagles rolled to their third-straight lopsided victory last Friday at Huntington North, a potential trap game before the brutal second-half schedule begins.
Coach Brett Fox’s program has performed exceptionally through the first month of the season, particularly offensively.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
DeKalb, East Noble and Leo all loom on the schedule over the next four weeks. A lot will be learned about the Eagles over the course of that time frame.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL (4-0)
WHY #10?
The Flying Jets just continue to win, despite lower expectations to begin the season with a wealth of new contributors.
Close wins over Eastside and Monroe Central have shown this team has the ability to make plays late to pull out victories, a sign of maturity out of a group that has a lot of inexperience.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
At this point, Blitz still feels Adams Central is significantly below where South Adams is right now. We will find out soon if that is true or not.
NEXT FIVE
11. NORWELL
12. CONCORDIA
13. WEST NOBLE
14. EASTSIDE
15. CHURUBUSCO
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