OK, Blitz has an ax to grind.
Everywhere this bear turns, he keeps hearing how no one felt Homestead was tops in the SAC when the season began. Yes, the Spartans were in the conversation with Snider and Bishop Dwenger, but no one was picking Homestead over those two perennial powers.
Ahem.
Blitz has had Homestead at No. 1 in his power poll since the pre-season. Sure, he picked the Spartans to lose a time or two, but that is more due to matchups and momentum than really thinking Team A is better than Team B.
So with that, let’s give some respect please to…well, me.
1. HOMESTEAD (7-0)
WHY #1
The Spartans cleared their last real hurdle for the SAC Victory Bell in knocking off rival Carroll in Week 7. Only games against South Side and Wayne remain, two teams that have a combined one victory.
Homestead is two wins away from its first undefeated regular season since 2012.
Coach Chad Zolman’s team has been No. 1 all season long in Blitz’s Power Poll. That doesn’t change in Week 8.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Impossible.
(Main Image Courtesy of Leslie Palmer)
2. BISHOP DWENGER (6-1)
WHY #2?
A 17-15 loss to Homestead is the only blemish on the Saints’ schedule, although Snider looms large coming up on Friday.
Per usual, Bishop Dwenger has been businesslike in its approach. The Saints do not have a high-flying offense, nor do they have an absolutely suffocating offense. But they are well-coached, they execute with the best teams in the area and they have enough talent to where they can outplay most everyone else because of the first two factors.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The program’s one defeat is the one to Homestead. No. 2 is as high as they can be right now.
3. EAST NOBLE (7-0)
WHY #3?
The Knights got a challenge from Columbia City last week, heading into halftime tied at seven before running away to win by 21.
Coach Luke Amstutz savored the fact that his team had to fight for a W. A lot of halftime chats this year for East Noble have been addressing a one-sided game.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
This team is very good. How good compared to SAC programs? Wouldn’t that be nice to know…
4. SNIDER (6-1)
WHY #4?
Back-to-back blowout wins over Wayne and Northrop has diminished the pain of the loss to Homestead…somewhat. Look, the goal every year is to win the Bell and when the Panthers don’t, it is a disappointment.
Thankfully for Snider, it will likely have another shot at the Spartans in the postseason.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Panthers could very well make a significant jump based on Friday’s game against Bishop Dwenger.
5. CARROLL (4-3)
WHY #5?
Yeah, why should the Chargers be ranked in the top 5 with three losses? Well, when those losses are to Homestead, Bishop Dwenger and Snider, and two of those games were decided by seven points or less, you have to give this team some credit.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Three losses. Blitz just said that. Pay attention!
6. DEKALB (6-1)
WHY #6?
Coach Pete Kempf’s team had a bit of a scare last Friday when they trailed 9-0 at halftime at home to Norwell. Credit to the Barons for coming out of the halftime break with renewed focus, eventually earning a 13-9 win.
It has been a fun year in Waterloo, Auburn and DeKalb County at large with this program.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The one loss was a lopsided one, a 28-point defeat to East Noble. Is the drop significant between East Noble and DeKalb? Yes, probably.
7. SOUTH ADAMS (7-0)
WHY #7?
Ho hum, just another 40-plus point victory for the Starfires against ACAC competition.
At Woodlan this week sounds good in terms of a challenge, but likely won’t be. Sorry, it’s true.
The 1A playoffs will be a lot different, particularly in the regional round and further.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
That’s the trick isn’t it? How high should you rank an ACAC 1A school? It’s a debatable topic, but this slot seems fair.
8. LEO (6-1)
WHY #8?
Want a statement win? Leo’s 50-3 rout of Huntington North last week was a beatdown that surprised Blitz, considering how much improved the Vikings are.
With games left against Columbia City and DeKalb, the Lions can finish with a strong 8-1 record that no one is really giving much respect to.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
East Noble beat Leo by 28 points. The Lions get Columbia City and DeKalb over the next two weeks. Stay tuned.
9. WEST NOBLE (7-0)
WHY #9?
The 1981 West Noble Chargers won their first 10 games of the season before falling to Jimtown in the playoffs. This year’s team can continue their quest to equal or surpass the 1981 squad with two more regular season games. This week’s showdown at Churubusco is an under-the-radar game that should be fun.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
West Noble is in a similar boat with South Adams. The quality of competition isn’t horrible, but there aren’t any marquee teams on the sked either. It is possible that Blitz has the Chargers underrated.
10. NORTHROP (4-3)
WHY #10?
The trio of Bruins losses are all to teams higher in this power poll. They were all lopsided defeats, but this spot feels right for Blitz with Northrop.
This week’s game against North Side will be telling for both programs.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A win against North Side and hanging with Bishop Dwenger for awhile in Week 9 could see the Bruins move up this power poll.
NEXT FIVE
11. NEW HAVEN
12. EASTSIDE
13. ADAMS CENTRAL
14. NORTH SIDE
15. CHURUBUSCO
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