We are starting to reach the point where we have a healthy amount of games to really be able to get an accurate reading on teams.
Who jumped? Who fell? Who is Blitz still getting a read on?
Let’s take a look…
1. BISHOP DWENGER (3-0)
WHY #1?
Ho hum, just another business-like Friday night for the Saints last week, a 33-13 victory over South Side.
Once again, you do not come away saying “wow” about any one particular aspect of Bishop Dwenger’s game, but it continues to take care of business.
While North Side challenged the Saints for the better part of three quarters in Week 2, the Saints enter a stretch now where they will face some solid SAC foes, with Homestead this week followed by Carroll and Concordia Lutheran.
2. CARROLL (3-0)
WHY #2?
Did you watch last Friday?
When his career is all said and done, Jeff Becker has the potential to go down in northeast Indiana as one of the top quarterbacks ever statistically. His assault on the North Side defense last Friday to the tune of 460 yards passing and eight touchdowns was absolute insanity.
Withe the 76-48 rout of North, the Chargers have now placed themselves in the thick of the SAC title conversation.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
You can make a case for Carroll to be No. 1 at this point, and you could likely convince Blitz. But this cartoon bear loves to stick with the strategy that until someone beats No. 1, they cannot be usurped.
3. EAST NOBLE (3-0)
WHY #3?
Some may look at the Knights’ 28-21 victory over Huntington North last week as an indication that East Noble is slipping. Really, it is more a testament to the improvement of the Vikings from a year ago and the injury to two-way stud Rowan Zolman.
Unfortunately for East Noble, it will have to survive without Zolman for a couple more pivotal games, with Penn coming to Kendallville on Friday before a trip to Leo in Week 5.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
While the schedule thus far looks difficult, none of Plymouth, NorthWood and Huntington North enter Week 4 with a winning record. This week will be telling, as well as upcoming showdowns in the NE8.
4. LEO (2-1)
WHY #4?
Not only did the Lions rebound from a Week 2 loss, it put the NE8 on notice that its defense is legit, posting a second shutout in the first three games of the season.
We now enter a pivotal two weeks for Leo, with New Haven and East Noble up the next two weeks. Can the Lions keep winning with a stifling defense and an effective running game? Or will junior QB Jackson Barbour need to step up with some big plays to earn wins?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Leo is the highest-ranked team with a loss in Blitz’s poll. No. 4 seems right, for now.
5. HOMESTEAD (2-1)
WHY #5?
Blitz is just about ready to completely forget about a Week 1 that saw Homestead playing with half of its starting defense. With every week, the Spartans are showing that the opening loss to Northrop was the exception rather than the rule.
The defense has led the way, but the offense is making strides every week, with Evan Ormsby looking more and more comfortable at QB.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A date with Bishop Dwenger this Friday will show us just where Homestead is. Expected to be fully healthy, there are no excuses this week if the Spartans fall to the Saints.
6. NEW HAVEN (3-0)
WHY #6?
Blitz wanted to push New Haven up higher in this poll, but even with a win at Class 2A No. 1 Pioneer, it was difficult to put the Bulldogs above anyone in the top 5.
That can change this Friday as New Haven hosts Leo, its biggest conference game under Coach Jimmy Linn. Jakar Williams vs. that defense? Sign Blitz up.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Bulldogs’ first two opponents – Garrett and Mississinewa – are a combined 0-5. While the Pioneer victory is a feather in New Haven’s cap, it is not enough to put Linn’s team above anyone in the top six.
7. NORTH SIDE (1-2)
WHY #7?
Yes, the Legends have a losing record, but when the two losses come against the top two teams in Blitz’s poll, you give them a benefit of the doubt.
With Duce Taylor and his cadre of weapons, North Side is capable of beating everyone left on the schedule. But it also could be overpowered by the majority of its remaining foes.
The defense did exceptional against Carroll versus the run game, something that will be key this week against Shawn Collins, Chris Thomas and the Wayne rushing attack.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
North Side is the top-ranked team in the poll with a losing record. No. 7 is good enough for now.
8. COLUMBIA CITY (3-0)
WHY #8?
Greg Bolt continues to assault opposing defenses, with the junior quarterback now having thrown for nine touchdowns against a single INT.
As good as the Eagles have looked, you have to consider the fact that the first third of the schedule has been friendly. It toughens up starting this Friday with Huntington North coming to town.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Patience, Eagles fans. You have the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong, including Blitz, in the coming weeks.
9. SOUTH ADAMS (3-0)
WHY #9?
Another demolition for the Starfires last week, with the team now having outscored its opponents 156-22.
As much as we give the offense, let’s hear it for the South Adams defense that made life quite difficult for backup quarterback Lukas Hunt and the Bluffton offense last Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A Class 1A team crashing the party higher in this poll? Tough to pull the trigger on that one, but you never know…
10. EASTSIDE (3-0)
WHY #10?
The Blazers deserve your respect, now having won three games to start the year by double digits. With one of those victories being at the Landing Strip in Monroe against Adams Central, you better take notice.
The Blazers are rushing for 200 yards per game, and junior QB Laban Davis has thrown for 522 yards and seven TDs against a pair of INTs.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The schedule is not conducive to putting Eastside much higher, considering they play a lot of 2A and 1A schools. But an undefeated regular season? Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, but we could be watching a magical season play out in Butler.
NEXT FIVE
11. SNIDER
12. CONCORDIA LUTHERAN
13. NORWELL
14. WAYNE
15. NORTHROP
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