What better way to prepare for the start of sectional play than have Blitz break it all down for you?
All this week, Outside the Huddle will look at every area sectional in Classes 1A through 4A and preview what is on tap beginning this Friday.
We begin with Class 1A and Sectional 44.
Editor’s Note: The originally article has been updated due to Southwood’s reported withdrawal from the state tournament
THE FAVORITE
ADAMS CENTRAL (6-2)
People will wonder why Blitz is selling the Flying Jets short in this preview despite handling Southwood in 2018
Well, Blitz is putting a lot of onus on experience in this wacky season, something he believes Southwood has more of. But make no mistake, the Flying Jets will be thorn in the side of the Knights in this sectional.
Also, last year Dallas Schwaller make some huge plays at QB for the Flying Jets in the postseason, particularly against Northfield. Can AC get those same big-time moments from its young signal caller this year?
THE CONTENDER
NORTHFIELD (6-3)
Similar to Churubusco, the Norse rolled inferior opponents but struggled to beat competent foes. Bluffton, Tippecanoe Valley and Southwood all beat Northfield by eight or more points.
Coach Brandon Baker’s team isn’t tough to figure out. If it can run the ball (an average of 258 yards per game on the ground), Northfield can compete. If not, it cannot hang against the sectional’s elite.
THE REST
CASTON (2-7)
The Comets are largely young across the board, which will be a detriment in the postseason. While Caston has been able to get a few wins, it is also surrendering over 30 points a contest.
CHURUBUSCO (4-3)
While ‘Busco is its typical scrappy selves, the Eagles are a year away from truly being a threat to win a sectional.
That is not a knock on Coach Paul Sade’s team by any means, as this squad oozes potential. But Southwood and Adams Central are built to win now (especially the Knights), whereas the Eagles, with their youth, are still learning to compete against good teams. Consider that ‘Busco is 0-3 against winning teams this season while being outscored a combined 88-6.
FREMONT (3-3)
Coach Jim Hummer’s team opened the season with a 43-12 loss to Adams Central. While the offense is solid enough to put up points, the defense will likely not be able to slow down any of the big hitters in this sectional.
NORTH MIAMI (1-8)
The Warriors are allowing over 51 points per game. Southwood put up 55 and Northfield 69 in victories over them this year.
That’s not good.
TRITON (3-5)
Churubusco will be wise to not look past Triton in the opening round. While the Trojans have lost four straight, they fell to Knox and Winamac, both with winning records, by a total of five points over the last two weeks.
Freshman Cole Shively leads an offense that is very run-heavy.
So what is different in 2020?
OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT
SOUTHWOOD (9-0)
For the second straight year, the Knights went undefeated in the regular season. Then came Tuesday’s news that, as the #3 team in Class 1A, Southwood is out of the tournament due to Covid related issues.
And has been the case more often that not in recent years, this sectional was likely to come down to Southwood (who we originally had listed as a favorite in this article) and Adams Central. Two years ago, the Knights took a 38-0 drubbing at the hands of the Flying Jets in the sectional title game.
Consider that Southwood is a lot more experienced than two years ago. The leaders on offense – quarterback Alex Farr, wide receiver Carson Rich, a veteran front line – are seniors, something that couldn’t be overlooked. Southwood has a stingy defense that plays the run extremely well, a key component of a potential matchup with AC.
Unfortunately, we will now never know.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLAKE HEYERLY, JUNIOR, ADAMS CENTRAL
The junior enters the playoffs as the Flying Jets’ leading rusher in yards (831) and touchdowns (13).
With Alex Currie, Heyerly presents a two-headed monster of a running game that is difficult for opponents to contain.
Defensively, Heyerly is almost as dangerous as he is third on the team in tackles (64).
HUNTER BIANSKI, JUNIOR, CHURUBUSCO
While not a mainstay in the box score, Bianski is a road grater of a two-way lineman. He can pancake defenders as easy as he can blow up opposing ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage.
An all-state selection as a sophomore, Bianski has 65 tackles and 18.5 TFL so far this season.
JAKE HALDERMAN, JUNIOR, NORTHFIELD
The junior quarterback threw a season-high 19 times against Southwood in the Norse’s 25-8 loss earlier this season. Halderman connected on just six of those attempts. The dual threat was also bottled up in the run game, as he averaged 2.4 yards per attempt.
For Northfield to threaten the upset in the first round, Halderman must have a better performance against Southwood.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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