It may be the second week of the playoffs, but it is the first weekend in which it truly feels like the postseason to Blitz, with all six classes in action in the sectional semifinals.
While Covid and quarantine have forced some teams in Indiana to bow out this week, no area teams are sidelined, although some teams will be without some players, with others will be without their coach (Concordia Lutheran’s Tim Mannigel).
Let’s see what Blitz can do with his picks this week after a sub-par performance last Friday.
Last week: 13-5 (.722)
Overall: 150-39 (.793)
CARROLL AT WARSAW. Many are looking ahead to Carroll perhaps getting another shot at Homestead in the sectional final. Look past Warsaw at your own risk. “Bart Ball” will look to control the tempo and the time of possession while being overly frustrating to foes. However, the Carroll offense on the turf will be difficult to contain. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 11.
SNIDER AT HOMESTEAD. Any other year and this would be a can’t-miss game. With Snider’s improvement, maybe it is? The first time around was a 30-point Homestead rout. Are the Panthers better enough to find enough points offensively to hang around? Blitz says yes, but a win? Not seeing it. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 10.
NORTHROP AT NORTH SIDE. Just a few weeks ago, the combination of Damarius Cowen and some key plays by the Northrop defense in the 4Q helped the Bruins to a one-point win. Here is thinking that North Side will remember that loss, with some added wrinkles to make sure it earns some revenge. BLITZ SAYS NORTH SIDE BY 6.
ANDERSON AT BISHOP DWENGER. This one is merely a tune-up for the Saints, who should have this one well in hand by halftime. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 28.
EAST NOBLE AT DEKALB. These league foes did not meet in the regular season due to Covid. On paper it looks like a mismatch, but so did DeKalb and Angola a week ago. This time Blitz is pretty confident in the Barons’ foe…probably. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 16.
NORTHWOOD AT LEO. This isn’t one of the better NorthWood teams in recent years, but it is still a squad that will give the Lions fits if they are not respected. The Panthers only lost to Northridge by seven, a team that threatened Leo until later last week. This one comes down to execution, and you don’t bet against the Lions at home. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 8.
SOUTH SIDE AT MARION. Could the Archers make it 2-for-2 in Sectional 20? Blitz does not hate the matchup with Marion, a team that allows over 20 points per game. This one could be close if a few bounces go South Side’s way, but a win? That’s tough to envision for Blitz. BLITZ SAYS MARION BY 9.
WAYNE AT DELTA. Kudos to the Generals for advancing out of the first round. Unfortunately, the reward is going to Delta, a squad that is the sectional favorite. Big plays led Wayne last week against Huntington North. They will be tougher to come by against the Eagles. BLITZ SAYS DELTA BY 19.
WEST NOBLE AT JIMTOWN. The Chargers enter Week 11 after finishing off back-to-back teams by shutout, the first time the program has done that since 1987. Stopping the Jimmies will be a bigger challenge, although they did lose to John Glenn in Week 4, the team West Noble just beat. BLITZ SAYS JIMTOWN BY 12.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN AT OAK HILL. DANGER! DANGER! The Cadets will be heading to Grant County without their head coach (in quarantine) and facing a battle-tested Golden Eagles team that has won six straight. Does Blitz go with his heart or his brain? A tough one, but this bear can’t pick against Mannigel, even if he is only there in spirit. BLITZ SAYS CONCORDIA LUTHERAN BY 2.
MACONAQUAH AT NORWELL. Is Max Ringger the best running back in the area that no one knows about? He went for another 200-plus yards last Friday and is primed to have another big night against an inferior defense. BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 21.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT EASTSIDE. The only thing that will make this game interesting are the witty Tweets by @BlazersBarstool. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 38.
BISHOP LUERS AT FAIRFIELD. Can the Falcons hang with the dynamic playmakers of Bishop Luers? Do the Knights have the discipline to defend the triple option effectively? Maybe neither of these things happen, which means we could have chaos in Goshen on Friday. Blitz is going with the magical season to continue. BLITZ SAYS FAIRFIELD BY 1.
SOUTH ADAMS AT MONROE CENTRAL. Coach Grant Moser was up in the middle of the night earlier this week watching film, proof on how much this game worries him. Yes, South Adams beat down Monroe Central in the regular season, but remember last year when the Starfires did that to Adams Central? How did that turn out in the postseason? Blitz just cannot fathom a repeat. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 17.
TRITON AT ADAMS CENTRAL. Triton was able to get the best of a young Churubusco team last week despite being young itself. That just won’t be the case in Monroe, with the Flying Jets having more than enough experience to take care of business. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 22.
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