Is everyone ready to crown some league champions?
Week 9 brings some high drama in some places (hello, SAC) and other leagues in which the teams are trying to figure things out for the start of the playoffs in a week.
Altogether, we have the final week of the regular season, the final Friday in which we will not see the elimination of squads from the 2021 campaign.
Let’s bask in that before it gets real in Week 10 and beyond.
Last week: 15-4 (.789)
Overall: 123-37 (.768)
BISHOP DWENGER AT NORTHROP. The Saints have won nine straight in this series dating back to 2012, with four of the last five being decided by 20 points of more. Dwenger needs a win in the worst way with just one win since early September. It gets it here. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 13.
NORTH SIDE AT CONCORDIA LUTHERAN. Canceled due to ‘rona.
SNIDER AT BISHOP LUERS. The big one. Can Snider’s defense continue to play at a high level and get the stops necessary to give its offense a shot? If Bishop Luers can score 30 or more points, it is going to be difficult for the Panthers to keep up. Did Bishop Dwenger lay the groundwork on a game plan to knock off the Knights by mixing coverages and working the clock with the run? Expect an epic battle here. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP LUERS BY 2.
SOUTH SIDE AT HOMESTEAD. With the drama on the sideline and in postgame surrounding South Side last week, it is tough to see it locked in enough to give Homestead a run. But if the Archers can get right, a few wins in the postseason aren’t out of the question. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 30.
WAYNE AT CARROLL. An emphatic exclamation point to what has been a superb regular season for the Chargers. Will it continue into the playoffs? BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 19.
BELLMONT AT EAST NOBLE. Congratulations to Coach Nick Hall and the Braves for ending the program’s long losing streak last week. The reward? Heading to Kendallville where the Knights to be firing on all cylinders as they prep for a rematch with Leo in Week 10. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 26.
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT NEW HAVEN. It is one of those quirks of the draw where Week 9 opponents will also face off in Week 10 to open sectional play. Can the Bulldogs win both weeks? Perfectly capable of doing so as long as mistakes are kept to a minimum. BLITZ SAYS NEW HAVEN BY 8.
LEO AT DEKALB. A victory gives the Lions their first undefeated regular season since 2013. Book it. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 31.
NORWELL AT COLUMBIA CITY. The most intriguing NE8 game of the week. The Eagles haven’t looked competitive in two of the last three weeks, with a tough, close loss to East Noble sandwiched in between. Meanwhile, Norwell has surrendered just seven points over the last three weeks. Blitz expects a good one here and may be reaching. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 2.
BLUFFTON AT LAKELAND. The Tigers on the road against a competent opponent in the Lakers? Blitz likes the Kunks here. BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 5.
HERITAGE AT JAY COUNTY. Two teams that are on the upswing in the ACAC. Which team can slow down the other’s rushing attack? BLITZ SAYS HERITAGE BY 4.
SOUTHERN WELLS AT SOUTH ADAMS. Southern Wells beat the Starfires by 19 points back in 2015. That feels like a century ago. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 41.
WOODLAN AT ADAMS CENTRAL. The Warriors can give South Adams a share of the ACAC crown with a victory in this one. Sadly, that is next to impossible in Blitz’s mind. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 38.
ANGOLA AT EASTSIDE. Why are the Hornets struggling the way they are? This was a team just a few years ago we were talking about having outgrown the NECC. There are some talented classes in the pipeline. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 26.
CHURUBUSCO AT FAIRFIELD. The Falcons have gotten things turned around, winners of three straight and the NECC Big School Division crown. Can they climb above .500 with a big home win over ‘Busco? Sure, why not. BLITZ SAYS FAIRFIELD BY 3.
GARRETT AT CENTRAL NOBLE. Blitz has been horrible picking these two teams’ games this year. Seriously, whoever I pick, count on the other to win. BLITZ SAYS CENTRAL NOBLE BY 6.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT WEST NOBLE. Congratulations to the Panthers as their three wins this season are the most since the 2013 campaign. Can they make it a fourth dub in 2021? Sorry, but… BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 12.
WARSAW AT CONCORD. What’s better than a conference championship on the line in Week 9? The winner of this one captures the NLC title, with the Tigers looking to make it two straight. Neither defense surrenders much in the way of points, but Warsaw’s offense should be able to control the game on the ground. Tigers in a squeaker. BLITZ SAYS WARSAW BY 2.
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
Be the first to comment