With league play beginning in the various other conferences in the area, we are getting into the thick of the regular season.
We have an idea of who is emerging in the SAC, but this Friday we will start to see who lives up to the hype in the NE8, ACAC and NECC, and which teams are still attempting to climb up the standings.
Allow Blitz to keep you informed on who figures where. of his selections.
Last week: 17-6 (.739)
Overall: 37-10 (.787)
CONCORDIA AT SNIDER. The Panthers let one get away in the second half at Carroll a week ago. That motivation, coupled with the return of Langston Leavell, should figure well in Snider’s ability to bounce back with a win. BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 18.
NORTH SIDE AT CARROLL. Both earned hard-fought, emotional victories in Week 2. Which is able to move past last week’s effort to put it together and get another big dub? Carroll’s defense is strong but will be challenged in ways it hasn’t yet this season. The key for North is to get the ball to its playmakers and force some miscues out of Jimmy Sullivan. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 9.
NORTHROP AT WAYNE. It is too early to call the Generals a disappointment, but it’s fair to say we expected more out of this team through the first two weeks. There is some individual talent, but the defense in particular has struggled mightily. Blitz still has a soft spot for this squad. BLITZ SAYS WAYNE BY 3.
SOUTH SIDE AT BISHOP DWENGER. The Archers are better than people give them credit for, but it is still going to be tough for them to get a win in the regular season. This matchup doesn’t seem to be a particularly good one, especially with the Saints coming off a disappointing loss. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 22.
HOMESTEAD AT BISHOP LUERS. Are the Knights better than what they displayed in Week 1? Is Homestead a legitimate SAC title contender? We should get some answers this Friday at Luersfield. For both, it’s all about execution. Expect a close game into the second half. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 9.
BELLMONT AT COLUMBIA CITY. Blitz would love to see the Braves show some ability to compete in the NE8 this season, but the offense’s inability to move the ball and score points makes it tough to buy in. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 18.
EAST NOBLE AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. Do not overlook this one. The Vikings competed with Eastbrook in Week 1 and look improved from the last few seasons, while East Noble is still fitting its young pieces together. The Knights have never lost to Huntington North in seven games all time. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 11.
NEW HAVEN AT DEKALB. Another game flying under the radar this week. DeKalb has battled some injury issues with some of its stud players, but are still a threat. New Haven has Mylan Graham, which is always a significant boost. Blitz wants to go with the Barons, but DC Kendrick Mullen of the ‘dogs would hunt this bear down. BLITZ SAYS NEW HAVEN BY 4.
NORWELL AT LEO. The big one in the NE8 this week, perhaps the entire season. Norwell is the more complete and experienced team at this point, but that doesn’t mean Leo is not capable of downing the Knights. Norwell will want to control the game with its ground game and force Leo into long down and distance situations. The Lions want to show they are still the squad in the league. BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 5.
ADAMS CENTRAL V. COVENANT CHRISTIAN. A fun neutral-site game to played on the turf at Taylor University, the Flying Jets face off against a solid 1A team in Covenant. Unfortunately for the Warriors, AC will be too much. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 17.
BLUFFTON AT SOUTH ADAMS. A battle between two of the best beards in the area. Blitz would love to say that there is some serious hate between coaches Brent Kunkel and Grant Moser, but he would be lying. However, the fact that Bluffton has lost to the Starfires six straight times can’t sit well with the Tigers. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 21.
HERITAGE AT WOODLAN. This is an interesting game on paper. Woodlan can score points, while Heritage shut out Bellmont in Week 1 and looks to be a good matchup against the Warriors with its defensive unit. Whoever wins this one is getting a good building-block dub as both continue to rebuild. BLITZ SAYS WOODLAN BY 2.
SOUTHERN WELLS AT JAY COUNTY. Patriots defeat Raiders. This is America. This is how it is. BLITZ SAYS JAY COUNTY BY 20.
ANGOLA AT CHELSEA (MI). The Bulldogs of Chelsea opened the season with an absolute barnburner last week, a 6-3 loss to Trenton. What’s that mean for the Hornets? Blitz has to be honest, he has no idea. BLITZ SAYS CHELSEA BY 13.
EASTSIDE AT WEST NOBLE. With Drew Yates at QB and Estil Pruitt in the backfield, West Noble has some solid offensive pieces. Still, matching up with Eastside is a bit different than beating Central Noble and Wawasee. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 14.
FAIRFIELD AT CENTRAL NOBLE. Are the Falcons the team to beat again in the NECC Big School Division? Starting the season with two dubs over 5A foes is impressive, even if those two teams are a combined 0-4. Central Noble will struggle slowing down Fairfield’s option attack. BLITZ SAYS FAIRFIELD BY 18.
GARRETT AT CHURUBUSCO. Garrett has not started a season 0-3 since 1999. Unfortunately, a trip to Turtle Town will likely result in that happening on Friday. BLITZ SAYS CHURUBUSCO BY 12.
NORTH CENTRAL (OH) AT FREMONT. North Central is 1-1 and out of Pioneer in Ohio. Fremont is 2-0 for the first time since the Clinton administration. Buy the hype! BLITZ SAYS FREMONT BY 3.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT LAKELAND. Prairie Heights’ game plan should be simple – stop Lakeland’s leading rusher Khamron Malaivanh, who is averaging 5.7 yards per touch. BLITZ SAYS LAKELAND BY 7.
PLYMOUTH AT WARSAW. Remember when Pioneer was good? Former Wabash coach Adam Handley sure has a big-time rebuild on his hands. BLITZ SAYS WARSAW BY 29.
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Wouldn’t the teams Fairfield played be a combined 0-4 and not 4-0?