Sometimes, there just isn’t much movement in Blitz’s Power Poll.
In a perfect world, there wouldn’t be. After all, no one knows more about northeast Indiana football than your favorite furry mammal.
So his rankings should never change, right? If you’re never wrong, nothing changes, correct?
While there is some place swapping below, there are also a lot of similarities from Week 3.
Sometimes being so smart is a curse.
1. CARROLL (3-0)
WHY #1?
The Chargers have slayed Bishop Luers, Snider and North Side in successive weeks to open the season. Only Homestead has allowed fewer points and just the Spartans and Bishop Dwenger have scored more points.
One-third of the way through the regular season and Coach Doug Dinan’s squad looks the part of being the most complete team in the conference.
A stat of note, senior Royce Jones has three sacks and six tackles for loss through three games.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Impossible.
2. SNIDER (2-1)
WHY #2?
It was a get-right week in Week 3 for the Panthers, who shut out Concordia Lutheran in convincing fashion.
The performance was much needed, especially for a defense that some considered (Blitz included) as one of the best units in the league. It still may be, but it struggled in the trenches against both North Side and Carroll out of the gate. Very un-Snider-like.
Snider gets another week in which it will use to get better before a showdown with Homestead in Week 5.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A 28-21 defeat at the hands of Carroll has Blitz’s paws tied in terms of moving Snider up to No. 1.
3. WARSAW (3-0)
WHY #3?
After dropping more points (70 on Plymouth last Friday) on a single opponent since 1922, Warsaw still sits undefeated entering a pivotal part of its schedule.
Over the next three weeks, the Tigers will head to Concord (which won this game a year ago) and NorthWood before hosting Mishawaka, arguably the top Class 5A squad in the state.
Can Coach Bart Curtis’s team continue to dominate with a healthy dose of the rushing attack and a defense that has held three-straight foes to seven or less points for just the second time in the last six years? We are destined to find out between now and the end of the month.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Tough to put Warsaw in front of the top two in Blitz’s poll. But if the wins continue to pile up, particularly against some difficult foes upcoming, the Tigers could crash the SAC party at the top.
4. NORWELL (3-0)
WHY #4?
Blitz rewards dominance, and Norwell showed plenty of it in its shellacking of Leo last Friday on the road.
The victory was the Knights’ first over Leo since 2014 and the first shutout of the Lions since 2005. It helped them jump up a spot this week.
Norwell clearly looks like the class of the Northeast Eight. Could it hang with some of the top teams in the SAC? That is open for discussion, but you cannot deny what the Knights have been able to do thus far.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Now now, Norwell fans. Blitz has you inching towards the top three in his poll, something that some folk will find tough to swallow.
5. HOMESTEAD (3-0)
WHY #5?
Yes, Homestead is 3-0. But the three dubs have come against teams that are a combined 3-6.
The run game has been exceptional for the Spartans, averaging close to 180 yards per game on the backs of juniors Brett Fuchs and Kamden Johnson. Fuchs also leads the team in receptions and is second in yardage.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it? The Spartans are one of just two undefeated teams left in the SAC, yet here they are at No. 5. Tell ya what, if Homestead can pick up some dubs over the next two weeks over Bishop Dwenger and Snider, Blitz will push Sparty upwards.
6. NORTH SIDE (1-2)
WHY #6?
A 1-2 team in the top six? Blitz feels as if that is warranted. The losses are to Carroll and Snider, the top two squads in this week’s power rankings. Furthermore, the Legends were in both games, losing by a combined 10 points.
Couple that with a victory over Bishop Dwenger and you have a very strong two-loss squad. Keep an eye on the availability of Brauntae Johnson, who could be sidelined for a week or two due to an injury.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Two losses. Simple as that.
7. BISHOP DWENGER (2-1)
WHY #7?
Similar to Homestead, the Saints are in a position in which Blitz just isn’t sure what to think yet. Blowout victories over Wayne and South Side don’t impact this bear much in terms of rankings. In fact, the close loss to North Side was more impressive than either of the dubs.
Perspective will change over the next two weeks with road tests at Homestead and Carroll. Can Sam Campbell continue to complete passes at a 75 percent clip? Will CJ Davis continue to be a stud all over the field? Will teams decide to kick away from Carter Minix?
We will soon get some answers.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Yes, two wins out of three to begin the season is nice, but when those two wins came against teams that are a combined 1-5, we should temper our enthusiasm a bit.
8. NEW HAVEN (2-1)
WHY #8?
Who is the second-best squad in the NE8 right now? It’s not Leo. At least, we don’t think it is. Could it be the ‘dogs?
Tre Bates is averaging close to eight yards per carry.
Mylan Graham is averaging close to 20 yards per reception.
Donovan Williams is completing 62 percent of his passes, although does have four INTs.
And the defense? It’s held two of its first three foes to seven points or less for the first time since 2017.
There is a lot to like here, but Blitz is taking a leap at No. 8. Let’s see if New Haven backs it up this week against Leo.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Marion is winless and DeKalb is 1-2. Blitz must see some wins over quality foes before New Haven gets more love from him.
9. EAST NOBLE (2-1)
WHY #9?
We tend to focus a lot more on offenses, but it is plain to see that the East Noble defense is having difficulty after losing so much to graduation, including field captain Rowan Zolman.
Credit to the Knights for making the plays late last week in a narrow victory at Huntington North, but the 26 points put up by the Vikings are the most against East Noble since 2015.
Much like with New Haven, Blitz is in wait-and-see mode with the Knights.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Two victories against teams a combined 1-5. Big games with Leo and Norwell loom, which could see East Noble vault up this poll or fall completely out of it.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL (3-0)
WHY #10?
The Flying Jets are going to soar their way through the ACAC, with the lone challenge potentially coming from South Adams…maybe.
While the run game continues to be impressive, it is the dual-threat QB play of Ryan Black that makes this team continue to look like 1A state contender.
Could the defense be better? It has faced back-to-back solid foes in Eastside and Covenant Christian, but you the unit will need to be on its game more once the playoffs arrive.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A 1A power surrounded by upper-class programs. No. 10 feels right.
NEXT FIVE
11. Bishop Luers
12. Columbia City
13. Leo
14. West Noble
15. Huntington North
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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