The Power Poll is still in sane shape. There is a clear hierarchy in the leagues around the area entering Week 5.
What could change some things up is if we start seeing Team A beat Team B, but Team B beat Team C that beat Team A.
That’s when things will get interesting. And don’t worry, those times are a ‘comin. They always do.
1. CARROLL (4-0)
WHY #1?
The Chargers are the highest-scoring team in the SAC while allowing the fewest amount of points per game. They have knocked off Bishop Luers, Snider and North Side amongst their four victories and are scheduled to play just two teams the rest of the regular season that enter Week 5 with a winning record.
What is troublesome for the SAC is the fact that Carroll’s quarterback is a sophomore, its top four rushers through Week 4 are underclassmen as are its leading two receivers.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Impossible.
2. SNIDER (3-1)
WHY #2?
A blanking of South Side last week gave Snider its first back-to-back shutouts of opponents since 2014. There was a great balance offensively as well as three different players had rushing touchdowns and three different players had receiving scores from Luke Haupert.
Things get more difficult this week as the Panthers host Homestead.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Panthers can rise no further with Carroll at No. 1 holding that seven-point win over Snider in Week 2.
3. WARSAW (4-0)
WHY #3?
The Tigers continue to roll as Coach Bart Curtis’s squad is undefeated and has allowed just 14 total points through four games this season.
But we are seeing some concerns. Warsaw continues to be highly one dimensional, which will burn you at some point in the season (just ask Leo).
And that tough slate to open the season? The four foes that Warsaw has beat are a collective 3-13 so far this year.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
It gets real this week as the Tigers hit the road and travel to undefeated NorthWood in a clash that could very well decide the Northern Lakes Conference. This Friday will really show what Warsaw truly is – negatively or positively.
4. NORWELL (4-0)
WHY #4?
Speaking of teams not giving up a lot of points, over the first four weeks Norwell has given up a TOTAL of just seven points.
Seven.
In fact, no one has scored a point on the Knights since Week 1 at Mississinewa.
The last time Norwell shut out three-straight opponents? 1980.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The next two weeks will be telling for the Knights and where Blitz ranks them. Not only do the teams above have some challenges, Norwell will take on New Haven and East Noble next.
5. NORTH SIDE (2-2)
WHY #5?
The Legends had a slow start against Wayne but eventually turned it on to win easily at home last week. Jontae Lambert went off to the tune of 231 yards rushing.
The brutally-tough schedule continues through Week 6, with North facing Bishop Luers and Homestead, both on the road, over the next two weeks. The Legends will then finish with South Side, Northrop and Concordia, two of those at home.
A winning regular season, the program’s first since 2013, is within reach.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Is North Side better than Warsaw? Is North Side better than Norwell? The case can be made for both. But Blitz isn’t going to reward the Legends too much for those two losses, even if they are to the top duo in this poll.
6. BISHOP DWENGER (3-1)
WHY #6?
It wasn’t pretty at times and downright ugly at others, but the Saints got it done on the road last week by knocking off previously-undefeated Homestead.
The challenges continue for Coach Jason Garrett’s squad as a visit to Carroll is on tap for Week 5.
Sam Campbell is completing 68 percent of his passes and is the team’s leading rusher. Is the latter a good thing or a bad thing?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Saints’ lone loss so far this season is to North Side, the squad right above them in this week’s poll. N. 6 is more than fair.
7. HOMESTEAD (3-1)
WHY #7?
Despite the best efforts of Brett Fuchs, the Spartans suffered their first loss of the season last Friday to Bishop Dwenger.
What is concerning is that in their first game against one of the better defenses in the league, Homestead struggled to consistently move the football. Without Fuchs there would have not been much in the way of anything offensively to hang your hat on.
Who steps up as offensive playmakers outside of Fuchs? Homestead will need those guys this week against Snider.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Over the past few weeks, Homestead skated by at Bishop Luers then was held to 10 points in the Dwenger loss. The Spartans are trending in wrong direction.
8. EAST NOBLE (3-1)
WHY #8?
The ever-turning wheel has landed on the Knights in the “Who is the second-best team in the NE8” contest.
Back-to-back victories over Huntington North and DeKalb have Blitz believing that the youngins that Coach Luke Amstutz needed to step up this season are beginning to settle in.
A challenge awaits this week, however, as East Noble heads to Leo.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Blitz continues to try and buy in to other teams in the NE8 and he continues to be disappointed. Leo? No. New Haven? No. Now it is East Noble. Don’t let the bear down Knights!
9. BISHOP LUERS (2-2)
WHY #9?
Welcome to the party, Knights.
For the first time since the start of the regular season, Bishop Luers appears in Blitz’s top 10. Beating up on Concordia last week on the road has helped the Knights climb to No. 9, although the assistance of other teams losing hasn’t hurt.
With a lot of talent gone from last season and an inexperienced and thin offensive front, it was easy to expect the worst out of Luers in 2022, but they have shown to be a competitive squad as it melds experience with youth.
If it avoids turnovers and doesn’t allow too many big plays, Luers has a chance against North Side this week.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The 39-point loss to Carroll in Week 1 is still tough to get past. However, Carroll is setting itself up to go undefeated in the SAC. That coupled with so many new faces to start the season could earn a pass from Blitz as the season progresses.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL (4-0)
WHY #10?
It is tough for Blitz to push Adams Central any higher in this poll considering it is in Class 1A, but the Flying Jets have been nothing short of impressive so far.
The latest evidence? A smackdown of Jay County last week.
Back-to-back games at Heritage and South Adams over the next two weeks will provide the toughest regular-season stretch for AC. But Blitz expects them to handle both showdowns.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Blitz said it best last week: A 1A power surrounded by upper-class programs. No. 10 feels right.
NEXT FIVE
11. Columbia City
12. Leo
13. New Haven
14. Eastside
15. Fairfield
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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