We have reached the halfway point in the season and with that, things are really beginning to come into focus around the area.
For one, there are teams that look the part of standing alone in their respective conferences – Carroll in the SAC, Norwell in the NE8, Adams Central in the ACAC.
But how do they stack up in Blitz’s mind? Let’s take a look.
1. CARROLL (5-0)
WHY #1?
The undefeated…the undisputed…champion of the SAC and northeast Indiana…through Week 6.
With four games left in the season, Carroll has a multi-game lead on everyone else in the league, including one-loss Snider, which the Chargers beat to give them the tiebreaker.
The schedule is highly manageable, with the rivalry game against Homestead perhaps the lone hiccup.
Random stat: Six of Carroll’s last 11 victories dating back to last season have come by shutout.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Impossible.
2. SNIDER (4-1)
WHY #2?
Since falling to Carroll in Week 2, Snider has unassumingly gone about its business, torching the likes of Concordia, South Side and Homestead in consecutive weeks.
Luke Haupert has completed close to 65 percent of his passes and has thrown for nine touchdowns against a single interceptions.
Meanwhile, junior linebacker Lukas Rohrbacher leads the Panthers in both tackles and sacks.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Panthers gave Carroll its toughest test of the season thus far, but fell short in the 28-21 decision in Week 2 that keeps them behind the Chargers.
3. NORWELL (5-0)
WHY #3?
With each successive week, Norwell more and more looks the part of a legitimate contender to reach Lucas Oil Stadium out of the north.
There are some landmines in which the Knights will have to deal with – Chatard potentially in regional and West Lafayette in semistate – but Norwell has been more dominant than Blitz expected through the season’s first half.
The seven points allowed to New Haven last Friday double the amount of total points given up by the Knights this season. They enter Week 6 leading the state in points allowed per game at 2.8.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Norwell is in the top three of Blitz’s poll for the first time all season. Let’s not get too crazy here.
4. NORTH SIDE (3-2)
WHY #4?
The last time North Side had a winning record over the course of a season – they weren’t even the Legends.
The then-Redskins under Coach Ryan Hall finished 6-3 in the regular season and earned a win over Huntington North to open postseason play before falling to Snider in overtime.
Since then, the program has been high on hype on times but low on proven results. With a schedule that eases up over the next month, the Legends should find themselves ending that skid.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Losses to both Carroll and Snider. Pretty simple really.
5. WARSAW (4-1)
WHY #5?
Was last week’s drubbing at the hands of NorthWood a true showing of who Warsaw is or perhaps NorthWood is THAT good?
This Friday will be a better indicator, as the Tigers host another undefeated squad in Mishawaka.
The defense is the question for Warsaw. It has been able to shut down inferior teams with its defense, but can it match up against better squads?
It better, because the sectional that Warsaw is in is loaded with offensive prowess.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They just lost by 21 points. What else do you want from Blitz? Warsaw had an opportunity to show it belonged in the conversation for the No. 1spot in Blitz’s poll and the Tigers let him down.
6. HOMESTEAD (3-2)
WHY #6?
Sparty got roasted by 28 points against Snider and they move up a spot in Blitz’s rankings? Yes, the craziness is real.
Read why below in Bishop Dwenger’s details, but Homestead is better than what it has shown these last two weeks. That, coupled with attrition at a key spot for the Saints, puts the Spartans above the team they lost to just two weeks ago.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Are you serious? The three victories for Homestead have come against teams that are a combined 5-10.
7. BISHOP DWENGER (3-2)
WHY #7?
Not only did the Saints lose in lopsided fashion to Carroll last week, they also lost their starting quarterback in Sam Campbell.
Blitz hopes that Campbell can return at some point this season, as the impact is huge. Not only was Campbell a leader at the QB1 spot, he was also Bishop Dwenger’s leading rusher overall.
Bishop Dwenger won’t have much problem handling Concordia on Friday without Campbell, but matchups against Bishop Luers and Snider loom. Is Braxton Bermes ready to lead the Saints offense?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
By Blitz dropping the Saints below a Homestead squad it beat a few weeks ago, your fuzzy friend is saying that without Campbell, Bishop Dwenger loses to Sparty.
8. LEO (3-2)
WHY #8?
Hey, look who’s back!
Yes, the Lions have a pair of losses. But they are to two teams – Kokomo and Norwell – that are a combined 10-0. So maybe we should give Leo some slack, eh?
The Lions have tapped deeper into their running game the last few weeks, and it has paid off in wins over New Haven and Norwell. The Angola win looks better and better with each passing week, and Leo should be favored over its final four contests, even at Columbia City.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
If the wins continue to stack up, so will Leo’s rise in Blitz’s poll. He admits that he dropped them too far after beginning the year 1-2.
9. ADAMS CENTRAL (5-0)
WHY #9?
Blitz got some pushback on his comments about Adams Central and not feeling confident in lifting it past No. 10 in the poll.
Well, welcome to No. 9.
The comments did make Blitz think. While it is tough to see AC matching up against some 5A and 6A foes in this area, it is possible that the Flying Jets could be a thorn in the side of some of the top 4A and 3A squads around.
The rivalry game looms with South Adams this Friday. It would be nice if the game was close. It won’t be.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Up from No. 10 for the first time all year, the nine spot should feel perfectly acceptable to the people of Monroe.
10. COLUMBIA CITY (4-1)
WHY #10?
Are the Eagles a paper tiger? You can bet that Coach Brett Fox is tired of the question. But it is the one on everyone’s mind after seeing Columbia City fade over the final month of the regular season in years past facing the likes of New Haven, Leo, New Haven and Norwell.
This year’s squad may be more equipped to handle the next month as the defense has looked exceptional. Josh Arntz is a tremendous player and leader and fellow senior Easton Carnahan has led the team in tackles from his defensive line spot in each of the last two games.
So, welcome to the top 10 Eagles. Now let’s see if you stay there.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Lack of quality wins, although the victories over inferior foes have been lopsided and impressive, Blitz will give you that.
NEXT FIVE
11. Bishop Luers
12. East Noble
13. Angola
14. Wayne
15. Heritage
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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