Blitz’s Picks: Regional Championship Week

This is about the time of the season where teams begin to think about Thanksgiving weekend.

With just two weeks left before state finals, it is a definite possibility.

But just remember, of the eight programs remaining in each class, just two will be still alive in three weeks’ time.

It’s OK to look ahead, but not too far.

Regionals are up.

Last week: 4-3 (.571)

Overall: 184-41 (.817)

CARROLL AT LAFAYETTE JEFF. Not saying that the Bronchos are a pushover, far from it in fact. But this is a whole better matchup for Carroll than Crown Point would have been. Jeff has some talent on offense with running back Glenn Patterson and wideout Abram Ritchie, but neither are the best at their respective positions that the Chargers will have seen this year. Conversely, a Carroll offense that has been humming along should be able to have success against a defense that has allowed 28 or more points in each of the past three weeks. There is always uncertainty at this point in the playoffs and going on the road against a good foe is never easy, but there is too much here to like about Carroll. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 6.

SNIDER AT MISHAWAKA. Make no mistake, this is a balanced Mishawaka offense that put up 16 points on Concord in the first five minutes of last week’s game. The Cavemen are going to make you grind under Coach Keith Kinder. Good thing that is a strength of the Panthers. Both squads are going to attempt to impose its will on the other up front. As long as Snider does not make the mistakes it did in the first half of its game against North Side, the Panthers should be able to earn a regional championship on the road. BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 8.

KOKOMO AT COLUMBIA CITY. The North Central Conference is a bad football league. Has been for awhile. But that doesn’t make the Wildkats a bad team. But this is a one-dimensional team predicated on picking up yardage on the ground – to the tune of an average of 317 yards per game. It just so happens that their quarterback, Evan Parker, is also one of their most effective runners. Columbia City has risen to the challenge against run-first offenses all year. Can it do so again in front of the home crowd? Blitz thinks so. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 6.

BLUFFTON AT BISHOP LUERS. Does Bluffton have the personnel to be a challenge to the Knights? Yes, if certain things go the Tigers’ way. Anthony Cruz needs to have another big game on the ground. Braxton Betancourt needs to avoid turnovers and make some big-time throws. But the biggest onus may be on a defense that has had trouble at times with containment. The Tigers are 1-4 this season when their opponent scores 20 or more points. Is Bishop Luers going to be held under 20? Then again, that one victory came last week against Eastbrook…BLITZ SAYS BISHOP LUERS BY 11.

CARROLL (FLORA) AT ADAMS CENTRAL. At this point, Coach Michael Mosser would love nothing more than to have his team in a battle over the course of four quarters. Adams Central has gone since Week 2 without a game like that. Can Carroll give it to em? The Cougars want to run the football, something that not many teams have been able to do this year so far against AC. And can Carroll do anything to stop the AC offense? Maybe this game will be close…maybe. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 14.

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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