BLITZ: The top five SAC non-conference games of 2023

With Independence Day in the rearview it is time for Blitz to start rounding into form for the 2023 season.

Part of that is increased sustenance. Sure, salmon and nuts are nice. But this is summer, and summer is grilling season.

So as Blitz eats his way through the month prior to the start of the 2023 campaign, enjoy what he believes are the top five SAC non-conference games with the most intrigue as the league opens its schedule for the first two weeks.

1. CARROLL AT HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN, WEEK 1

Last time we saw these two squads together, the Chargers were celebrating a victory over the top-ranked team in Class 6A in the north semistate last November.

Suffice to say that the Royals will be looking for some payback, with plenty of returning talent in which to do it. HSE has its top two rushers back, as well as leading receiver and three-star recruit Donovan Hamilton. The offensive front is anchored by four-star tackle Styles Prescod, a Notre Dame verbal.

It very well could be strength on strength as the Carroll defense on paper is the best in northeast Indiana and returns the likes of Ashton Pesetski up front and Braden Steely on the back end.

What the Chargers did last year was huge for the area – breaking through in Class 6A after a decade of struggles since the inception of the class.

Week 1 down in Hamilton County, Carroll will look to prove that 2022 was not an aberration.

2. CARMEL AT HOMESTEAD, WEEK 1

These two teams have history, including three postseason showdowns since 2015. In each, the Greyhounds mauled Homestead by 24 or more points, with the Spartans scoring just a single touchdown in each game.

Last year, Homestead was shut out by Hamilton Southeastern to open postseason play in the revamped Sectional 3 that sees the Spartans in a field with the likes of the Royals and Fishers.

Carroll has been able to improve and develop its program to the point where it has closed the gap to the best Indianapolis has to offer. But what about Sparty?

Now, most of it comes down to talent, or lack thereof, but it would be encouraging to see the “other” Class 6A stalwart in northeast Indiana begin to compete with the elite as well.

It begins up front, where Homestead got pushed around way too much on both sides of the ball in 2022.

3. SNIDER AT WARREN CENTRAL, WEEK 1

The last time these two heavyweights met was the 2004 Class 5A state championship game, a 35-23 decision that went Warren’s way after the Panthers had slayed the likes of Carmel and Penn (by 18 and 42 points, respectively) to reach Indianapolis.

Almost 20 years later, the two teams are in different classes but are both still highly relevant in the state.

For the Panthers, a heartbreaking OT loss to Valparaiso in the north semistate last season has fueled the off-season work of Coach Kurt Tippmann’s team, similar to the lopsided loss to Bishop Dwenger that ended the 2021 campaign. The trenches will be of paramount importance as Snider works a new crop of skill position players into leading roles. Going to Warren Central to open the season is like being thrown into the deep end.

But it’s not as if Warren Central hasn’t had its issues. Since capturing the 2018 Class 6A state title, the Warriors have lost 20 games over the last four years. Ultra challenging schedule or no, that’s unacceptable for a program with nine state championships.

Expect Warren to be better in 2023, led by a pair of outstanding junior defenders – four-star edge Damien Shanklin and three-star linebacker Cameron Herron.

A huge test for that Snider offense looms.

4. BISHOP LUERS AT EAST NOBLE, WEEK 1

The Fort Wayne v. Indy showdowns are big, but the local matchups we are getting with the SAC’s change in format can be just as satisfying.

Luers and East Noble have never played each other, and you can expect the atmosphere in Kendallville – opening game of season plus the Knights coming in – will make for a huge spectacle in Week 1.

For years, social media debates have revolved around just where East Noble would slot in standings-wise in the SAC, or conversely, how Bishop Luers would fare in the NE8. Now, we can have some tangible evidence to support whichever side of the debate you’re on.

What is also fascinating is that these two teams have a lot of similarities entering 2023. Both will be reliant heavily on youth, with East Noble thrusting its youngsters into the fire last year and Coach Kyle Lindsay looking to figure out just how many of his ultra-talented sophomore class is ready for the big stage.

5. SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH AT SOUTH SIDE, WEEK 2

Random? Maybe. But hear Blitz out.

There is some legitimate energy around South Side football this summer. And these aren’t your typical new season vibes, but actual positivity that Coach Andre Goodwell has brought in.

There will be struggles, a lot of them. Who knows, the Archers may not be able to get a dub in the regular season, at least in the SAC.

But they do have a chance in the home opener to open some eyes. South Bend St. Joseph isn’t a pushover, but its four victories a year ago came against teams with a combined six dubs.

This will be the first game on the new turf currently being installed at South. Regardless of what happens Week 1 at Marion, there should be some palpable excitement off Calhoun St. for this one.

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