It was a mixed start for the Summit Athletic Conference in non-conference play last week – just 2-8. However, when you look at how the likes of Homestead and Carroll battled, and Snider dominated, you have to feel decent.
Then again, if you’re the NE8, which routed a pair of SAC schools in Week 1 matchups, you definitely have the bragging rights for now.
Blitz needs to be better. He promises you all that he will be.
Shaking off the rust can be hard. Time to get serious in Week 2.
Last week: 22-7 (.758)
EASTBROOK AT CONCORDIA LUTHERAN. Don’t overlook this matchup, with the Panthers having been pushed to the limit by Huntington North last week. The Cadets feel like that forgotten team in the SAC, yet sophomore QB Bradan Corbett showed some flashes in Week 1. This one goes Eastbrook’s way, but not by as much as people think. BLITZ SAYS EASTBROOK BY 6.
BISHOP DWENGER AT CINCINNATI MOELLER (OH). You know that gif of Michael Scott from The Office that’s used to convey nervousness or being uncomfortable? That’s what comes to mind when Blitz looks at this matchup. BLITZ SAYS MOELLER BY 39.
NORTH SIDE AT LAWRENCE NORTH. The Legends are expected to get Jordan King and Brauntae Johnson back for this one. They need em as North was held without an offensive TD a week ago. This is a young but talented Lawrence North team with a freshman RB and a junior dual-threat QB in Tanner Aspeslet. Can the Legends put together a complete football game? BLITZ SAYS LAWRENCE NORTH BY 7.
SNIDER AT EAST NOBLE. Is East Noble legit? Is Snider legit? Is Blitz legit? Two of those three questions could be answered on Friday in Kendallville. East Noble bullied Bishop Luers up front last week. Not going to be able to have the same success against Snider. The Panthers handled Warren Central, but Blitz wants to see that offense when it isn’t running all over foes. Suffice to say, this one has Blitz’s interest. BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 14.
WAYNE AT NORTHROP. The Generals have the easiest non-conference slate in the SAC – Attucks and a non-conference game with conference foe Northrop (try and explain that to someone). Wayne’s offense will be too much in this one. The Bruins struggled to contain New Haven last week and the Generals are similar in that they have a multitude of weapons. BLITZ SAYS WAYNE BY 25.
HOMESTEAD AT NOBLESVILLE. The area team that looked the best in a loss? Try Homestead. A lot to like out of a Week 1 defeat by a single score to Carmel. The key to this one? Stopped the run. Noblesville amassed 405 yards rushing and five TDs on the ground in a Week 1 dub. Blitz is REALLY tempted to go Sparty here. Alas…BLITZ SAYS NOBLESVILLE BY 7.
NEW HAVEN AT BISHOP LUERS. Is New Haven that good? Is Bishop Luers that bad? Two different takes for these teams out of last Friday. The Knights match up better with the ‘dogs than they did East Noble, but does Luers have the offensive firepower to keep pace in this one? BLITZ SAYS NEW HAVEN BY 13.
ST. JOSEPH AT SOUTH SIDE. Boy, did the Archers let one slip away last week. With a 17-0 lead at the break, South Side was looking good. Then, the second half happened. South lost 22-17. Can the Archers put together a full four quarters this Friday? The first game on the new turf will be a big boost. The 18-game losing skid ends. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH SIDE BY 5.
WARREN CENTRAL AT CARROLL. We presume that Warren being demolished by Snider means that the Panthers are the top squad in the area. The team that beat Carroll, Hamilton Southeastern, could very well be a top three team in the entire state this season. Warren isn’t that. Maybe Blitz is wrong. It is likely, in fact. Maybe he is just a Carroll apologist. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 11.
ANGOLA AT LEO. How do the Lions regroup? That’s the biggest question heading into this matchup. Angola is good enough to give Leo a game if it isn’t careful. The Lions’ top priority should be to put together a complete game and execute. The Hornets are on the rise, but Leo is already there. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 14.
BELLMONT VS. SOUTH ADAMS AT ADAMS CENTRAL. With the turf in Berne still being installed, the Starfires have to play a ‘home’ game at their bitter rival. Gross. The Braves do have a stout defensive front, but South Adams should be able to win this one going away. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 31.
DEKALB AT GARRETT. Ah yes, the Aaden Lytle Game as the DeKalb starting QB returns to his old home of Garrett as recently as last season. Lytle looked good a week ago. While the Railroaders will want to make life hard for their former standout, the Barons should prevail. BLITZ SAYS DEKALB BY 16.
JAY COUNTY AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. We seem to have our minds made up on the haves and the have nots in the NE8. But what about the Vikings? First-year coach Mike Eshbach has adopted the spread and played Eastbrook tough in Week 1. Might the Vikes make an impact in the NE8? BLITZ SAYS HUNTINGTON NORTH BY 12.
NORWELL AT DELTA. The 23 points allowed by Norwell to Mississinewa in Week 1 were more than 10 of Norwell’s 12 games last season. Ole Miss doesn’t get the respect it deserves though. Norwell hasn’t started a season 0-2 since 2016. BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 2.
PLYMOUTH AT COLUMBIA CITY. If PLymouth can do a better job than ‘busco did guarding Stratton Fuller, it has a chance to keep this one close for a bit. The Rockies are better but not yet vintage Plymouth. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 27.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT EASTSIDE. This was a must-see just a few short years ago. Now, we wonder if Eastside has enough to make this a game. The Flying Jets didn’t get off to as much of a uh, flying start as we expected last week. The Blazers may hold some advantages up front, but that can only get you so far. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 9.
CENTRAL NOBLE AT WOODLAN. This was an entertaining, back-and-forth game last season which Woodlan eventually won. Neither team can be satisfied with how it planned in Week 1. Watch Drew Fleek of the Warriors here. BLITZ SAYS WOODLAN BY 12.
FAIRFIELD AT HERITAGE. One of the best games in the area in Week 2. Goshen is down but Fairfield looked stout on both sides of the ball last week. Heritage gets a test after beating up on Bellmont that will tell us a lot more about the Patriots. BLITZ SAYS HERITAGE BY 3.
MANCHESTER AT BLUFFTON. The Tigers roughed up one Wabash County opponent last week in Northfield. Let’s see if they can do it again this week. With a victory, Bluffton will open the season 2-0 for the fourth time in six seasons. BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 21.
SOUTHERN WELLS AT MADISON-GRANT. Congratulations to the Raiders! A 22-game losing streak came to an end last week against Elwood. BLITZ SAYS MADISON-GRANT BY 24.
CHURUBUSCO AT LAKELAND. Two young football teams collide in this one. Sophomore Brayden Holbrook is one of the top QBs young in the area that no one knows about. BLITZ SAYS LAKELAND BY 9.
FREMONT AT BLACKFORD. The Eagles continue their road trek to start the season at Blackford. Expect a lot of points in this one. BLITZ SAYS FREMONT BY 11.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT BRONSON (MI). Surprising result last week with the Panthers getting shut out at home against Whitko. This trip is shaping up to not be much better. BLITZ SAYS BRONSON BY 21.
WAWASEE AT WEST NOBLE. Are the Chargers the best team in the NECC regardless of division? May be too soon to say that, but it is a question we may revisit soon. BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 13.
WARSAW AT CHESTERTON. The Tigers are masters of shortening games with the run. Another road dub to begin the year. BLITZ SAYS WARSAW BY 7.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT TAYLOR. If the Braves shut down Javionne Harris, who rushed for 146 yards on just 11 carries last week, they have a shot to keep this one close. BLITZ SAYS TAYLOR BY 18.
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