We are a third of the way through the regular season and we have settled into a bit of a holding pattern here at Blitz Power Poll HQ.
We can anticipate some movement in the coming weeks, but if Blitz is as smart as he likes to think he is, not much will change based on the hierarchy he has laid with area squads.
Who is most likely to make a jump in these rankings over the next few weeks? Who is most likely to plummet?
1. SNIDER (3-0)
WHY #1?
After a pair of tough opponents to begin the season, Snider is cruising with Concordia last week and South Side in Week 4.
That’s not to say that the Panthers are overlooking the Archers, but Week 5 is the showdown with Carroll in a battle between the top two squads in northeast Indiana. If anything, Snider wants to make sure it has all the kinks worked out in anticipation of that matchup.
2. CARROLL (2-1)
WHY #2?
The Chargers won their 19th straight SAC contest last Friday in its historic rout of South Side. The last defeat came to Bishop Luers in Week 1 of the 2021 campaign.
No one is expecting that streak to end this week at home against Bishop Dwenger. But Week 5 against Snider? Perhaps.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Knock off Snider and it becomes a pretty easy argument to make to ascend to No. 1.
3. LEO (2-1)
WHY #3?
When figuring the power rankings of the NE8, many like to factor in that the Lions have a loss, something New Haven and Columbia City don’t.
But let’s examine. Leo had Kokomo down by 11 points before letting the game slip away. All Kokomo has done through the first three weeks is show that it may very well be the second-best 4A team in the state behind East Central (which beat Cincinnati Moeller by 10 last week. yes, THAT Moeller).
Leo gets the opportunity to prove Blitz right on Friday against New Haven.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Is any sane person really considering making the argument than anyone deserves to crash the Snider-Carroll one-two party right now? Key word there is “sane.”
4. HOMESTEAD (1-2)
WHY #4?
There may not be a team in the area that improves more between Week 1 and Week 9 this season.
Homestead has youth, but youth in key positions. It is finding its way, evidenced by last week’s rout of Wayne.
The schedule presents the Spartans with an opportunity to string together some wins, and gain experience, with Northrop and Bishop Dwenger the next two weeks before big ones against Snider and Carroll back to back.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
This is still an offense that even after last week’s display is averaging only 16 points per game. That must be better if Homestead is going to challenge the best in its division in the SAC.
5. EAST NOBLE (2-1)
WHY #5?
This is when taking on the likes of Bishop Luers and Snider to open the year is going to pay dividends for Coach Luke Amstutz’s squad. It rolled Huntington North in Week 3 to open league play and now goes to DeKalb for a showdown with the Barons.
This is far from a finished product, but ignore the Knights in the NE8 at your own risk.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The two victories for East Noble have come against significantly inferior opponents, while the loss came to Snider. Let’s see the Knights handle a quality league foe.
6. NEW HAVEN (3-0)
WHY #6?
While it was no surprise that New Haven handled its business against DeKalb, the fact that it was a running clock after halftime definitely caught some off guard.
When New Haven’s offense is at its best, it is the best such unit in the conference. All due respect to Leo, the Bulldogs have the edge when they are rolling.
The key will be to be consistent on that side of the ball against the likes of Leo, Columbia City and East Noble.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There’s a definite argument to be made that New Haven is the best team in its league. It has a chance to prove that on Friday. Expect a jump if the Bulldogs take down Leo.
7. ADAMS CENTRAL (3-0)
WHY #7?
The Flying Jets fall a spot due to no fault of their own. That’s what’s difficult about ranking Class 1A teams against the big schools of the area.
If anything, the drop is due to the potential that MAYBE Bluffton or Heritage can push AC for the league title. If that happens, will it be because one or both of those teams are at the level of a top-7 squad in northeast Indiana or could this ranking be too high?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Adams Central’s three wins are against teams that are a combined 2-7.
8. COLUMBIA CITY (3-0)
WHY #8?
If Blitz had to give Columbia City a letter grade for the season thus far, it would have to be an incomplete.
The Eagles are good. We know that. But how good? Back-to-back NE8 titles good? Maybe. The fourth-best team amongst the top half of the league? Also possible.
What is making CC so successful again isn’t the passing game, which has been impressive. It’s a rushing attack that is averaging over 250 yards on the ground per game.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Opponents so far a combined 1-8. Next up is Huntington North, an 0-3 team.
9. WARSAW (3-0)
WHY #9?
Warsaw has found ways to win through the first three weeks, but things are about to get real. The Tigers will take on a good Concord team this week, followed by a visit from NorthWood, one of the top 4A teams in the north. Week 6 sees Coach Bart Curtis’s squad going to Mishawaka.
In other words, the Tigers are about to vault up this power poll or fall a bit based on what goes down.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Beat Concord and NorthWood, then we will talk.
10. BLUFFTON (3-0)
WHY #10?
Welcome to the party, Tigers.
Bluffton running clock’d South Adams last Friday in a sensationally-played game in all facets by Coach Brent Kunkel’s squad. There’s a lot of optimism around this program and what it could do in the postseason.
But first things first. Can the Tigers battle the Flying Jets for ACAC supremacy? A pair of tricky road trips are next on tap, with Heritage and AC in back-to-back weeks later on.
There’s a lot to like, but also a lot more to prove.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Patience. If the wins continue to stack up, Bluffton’s stock will rise.
NEXT FIVE
11. Wayne
12. Bishop Dwenger
13. West Noble
14. DeKalb
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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