Week 4 is really the first time all season in which it feels like we are in thick of it.
The first few games are an introductory period of sorts, a return to the game after so long.
But now, it’s all about the grind. Which teams are bringing it each and every week? Which teams are fading due to injuries, behind-the-scenes drama or just plain not having the horses to compete?
You can hide behind a few good matchups or a couple of poor opponents, but this is the time of the year where the contenders begin to rise and pretenders start to fall.
Speaking of pretenders, Blitz has been anything but with his picks the last few weeks. Let’s keep rolling.
Last week: 17-3 (.850)
Overall: 62-13 (.826)
BISHOP DWENGER AT CARROLL. Kudos to the Saints for grinding out a much-needed win last week, but it did nothing to make Blitz think that they are anywhere close to Carroll’s level. If anything, the Chargers need to guard against looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Snider. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 24.
BISHOP LUERS AT WAYNE. Is this the game that will decide the SAC’s B Division? It could very well be. Blitz has serious questions on whether either defense is capable of slowing down good offenses. Wayne has a good offense. Makes the pick an easy one. BLITZ SAYS WAYNE BY 9.
NORTH SIDE AT CONCORDIA LUTHERAN. Someone is getting win No. 1. The Cadets have been given no favors through Weeks 1-3 with its defense being put through the ringer against superior foes. That said, we are waiting for a break-out performance from the North Side offense. Might this week be the week? BLITZ SAYS NORTH SIDE BY 12.
NORTHROP AT HOMESTEAD. The Bruins have lost 11 consecutive games, the longest skid for the program since it dropped 13 straight in 2008-09. The offense has some pieces, but the defense just looks lost. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 22.
SOUTH SIDE AT SNIDER. Blitz foresees nothing good coming out of this one for the Archers. BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 53.
BELLMONT AT NORWELL. The Knights have not been 0-3 since Coach Josh Gerber’s first season in 2016. That year, Bellmont beat Norwell by 42 points. It’s like the picks write themselves…BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 42.
COLUMBIA CITY AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. Want to know a whacky stat? Stratton Fuller has six TD receptions for the Eagles. The rest of the team has four pass receptions combined. Not TDs, receptions. Silly. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 25.
EAST NOBLE AT DEKALB. Keep an eye on this one. DeKalb has proven it can score points, even in last week’s lopsided affair at New Haven. But East Noble’s defense has been stout against teams not named Snider. The Knights have won 18 straight in this series. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 20.
NEW HAVEN AT LEO. The game to watch this week in the entire area, in Blitz’s mind. Does it come down to something as simple as limiting the impact of Leo’s Kaden Hurst? Easier said than done of course. If the Lions get up early, how does New Haven respond? So many questions. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 4.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT JAY COUNTY. You can question Jay County’s strength of schedule, but it is a big deal for the Patriots to be 3-0. That said, they haven’t been challenged much. Different story this week. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 30.
BLUFFTON AT WOODLAN. Trap game. Bluffton has to guard against carrying over the emotions of last week’s big win into a road matchup against a squad that wants to bounce back from an embarrassing shutout at the hands of Heritage. Woodlan is good enough to make this one a game if the Tigers allow it. BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 22.
HERITAGE VS. SOUTH ADAMS AT ADAMS CENTRAL. Does Heritage have the best defense in the ACAC? Stastically, yes it does. But stats can be deceiving. Coach Casey Kolkman’s team is trying to prove its a force to be reckoned with in the league. It took step 1 last week. It takes step 2 this week. BLITZ SAYS HERITAGE BY 7.
WES-DEL AT SOUTHERN WELLS. Southern Wells rushing yards through three games: 568. Southern Wells passing yards through three games: minus-10. BLITZ SAYS WES-DEL BY 16.
ANGOLA AT WEST NOBLE. If both teams keep rollin’, does Blitz head to Ligonier for the Week 7 showdown between the Chargers and Lakeland? BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 15.
EASTSIDE AT CHURUBUSCO. The Eagles’ torturous first month of the season schedule continues with a visit from the Blazers. Eastside has a considerable edge in the trenches, which will decide this one. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 18.
FAIRFIELD AT CULVER ACADEMY. Fairfield has lost five straight games on the road. BLITZ SAYS CULVER ACADEMY BY 5.
GARRETT AT LAKELAND. Games of 60-plus points for Lakeland from 2017-22: Two. Games of 60-plus points for Lakeland over the last two weeks: Two. BLITZ SAYS LAKELAND BY 27.
PARK TUDOR AT FREMONT. The Eagles had to replace an out-of-state opponent on short notice with an undefeated foe ranked in 1A. Ouch. BLITZ SAYS PARK TUDOR BY 33.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT CENTRAL NOBLE. Feels like a good week for Coach Zach Baber to get his first career victory. BLITZ SAYS CENTRAL NOBLE BY 6.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT OSCEOLA GRACE. Freshman Chip Bennett leads the Braves in tackles (19) and sacks (three). Plenty of youth all over the field for Blackhawk Christian. BLITZ SAYS OSCEOLA GRACE BY 14.
CONCORD AT WARSAW. The next three weeks will be very indicative of how good the Tigers really are. BLITZ SAYS WARSAW BY 6.
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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