Much as Sam Frick has done with the NE8 this week, on the eve of Week 4 he breaks down what to look for as the Northeast Corner Conference begins intra-division play.
1. Can Angola stop the run?
That’s been the outcry from media so far when discussing the 2023 Angola Hornets. It doomed their chances when playing at DeKalb and Leo. Special teams also didn’t help against the Lions.
Last week, Angola was up 24-22 with under a minute to go in the game against John Glenn, putting the Hornets in position to win a huge game. That hope was later crushed by the realization that this team cannot stop the run at all, eventually leading to a 30-24 defeat.
If Angola wants to have a shot at pulling off an upset at West Noble tonight, it better be able to slow down Seth Pruitt. West Noble coach Monte Mawhorter stresses that the battle up front is a huge key.
“We have to try to win the trenches and try to contain their options,” said Mawhorter. “They (Angola) are very well-coached and have several athletes. We have to play our best game of the year to have any chance at winning.”
2. Is Lakeland a worthy contender for West Noble?
Three weeks into the season and we have seen just how lethal this team can be. The Chargers have the quarterback to lead the offense in Brayden Holbrook, the weapons at wide receiver and running back and a strong front line led by Bo Kerns and Cam Riegling.
Now, can the Lakers perform when the stakes get higher? It starts this week against Garrett. On paper, Lakeland is the heavy favorite. However, this is a potential trap game. We saw last year how well the Railroaders played once they got some confidence. Garrett will be just as hungry to get to .500 and spoil Lakeland’s run. Garrett coach Chris DePew understands that they have a huge challenge on their hands.
“Their (Lakeland) offense presents a lot of size, speed, running and passing abilities,” said DePew. “They can score fast and often. Their kicking game is solid and their defense has been opportunistic.”
3. Is Eastside still the beast of the Small School Division?
The Small School Division has been underwhelming to say the least so far this season. Despite Eastside’s slow start, it is still the king in this division until someone knocks it off.
However, a big road game at Churubusco is so important to the Blazers’ chances at winning a program-record fifth straight NECC division title. For Coach Alyx Brandewie’s program, execution on offense will be an area in which to capitalize on to have a better chance of winning this division.
“We know that if we want to have a chance to win the NECC Small Division, we have to play well Friday night against Churubusco,” said Brandewie about his team’s division opening game. “Winning a conference title is always going to be one of our goals at Eastside and in order to meet that goal it means we’re going to have to prepare well for our divisional opponents.
“I think there’s a mutual respect between our two programs and I know when I watch (Churubusco) on tape, I appreciate the style of football they play. It’s unapologetically physical, and when you combine that style of football with a fantastic atmosphere it should make for one heck of a Friday night.”
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