It seems like we are good for one Friday each season where things get completely crazy, or at least very interesting.
Just when we thought we knew how the Summit Athletic Conference was going to end up, the rug gets pulled out from all of us.
Let’s start there as we wrap up another week with Bear Necessities.
SAC
• If anyone figures out who Homestead is, please let Blitz know.
Actually, let Coach Chad Zolman know, because he probably doesn’t know either.
One week it’s getting murdered by Noblesville, the next is a beatdown of Wayne. Week 5 saw the Spartans throw away a 14-point lead at Bishop Dwenger, then follow it up by knocking off Snider 23-20 in OT.
Confusing, right?
Friday was a complete effort by Homestead, but the upset doesn’t happen without the play of the guys up front. Brett Fuchs rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown, but he doesn’t sniff that type of success without holes being opened up front.
Conversely, the seemingly unstoppable Snider rushing game was stymied just enough by an active defensive line that was able to hold the point of attack and infiltrate the backfield at key moments. Senior Tim Swihart was an absolute menace from his nose guard spot, picking up five tackles, two tackles for loss and being altogether unruly. He had help from a familiar name, sophomore Sterling Swihart and fellow sophomore Jarron Taylor, who combined for eight tackles and a pair of TFLs.
Now, can Homestead follow up its epic win with another good performance against rival Carroll in Week 7?
• Wayne did what it needed to do to beat Carroll, but just didn’t make the plays down the stretch in a seven-point loss.
The Generals held Jimmy Sullivan to 3-of-7 for 19 yards in the game. Adrian Wooten picked off the junior quarterback twice in the first half for Wayne.
Unfortunately, Coach Sherwood Haydock‘s squad could only post a field goal in the second half. That said, it was an impressive performance for a team that could have added to the chaos on Friday if a few more things had gone their way.
• Winning is hard. Winning when you are in the cellar of your conference is even harder.
That’s why we need to congratulate Coach Andre Goodwell as South Side earned its first win under its new coach, a 35-6 pasting of Concordia Lutheran.
Blitz has said it countless times before. It is SO difficult to climb out of the bottom of the SAC. No one outside of your own circle want to see you start winning games and marching up the standings, because that could mean their team is falling.
What made Friday even more exciting was that it was a complete team effort. The defense picked off Concordia five times, while freshman Jayvon Irby rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown while classmate KJ Alexander tossed for 183 yards and two scores.
Congrats to Coach Goodwell and the Archers in ending a 22-game losing streak. Well deserved.
• The Bishop Luers-North Side game had a little bit of everything.
A substantial amount of back and forth on social media in the week leading up to the game.
The Legends crossing over the middle of the field in pre-game that should have been a taunting penalty to start the game.
Dueling kickoffs returned for touchdowns to start the contest.
And to cap it off, Brauntae Johnson ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that now has him in line to miss next week’s Totem Pole game against South Side per IHSAA rules.
But when the dust cleared, Bishop Luers had the dub and remains the lone undefeated squad in the SAC with Dwenger, South and Homestead left on the schedule.
NE8
• East Noble‘s dominance of Norwell was much more impressive than the 49-15 final score indicated.
Norwell scored on an 85-yard kickoff return in the second quarter and a run with a few minutes left in the game. It was held to only five first downs in the game, a 1.8 yards per rush average and 90 total yards.
East Noble travels to Columbia City next week in an NE8 clash.
• Not to be outdone, Leo held Bellmont to just three first downs and 78 total yards in a 40-0 rout.
Bellmont has now been shut out five of the first six games of the season, equaling last year’s mark of five shutouts through 10 games.
• Many were concerned around the area, not just at New Haven, regarding Mylan Graham and his status going forward after he left Friday’s game and missed the second half nursing an ankle injury.
Blitz has been told that it was merely a rolled ankle and the five-star Ohio State commit, who had a great weekend between Friday’s victory over Columbia City and the Buckeyes edging Notre Dame in South Bend, will be fine going forward.
But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t see much if any action in Week 7 against Bellmont.
• Big plays were made by both defenses of New Haven and Columbia City on turnovers Friday. But two really caught my eye.
On a pair of fumbles recovered by the opposing defenses, both New Haven’s Shane Atkinson and Columbia City’s Landon Time came up with the ball for their teams and the pure joy of each was fun in a serious game.
Both teams had a lot of fun on Friday night so that was enjoyable to watch. Stratton Fuller was thrilled after hauling in a great one handed touchdown grab. Ajani Washington was incredibly pumped up with a late and important touchdown and interception.
All around, New Haven and Columbia City made Friday night’s game as advertised.
ACAC
• For those scoring at home, Adams Central and South Adams met for the 71st time on Friday. The 48-0 Flying Jets rout is now the most lopsided win for AC in series history.
South Adams had not been shut out in a league game since a 37-0 defeat to Heritage on Oct. 9, 2015.
But there is a silver lining for Starfires fans. South Adams still holds the record for the biggest margin of victory in the Adams County rivalry – a 49-0 win over the Jets on Sept. 27, 1991.
• Has Bluffton ever been No. 1 in the state?
It’s about to happen as the Tigers, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A in last week’s AP Poll and fresh off a 56-3 pasting of Southern Wells, saw top-ranked Brownstown Central and No. 3 LaVille lose on Friday.
Crazy thing is, we still have a multitude of questions about Bluffton, which entering Week 7 has beaten only one team that currently holds a winning record – Jay County (4-2).
Heritage, Adams Central and Lakeland, squads a combined 16-2, remain on the schedule
NECC/Area
• It was a record-breaking night in Churubusco‘s 46-3 drubbing of Fremont at home as junior Angelo Ianucilli erupted for 355 yards and six touchdowns – both Eagles program records.
What is truly astounding is the fact that Ianucilli did it on just 14 carries, meaning he averaged 25 yards PER RUSH in the game.
That’s ridiculous.
• So who slows down Seth Pruitt for West Noble? Does anyone?
The junior went for 148 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-15 win over Garrett. For the season, he has rushed for 828 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is averaging seven yards a carry.
West Noble is in a sectional field with a really good Knox team and a Lakeland squad that it matches up with in Week 7.
For the record, the Chargers have never won a sectional title in program history.
QUICK HITS
Homestead and Snider combined for just three penalties and zero turnovers…Homestead has won its last three games that have went into OT. The last loss was a 14-13 OT defeat to Bellmont on Sept. 20, 2013… Ethan Springer averaged 25 yards per completion for Bishop Dwenger on Friday against Northrop…New Haven has now beaten Columbia City five straight times at John H. Young Stadium. Last defeat was a 7-3 decision on Oct. 31, 2014 in sectional play…Northrop‘s losing streak is now 14 games, the longest skid in the program’s history dating back to 1971. The prior record was 13 games over the 2008-09 seasons…Eastside has beaten Prairie Heights 14 straight times dating back to 2010.
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
“games that have went into OT”
“have went” ain’t good English — try either just plain “went” or “have gone” — just sayin’