This is around the time of the year where the Power Poll becomes pretty difficult to put together.
At some point, the whole ‘Team A beat Team B who lost to Team C’ approach falls apart. That’s where we are at here in Week 7, particularly in the SAC. Snider lost to Homestead, which lost to Bishop Dwenger, which lost to Carroll, which lost to Snider…
See? Chaos!
So Blitz is building this Power Poll based on who he thinks are the best teams RIGHT NOW, with some liberties taken on their complete body of work. Every team, even elite squads, can have a down week.
All complaints with the below can be directed to Blitz’s colleague Bounce on Twitter (@Bounce_OTH).
1. NEW HAVEN (6-0)
WHY #1?
Coach Kyle Booher’s team is now 2-for-2 when it comes to big tests in the Northeast Eight after last Friday’s home victory over previously-undefeated Columbia City.
The Bulldogs put together a complete effort in all three facets, but it was the defense that stood out to Blitz in limiting a powerful rushing attack close to 150 yards below its season average.
Barring a big letdown, only a road date at East Noble in Week 8 stands between New Haven and an NE8 title and first undefeated regular season since 2016.
2. SNIDER (5-1)
WHY #2?
Yes, Blitz knows that the Panthers are coming off an overtime loss to Homestead.
So how did Snider drop just a single spot in the Power Poll?
Easy, its body of work that includes a three-point win in Week 5 over Carroll.
The Panthers had an off night. A lot of that had to do with Homestead’s physicality up front on both sides. But after an emotional dub and everyone, including Blitz, singing their praises after downing the Chargers, a letdown was highly possible.
It happened, and Snider should be better for it.
Should.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A loss.
3. LEO (4-2)
WHY #3?
Since losing to New Haven in overtime in Week 4, Leo has beaten its two opponents by a combined 54-7.
Sure, one was Bellmont, but the other was a hard-fought game in Kendallville against East Noble. Coach Jason Doerffler’s squad showed its moxie in coming back late against New Haven and holding off East Noble one week later, not allowing the disappointment against the Bulldogs turn into a losing streak.
A showdown with Columbia City in Week 8 looms.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Two losses.
4. CARROLL (4-2)
WHY #4?
Even really good teams can have peaks and valleys, it just seems like there have been more valleys in recent weeks for the Chargers.
The important thing is winning, and Carroll is 2-1 over that time frame, but it looked less than stellar against Bishop Dwenger until the final 20 minutes or so and struggled mightily with Wayne last Friday.
Quarterback Jimmy Sullivan is completing just 49 percent of his passes, and a true dynamic difference maker on that side of the football has not yet emerged. Yet despite that, Carroll is still averging close to 32 points per contest.
Style points only matter to outsiders. Wins are what matters, and the Chargers are still winning games.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Carroll is out of the top 2 of Blitz’s Power Poll for the first time all year, mainly due to the inconsistent play prevalent the last three weeks. A rivalry game with Homestead is up next, a good time to get back on track.
5. EAST NOBLE (4-2)
WHY #5?
The Knights are still hanging around the top five namely because they haven’t yet played Columbia City and New Haven. Fittingly, those are the two foes next on the schedule.
East Noble had a chance against Leo and couldn’t pull it out, with turnovers looming large in that one. The only other loss is to Snider in Week 2.
East Noble may be the biggest mover, up or down, in this poll the next few weeks.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Outside of Week 1 when it pasted Bishop Luers, East Noble is missing that big-time victory. Again, with Columbia City and New Haven on the schedule the next two Fridays, the Knights can change that narrative.
6. ADAMS CENTRAL (6-0)
WHY #6?
It is pretty obvious that Adams Central is this area’s best shot at a state championship game appearance. Not that another team or teams can’t do it, but the Flying Jets are the leader in the clubhouse.
The Jets continue to go about their business, having surrendered just seven points over the last three weeks and shutting out teams with pretty decent offenses – Heritage and South Adams.
The only team to reach double digits against AC so far this season? Winless Blackhawk Christian. Weird.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
That pesky Class 1A designation. Could AC beat one of the teams above it in this poll? Depends on who you ask.
7. COLUMBIA CITY (5-1)
WHY #7?
Coach Brett Fox’s squad could have won at New Haven last week, which is probably what is the most frustrating aspect of that showdown. Hence, Blitz is still holding the Eagles in high regard, but tests against East Noble and Leo will see Columbia City sink or swim over the next few weeks.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Blitz doesn’t like the term ‘quality win’ because all victories are quality, but it is fair to question the 5-1 record based on the teams that the Eagles have beaten.
We will know more about CC after this Friday.
8. HOMESTEAD (3-3)
WHY #8?
Who has Homestead figured out? Not Blitz.
Even with the OT victory over Snider, it is hard to rank Homestead much higher than this right now. It lost to Bishop Dwenger on the road, but has wins over the Panthers and Wayne. But it also lost by 42 to a .500 Noblesville team.
So much confusion.
Beat Carroll on Friday and we’ll talk.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Three losses.
9. BLUFFTON (6-0)
WHY #9?
Congratulations to Coach Brent Kunkel and the Tigers, who ascended to the No. 1 spot in Class 2A in the most recent AP Poll. It may be the first time ever that Bluffton has been No. 1, with 1982 being the only real contender as Bluffton put together an undefeated regular-season campaign in Blitz’s birth year.
The defense is allowing just six points per game. Can it stay dominant against the final third of its regular-season slate?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Bluffton hasn’t played a team as good as Heritage, the showdown this Friday. It also hasn’t played a team as good as Adams Central or Lakeland, who are the Week 8 and 9 foes, respectively.
In short, the Tigers still have a lot to prove.
10. BISHOP DWENGER (3-3)
WHY #10?
Welcome back to the party, Saints.
It has been a solid month for Bishop Dwenger since starting the season 0-2 – three victories and a loss to Carroll that was closer than the final score indicated. The one-point win in Week 5 over a Homestead team that beat Snider one week later is particularly intriguing.
The biggest difference has been an offense that has found some explosive plays, with Carter Minix showcasing his playmaking ability of late. This Dwenger team isn’t at its best when its plodding downfield like typical Saints squads because it doesn’t have the bulk to own opponents. This team is better when its attacking vertically and picking up chunk yardage.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Three losses by a combined score of 148-20.
NEXT FIVE
11. Warsaw
12. Bishop Luers
13. West Noble
14. Wayne
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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