For the first time this year, we enter a Friday night of games in which at least a share of some leagues can be clinched – Bishop Luers in the SAC, New Haven in the NE8 and Adams Central in the ACAC.
Who gets it done? Who has to enter Week 9 with work to do?
Let’s take a look with this week’s picks.
Last week: 16-5 (.761)
Overall: 125-32 (.796)
CARROLL AT NORTHROP. The Chargers returned to form last week with a dominating win over rival Homestead. That will continue as the Bruins don’t match up well at all with a defense allowing 42 points per game. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 31.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN AT HOMESTEAD. As rough as Northrop’s defense has been, the Cadets have been worse. The Spartans get back on track after last week’s rivalry defeat. Brett Fuchs with another big game. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 29.
SNIDER AT BISHOP DWENGER. Missed opportunities and miscues cost the Saints last week against Luers. A similar game will see them rolled off the field against the Panthers, but if Dwenger can clean things up they can stay in this game. Dwenger has been tough against the run, Snider’s forte. BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 12.
SOUTH SIDE AT BISHOP LUERS. A letdown week for the Knights? With a share of the SAC title on the line, Blitz doesn’t think so. The Archers are young but can be a problem if you take them lightly. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP LUERS BY 21.
WAYNE AT NORTH SIDE. This one will be fun. Brauntae Johnson returns, but you can argue that Wayne has more individual firepower in this one. The Generals defense is the key in this one. The offense will score, but can the defense get some stops? This one will be decided in the fourth quarter. BLITZ SAYS WAYNE BY 2.
COLUMBIA CITY AT LEO. It hasn’t been a good few weeks for the Eagles, especially last week’s 35-point blanking at home. It gets no easier this week. Leo can defend the run well and has weaponry offensively that will challenge CC at all three levels. If Leo doesn’t beat itself, it wins this one comfortably. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 15.
DEKALB AT BELLMONT. The Barons’ offense has found its rhythm against inferior opponents the last two weeks. That extends into a third consecutive Friday on the road. BLITZ SAYS DEKALB BY 22.
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT NORWELL. It has been a rough season for Norwell, particularly after its success over the previous few years. Injuries haven’t helped and the Knights were struggling with those before even Week 1. So Coach Josh Gerber’s team could use a break. They get one this week in a low-scoring affair. BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 5.
NEW HAVEN AT EAST NOBLE. Blitz doesn’t like the matchup for the Bulldogs. East Noble will be the most physical team the Bulldogs have played this year, and the Knights are coming off their most complete game of the season last week. New Haven’s ability to strike downfield will be paramount in this one, as East Noble will want to be methodical and play ball control. Kendallville will be rockin’. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 1.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT BLUFFTON. This one will still have some serious energy around it, but not as much as it would have if the Tigers were undefeated. That went away last week at Heritage. In the end, Bluffton is just another of Adams Central’s many victims. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 23.
HERITAGE AT SOUTHERN WELLS. Can someone explain to Blitz why the Patriots continue to not get any love in the Class 3A polls? The only loss is to Adams Central, a team everyone loses to in lopsided fashion. Seriously, who did Coach Casey Kolkman piss off? BLITZ SAYS HERITAGE BY 37.
JAY COUNTY AT LAPEL. Sneaky good game down in Madison County. Is Jay County capable of beating a decent team on the road? Blitz isn’t so sure. BLITZ SAYS LAPEL BY 3.
SOUTH ADAMS AT WOODLAN. As long as the Starfires are able to move the ball and not make mistakes, they should score enough to put this game out of reach. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 15.
CENTRAL NOBLE AT EASTSIDE. The showdown for the Small School Division in the NECC. Both first-year head coaches have done an admirable job with their teams. The tenacity and bulk of Eastside’s front line will be the difference here. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 8.
FAIRFIELD AT LAKELAND. The Lakers came up just short last week against West Noble. They should have no trouble bouncing back, provided the defense is disciplined against the option attack. BLITZ SAYS LAKELAND BY 9.
FREMONT AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS. Blitz would love to see the Panthers get their first win of the campaign. BLITZ SAYS PRAIRIE HEIGHTS BY 5.
GARRETT AT ANGOLA. Blitz would love to see the Hornets get their first win of the campaign. BLITZ SAYS ANGOLA BY 5.
WEST NOBLE AT CHURUBUSCO. The Chargers have scored below 34 points in a game once this season – Week 2 in a 20-12 dub over Wawasee. West Noble should surpass that mark and more on Friday. BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 27.
WARSAW AT GOSHEN. The Tigers have looked shaky the last few weeks. They put a more complete game together on the road against the outmatched Redhawks. BLITZ SAYS WARSAW BY 22.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN. The sooner the Braves get into a conference not named the SAC the better. BLITZ SAYS GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN BY 21.
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