And just like that, we are in the playoffs.
All it takes is one bad half, quarter, series or even a play to end your season. Win and you advance. Lose and it is time to focus on basketball (gross).
Pressure is on.
On to the picks.
Last week: 16-2 (.888)
Overall: 160-35 (.820)
WAYNE AT BISHOP DWENGER. The question here is if Wayne’s defense, which has performed well through the majority of the season, can limit the running game of the Saints. If it can, it makes Dwenger go to the air, where the Generals have picked off 16 passes on the year. Stop the run and Wayne has a shot. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 5.
DEKALB AT ANGOLA. All of a sudden, the Hornets are looking like a tough out, picking up wins over Garrett and Eastside the last two weeks. DeKalb has an offense that can put up points, but there’s something about these Hornets, as if after a season of trying to figure things out, it all has finally clicked. BLITZ SAYS ANGOLA BY 2.
EAST NOBLE AT NEW HAVEN. This one is fascinating. Two weeks ago up in Kendallville, East Noble dictated the pace and disrupted New Haven’s ability to attack offensively. With Mylan Graham back and the rematch at New Haven, expect some fireworks. What does New Haven do differently? What does East Noble do differently to combat the adjustments the Bulldogs will bring into this one? So much intrigue. This one will be exciting. BLITZ SAYS NEW HAVEN BY 2.
LEO AT SOUTH SIDE. Way back in 2016, a seven-win Leo team opened the postseason at a South Side squad with one win. The Archers rolled the Lions, 33-9. In 2023, a seven-win Leo team hits the road to open the playoffs at one-win South Side. You can bet that Leo coach Jason Doerffler has brought that up to his team this week. No repeat for the Archers, however. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 20.
COLUMBIA CITY AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. Where is the Eagles’ mindset after four-straight losses, including a disappointing defeat at home to Norwell last week? Will they bounce back or just fold? This week is a good get-right opportunity before things get much more difficult beginning next week. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 17.
KOKOMO AT JAY COUNTY. These teams last met way back in 1994 in sectional play, a game Kokomo won convincingly. Expect something similar this time around. BLITZ SAYS KOKOMO BY 28.
JIMTOWN AT FAIRFIELD. Will the Falcons be able to move the ball on the ground? Close to 80 percent of their overall touchdowns this year have come via rush. BLITZ SAYS JIMTOWN BY 7.
KNOX AT LAKELAND. The youthful Lakers have had a very good season, but they got no favors with undefeated Knox coming to town to open the playoffs. The Redskins put up points and are an attacking offense with plenty of firepower. BLITZ SAYS KNOX BY 13.
MISHAWAKA MARIAN AT WEST NOBLE. Another team that didn’t get much in the way of favors with the draw. Marian is better than its 5-4 record indicates, but Blitz still doesn’t see it as a match for the Chargers. Not enough to pull the upset, anyway. BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 8.
YORKTOWN AT CONCORDIA LUTHERAN. Typically we look at a SAC team that is struggling turning it around against inferior foes in the playoffs. Not sure if the Cadets can do that. It’s just a team that allows way too many points. BLITZ SAYS YORKTOWN BY 16.
DELTA AT NORWELL. Kudos to the Knights, who have overcome injuries and youth to find their way and play their best football of the season at the most opportune time. Drew Graft is back and, while he wasn’t a huge presence at QB in last week’s win at Columbia City, should have more success this week, not to mention his leadership ability. BLITZ SAYS NORWELL BY 3.
BELLMONT AT GARRETT. The Railroaders were able to open last year’s playoffs with a win over Bellmont. Make that two seaons in a row. BLITZ SAYS GARRETT BY 26.
HERITAGE AT WOODLAN. It still feels like Heritage isn’t getting the respect it deserves. It never received much in the way of votes in the Class 3A polls despite being the second-best team in the ACAC. Are the Patriots the favorite in their sectional? They can make an emphatic statement in Woodburn to back that up. BLITZ SAYS HERITAGE BY 32.
WABASH AT EASTSIDE. It was a disappointing end to the regular season for the Blazers, but the loss to Angola doesn’t erase the fact that this team is going to command the line of scrimmage against inferior teams. Wabash is an inferior team. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 22.
BISHOP LUERS AT CHURUBUSCO. Coach Paul Sade’s squad has allowed 28 or more points in six of the team’s nine games this season. That doesn’t bode well against a team with the playmakers the Knights have. Big night for Gio Jimenez for Luers. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP LUERS BY 34.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT CENTRAL NOBLE. A rematch of a 52-0 Cougars victory in Week 4. Expect more of the same. BLITZ SAYS CENTRAL NOBLE BY 45.
BLUFFTON AT ALEXANDRIA. No favors for the Tigers headed to a one-loss Alexandria team to open sectional play. Bluffton got back on track on the road against a solid opponent last week. This week, it takes on a solid opponent on the road. Blitz likes trends. BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 5.
NORTH MIAMI AT SOUTHERN WELLS. Just remember, veryone makes the playoffs in Indiana. BLITZ SAYS NORTH MIAMI BY 14.
SOUTH ADAMS AT ADAMS CENTRAL. Another chapter in this storied rivalry will be written. That chapter will be all about the Flying Jets owning their rival, similar to the regular-season matchup. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 32.
FREMONT AT SOUTHWOOD. This is a down year by Southwood standards under Coach Dave Snyder. That said, the Knights should prevail. BLITZ SAYS SOUTHWOOD BY 18.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN AT VANLUE (OH). Ineligible for the playoffs due to being a first-year program, the Braves will cap their season with another visit to Ohio. BLITZ SAYS VANLUE BY 12.
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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