Two weeks are better than one, but there still are a lot of questions.
That’s where Blitz’s head is at as he tries to make sense of what has happened in the non-conference portion of the season. What defines a good loss? What defines a bad win?
With not much in the way of head-to-head showdowns to go on, there is still a lot of guesswork on where teams slot in.
Blitz takes his best shot as league play begins this Friday around the area.
1. SNIDER PANTHERS (1-1)
WHY #1?
Aaron Vance showed what is expected of him as QB1 of the Panthers against East Noble, accounting for 216 total yards and four touchdowns in Week 2. Vance showcased his wheels in his rushing and looked more calm and collected in passing situations.
The defense is going to keep Snider in a lot of games, and may just be enough to put them over the top in the SAC.
2. CARROLL CHARGERS (0-2)
WHY #2?
The Chargers are 0-2 for the first time since 2017, which ended up being a seven-win campaign, so lets not write off Coach Doug Dinan’s team quite yet.
Fact of the matter is HSE and Center Grove, Carroll’s first two opponents, are a combined 3-1 with the lone defeat being Center Grove to the team currently ranked No. 1 in the state – Westfield.
The Chargers get South Side this week, followed by at Bishop Dwenger in Week 4, which will provide a lot of answers.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Zero wins may have something to do with it.
3. HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (0-2)
WHY #3?
Maybe Homestead just shouldn’t play Noblesville? In two years, the Spartans have lost by a combined score of 91-6. Amazingly, Coach Chad Zolman’s team matches up better with Carmel in the season opener.
Junior quarterback Michael White hasn’t had much running room through the first two weeks to take advantage of his dual-threat abilities. Expect that to change as the league slate gets started.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Homestead offset early-season offensive struggles last year after just seven points scored in the first two weeks by dropping 48 on Wayne in Week 3. Might we see a similar result this season? Blitz wants to see it before considering moving up Homestead. Oh yeah, and an actual win.
4. LEO LIONS (2-0)
WHY #4?
The Lions have done what has been asked of them on their schedule, but have not exactly looked like a top 3 team in their wins. Hence standing pat at No. 4.
Blitz’s isn’t taking anything away from a pair of road dubs against competent opponents to start the season, but there hasn’t a performance where Blitz said ‘wow’ after seeing the result.
Leo should roll this week against Norwell.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Blitz wants to see more. A Week 5 victory over East Noble, perhaps?
5. BISHOP DWENGER SAINTS (0-2)
WHY #5?
A three-spot bump for losing by 24 points? This is where we are at in terms of trying to determine who is where without the benefit of in-conference matchups.
Bishop Dwenger played an incredibly determined game against Cincinnati Moeller last Friday in a 42-18 loss. Considering Moeller beat the Saints by 57 points a year ago, that’s progress.
There was also progress made along the offensive and defensive lines, which bodes well for the league portion of the Saints’ schedule. That said, Bishop Dwenger needs a win this week at North Side with Carroll and Homestead looming after that.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
You could argue Bishop Dwenger has the “best” two losses in the area against arguably the best team in the state (Brownsburg) and Moeller. However, would be nice to see a dub this week.
6. WAYNE GENERALS (1-0)
WHY #6?
Whether it was transportation issues, lack of officials or just lack of interest, South Bend Riley did not oblige Wayne when asked to complete Friday’s game that was postponed due to weather. Wayne led by seven before the lightning and rain moved in, but it was upheld as a no-contest by the IHSAA.
The next two weeks are big-time opportunities for the Generals, despite both being on the road. A trip to Homestead this week will be a greater indicator of where both teams are, while Week 4’s showdown at Luersfield against the Knights could be the game that decides the SAC’s ‘B’ Division.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The lone victory against Attucks isn’t enough to move the Generals into the top five. A win over Homestead sure would be, though.
7. EAST NOBLE KNIGHTS (1-1)
WHY #8?
An admirable performance, for a half at least, against Snider in Week 2. Two big areas of concern coming of that game – run defense (allowing 246 yards) and converting on big downs (a combined 2-of-15 on third and fourth downs).
The Knights can say they competed against Blitz’ No. 1 area squad. Now, how does Coach Alex Stewart use that entering NE8 play?
The next two road games are at Huntington North and Leo, with a home date with DeKalb sandwiched in. Good stretch of tests upcoming.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The one win over Bremen just doesn’t do it for Blitz.
8. BISHOP LUERS KNIGHTS (1-1)
WHY #8?
It definitely has been a couple weeks of learning for both the Knights and Blitz ABOUT the Knights.
The team has playmakers, per usual. But it is also inexperienced at key positions. A more veteran squad beats Leo in Week 1. And a more veteran squad doesn’t allow New Haven to fight back and make the Week 2 game close.
Yes, this is a squad learning how to play a complete four quarters. It will need to this week against Northrop’s dynamic offense.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Waiting for that eye-opening performance across 48 minutes.
9. GARRETT RAILROADERS (2-0)
WHY #9?
What a couple weeks it has been for Garrett – a resounding season-opening victory over Adams Central followed by a dramatic OT win over county rival DeKalb in Week 2.
We can talk about the Railroaders not putting away DeKalb when they had the chance, but that’d be selling what Blitz thinks is a good Barons team.
Fact of the matter is, Coach Chris DePew’s team is executing when it needs to . Between Calder Hefty and Cam Ruble, the dup have been responsible for seven of the team’s eight touchdowns so far. Impressive.
A visit to Churubusco is up this week.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Tough to vault over the teams above them. For now, anyway.
10. WARSAW (1-1)
WHY #10?
Yeah, Warsaw took it on the chin in Week 2 at Warren Central, but if Blitz isn’t going to punish SAC teams for stepping out of conference and playing some power programs, he isn’t going to punish Coach Bart Curtis’s squad.
The Tigers have a chance to get right against Goshen this week, with a back-loaded NLC schedule looming.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
It’s always tough to gauge Warsaw considering the lack of games against area teams. But there’s no doubt Blitz underestimated them last year when they beat up on Carroll in sectional play. So if Warsaw makes a run at a league crown, it will definitely move up.
NEXT FIVE
11. Columbia City
12. Huntington North
13. Adams Central
14. Bluffton
15. North Side
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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