As we venture towards the mid-way point of the season, the top of Blitz’s Power Poll has remained relatively static.
Why is that?
Fact of the matter is, Blitz is smart. The best two teams in the SAC? The two teams he has had 1-2 in the power poll since the preseason.
The top two teams in the NE8? Leo and East Noble, who have proven they belong where Blitz had them prior to Week 1.
Perhaps the surprise has been Warsaw, which took its lumps against Warren Central but may end up being the area team with the best chance to reach Lucas Oil Stadium, considering it is now in Class 5A.
Despite the lack of movement at the top, we still have plenty to break down this week.
1. SNIDER PANTHERS (3-1)
WHY #1?
Since being shut out in Week 1 by Warren Central (a team that has yet to give up a single point this season, BTW), Snider has been very impressive. That said, the tough portion of the SAC slate begins this week with Carroll. Homestead and Bishop Dwenger also loom down the road.
How good has the Snider defense been? It has 10 sacks, forced 13 turnovers and is holding opponents to a 37 percent completion percentage through the air.
2. CARROLL CHARGERS (2-2)
WHY #2?
Who had Carroll beating Bishop Dwenger by 28 last week? The Chargers were seconds away from their second shutout in three years of the Saints prior to a field goal.
A defense that looked shaky the first two weeks has settled in well since, although more powerful offenses than South Side and Bishop Dwenger await on the schedule.
Through four games, Jimmy Sullivan has accounted for 900 of Carroll’s 1,354 total yards.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Easy way to get to No. 1. Knock off Snider this Friday.
3. HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (2-2)
WHY #3?
How about some love for the Sparty defense? It has faced a pair of offenses with big-play ability the last two Fridays – Wayne and Northrop. Homestead held Wayne to eight points, then shut out the Bruins last week. While Northrop starting QB David Callison wasn’t completely healthy, keeping the Bruins off the scoreboard with the firepower they employ is very impressive.
Bishop Dwenger, Snider and Carroll are set for consecutive weeks beginning Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Homestead has yet to play the two SAC teams ahead of them in Blitz’s poll. And to Blitz, Sparty is not as complete of a team as Snider and Carroll. But, opportunities await to prove that theory wrong.
4. LEO LIONS (4-0)
WHY #4?
There is no doubt that the Lions’ Week 1 victory at Bishop Luers was impressive. But what about since then?
Over the course of three weeks, Leo has beaten a trio of teams that are a combined 2-10. That’s what makes this Friday’s showdown against East Noble so important in a number of ways. It has huge NE8 title implications, but it is also an opportunity for the Lions to make a statement.
Through four games, sophomore Bret Sauder leads Leo in tackles with 22 and interceptions with three, two of which have been returned for touchdowns.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Truthfully? Not sure what Leo can do to vault over a trio of Class 6A teams. But crazier things have happened.
5. WARSAW TIGERS (3-1)
WHY #5?
The Tigers are outscoring opponents not named Warren Central 132-20 so far this season. However, those three opponents are a combined 1-11.
Things get real for Warsaw beginning this week with a visit to undefeated and state-ranked Concord in a game that may decide the NLC title.
But for now, Blitz is a believer in Warsaw, which right now feels like a good bet to win just its second sectional ever and first since 2019.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The caliber of opponents outside Warren Central (a 34-0 loss) is questionable at best. That changes this week.
6. EAST NOBLE KNIGHTS (3-1)
WHY #6?
Who out there predicted East Noble would pitch a shutout of DeKalb last week? Don’t lie.
You can say that, right now, the Knights have the two most impressive wins in the NE8 – ending Huntington North’s undefeated start, then beating the Barons 35-0.
East Noble lacks true star power, but it has a lot of solid, hard-working plays in all three facets. It has an opportunity to prove how good it is against Leo on Friday.
Senior Kobe Ritchie leads the Knights in tackles (33), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (two).
WHY NOT HIGHER?
East Noble is up a spot from last week, which Blitz feels is fair. Another jump will come if it can knock off Leo.
7. BISHOP DWENGER SAINTS (1-3)
WHY #7?
It feels like the season is at a bit of a crossroads for the Saints after last week’s 31-3 defeat at the hands of Carroll. Homestead, Bishop Luers and Snider are all still up on the schedule, with a potentially scary Northrop offense (if personnel is healthy) also looming.
The positive thing is that the Saints are in Class 4A. But it is a very difficult Sectional 19. Perhaps Bishop Dwenger will take a play out of the Luers playbook, take its lumps in the regular season against bigger schools and peak in the playoffs?
Beckham Russell, a transfer from Carroll, appears to be the Saints’ top offensive weapon on the perimeter. The junior is averaging 14.6 yards per reception through the first four games. All told, only nine of the Saints’ 41 receptions have been hauled in by seniors, evidence of the Saints’ youth at wideout.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Three losses, although all three have been to high-level programs (Brownsburg, Cincinnati Moeller, Carroll).
8. BISHOP LUERS KNIGHTS (3-1)
WHY #8?
Once again, Bishop Luers is in the driver’s seat when it comes to the SAC Small Division after its win over Wayne last week.
Is this as good of a Knights squad as last year’s that won the Class 2A state title? Too early to say, but it feels as if Coach Kyle Lindsay’s team, particularly its youngsters, are showing more and more potential with each passing week.
Want a wild stat? The Bishop Luers defense has more interceptions (11) than the team’s leading receiver, Daveon Surry, has receptions (eight).
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The home loss to Leo looms large when it comes to discussing just how high the Knights should be. The team is taking care of business of late. We will see if that continues.
9. GARRETT RAILROADERS (4-0)
WHY #9?
That was one fine performance out of the Railroaders last Friday. The game wasn’t as close as the final score of 41-27. While Lakeland’s offense was able to find some success after the Lakers trailed 20-0, they never were able to stop the offense of Garrett.
The NECC Big Division is going to come down to Week 6 against West Noble. Interestingly, Class 3A Sectional 26 may come down to Garrett and…West Noble.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Keep winning and let’s see what happens.
10. COLUMBIA CITY EAGLES (4-0)
WHY #10?
Welcome to the party, Eagles!
For the first time this season, Columbia City has crashed the top 10 of Blitz’s Power Poll.
Per usual, the Eagles’ first-half schedule leaves a lot to be desired, mainly because the NE8 refuses to change its league schedule (don’t get Blitz started). That said, Columbia City has been nothing short of impressive in its third 4-0 start in the last five years.
DeKalb on the road will be interesting this week, with East Noble and Leo coming up in October.
The Columbia City rushing attack is averaging 299.5 yards per game through four games. Let’s round up and just say 300 yards a contest.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The two NE8 schools ahead of Columbia City in this poll are set to be foes in Weeks 7 and 8. The Eagles will have their opportunity to prove they deserve to be higher.
NEXT FIVE
11. Wayne
12. Bluffton
13. Adams Central
14. West Noble
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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