Moving past the halfway point of the season, we finally see a change at the top of Blitz’s Power Poll.
Who moved up to No. 1? And who is making a run in and out of the top 10 with Week 6 on tap? Read on to find out.
1. CARROLL CHARGERS (3-2)
WHY #1?
After a 30-6 rout of Snider last Friday, Carroll ascends to the top spot in Blitz’s Power Poll, the only other team to reside here outside of the Panthers.
The Chargers have dispatched the first two of its divisional foes – Bishop Dwenger and Snider – by a combined score of 61-9 over the last two weeks. Sophomore linebacker Eli Neuhouser leads Carroll in tackles with 44.
2. SNIDER PANTHERS (3-2)
WHY #2?
Last Friday’s loss to Carroll showed that Snider is not a team that is comfortable playing from behind. No team is, really, but this year’s Panthers lack the game-breaking ability we typically see. Brandon Logan and Jamarion Kolagbodi are tremendous athletes, but their regular usage on offense in a way shows what the unit is lacking in terms of proven guys on the perimeter.
That said, wouldn’t want to be Homestead this week. Snider hasn’t loss consecutive games to SAC teams since 2020.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A 30-6 loss to Carroll last week is a pretty darn good reason, don’t you think?
3. HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (3-2)
WHY #3?
It hasn’t been flashy or eye-catching, but Homestead is riding a three-game winning streak after beginning the year 0-2. Last week, the Spartans were able to take care of business at home in a close showdown with Bishop Dwenger.
Much like Snider, Homestead seems to lack the big-play power we typically see out of the offense. Yet, Coach Chad Zolman’s team is finding ways to win in the SAC.
Consecutive games against Snider and Carroll the next two weeks will be telling.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Blitz considered bumping Homestead above Snider, but it still feels like the Spartans have to prove it head-to-head against the Panthers (and Carroll) first.
4. EAST NOBLE KNIGHTS (4-1)
WHY #4?
Just another great rivalry game between East Noble and Leo last week, with it going the Knights’ way in a close one. It may just be Round 1, with the two residing in the same sectional.
What is so impressive about Coach Alex Stewart’s team is that it is having success without much in the way of star power. That’s not to take anything away from the roster, but there is a coy confidence with this team that’s powered by a lot of contributors, not just a few standouts.
Will it result in an NE8 title? We will see.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Hey, a jump from six to four isn’t something to sneeze at. And East Noble lost to Snider by 25 so…
5. LEO LIONS (4-1)
WHY #5?
It is tought to drop the Lions more than a spot. Yes, it was a loss last Friday to East Noble, but the teams are so comparable that a play or two could have easily pushed the contest the other way.
However, one area of concern is the defense. Leo has allowed two or more touchdowns in all five of its games so far. While the schedule lightens up over the final month of the regular season outside a road showdown with Columbia City, Sectional 19 in Class 4A will come down to which team can get defensive stops at crucial times. Can the Lions do that?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Leo still deserves to be in the top 5 in Blitz’s poll, but any higher would take some major convincing.
6. WARSAW TIGERS (4-1)
WHY #6?
What a kick in the groin last Friday was, with the Tigers blowing a 17-0 halftime lead at Concord.
Now, Concord is no slouch, as its arguably the best team right now in all of Class 5A. The problem is, however, Warsaw’s defense let Concord gouge it in the second half. We know how the Tigers operate. If they can run the ball and play sound defense, they are going to win a lot of games.
Concord poured it on in the second half and exposed Warsaw’s defense, which will need to find its mojo with a challenging month of NLC foes remaining on the schedule, starting with Plymouth on Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Warsaw’s three wins have come against teams that are a combined 1-14.
7. BISHOP LUERS KNIGHTS (4-1)
WHY #7?
After falling to Leo in Week 1, Bishop Luers has seemingly improved with every passing week, with its 38-0 pasting of Concordia last week arguably its most complete game of the year thus far.
The SAC Small Division will likely be decided this Friday. If the Knights can beat North Side it will be 3-0 in the division with a visit to South Side in Week 8 all that’s left. A Week 9 game with Homestead could have SAC title tiebreaker implications depending on how the Big Division goes.
But per usual, Bishop Luers has eyes on a run in the postseason. Now in 3A, Blitz is already excited about a potential Luers-Mississinewa sectional matchup.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Bishop Luers does not have a victory over a team with a winning record.
8. COLUMBIA CITY EAGLES (5-0)
WHY #8?
Alright, how about some love for Columbia City? The lowest margin of victory for the Eagles is 16, and the schedule has been a touch more difficult than we originally gave it credit for. Churubusco is decent, as is Plymouth, Huntington North and DeKalb.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Then again, this team was 5-0 last year before losing five of its last six. So, it is still ‘prove-it time’ for Columbia City.
9. GARRETT RAILROADERS (5-0)
WHY #9?
There was no letdown after the big-time win over Lakeland in Week 4, with the Railroaders pounding county rival Eastside 37-7 last Friday.
The showdown of the year in the NECC looms this week in Ligonier as Garrett hits the road to take on West Noble. Are the Railroaders or the Chargers the best team in the conference?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Garrett is firmly entrenched at the No. 9 spot for now. It is tough to boost them any farther up at this point, unless a rout of West Noble comes about.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL FLYING JETS (4-1)
WHY #10?
Typical Adams Central last Friday, winning a game with a trio of guys going over 100 yards rushing while not completing a pass.
The Week 1 loss to Garrett is in the rearview for the Jets, who have pounded four straight opponents since.
Is this a team that is a threat to get to the state finals in 2A? Maybe not, but they are still the best in the ACAC.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Well, you can’t be ahead of Garrett, which beat AC 20-7 to start the season.
NEXT FIVE
11. Bishop Dwenger
12. Wayne
13. West Noble
14. North Side
15. Huntington North
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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