Here we are. One to go.
We have reached the final week of the regular season, where teams look to put the final touches on preparations for the postseason.
Who will enter the playoffs with a dub? Who will take a loss?
Blitz has his picks.
Last week: 15-4 (.789)
Overall: 141-33 (.810)
CARROLL AT NORTH SIDE. This matchup has become a bit more interesting after North Side’s thrashing of Wayne last week. The question is, have the Legends found their groove or was the Week 8 win a flash in the pan? Carroll has won eight straight in the series. BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 20.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN AT BISHOP DWENGER. Remember when this game was always played at Zollner Stadium as the programs shared a home field? That was fun. This game is at a good time for the Saints, who have only eclipsed 18 points in a game once this year. The Cadets have allowed the second-most points in the SAC. Who’s allowed the most? Northrop. The very team Dwenger scored its season high points of 36 against. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 21.
SNIDER AT WAYNE. Which Generals team do we see in this one – the squad that fell to Carroll by one or the team that was blitzed by North Side by 30? If it is the former, we could have a game on our hands here. Snider’s defense has been stout in the SAC against teams not named Carroll. Strength on strength here. Might Wayne give us a Week 9 surprise? BLITZ SAYS SNIDER BY 8.
SOUTH SIDE AT NORTHROP. Blitz is intrigued. South Side is the lowest-scoring team in the conference, while Northrop allows the most points. The Archers are coming off their biggest victory as a program since the victory over Leo in sectional play in 2016. The Bruins just look lost at this point. Could South Side earn its first winning streak in 14 years? BLITZ SAYS NORTHROP BY 7.
HOMESTEAD AT BISHOP LUERS. The Knights are back home after a miserable two-week stretch that saw them lose to their rival Bishop Dwenger then their community partner from up the street in South Side. It’s the first back-to-back league losses for Bishop Luers since 2020. These may be the two most frustrating teams in the SAC, having shown both their potential and their limitations at various times this season. Michael White Jr. is the difference here in a Sparty victory. BLITZ SAYS HOMESTEAD BY 8.
COLUMBIA CITY AT NORWELL. Trap game for the Eagles after an emotional win over Leo and a showdown with Bishop Dwenger looming next week? Nah. BLITZ SAYS COLUMBIA CITY BY 29.
DEKALB AT LEO. The first of a double-dip, with these two set to open sectional play next week at DeKalb. Leo hasn’t lost consecutive NE8 games since 2018. The Lions are going to be hungry (get it?) to erase the bitterness of last week. BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 32.
EAST NOBLE AT BELLMONT. Blitz has run out of things to say about games featuring Bellmont. Anyone got anything? BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 42.
NEW HAVEN AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. With a victory on Friday, Huntington North will reach the six-win mark for the first time since 2009. That’s a big deal for a program that is really building momentum under Coach Mike Eshbach in his second year. BLITZ SAYS HUNTINGTON NORTH BY 27.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT WOODLAN. The Warriors’ four-game winning streak is the longest for the program in six years. The Flying Jets still rule the ACAC, however. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 31.
FRANKLIN COUNTY AT BLUFFTON. Where is Franklin County? Well, it’s in the southeast portion of the state, meaning the trek is long for the Wildcats. Junior quarterback Quinn Gillman has amassed close to 2,500 total yards and 27 touchdowns. Can the Bluffton defense, which has allowed 100 points in the last two weeks, slow him down? BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 2.
JAY COUNTY AT HERITAGE. Eli Tigulis continues to impress. The quarterback now has 20 touchdowns against just one interception and has completed 72 percent of his passes. He should have another big night on Friday. BLITZ SAYS HERITAGE BY 23.
SOUTH ADAMS AT SOUTHERN WELLS. Blitz has run out of things to say about games featuring Southern Wells. Anyone got anything? BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 52.
CENTRAL NOBLE AT GARRETT. The Railroaders can cap their first undefeated regular season since 1974 with a victory on Friday. That squad went 11-0 and won a state title. An omen? BLITZ SAYS GARRETT BY 34.
EASTSIDE AT ANGOLA. A healthy return by several players has helped Eastside turn things around the second half of the season. The schedule has helped, with a front-loaded start to the season. Angola is not a team to sleep on, with the potential to keep this one close. BLITZ SAYS ANGOLA BY 4.
FAIRFIELD AT CHURUBUSCO. Another intriguing inter-divisional matchup in the NECC. Fairfield is tough to figure out, as it has blasted Culver and Lakeland but been blasted itself to the tune of five losses by 21 points or more. BLITZ SAYS FAIRFIELD BY 6.
FREMONT AT BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN. Fremont’s offense has add its fair share of trouble of late, scoring just two touchdowns combined over the last three weeks. It should find some better opportunities against the Braves. BLITZ SAYS FREMONT BY 28.
JIMTOWN AT LAKELAND. What has happened to the Lakers? After being blanked against West Noble, Lakeland gave up 48 points in a road loss at Fairfield last week. Jimtown has won four of five, including a shutout of a good Tippecanoe Valley team. Coach Ryan O’Shea’s team desperately needs a get-right performance. BLITZ SAYS JIMTOWN BY 2.
WEST NOBLE AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS. Forget the offense for a second. West Noble’s defense is allowing just five points per game, with only two squads getting to double digits so far this year. This is a complete team that can’t wait to get another shot at Garrett. BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 20.
WARSAW AT NORTHRIDGE. Too much Warsaw running game for Northridge to hang. BLITZ SAYS WARSAW BY 16.
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
Southern Wells won’t lose next week!