Before the playoffs begin in earnest, Blitz owes you a final power poll.
Below are his final rankings, with Blitz’s preseason ranking in parenthesis following the RECORD.
How accurate was Blitz entering the season? Read on and find out.
1. CARROLL CHARGERS (7-2) (PRESEASON: #2)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
Following two losses to begin the season to 6A powers, Carroll blitzed (get it?) its way through the SAC, with just one game being decided by less than 16 points.
The Chargers handled the trio of Bishop Dwenger, Snider and Homestead by a combined 73 points, with the lone close game being a hard-fought one-point victory over Wayne in crappy weather in Week 6.
The offense has been written about a lot, but the defense deserves some respect. A superb senior campaign for outside linebacker Sam Frisinger, who leads the team in tackles for loss (seven), sacks (3.5) and is fourth in tackles.
Is Carroll good enough to make a run in Class 6A? It will come down to the defense and the arm of Jimmy Sullivan.
2. SNIDER PANTHERS (7-2) (PRESEASON: #1)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
What has led the way for Snider has been its defense, with the lowest amount of points allowed in the SAC.
The recent run in particular by the defensive unit has been impressive – holding three of their last four opponents to single-digit points, including solid offenses like Wayne and Homestead.
But Class 6A presents a big challenge, massive even. You have to score some serious points to beat the big boys. Can Snider find that ability after scoring just six points against Carroll and being shut out by Warren Central?
3. EAST NOBLE KNIGHTS (8-1) (PRESEASON: #5)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
What a ride for the Knights so far. They took their lumps against Snider in Week 2, learning some lessons in the process. Since then, Coach Alex Stewart’s team has been unblemished, propelling them to an NE8 title.
The offense has been exceptional, averaging over 40 points per game. The rushing attack, led by senior Dylan Krehl, is picking up seven yards per rush. Rylee Biddle has found a rhythm of late throwing the ball.
The senior-laden defense is stingy and opportunistic, having amassed 16 sacks, 19 interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
4. WARSAW (6-3 (PRESEASON: NR)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
It was a massive oversight to not have Warsaw ranked in the preseason top 10, especially after what it did to Carroll in sectional play a year ago.
The Tigers are not hard to figure out, they run the ball a ton, they have solid special teams and their defense can get some stops.
Concord, the No. 1 team in Class 5A, looms in the sectional final, but the Minutemen have escaped a few big challenges this year, including a four-point win over Warsaw in Week 5.
Don’t sleep on the Tigers.
5. HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (5-4) (PRESEASON: #3)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
A hard-fought road victory over Bishop Luers in Week 9 was a good capper to Homestead’s regular season that saw its ups and downs.
The Spartans began the season 0-2, then won three straight. They then drop back-to-back games before winning their final two of the regular season.
The offense scores enough when the defense is able to get stops, but this is a team that in its games against 6A opponents has allowed 29.8 points per game. And that includes a shutout of Northrop!
Overall, Homestead is 1-4 against 6A foes this year, a tough mark to handle with 6A playoffs looming.
6. COLUMBIA CITY (8-1) (PRESEASON: NR)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
Another team that defied preseason expectations, at least in Blitz’s mind.
Outside of a road loss to East Noble in Week 7, the Eagles have been perfect on the season, scoring 44 points per game. The offense is paced by the run game, although quarterback Grayson Bradberry has shown the ability to make some plays in the pass game when needed.
While City fell short of an NE8 crown, it enters Sectional 19 with as good of a shot as anyone to win it.
7. LEO LIONS (7-2) (PRESEASON: #4)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
Was the regular season a disappointment for Leo? Yes, but the fact that some people are counting them out entering the postseason is folly.
The Lions can make a case that they should have beaten both East Noble and Columbia City. The fact is they didn’t, but you can bet that has fueled the desire of this team to make amends in the playoffs, with all three residing in the same sectional.
The defense has to be better against good teams, but Leo is perfectly capable of putting together a run into November like it did last year.
8. GARRETT RAILROADERS (9-0) (PRESEASON: NR)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
Every year, there is a team that seemingly comes out of nowhere to capture a community’s attention.
This season, that has been Garrett, which had some decent expectations for 2024 but defied them with an undefeated regular season.
The Railroaders have dominated opponents, seemingly getting better with each passing week. Folks know the usual suspects like Calder Hefty and Camren Ruble, but Coach Chris DePew’s team has plenty of underclassmen filling big roles.
It has been a season to remember thus far for Garrett. How deep can they go in 3A?
9. NORTH SIDE LEGENDS (5-4) (PRESEASON: NR)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
Football is secondary to what the North Side community is handling this week with the tragic loss of junior defensive end Willie Ivy, who was shot and killed at a party last weekend.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL FLYING JETS (8-1) (PRESEASON: 10)
REGULAR-SEASON RECAP
We thought perhaps Adams Central was going to be beatable in the ACAC after falling in Week 1 to Garrett. Turns out, that was a pipe dream.
The Flying Jets rolling through the league again, fueled by its punishing offensive line and a dominant rushing attack.
How far can their strengths propel them in 2A as opposed to 1A? We will see, but Adams Central is still the dominant force when it comes to lower-class area teams.
NEXT FIVE
11. West Noble
12. Bishop Dwenger
13. Huntington North
14. Bishop Luers
15. Wayne
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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