Now that nine weeks of the regular season are in the books for area prep football teams, it is time to look ahead to sectional play.
We continue our sectional football primers with Class 4A, Sectional 19, the most up-for-grabs bracket in our area.
THE DRAW
South Side (2-7) at East Noble (8-1)
Leo (7-2) at DeKalb (4-5)
Columbia City (8-1) at Bishop Dwenger (4-5)
New Haven (1-8) at Wayne (3-5)
THE FAVORITE
EAST NOBLE (8-1)
With victories over two of the “contenders,” East Noble is the favorite here until proven otherwise.
This senior-laden team has been exceptional all season, with the lone blemish in Week 2 against Snider.
Dylan Krehl is the motor that makes this team go. He leads the Knights in rushing and in total tackles. He is one of several upperclassmen, guys like Kobe Ritchie, Logan Hatton and Landon Swogger fueling this run that has all of Kendallville excited.
The draw gives the Knights a home game to start, followed by a road game, likely at rival Leo. Whoever wins this sectional is definitely going to have to earn it. East Noble has a 4-0 record against sectional foes so far this season.
THE CONTENDERS
COLUMBIA CITY (8-1)
With its only loss this season being to East Noble, Columbia City looks the part of a top contender in this field. It would like nothing more than to get a second shot at the Knights in the sectional final.
But Coach Brett Fox’s team has work to do first. It must go on the road to Bishop Dwenger to begin the playoffs. It is never easy taking on the Saints, let alone in the postseason.
The Eagles are averaging 290 yards per game on the ground. As long as they can get close to that number each Friday, they have a good shot to advance.
Quarterback Grayson Bradberry is at his best when he can be a complement to the rushing attack, and he is perfectly capable of making big plays. Look no further than the final play against Leo for evidence of that.
LEO (7-2)
Blitz almost wants to make Leo the favorite in this field. Why? The Lions feel they let one get away against East Noble and one was taken away from them at Columbia City.
That approach can be a big-time motivator.
If both win their first round games, Leo will host East Noble in Round 2. Nathan Foster is an 1,100-yard rusher who has torched team after team. Big-play ability with Landin Hoeppner and Brock Schott, a pair of guys who also get it done on the defensive side of the ball.
This is an incredibly dangerous team entering the postseason.
BISHOP DWENGER (4-5)
Despite the inconsistent offensive performances this season, Blitz isn’t counting the Saints out.
For starters, the defense is stout. Junior Dylan Tippmann is a menace at outside linebacker, leading the team in tackles (75), tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (five). He is just one of many Dwenger defends that are not to be trifled with.
The question is, can the Saints score enough to beat some of the good teams in this bracket? Sophomore Nick O’Keefe has been thrown into the fire at quarterback with the injury to Henry Jordan, completing just 39 percent of his passes. But if the run game can control the clock and O’Keefe can make a few plays and avoid turnovers, Dwenger can be a tough out.
WAYNE (3-5)
That’s right, another contender in this field.
It is no secret that no NE8 team in this sectional wanted to draw Wayne. It is an athletic roster with mismatches at certain spots. Plus anyone with Kimar Nelson on the roster immediately has an advantage.
Wayne has lost five times, but really only got pounded once, a lopsided loss to North Side in Week 8. Last week, the Generals acquitted themselves quite well despite Nelson sitting out to ensure he is healthy for the playoffs.
The Generals get a favorable first-round matchup followed by either Dwenger or Columbia City, neither of which they have played this year. The Dwenger game would be at Wayne Stadium, so anything is possible depending how this team performs.
THE REST
DEKALB (4-5)
When the Barons can run the ball with Caiden Hinkle, they can score a lot of points. When they can’t they don’t.
Problem for DeKalb is, allowing 28 points per game means they need to score as much as possible. And their first-round opponent, Leo, just beat them by 39 points.
Not ideal.
SOUTH SIDE (2-7)
It has been a fun month or so for Coach Andre Goodwell’s squad.
At 2-2 over their last four, with close losses to North Side and Northrop, the Archers are feeling good.
While not really a threat to make some noise in this sectional, a hard-fought game against East Noble would give Coach Goodwell’s team, which is very young, another positive to take into the offseason.
NEW HAVEN (1-8)
After admirably battling for the majority of the season, the Bulldogs just look like they have run out of gas. Outside of a demolition of Bellmont in Week 7, New Haven’s last three losses have come by a combined score of 186-8.
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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