After a sub-par performance with his sectional championship selections, Blitz got back on track in regional play.
Can his clairvoyance continue this week in predicting who will be heading to Lucas Oil Stadium for state?
Only one way to find out.
Last week: 7-0 (1.000)
Overall: 200-44 (.819)
MERRILLVILLE AT WARSAW. The Pirates have been absolutely dominant this season, with their only loss coming to Crown Point, which is playing this week to advance to state in 6A. Merrillville sports a pair of 1,000-yard rushers and a quarterback who can make plays in the pass game. The formula to success remains the same for Warsaw in its first-ever semistate game – control the ball, work the clock and put up points on long drives. Can the Tigers beat both the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in Class 5A over the course of three weeks? Sorry, Blitz is skeptical. BLITZ SAYS MERRILLVILLE BY 8.
EAST NOBLE AT MISHAWAKA. We know how Mishawaka operates. It is big, strong and wants to instill its will with a power rushing game that demoralizes defenses. It works, but it is also a strategy that East Noble is familiar with. The Knights are equipped to handle such a team. It absolutely dominated a Bishop Dwenger team that had the same principles. Now, Mishawaka is better than Bishop Dwenger, but East Noble has the experience in terms of building a similar game plan. The last time Mishawaka was in semistate it lost, at home, to a team from northeast Indiana – to Bishop Dwenger in 2018. Hmmm. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 2.
GARRETT AT BISHOP LUERS. Both teams are trying to make history, yes, even 12-time state champion Bishop Luers. Garrett is looking to advance to state for the first time in 50 years, while the Knights are looking to do the same for the first time in Class 3A. Garrett feels like a team of destiny. It felt like its run was up last week down multiple scores in the second half to Knox, but Calder Hefty’s heroics saved the day. The Railroaders need to win this game on the ground – both by running and defending the run. What a way to complete the run to state than knocking off a team you’ve never beaten (in seven tries) on its home field. BLITZ SAYS GARRETT BY 4.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT ANDREAN. In its three-straight runs to state, Adams Central has avoided a particular team til it got to Indianapolis – a powerful private school. Not so in Class 2A, with Andrean fresh off beating the No. 1 team in Class 2A on the road. The Fighting 59ers are laden with talent (per usual) and sport athletes like two-way stud James Finley who will present a new challenge to the Flying Jets from what they have seen thus far this season. Adams Central must start quick and hit on some plays in the passing game to have a shot on the road. BLITZ SAYS ANDREAN BY 9.
SOUTH ADAMS AT NORTH JUDSON. Out of all the area teams playing in semistate, South Adams is the most surprising. But the Starfires have taken advantage of a healthier roster at the end of the season and the absence of Adams Central in 1A. The challenge now is immense, the No. 1 team in the class which has been knocked off by Adams Central three straight times in semistate. North Judson has a powerful rushing attack, something South Adams has struggled to contain in recent weeks. The Starfires are playing with house money. There is no pressure on them. All of it is on the Bluejays. That said, North Judson will be too much. BLITZ SAYS NORTH JUDSON BY 14.
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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