HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Blitz’s Picks, Week 7

Rivalry games are the best. It’s the old adage “throw out the records,” right?

Sometimes, but not always.

Northrop and Snider are rivals in name only. The Panthers have won 28 straight games over the foe they share Spuller Stadium with.

Next year, Snider will move to its own on-campus stadium. What better way to say goodbye than knocking off Northrop a 29th consecutive time?

Conversely, what a present it would be from the Bruins to send Snider packing with a skid-ending defeat.

Northrop or Snider, who ya got?

Last week: 16-4 (.800)

Overall: 104-32 (.764)

HOMESTEAD AT CARROLL. The Spartans have dominated this series dating back to days before either team was in the SAC, but have not gotten a win over their rival since putting up 70 points in 2020. Homestead has scored just 10 points in 3 of the last 4 meetings against the Chargers. This season though is what matters and Homestead wins every time this year they score more than 3 points, Carroll has just one loss when they’ve scored more than 7; conventional wisdom says both eclipse that Friday, so who can get the stops when it matters? BLITZ SAYS CARROLL BY 6.

CONCORDIA AT WAYNE. The only two teams without a natural rival in the SAC, so they play in rivalry week. Someone has to win in a battle of 0-6 teams. How about Coach Darrion White getting his first dub as head coach of the Generals? BLITZ SAYS WAYNE BY 4.

BISHOP DWENGER AT BISHOP LUERS. The Bishop’s Trophy is on the line at Luersfield, where the last time these two teams met the Knights won in overtime on a Mickey Daring two-point conversion. That game saw 57 total points scored. Blitz doesn’t anticipate that much offense in what should be a low-scoring affair. In the end, Dwenger’s defense makes some big plays to help secure the dub. BLITZ SAYS BISHOP DWENGER BY 7.

NORTH SIDE AT SOUTH SIDE. For the 100th time in the regular season, North and South will meet on the gridiron. The first matchup was a 34-0 drubbing by the Archers in 1927. More recently, North has won seven straight in the series. Make it eight. BLITZ SAYS NORTH SIDE BY 12.

NORTHROP AT SNIDER. Oooooo boy. Here we go. The hype is all around the Bruins, while everyone seems to be crapping on the Panthers. Make no mistake, if Snider could win just one more game the rest of the season, it would be this one. What has been concerning is the Snider defense, which at 28.9 points per game would be the most allowed in a season in program history dating back to 1965. The Panthers will put up a fight, but this is the year “the streak” ends. BLITZ SAYS NORTHROP BY 6.

EAST NOBLE AT COLUMBIA CITY. It was good to see the Eagles get back in the win column last week at New Haven, a pick that Blitz got wrong. Hey, admitting your mistakes is step one to rectifying them, right? Outside of Leo, no one has really been able to run the ball against East Noble. Columbia City’s strength? On the ground. That doesn’t bode well. BLITZ SAYS EAST NOBLE BY 18.

LEO AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. Nathan Foster is averaging 190 yards rushing per game. So, does he finish over or under that mark against the Vikings? BLITZ SAYS LEO BY 13.

NEW HAVEN AT BELLMONT. Perhaps Bellmont’s best shot this season at ending its 38-game losing skid. The best shot for the Braves is to be ultra physical in the trenches and force New Haven into some mistakes. Much like Northrop-Snider, all streaks end at some point. But for this one, Blitz just can’t pull the trigger. Prove him wrong, Bellmont. BLITZ SAYS NEW HAVEN BY 15.

NORWELL AT DEKALB. Xavier Bell and Noah Spears, both seniors, have combined for 60 receptions for 987 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air. It should be another fruitful night for the duo against the Knights. BLITZ SAYS DEKALB BY 21.

ADAMS CENTRAL AT SOUTHERN WELLS. The Raiders have scored seven points combined in the last five games against the Flying Jets. BLITZ SAYS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 45.

BLUFFTON AT HERITAGE. Bluffton cannot get caught looking ahead to a home showdown with Adams Central next week, because the Patriots are good enough to clip them if they are. Axton Beste is completing 75 percent of his passes on the year. Another big night in store in Monroeville for the junior QB? BLITZ SAYS BLUFFTON BY 14.

JAY COUNTY AT SOUTH ADAMS. The disappointment of last week against Adams Central will be taken out against Jay County this week by the Starfires. BLITZ SAYS SOUTH ADAMS BY 41.

PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT WOODLAN. Coach Brock Rohrbacher’s young squad could really use a dub. A winless Prairie Heights team coming to Woodburn is a prime opportunity to get one. BLITZ SAYS WOODLAN BY 7.

ANDREAN AT ANGOLA. Well, at least this one will be a good learning experience for the Hornets. Hawk Hasselman needs another huge game for Angola to keep this one close. BLITZ SAYS ANDREAN BY 31.

CHURUBUSCO AT CENTRAL NOBLE. The Eagles clinch the NECC Small Division title with a win. Bet on ‘busco. BLITZ SAYS CHURUBUSCO BY 27.

LAKELAND AT WEST NOBLE. The Chargers clinch the NECC Big Division title with a win. Bet on the Monte’s Army. BLITZ SAYS WEST NOBLE BY 15.

EASTSIDE AT FREMONT. Since losing to Churubusco, Eastside has won a pair of games by a combined score of 78-0. While the division championship is likely out of reach, the Blazers are looking to be a tough out come playoff time. BLITZ SAYS EASTSIDE BY 20.

FAIRFIELD AT GARRETT. The defense of the Railroaders cannot do it all. In four losses this year, Garrett has scored a combined 13 points. BLITZ SAYS FAIRFIELD BY 3.

IRVINGTON PREP AT BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN. The Braves get a true home game in Week 7! Well, home game at Zollner Stadium. Still, it should be a boost to Coach Brice Bennett’s club after so many road trips. BLITZ SAYS BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN BY 5.

WARSAW AT MISHAWAKA. The defense of the Cavemen is susceptible to the run, but Warsaw will need to find a way to slow down an offense that is averaging 329 yards on the ground. Both run-heavy squads, who prevails? BLITZ SAYS MISHAWAKA BY 14.

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