After Eastside ruled the Small Division for several years, Churubusco went a perfect 4-0 last year against division foes to capture the title. It was the second-straight division championship for the Eagles, who overall have won eight-straight games within the divison.
Since the NECC split into divisions in 2014, only Central Noble has crashed the ‘Busco/Eastside party at the top, sharing the division crown with the duo in 2017.
Who will it be this year? A resurgent Eastside? A ‘Busco three-repeat? Someone new?
Let’s break down the NECC’s Small Division.
The favorite: Eastside Blazers
Last year, Blitz went with the Blazers to capture the division crown back from Churubusco. It didn’t happen, with the Eagles running it back for a second-straight title. Maybe Blitz just can’t learn. Or maybe, Eastside has what it takes in 2026 to own the Small Division again.
The Blazers return one of the best one-two offensive punches in the entire area with Job Richman and Noah Dove. The senior Richman accounted for over 3,000 yards of total offense last fall and 40 touchdowns, while Dove rushed for 1,000 yards and a total of 20 touchdowns.
The junior class is laden with talent, with leading tackler Ty Sebert back at linebacker. He will also see some time on offense this year. Classmate Gage Fogle will also play both ways after being primarily a defensive player one year ago. The offensive line returns three starters, including Wyatt Shull at right guard.
“Obviously for us, it starts with the ability to run the football,” Eastside coach Alyx Brandewie said. “Bringing back three guys up front with starting experience and our top two leading rushers from a year ago is a good first step.”
The defensive line returns just one starter in Cole Omspacher, but several guys who saw rotational action are expected to step into starting roles.
The non-conference slate is difficult with South Adams and Adams Central on the slate, but it will help set the tone for NECC play that begins with Central Noble at home in Week 3.
The contender: Fremont Eagles
Fremont had its best season in a quarter century a year ago. What can Coach Trevor Thomas’ team do for an encore after an 8-5 campaign?
There is a lot of production back on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Jaret Laughlin accounted for 28 touchdowns last year between running and passing, and his two top targets in receivers Rylan Morton (28 catches, 418 yards, four TDs) and Taylor Rodriguez (26-312-3) are both back.
On defense, senior Daniel McDonald is an unsung standout and junior Kolton Armstrong burst onto the scene last year by being Fremont’s second-leading tackler. The Eagles do have to replace their leading tackler in Hayden McNeeley and Trace Handshoe in the secondary, who picked off seven passes a year ago.
The senior class is stacked with seasoned and skilled talent. However, there isn’t a lot of depth behind them. Staying healthy will be key in contending for a division crown and contending for that elusive first-ever sectional title in program history.
The rest
CHURUBUSCO EAGLES
The two-time division champion Eagles are potentially being disrespected by Blitz…again. He picked Eastside to capture the division title last year, only for Churubusco to go undefeated again against the other four division opponents.
That said, the starting-22 has been almost completely overhauled. Just two starters are back – two-way junior Quinn Blake and senior defensive back Colt Singleton.
Think about this. Brody Lawrence has moved on at quarterback, while Churubusco also graduated 100 percent of its receptions and 85 percent of its rushing yards.
Coach Paul Sade will be counting on a wealth of sophomores to step into big roles, including Blane Wilson at quarterback and in the secondary, Jackson Brock at running back and linebacker, and Connor Stalling along the line on both sides of the ball.
This may be a rebuilding year of sorts for the Eagles, but they could still be dangerous.
A defense that allowed close to 40 points per game must be better as well.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS PANTHERS
You would not think that there would be a lot of optimism after a winless season last year, but Prairie Heights could be in position to make some noise in the NECC.
Coach Pat McCrea brings back a wealth of starters, perhaps his most veteran team in the decade-plus in which he has been at the helm of the Panthers. Senior Weston Rasler and junior Joel Graber are both back after splitting time at quarterback. Leading rusher David Mason returns, as well as senior receiver Connor Sizemore (37 receptions, 456 yards, three TDs in 2025).
The top 11 tacklers are all back, so experience will not be an issue. But the defense allowed 37 points per game a season ago and must find ways to get more stops and help out the offense.
Heights gets Woodlan and Buchanan (MI) in the first two weeks. Could the Panthers steal a win in one of those matchups?
“Getting off to a solid start will be key for us,” McCrea said. “Building confidence early will help set the tone before we enter conference play.”
CENTRAL NOBLE COUGARS
It will be a foundational year for first-year head coach Gabe Stuck, who is taking over a program that has gone 1-19 the last two seasons.
One aspect of the game that Central Noble needs to clean up is turnovers. The Cougars threw 25 interceptions as a team a year ago. That isn’t ideal, especially when you put the onus on a defense that allowed 48 points per game. Of course, opponents being handed short fields due to turnovers doesn’t really put the defense in a position to succeed.
NECC SMALL DIVISION PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Eastside
2. Fremont
3. Churubusco
4. Prairie Heights
5. Central Noble
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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