Let’s just get this out right now.
For those looking for wholesale changes to Blitz’s Preseason Power Poll after just one week of games, you are going to be sorely disappointed.
For two reasons:
- Blitz does not put too much stock in matchups against out-of-area foes
- The power poll is so accurate from the jump, not much needs to change
With the exception of one squad, a lot looks the same.
Will you agree? Let’s see.
1. CARROLL (1-0)
WHY #1?
The Chargers’ dominance of Hamilton Southeastern came as a surprise, even with Coach Doug Dinan’s team ranked No. 1 by Blitz entering Week 1.
Knocking off HSE is one thing. Scoring the first 40 points of the game is HSE is quite another.
Gabe Frisinger is legit, as he was a year ago. Harrison Scheele is legit as well. Both were in the Outside the Huddle First Eleven squad.
Gosh, we are so smart, aren’t we?
2. BISHOP DWENGER (1-0)
WHY #2?
Despite squandering a 5-0 advantage in turnovers in regulation, the Saints made the plays when they needed to in extra time in their 15-14 triple-OT victory over Roncalli.
Some folks will want to scoff at Bishop Dwenger struggling to put points on the board, but remember, this team lost 3-0 to Roncalli in Week 1 last year, then went on to win the Class 4A state championship.
There are things to improve here, but you can say that about every team.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
In terms of impressive dubs, Carroll gets the edge over Bishop Dwenger. Don’t worry, they play each other Week 4. Patience.
3. EAST NOBLE (1-0)
WHY #3?
The Knights came out and delivered quite the message in Week 1 in shutting out North Side in Kendallville. It was a dominant performance by a defense that allowed barely 100 yards against a talented offense, although the Legends were missing starting quarterback Brandon Sanders.
However, East Noble showcased its physicality and its execution of fundamental football in the win, showing that the Knights are going to be a force to be reckoned with all year.
Another big test this week at Snider.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
East Noble did not need to go vertical against North Side because the run game was so effective. The Knights will need to at some point, however. Can East Noble be as balanced of an offense as it was with Rylee Biddle at QB? We will find out.
4. WARSAW (1-0)
WHY #4?
Should we be surprised at how Warsaw beat Snider last Friday? With 478 rushing yards and zero passing yards? No.
We all know what the Tigers do on offense, but it doesn’t mean it is easy to stop.
Can Northrop slow down the Warsaw rushing attack? We will find out on Friday when the Bruins come to town.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Beating Snider is nothing to discount, but Blitz doesn’t have the Panthers in his top five. It is tough to jump the three squads above them. Maybe a victory over Northrop does it?
5. NORTHROP (0-0)
WHY #5?
Too bad Northrop wasn’t able to get its game in last week against Gary West, although Blitz has a soft spot for the Gary area and what they have went through with the storms. Fault of no one that game wasn’t played, other than Mother Nature.
One week late, the Bruins get to begin their season against Warsaw. Blitz already covered how tough it is to prep for the Tigers, but getting a dub on the road to begin the season and the Coach John Schaefer era? A telling statement that would be.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Have not played a game. Tough to move Northrop up or down.
6. SNIDER (0-1)
WHY #6?
We can take the glass half full or glass half empty approach with the Panthers after Week 1.
Allowing close to 500 yards rushing, even if they mostly came on a handful of plays, not good.
But Snider did put up some balanced numbers offensively. Braylon Burton rushed for over 200 yards and Max Johnson showed some flashes in throwing for 224 yards and a pair of scores.
So, take your pick on what you want to think about Snider.
With all the pomp and circumstance around the first game truly at home for Snider this week, Coach Kurt Tippmann is going to working to keep his kids focused on the task at hand, beating a good East Noble team.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Snider is the highest-ranked team with a loss. What else do you want from Blitz?
7. COLUMBIA CITY (1-0)
WHY #7?
The dismantling of NorthWood was a Week 1 result that didn’t get as much attention as it should have. The Eagles could truly be the biggest threat to East Noble in the NE8 and may prove they are better when they meet in Week 7.
But let’s temper the enthusiasm a tiny bit, as a tougher test looms this week at Northridge, which put up 62 points last week. Columbia City’s defense won’t let that happen, but is the unit up to the challenge to keep Coach Luke Amstutz’s offense down and return home 2-0?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Hey, Columbia City is up one spot from last week. At this rate, it will be No. 1 by the end of the season.
8. LEO (1-0)
WHY #8?
Guess Leo didn’t miss Nathan Foster and the host of linemen it lost to graduation last year.
That was Blitz’s first thought following the 42-0 victory over Wayne to open the season.
The second thought was, Wayne didn’t win a game last year, so how big of a win was it, really?
Well, we will find out more this Friday as the Lions go on a trip down to Indianapolis to take on Chatard, the No. 3 team in Class 4A.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Leo gets Chatard and Norwell next two weeks. Let’s see how that goes.
9. NORTH SIDE (0-1)
WHY #9?
Sheesh, what a difference a week makes.
A shutout loss in Week 1 followed by the firing of their head coach. The two aren’t related, but you have to feel for the kids who are left to try and move forward under interim coach Jaylon Smith.
The good news is, there is still a lot of talent here. The Legends should win plenty of games on its talent alone. But the execution wasn’t there against Noble. Was it simply a Week 1 issue? We will see.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Yes, the lone big drop of the week. North Side gets New Haven this week, but then Northrop in Week 3. The Legends can jump back up if they can go 2-0 the next two weeks.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL (1-0)
WHY #10?
The Flying Jets just continue to shut people in the up, don’t they?
For those wanting to see Adams Central take on an SAC foe, they saw it for the first time ever last week, and the Flying Jets took down Bishop Luers by two touchdowns.
AC isn’t lacking for another quality opponent as it will face Eastside in Week 2. If Coach Michael Mosser’s team wins handily in that one, should they move up from No. 10?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
If Bishop Luers started the year as one of Blitz’s Top 10 teams, you could make a case at a rise in this power poll. But the Knights didn’t, so it is tough to jump AC over anyone ahead of them after Week 1
NEXT FIVE
11. South Side
12. Homestead
13. DeKalb
14. Eastside
15. Bishop Luers
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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