The playoffs begin in earnest this Friday, with Classes 1A through 4A kicking off the postseason throughout the area.
Blitz is here to quickly preview and discuss the area sectionals, beginning with Class 4A
SECTIONAL 19
THE FIELD
New Haven (2-7) at DeKalb (6-3), 7 p.m.
Bishop Dwenger (8-1) at North Side (5-4), 7 p.m.
Columbia City (7-2) at Leo (5-4), 7 p.m.
East Noble (9-0) at Wawasee (1-8), 7 p.m.
PROJECTED WINNER: BISHOP DWENGER
In a very competitive sectional, Blitz likes the Saints to survive and reach the regional. Nobody’s road is easy in Sectional 19, so whoever notches three wins and the sectional title will have definitely earned it.
Outside of Carroll dropping 49 on Bishop Dwenger in Week 4, Coach Jason Garrett’s team has not allowed more than 14 points in a game this year. While perhaps not as stout last year, the defense is big, strong and talented. Its only potential weakness would be the secondary, but no one in this field is prolific in terms of a passing game, including undefeated East Noble.
While over half of the NE8 beats up on each other in this field, it is an SAC squad that will take the crown and move on to regional.
PLAYER YOU CAN’T MISS: MAALIK MOORE, NORTH SIDE
When he was injured earlier in the season, the expectation was that Maalik Moore’s prep career was over. But with a fast recovery and the blessing from the University of Cincinnati, where Moore is verbally committed, the do-everything athlete is back on the gridiron.
Moore can do it all – line up inside and out on offense, he can play deep safety or pick up coverage closer to the line of scrimmage, he is dangerous in the return game and he even punts. Moore is one of those rare players who can change a game on a single play in all three facets.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF: EAST NOBLE DOESN’T REACH THE SECTIONAL FINAL
East Noble is one of 24 teams in the state that enter the playoffs with an undefeated record. The draw was favorable as well, with the Knights going to Wawasee for the first round and then will host either Columbia City or Leo in the sectional semis.
Both Columbia City and Leo want revenge on the Knights. Leo kept East Noble scoreless for three quarters in Week 5 before falling, 12-7. Columbia City was tied with the Knights in the fourth quarter in Week 7 before the run game took over and a key turnover, a Tayden Getts fumble return for a touchdown, changed the dynamic of the game.
East Noble knows it has a target on its back, and it has handled every challenge so far this year. But the margin for error is thin in this sectional, and beating conference rivals twice in the same season is anything but easy.
SECTIONAL 20
THE FIELD
Delta (4-5) at Logansport (9-0), 7 p.m.
Marion (1-8) at Jay County (3-6), 7 p.m.
Bishop Luers (2-7) at Yorktown (5-4), 7 p.m.
Muncie Central (6-3) at Kokomo (4-5), 7 p.m.
PROJECTED WINNER: LOGANSPORT
Despite sweeping through a regular-season schedule that is arguably the worst in this sectional field, the undefeated Berries appear to be the favorite.
Logansport averages 313 yards rushing per game, with senior Elliot Baldini and sophomore Karsen Jackson having combined for over 1,700 yards on the ground and 25 touchdowns.
Jackson is also an absolute beast on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker. He leads the team in tackles (111), tackles for loss (17), and sacks (four). As a unit, the Berries are allowing just nine points per game.
But make no mistake, the Hoosier Conference is down this year, with perennial powers Lafayette Central Catholic and West Lafayette combining for only five victories. There is opportunity for someone to clip Logansport at some point.
PLAYER YOU CAN’T MISS: MASON FERGUSON, MUNCIE CENTRAL
A three-sport star for the Bearcats, Ferguson’s athletic accolades include being the point guard on the basketball team and the quarterback for the football squad.
All the 5-foot-10 signal caller has done this year is throw for close to 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns against five interceptions for Muncie Central, which has a draw that could see it navigate to the sectional finals if it can handle a rematches with Kokomo (a win in the regular season) and potentially Yorktown (a loss).
Ferguson can also make things happen with his legs, evidenced by his close to 300 yards rushing and trio of scores.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF: BISHOP LUERS WINS A GAME OR TWO
Competing in its first-ever Class 4A playoff, Bishop Luers doesn’t look like much of a threat with its pair of wins on the year, but we know how tough the SAC is on a week-to-week basis. The Knights are also arguably as healthy as they have been all season, and really put up a fight in Week 9 against Carroll.
Yorktown is still reeling from the shooting death of its star defensive end Christopher Wilson Jr. earlier this month. Bishop Luers will visit the Tigers to begin the playoffs and could surprise at the bottom half of this bracket.
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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