Football
2023: NECC Small School Division Power Poll (Week 3)
SMALL SCHOOL DIVISION
Friday starts division play in the NECC. For these 10 teams, for most of the remaining games, these weeks matter way more as we get to see just what these teams are made of.
(1-2) Eastside Blazers (1st Small, 3rd Overall)
- Last Week: L 41-17 vs West Noble
- This Week: Friday @ Busco
- Series vs Busco (1964): 24-36
- Eastside has won 4 in a row in this series
I’m not ready to panic on Eastside yet. They showed some good things in the last two weeks, but as Alyx Brandewie alluded to, the lack of execution is very much a discussion point. I think it’s a accurate point when you lose guys to graduation, but I think it’s true whenever you have a new coach that has some new things to the offense, which is where Eastside has by far more growing pains.
As long as they’re healthy and improving as a team, they’re going to be ok. This is a good enough team to compete in October, and there’s still some talent there. I like what I’ve seen from the power spread when it gets hot, especially from Gage Spalding and Linkin Carter. The O-Line has been pretty solid so far, despite the lacking of execution. The defense has actually been their strength, and honestly I feel really good that my confidence in EJ Miller’s game has reflected on his performance.
Look, I said this last year with Leo: relax. I’m not ready to panic with this team, and neither should you. However, a crucial road game in a highly anticipated and energetic atmosphere in Turtle Town will test their character and resilience against a young but scrappy Busco team. Busco desperately needs this game, and this is for the division on paper. Yes, you can’t overlook anyone, but history tells us this game has won this division.
(0-3) Churubusco Eagles (2nd Small, 7th Overall)
- Last Week: L 27-0 @ Garrett
- This Week: Friday vs Eastside
- Series vs Eastside (1964): 36-24
For the first time since way back in 2003, the Churubusco Eagles have lost their first three games of the season, and it’s a rare sight considering the amount of success this football rich school has shown. But I think it shows the reality that Busco’s odds are against them on paper.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an extremely hard working team with some potential and some skill. But the truth of the matter is: the Churubusco Eagles are the youngest team in the NECC in 2023. It’s a team with a lot of players that have never played that big of varsity roles on Friday nights, and remember these are teenagers.
Unlike most of the remaining teams in this division, there’s a lot to like about the future. Angelo Ianucilli is a rising lineman in this area, and he will have another year to be even better. Plus he’s proven to be a solid running back despite the lack of touchdowns so far.
Senior Weston Rinker has been an inspirational story for Busco. Gavin Huelsenbeck is a stud at tight end as he’s one of the top two players in that position. Brody Lawrence, once he gets games under his belt, is going to be a solid quarterback. Brennan Gaff has shown a lot of growth on defense.
But the reality is this is a young, scrappy team that makes a lot of mistakes, and are not performing very well up front.
If Busco expects to compete in this division, turnovers cannot happen against this Eastside team that can pound the ball hard and wear them out physically.
(1-2) Fremont Eagles (3rd Small, 8th NECC)
- Last Week: L 20-3 @ North Central
- This Week: Friday vs Park Tudor
- First Ever Meeting
Fremont thankfully was able to find a replacement after their initial opponent had to cancel the game due to scheduling conflicts. With that, they’ll get to host 1A #6 Park Tudor who’s coming off a 44-38 win over Indianapolis Shortridge.
Aside from the fact Fremont has only allowed 16 total first half points all season, let’s just move on from the North Central game. Clearly the Eagles of North Central were the better team in that game.
Unfortunately, however, Park Tudor is an even tougher test as they average nearly 52 points a game, and this team has a big-time quarterback stud of their own in DJ Gordon who has thrown for 558 yards and 6 touchdowns, and ran for 494 yards for a whopping 11 touchdowns.
If Fremont isn’t able to sustain drives and keep the ball out of the offense’s hands, it could be a classic butt-kicking. Park Tudor is a very good 1A program, and Fremont will be greatly challenged.
(0-3) Central Noble Cougars (4th Small, 9th Overall)
- Last Week: L 35-6 @ Fairfield
- This Week: Friday vs Prairie Heights
- Series vs PH (1973): 36-17
- Last lost to PH: 9/13/2013
I’m sorry. Is this week any different?? Sadly, no. It’s just same old Central Noble continuing to play well below their potential. Look, I get the odds were not in their favor against the wishbone triple-option when CN has been dealt with injuries, bad football, and….well more bad football.
I guess the one significant positive to this point of the 2023 season is Tysen Deck is a very good wide receiver. He has 9 catches for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns. He deserves the respect he gets. Those are good numbers that people would be talking about…….if it wasn’t for the fact he plays for the 2023 Central Noble Cougars……. Once they realize how much talent they have, this entire narrative changes. But I have questions whether this team has the consistency and the trust to do such that.
Granted, this team came in with a new voice and growing pains were bound to happen. I get these are teenagers who have not been use to being on a consistently good team with high standards every year. But the fact that I will be saying it’s gut-check time again…..ay-ay-ay!!
I’m sorry Central Noble. I want this team to be good, because I went to this school. I’ve been on that sideline as a manager telling the 2015 Cougars that we were capable of doing great things, and we shocked everyone that we were the NECC darlings of that season.
Yet, eight years later, this is another year of the same old negative story. I’m getting sick and tired of saying the say thing 40 different times. This team has a LONGGGG way to go before I can see positive growth.
Oh well. I guess the truth hurts.
(0-3) Prairie Heights Panthers (5th Small, 10th Overall)
- Last Week: L 69-14 vs Lakeland
- This Week: Friday @ Central Noble
- Series vs CN (1973) 17-36
With all due respect, it’s not worth getting upset about this game. Panther fans knew well before kickoff that they were up against a great Lakeland team that’s firing on all cylinders. And yes, I watched the tape of that game.
As hard working and resilient of a Prairie Heights team that they are, they just were unable to stop this elite Lakeland offense. Sean Conley was a DUDE, and Prairie Heights had no chance of stopping him. And neither could they contain the explosive athletes led by quarterback Brayden Holbrook.
Now with some light to that loss, Matt Roberts showed great chemistry at wide receiver with his quarterback Mac Armstrong. And here’s the thing too, Prairie Heights’ message this week should be they have nothing to lose going to Central Noble. NOTHING. No pressure. Just go out there, have fun, and play as hard as they can.
Trust me, if the Panthers play with the belief that they can compete with CN, that’s the type of confidence they need. This could be a sneaky game that no one talks about.
