Football
2023 Sideline Swami’s Week 12 Sectional Picks
THE SWAMI SCALE
- SNIDER (9-1): Looks like the Panthers will retain pole position for at least another week.
- CARROLL (7-3): For now, I’m keeping Carroll here in the second spot. But that might change.
- LEO (9-2): The Lions are playing well in all three phases right now and are primed for sectional glory.
- HOMESTEAD (5-5): Not a prototypical Homestead season, but I’m keeping Sparty in my Top Five.
- EAST NOBLE (8-3): The Knights trailed Leo throughout last week and fell by a field goal late.
- BISHOP LUERS (8-3): Luers looks like its sleepwalking through the sectional, but still a big favorite.
- BISHOP DWENGER (6-5): The Saints did enough last Friday in Waterloo; tonight will be a toughie.
- ADAMS CENTRAL (11-0): Adams Central continues to plod through the 1A northern-half schedule.
- BLUFFTON (9-2): With a few key guys coming back into the fold, the Tigers are quietly lurking.
- WEST NOBLE (10-1): WN’s sectional drought continues another year after last week’s heartbreak.
CLASS 6A (SECTIONAL 2)
WARSAW (9-1) at PENN (9-1): Mishawaka is the one common denominator. The Caveman gave the Tigers their lone loss on the season, while the Kingsmen corralled the Mishawaka men by three TDs. Should be a Penn punishing, yes? Not necessarily.
SWAMI SAYS: Penn by 9
CLASS 6A (SECTIONAL 3)
FISHERS (7-3) at HAMILTON SE (8-2): This one went down to the wire in Week 4 – a 35-34 overtime classic at Fishers, won by HSE. I’m taking the Royals again, but this time by a tuddy. But don’t rule out a Tigers reversal; these cats have plenty of fight.
SWAMI SAYS: Hamilton SE by 7
CLASS 5A (SECTIONAL 11)
MISHAWAKA (8-2) at CONCORD (6-4): Another rematch from four weeks ago – won by the Cavemen, 31-7 – promises to be all Misawaka with some hardware on the line. The Cavemen run their offensive stuff with exquisite precision.
SWAMI SAYS: Mishawaka by 21
CLASS 5A (SECTIONAL 12)
NORTH SIDE (3-6) at SNIDER (9-1): The Panthers are poised to win their 29th sectional championship against a depleted North Side squad that hasn’t played since October 13. With or without ND commit Tae Johnson, the Legends likely lose tonight.
SWAMI SAYS: Snider by 35
CLASS 4A (SECTIONAL 19)
BISHOP DWENGER (6-5) at LEO (9-2): The host Lions were picked by GameNight’s Sideline Swami as the pre-tournament faves to hoist some sectional hardware. Player for player, hard to pick against them. But these Saints are dangerous. The Upset Special.
SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 1
CLASS 4A (SECTIONAL 20)
KOKOMO (9-2) at MISSISSINEWA (11-0): John Harrell is the best in the business and he’s got Ole Miss claiming victory here. But John doesn’t have crystal balls the size of the Swami’s. That’s why I’m taking the ‘Kats in a mild upset. Kokomo escapes Gas City.
SWAMI SAYS: Kokomo by 3
CLASS 3A (SECTIONAL 27)
DELTA (7-4) at GARRETT (6-5): The biggest postseason upset thus far, locally speaking, was the Railroaders’ 20-6 derailing of Heritage last Friday. Though I’m pulling big-time for the Fighting DePews, my gut tells me the Eagles fly away late with the dub.
SWAMI SAYS: Delta by 17
CLASS 3A (SECTIONAL 28)
INDY CHATARD (11-0) at HAMILTON HEIGHTS (11-0): When these two met last year in Round Two, the Trojans gave the Huskies a shave via a 27-point grooming. I guess I’m seeing a full neutering this time around. Snip, snip. De-humping the Heights!
SWAMI SAYS: Chatard by 28
CLASS 2A (SECTIONAL 35)
BISHOP LUERS (8-3) at MANCHESTER (5-6): Which Luers team shows up tonight? The one that defeated Bishop Dwenger and nearly upset 6A Homestead? Or the one that narrowly escaped upset losses the past two weeks? It’s time to turn it up, Knights.
SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 38
CLASS 2A (SECTIONAL 36)
EASTERN (9-2) at BLUFFTON (9-2): This feels like a classic “trap” game for the host Tigers – favored to handle their business tonight against a capable Eastern club ahead of next week’s likely rematch vs. Luers. Stay focused, Bluffton boys. Focused!
SWAMI SAYS: Bluffton by 19
CLASS 1A (SECTIONAL 44)
ADAMS CENTRAL (11-0) at MADISON-GRANT (8-3): AC appears to be rounding into form and should sock it to the Argylls tonight down in Fairmount. Seriously, MG only stands a chance if Jimmy Stark throws for 400 yards and six touchdowns.
SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 35
CLASS 1A (SECTIONAL 48)
SPRINGS VALLEY (10-1) at PROVIDENCE (11-0): Not sure where I got my info, but someone told me that Larry Bird’s nephew – senior QB Joe Bird – was a stud under center, and Delray Brooks’ nephew – senior RB Dexter Brooks – was really fast. No clue.
SWAMI SAYS: Providence by 22
