THE SWAMI SCALE
- SNIDER (11-1): Keeping the Panthers here for the duration of 2023, or at least until they falter.
- LEO (11-2): The Lions move up after last week’s dominating victory over Ole Miss. Go furry cats!
- CARROLL (7-3): Chargy is clinging to this spot, though I may give them a bump down next week.
- BISHOP LUERS (10-3): The SAC co-champs are starting to look like the Luers we’ve come to love.
- HOMESTEAD (5-5): Sparty will likely stay around this spot, though HHS was one-and-done in ‘23.
- EAST NOBLE (8-3): Graduation will take a few key guys, but the Knights will be solid again in ’24.
- ADAMS CENTRAL (13-0): The Flying Jets are literally on cruise control until Turkey Weekend.
- BISHOP DWENGER (6-6): The 2023 Saints had a disappointing season by BD standards.
- BLUFFTON (10-3): B-town claimed a sectional title in back-to-back years for the first time ever.
- WEST NOBLE (10-1): More than likely, I’ll keep the Chargers locked in at the 10th position.
CLASS 5A SEMISTATE
MERRILLVILLE (10-2) at SNIDER (11-1): The Panthers are 2-0 all-time against the Pirates, which means absolutely nothing heading into tonight’s contest. I’m seeing some QB scrambles from Ke’Ron Billingsley and a score on defense or special teams.
SWAMI SAYS: Snider by 7
CLASS 4A SEMISTATE
NORTHWOOD (11-2) at LEO (11-2): I’ve been back and forth on this one all week long. My heart says go with the Lions, especially at home. Leo appears to be a team of destiny. But something tells me the Panthers from Nappanee find a way.
SWAMI SAYS: NorthWood by 4
CLASS 2A SEMISTATE
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (10-3) at BISHOP LUERS (10-3): Which Luers team shows up in this one? If it’s the Knights of the past two weeks, I like Luers. In fact, barring turnovers, I think they could blow the doors off the Catlicks from Boilerville.
SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 15
CLASS 1A SEMISTATE
NORTH JUDSON (9-4) at ADAMS CENTRAL (13-0): I’m saying it right now: AC is the best team in Class 1A this year. The Flying Jets have one last hurdle before their rematch vs. Indy Lutheran. Get that clock running, boys; there’s one more week to prepare.
SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 35
UNDERCARD
6A … WESTFIELD (11-1) at CROWN POINT (12-0): The Shamrocks steal this one late via a special-teams snafu by the Bulldogs.
SWAMI SAYS: Westfield by 4
6A … CENTER GROVE (11-1) at BEN DAVIS (11-1): Center Grove’s reign of terror comes to an end tonight as the Giants prevail.
SWAMI SAYS: Ben Davis by 3
5A … BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (11-1) at DECATUR CENTRAL (10-2): The Panthers have their best team since Mo’s 2016 club.
SWAMI SAYS: Bloomington South by 6
4A … NEW PALESTINE (11-2) at EAST CENTRAL (13-0): NP coach Kyle Ralph is 127-13 with the Dragons. That’s just sickening.
SWAMI SAYS: East Central by 12
3A … KNOX (13-0) at INDY CHATARD (13-0): Tonight’s lone clash of unbeaten clubs should be all Trojans. Chatard by three TDs.
SWAMI SAYS: Chatard by 21
3A … GIBSON SOUTHERN (11-2) at HERITAGE HILLS (12-1): Flip a coin. One more time for good measure. There’s your winner.
SWAMI SAYS: Heritage Hills by 2
2A … SATURDAY — SOUTHMONT (8-5) at NORTH POSEY (12-1): Red Rover, Red Rover, send Posey right over. Vikes bigly.
SWAMI SAYS: North Posey by 22
1A … INDY LUTHERAN (11-0) at SHERIDAN (10-3): Larry “Bud” Wright has been coaching since the Lincoln Administration.
SWAMI SAYS: Indy Lutheran by 28
