Postseason football gets underway tonight across the entire state of Indiana. This is the first week where you either survive and advance or your season is over. From here on out, there are no more second chances if you fail to come away victorious. Here are SuperSam’s 10 Best Sectional Matchups in the 260.
1A 44: #10 South Adams (6-3) @ #2 Adams Central (9-0)
Series: 42-28 Adams Central
What a brutal draw for the Starfires as they get to face not just their hated rivals but also the 2-time reigning state finalists in 1A. I love Owen Wanner at quarterback, and they are always well-coached under Grant Moser. But at the end of the day, the Jets are simply better this year. Period.
Players to Watch
SA: Colton Bollenbacher Senior Running Back/Defensive Back
AC: Ryan Tester Senior Running Back/Outside Linebacker
J-E-T-S JETS by 30
2A 36: #8 Bluffton (7-2) @ #6 Alexandria (8-1)
Series: First Meeting
These are two very talented teams that will square off in Madison County. One thing’s for sure, and that’s the Tigers will come away victorious. Ok, corny jokes aside, these are two teams with a lot of nice athletes and can score in a variety of different ways. Bluffton gives you that Pistol Attack from the ground, whereas Alexandria spreads the ball around.
The key area will come down to which team can get the most stops on defense and stays the most disciplined. On paper, Bluffton has the experience and size up front to sneak out a close win in a Top 10 battle in the 2A postseason.
Players to Watch
Bluffton: Khamel Moore Sophomore Running Back/Defensive Back
Alexandria: Gabe McGuire Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Give me the Bluffton Tigers by 1
3A 27: Delta (5-4) @ Norwell (3-6)
Series: 1-0 Delta
I made this prediction back in Week 2, and unfortunately the Delta Eagles came away with a soaring come-from-behind win over Norwell 34-16. Some people claim Delta is my favorite team, even though SuperSam is a stranger to this strange place called Muncie.
Norwell has dealt with injuries and inexperience on defense all season long but are playing better football right now than Delta Airlines (Cough), I mean Delta Eagles. If Norwell can limit the big plays in the air (no pun intended), I think Norwell has a real possibility of saying “Bon Voyage” to Delta’s season.
Players to Watch
Delta: D’Amare Hood Senior Wide Receiver
Norwell: Drew Graft Junior Quarterback/Safety
I have the Knights defending the Courtyard.
Norwell by 6 in a SuperSam Upset Special!!
3A 26: Mishawaka Marian (5-4) @ West Noble (9-0)
Series: 6-1 Marian
A difficult first round matchup that will see Marian’s defense giving the Chargers everything they can handle to get their Pistol Spread going. However, what Marian does not have is two big time playmakers. Seth Pruitt and Drew Yates. If they cannot solve the riddle and can’t play a clean game, this is game over for the always battle-tested Knights.
This is undoubtedly a barnburner, but I have the experience of the Chargers finding a way to survive and advance.
Players to Watch
Mishawaka Marian: Kaleb Johnson Junior Tight End/Defensive End
West Noble: Drew Yates Senior Quarterback
West Noble by 4
3A 26: #9 Knox (9-0) @ Lakeland (6-3)
Series: 1-0 Knox
In the back of the minds of the Laker faithful, they remember vividly that this Knox team ended their season knowing that Knox has dominated sectionals in recent memory. Russ Radtke didn’t coach 47 years of football for nothing, as he is the second winningest coach in Indiana football history behind Sheridan’s Bud Wright.
With their triple-option, led by Myles McLaughlin and Jake Conroy, this Redskins team is a force to be reckoned with. Lakeland has proven time and time again to respond to any challenge that stood in their way. Do they have one more in them?
The big question I have is can they establish a powerful run in their shotgun spread offense to distribute the ball more evenly across the field? I love me some Brayden Holbrook at quarterback, but they will need far more than 72 rushing yards to beat this team. Thankfully, Sean Conley returns tonight, but will that be enough? I want to be proven wrong.
Players to Watch
Knox: Myles McLaughlin Sophomore Quarterback
Lakeland: Sean Conley Sophomore Running Back
Knox by 14
3A 26: Jimtown (4-5) @ Fairfield (5-4)
Series: 19-2 Jimtown
This is the first meeting since 2014 between these two teams. Fairfield’s ‘Wishbone’ vs Jimtown’s ‘Single Wing Attack’. These are two teams that emphasize pounding the football and controlling the clock, although Fairfield’s offense runs nearly through the fullback dive, and that fullback is junior Brecken Maran and his 5.2 yards per carry.
Unfortunately, Fairfield has shown to be a little too inconsistent with their blocking and tackling for my liking in this matchup. If the Jimmies can grab a lead and quarterback Bishop Williams is on fire, Jimtown will be on their way to the second round.
Fairfield has not beaten the Jimmies since August 24, 1979!!
Players to Watch
Jimtown: Bishop Williams Senior Quarterback
Fairfield: Ethan Hochstetler Senior OL/DL
Jimtown by 12
4A 19: #6 East Noble (7-2) @ #7 New Haven (8-1)
Series: 26-23 East Noble
This is the first time these two have ever met in the playoffs, and it’s a dandy with both teams coming in with excellent talent up front and in the skills’ positions. Plus, these are two of the three Co-NE8 champions (Leo). The questions coming in will be: 1. Just How Healthy Mylan Graham Really Is? And 2. Who Will Stop the Run?
Based on their track record in the playoffs and from this past regular season, SuperSam is really loving East Noble’s defense, especially if they can pound the ball on offense. However, I expect a closer game that lives up to the hype.
Players to Watch
East Noble: Connor Leins Senior Defensive End
New Haven: Donavan Willaims Senior Quarterback
East Noble by 3
4A 19: Wayne (5-4) @ Bishop Dwenger (4-5)
Series: 39-11 Dwenger
This is the first time since the 2018 sectional championship game that Dwenger and Wayne will play each other in sectionals. This is the first time these two meet this year, so there is a lot of intrigue about this matchup. One could argue Wayne has the most impressive supply of talented wide receivers and a consistent running back vs a physical and improving Bishop Dwenger squad.
This is not the best Dwenger team by any stretch, but this is still a very good Dwenger team. And that to me is the difference. Even with their flaws on paper, this team understands how to win in the playoffs led by quarterback Ethan Springer and dual threat playmaker Carter Minix. If Dwenger can slow down this Wayne offense that is coached by the Mad Scientist known as Sherwood Haydock, the Saints win this game.
Players to Watch
Wayne: Harold Mack Junior Wide Receiver/Slot Back
Dwenger: Carter Minix Senior Wide Receiver/Running Back
Dwenger by 10
4A 19: #10 Leo (7-2) @ South Side (1-8)
Series: 2-1 Leo
The Archers always play the Lions tough, but let’s face it. Leo is playing with their hair on fire right now. They are blasting through people faster than Flash, and their skillsets are overwhelming compared to the youth of ‘We the South’. The future is bright for Andre Goodwell’s squad, but Leo is way too strong in the end.
Players to Watch
Leo: Kaden Hurst Senior Wide Receiver
South Side: Kendrick Alexander Freshman Quarterback
Leo by 24
4A 19: DeKalb (5-4) @ Angola (2-7)
Series: 23-18-1 DeKalb
This is a weird matchup to predict because the Hornets look like a way different team since they got off the winless skid. With a 2-game winning streak and having home-field advantage, Angola is a primed upset special that could very well happen. But I still have to go back to this question: Can they stop the run? And more specifically: Can they tackle against a solid offensive line?
I see the Hornets making this a game to the very end, but I see DeKalb feeding the beast known as Caiden Hinkle and the Barons hang on.
Players to Watch
DeKalb: Brady Culler Sophomore Middle Linebacker
Angola: Micah Steury Senior Quarterback
DeKalb by 7
