Football
2023: SuperSam’s Area Football Picks (Week 6)
We are halfway through the season, which means SuperSam’s picks are about to get even tougher from here. We’re getting close to deciding conference champions, but first do you remember that we are now officially in the Fall Season.
6-0 Columbia City @ 6-0 New Haven
This is the Game of the Week in this area, and it’s the game that will determine who’s on the Driver’s Seat in the very interesting NE8. Can the defending champs Columbia City maintain the good times rolling into Week 7 or does New Haven bury that bone?
If you want to know more about the breakdown, here’s a preview on that game. When it comes down to the matchup itself, New Haven has more playmakers, a stronger more experienced frontline, and more dynamic star players that can make big plays. I think this is where Columbia City’s inexperience in certain areas and a younger offensive line might be a challenge on paper.
Can the Eagles’ 3-headed beast in that backfield continue to pound the rock against the explosive athletes that will pressure Bradberry hard and attempt to pancake this rushing attack.
Columbia City has Stratton Fuller. But in the end, I think New Haven has too many weapons up front to be able to pull off the magic of Columbia City football. This should be a good game.
Players to Watch
CC: Noah McDevitt Senior Defensive Back
New Haven: Korin Harris Senior Middle Linebacker
New Haven by 7
5-0 West Noble @ 2-3 Garrett
This is a potential trap game for West Noble on paper. They haven’t beaten Garrett in consecutive meetings since way back in 1989. That was the year Micheal Keaton became that generation’s favorite Batman. The last time the Chargers went to Garrett, they needed a dramatic long field goal from Julio Macias to win that game 20-19.
The Big Train has shown that they can compete and contain the run. But can the Big Train consistently pound the rock to put some points on the board? And can they take better care of the football?
If Garrett turns the ball over 4 times to a team that has Drew Yates at quarterback and Seth Pruitt at running back in this pistol spread offense, there’s about to be a derailment in DeKalb county.
Garrett will need another HEFTY, HEFTY, HEF-TY performance out of their quarterback/defensive back.
Players to Watch
West Noble McKale Bottles Sophomore Wide Receiver/Outside Linebacker
Garrett Calder Hefty Junior Quarterback/Defensive Back
Los Caballos Grandes by 12
2-3 DeKalb @ 1-4 Huntington North
This ought to be a fun game on paper. DeKalb’s hybrid spread attack vs Huntington’s Eshbach Spread? Seth Wilcox was Mike Eshbach’s assistant at Eastside. Mike’s son played his senior year at quarterback at DeKalb.
The last two meetings resulted in DeKalb winning, but only in shootouts. The last two meetings scored a combined 203 points. Huntington North finally has some confidence, but I think DeKalb responds in emphatic fashion.
Sorry, Viking fans, I’m saving the crazy takes for later. I have the Fighting Hinkle’s running away in this one.
Players to Watch
DeKalb: Caiden Hinkle Junior Running Back
Huntington North: Jason Teusch Senior Running Back/Linebacker
DeKalb by 5
2-3 Central Noble @ 4-1 Lakeland
The Cougars’ spread offense is finally looking like the offense that can make big plays. If the defense has to put more concern on guarding Tysen Deck, that opens up the options to everyone else with Devin Hiestand at running back and Drew Pliett the other wide receiver.
Tysen Deck is one of the most underrated wide receivers from the NECC. Brody Morgan can let it rip with his deep throws, but this team will need to limit the mistakes tonight. That’s about where the good things end with CN on paper.
Unless they are able to stop the run, which means containing Sean Conley, they will have their hands full against a lethal Lakeland offense led by Brayden Holbrook at quarterback. This could be the game we see other names contribute more to this game, especially if they execute their game plan well.
Sorry Cougar fans, Central Noble’s defense is nowhere near the level of Garrett. I can’t take the Cougars to win @ the Swamp against that offense. I have the Lakers taming the Cougars.
Players to Watch
CN: Brayden Kirchner Senior Tight End/Linebacker
Lakeland: Cole Frost Senior Wide Receiver
Lakeland by 24
0-5 Angola @ 3-2 Fairfield
The last time Angola started a season 0-5, Montell Jordan was telling us “How We Do It” on Friday Night Lights way back in 1995. But don’t let these kids fool you. Angola plays extremely hard, and they have the athletes to make plays. Even if Hawk Hasselman can’t go this week, Micah Steury has proven that he can make plays with his speed and his arm. The key is going to be, can they utilize some of the athleticism in the passing game especially with Lane King. No, don’t expect Angola to throw the ball a lot, but I look for them to try to pull a few tricks up their sleeve.
Fairfield needs to start tackling and blocking better if they’re going to avoid the upset because this ain’t your ordinary 0-5 Angola team. I understand the Fairfield Wishbone is a threat, but the bigger threat is playing against an underdog.
Listen up, my friends, the Stingy Hornets are going to be buzzing sooner than later, and I think tonight’s the night the Pistol Option gets it done.
Players to Watch
Angola: Micah Steury Senior Quarterback
Fairfield: Brecken Maran Junior Running Back
I have Angola in a UPSET SPECIAL!!! Hornets by 8
3-2 South Adams @ 5-0 Adams Central
The Great Adams County Rivalry is one of the best small-school rivalries in Northeast Indiana. However, while Colton Bollenbacher had a monster 298-yard game at Monroe Central, this Starfires team will have their hands full against an elite Adams Central defense.
With the Jets blowing out Heritage 38-0, I think they soar to victory.
Players to Watch
SA: Owen Wanner Senior Quarterback
AC: Keegan Bluhm Senior Running Back/Outside Linebacker
J-E-T-S JETS by 24
0-5 South Side @ 0-5 Concordia
The Battle of Winless Teams, and the good news is someone is winning this game. Can the Fighting Goodwell’s get their first win in the Andre Goodwell era??? Look the future is very bright, but I don’t think this is their year. The Archers are building for the long haul.
Concordia has dealt with a lot of adversity, but man I’m intrigued by the Cadets spread offense, especially as they get closer to the postseason in 3A. So, all I have to say is, LET HIM COOK!
Players to Watch
South Side
Brian Eldridge Senior Middle Linebacker
Concordia
Avery Cook Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Concordia by 10
3-2 Bishop Luers @ 2-3 North Side
This is probably the SAC’s Small School Division Championship tonight as Luers has won all 3 games against their divisional opponents. But We the North has won 2 straight in convincing fashion, especially since they moved Tae Tae Johnson to quarterback.
The challenge now with this for North Side is if Bishop Luers is able to clean up their game and not allow their speed to cause that much of an issue, I think the field plays into the Knights’ favor.
As they say, it’s time to bring home the bacon. And few teams in the SAC bring home the bacon more consistently than the mighty Bishop Luers Knights. I have Luers’ defense bringing home a huge W!
Players to Watch
Luers: Damium Jackson Senior Tight End/Defensive End
North Side: Jamari Pearson Senior Wide Receiver
We the Luers by 6
5-0 Snider @ 2-3 Homestead
I know Snider didn’t look the best against Carroll, but in the end it just shows why the Panthers are the best team in this area. That stifling Snider defense came up huge led by Brandon Logan and his two pick 6’s (129 yards off of interception returns).
Homestead has potential, but it’s clear after their 28-27 loss to Dwenger that this is an inconsistent football team. Perhaps, they hang around early, but Snider is a juggernaut in pounding the football this season. Not to mention that Uriah Buchanan is having an incredible senior season as their top running back.
Players to Watch
Snider: Brandon Logan Junior Strong Safety/Free Safety
Homestead: Brett Fuchs Senior Running Back
Snider by 20
3-2 Jay County @ 2-3 Woodlan
I can already hear all of the doubters on Jay County. Oh no!! They’ve lost two in a row. The titanic is sinking!! They lost to Adams Central and Bluffton!! Code red! Code red!
The last time Jay County started a season 4-2, Macklemore made a song on why the ceiling Can’t Hold Us. So, because Woodlan has the Fleek kids, Braden Smith, Ty Louden, they should win this game. Right?!
Hoooo whee! Not so fast my friend!
Jay County has the ACAC’s feel good story of the 2023 season, so why stop now?? That combination of quarterback Sean Bailey and running back AJ Myers is a lethal 1-2 punch on their triple option. If those two can stay cooking, Woodlan could be in for a dog fight.
Portland, you don’t have to wait for basketball season to enjoy nice things this season. So, guess what. You know what’s coming baby!!
Players to Watch
Jay County: AJ Myers Senior Running Back
Woodlan: Drew Fleek Junior Running Back/Defensive End
I have Jay County in a SuperSam Upset Special!!!
The Fighting Zgunda’s by 3
