Here are SuperSam’s final area picks of the 2023 regular season.
6-2 Bluffton @ 6-2 Lakeland
For all intense purposes, this is the best non-conference game in the 260 on paper. The athletically big and quick Bluffton pistol offense vs the Showtime Lakeland Lakers.
On paper, the talent across the board is overwhelming. Two excellent front lines, several talented athletes, and two very good defenses. The differences come with schemes, and the amount of championship experience. Bluffton understands what it takes to win in October and November, Lakeland is on the rise but they’re still a young team.
The key is going to be which team’s frontline can make the most stops and who can take care of the football the best. Rain is very likely to impact this game in LaGrange, so whoever can stop the run and overcome the obstacles with the weather could be in line for the win.
This game could go either way, but Bluffton 100% needs this game given the fact they’ve lost 2 in a row and don’t want to be going into the sectional game at Alexandria on a 3-game losing streak.
Give me the Tigers in a thrilling Win!
Players to Watch
Bluffton: Braxton Betancourt Senior Quarterback
Lakeland: Payton Cowley Senior OL/DL
Bluffton by 1
6-2 Bishop Luers @ 4-4 Homestead
This is THE game of the week in Northeast Indiana, and one that could have some drama with a SAC championship hanging in the balance.
Controversy aside with the schedule, Luers has beaten the teams they needed to beat within their schedule. With one more win tonight, that will put them all alone in SAC glory. But a Homestead win results in Luers likley having to share it with at least Snider.
If the Knights can slow down that sly Fox (cough) I mean Fuchs, Luers could be in line for a dub. I was proven wrong before, and I’m not falling for it again this week. I’ll take Luers in a classic. I guess this is this week’s SuperSam “Upset Special”.
Players to Watch
Luers: Damium Jackson Senior Tight End/Defensive End
Homestead: Brett Fuchs Senior Running Back
Luers by 3
5-3 Wayne @ 7-1 Snider
The Generals enter this week on a 2-game winning streak but will have the tall task of stopping an elite Snider run-game with a lot of athletes in that frontline.
Snider has something to play for, and that’s for a possible share of an SAC title. If the game gets out of hand, Wayne may have to rest some guys as they prepare for Bishop Dwenger in sectionals.
I see Wayne competing with Snider early, but ultimately the Panthers are too much to handle.
Players to Watch
Wayne: Kimar Nelson Junior Running Back/Middle Linebacker
Snider: Brandon Logan Junior Safety
Snider by 20
6-2 Leo @ 5-3 DeKalb
With an NE8 title on the line, this is the best of the 3-title implicating games that will be played tonight. Despite DeKalb’s best efforts, I envision the Lions hanging on for a win.
Players to Watch
Leo: Brock Schott Junior Tight End/Defensive Back
DeKalb: Caden Pettis Senior Wide Receiver
Leo by 25
2-6 Norwell @ 5-3 Columbia City
Norwell is coming off a solid 27-6 win over Huntington North, while Columbia City has r been on a nosedive with straight losses. Something will have to give at the Birdcage. Defense will be the name of the game, and it’ll come down to which team is able to stop the run. I’ll take the Eagles to bounce back for their seniors.
Players to Watch
Norwell: Drew Graft Senior Quarterback/Safety
CC: Noah McDevitt Senior Outside Linebacker
Columbia City by 12
1-7 Angola @ 6-2 Eastside
The Blazers have been on a tear lately with wins in their last 5 games. They enter sectionals with a conference championship and playing at a championship mentality. But they know not to look past this Angola team. This is a major trap game that could catch Eastside if they don’t play their best football.
That being said, I’ll take the Blazers winning in what will be a closer game than what people think.
Players to Watch
Angola: Lane King Senior Tight End (Committed to Ball State)
Eastside: Linkin Carter Sophomore Running Back
Eastside by 7
3-5 Bishop Dwenger @ 0-8 Concordia
Returning to their old homage on Friday nights, Bishop Dwenger really needs this win in every way possible as they hope to get things right for the playoffs that start next week. Wayne will be there waiting for them at Shields Field.
But the Saints don’t want the Cadets to spoil their fortune. Give me the Saints to finish the regular season on a high note.
Players to Watch
Dwenger: Caleb Lehman senior Wide Receiver
Concordia: Carter Ripke Senior Wide Receiver/DL
Dwenger by 30
3-5 North Side @ 6-2 Carroll
This is the Legends’ last game before their 2-week recess as they not only play in 5A but they got an automatic bye into the sectional championship game.
This is an opportunity for the Legends to experiment and try some things before playing likely Snider in a championship atmosphere. But Carroll is one tough cookie to do such that. The Chargers still have something to play for and that’s for a possible share of an SAC championship.
I have the Chargers winning big
Players to Watch
North Side: Maalik Moore Freshman Wide Receiver
Carroll: Jaidon VanPelt Sophomore Wide Receiver
Carroll by 28
2-6 Churubusco @ 4-4 Fairfield
The Battle of the Birds will be played in Benton up in Goshen as both teams look to enter sectionals on a high note. Busco gets the dubious honor of drawing a red hot Bishop Luers team in Class 2A 35, while Fairfield draws Jimtown in Class 3A 26.
Busco had a rough week 8 game against West Noble as they look to get back to the basics, while Fairfield wants a better showing after losing 33-7 to Lakeland and allowing 274 yards rushing.
It won’t be anything pretty, but I look for Fairfield’s Wishbone offense to get back on track and roll in this one on Senior night.
Players to Watch
Busco: Gavin Huelsenbeck Senior Tight End/Linebacker
Fairfield: Ethan Hostetler Senior OL/DL
Fairfield by 24
3-5 Garrett @ 3-5 Central Noble
With rain likley to play a role in this game, it will be far more difficult to throw the football in these conditions. Which also means Central Noble is going to have to be able to run the ball more. They have the guys to do that with Brody Morgan at quarterback and Devin Hiestand as their top running back. But with a young offensive line, they have not been able to find that production on a consistent basis all season long.
That could be problematic against a Garrett team that’s looking to get that bad taste out of their mouth following a tough 18-13 loss to Angola. If the Cougars are unable to move the chains and establish a solid spread offense against the rain and Garrett’s physical defensive line, it could smell double trouble for the Cougars. I see Garrett feeding the beast tonight, and that beast is their power back Cam Ruble.
All I have left to say is ROLL BIG TRAIN
Players to Watch
Garrett: Parker Skelly Junior Wide Receiver/Free Safety
Central Noble: Brayden Kirchner Senior Tight End/Linebacker
Garrett by 18
