SuperSam is back with more predictions for the best games in the 260 for this week’s matchups. Last week went pretty well for the astute football mind from the Planet Krypton. SuperSam went 8-2 in these games, with 7 of these games easily surpassing the spread. Now, let’s see if we can have an even better week.
2-0 DeKalb @ 2-0 New Haven
This is one of the best games from the 260 tonight. In a rematch from last year’s sectional, we have one of the most anticipated games in sometime between these two longtime rivals. I will save a lot of the details on this game for the Game of the Week preview. But the Barons have not beaten New Haven in consecutive meetings since 2008. These are two very talented offenses led by two talented frontlines.
The key question is which one can contain the other’s athleticism? Can DeKalb guard Mylan Graham, Ajani Washington, and Tre Bates? Can the New Haven defense find a way to tackle against this excellent DeKalb O-Line? Who will be the better QB? Donavan Williams or Aaden Lytle? Watch out for that Caden Pettis at wide receiver for the Barons.
Everyone has their eyes on the Dawgs, with eyes on the prize…
Not so fast my friend!! There is something special about these Barons that screams 2019, and maybe even better than that. I smell an upset at John Young Stadium. Call me crazy but give me the Barons in an UPSET SPECIAL!!
Players to Watch
DeKalb: Brady Culler
New Haven: Mason Knoch
DeKalb by 3
2-0 South Adams @ 2-0 Bluffton
Some might argue this is the Game of the Week in Northeast Indiana. With the start of ACAC play, however, all eyes are on this game. The Starfires with the West Coast offense led by quarterback Owen Wanner has been dominant on defense so far this season. Holding teams to 3 combined points so far, this South Adams team will have their hands full against Bluffton. This Tigers’ team is looking for their first 3-0 start since 1982. But to do that, they will need to beat SA for the first time since 2015.
Something is special about Bluffton, and they have had to play the first two weeks without Khamel Moore. This team can throw the football, they can pound the ball, they can tackle, they can block, and they have playmakers everywhere. This team is as scary if not scarier than last year.
This is a fantastic game on paper, but I love the Tigers in front of their home fans. The Fighting Kunkel’s will prevail.
Players to Watch
SA: Owen Wanner
Bluffton: Cooper Craig
Bluffton by 7
2-0 West Noble @ 1-1 Eastside
This is undoubtedly the most interesting game out of the NECC. Last year, Eastside came in as the heavy favorites only to lose to West Noble in OT. Now can the Blazers return the favor? I will save a lot of these thoughts for the preview.
But this is the Pistol Spread vs the Power Spread. You have a team that can throw and run the ball with speed against a team that pounds the ball and wants to dominate opponents physically. Both teams want to be better than they were in Week 2. The question will be which team can pound the ball, and which team wins the War of Attrition?
Players To Watch
WN: Seth Pruitt
Eastside: Dane Sebert
My Pick: I have West Noble. The Chargers by 12
0-2 Homestead @ 2-0 Wayne
It is a tale of two teams that will play each other at Wayne Manor. The last time Wayne started a season 2-0, Ariana Grande’s top hit in 2014 was her singing she has one less problem. Well, I got news to share with you. The SAC has a problem on their hands as the evil mad scientist Sherwood Haydock has all kinds of tricks up his sleeve, including the most dangerous group of receivers in the 260, and Whoa Nelly! Another stud running back.
Can Wayne get enough stops on defense? Wayne has not beaten Homestead since 1992. Sparty has not started a season 0-3 since way back in 1975, when they were in the ACAC. Dead serious. Both teams have a lot of nice players that can make big plays, but obviously it will come down to which team can actually make enough plays on defense.
It’s about to be a War tonight, but WAYNE comes out victorious.
Players to Watch
Homestead: Michael White
Wayne: Harold Mack
Wayne by 6
0-2 North Side @ 0-2 Bishop Dwenger
Do you happen to know the last time North Side won 8 or more games in one season only to start the following season 0-3? Your guess is good as mine because it has NEVER happened before up to this point. That is the situation the Legends are facing right now.
Bishop Dwenger, coming off their worst loss in program history at Cincinnati Moeller (57-0), is winless through two games for the first time since 1977. The only other time that has happened came in 1969. We’re talking seasons that you need to find a old yearbook and an encyclopedia to figure out what happened nearly 55 years ago. And now Dwenger hopes to avoid losing to North in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2012.
Keep in mind that North Side has only won at Dwenger twice in the last 30 years combined. Tae Tae has a 50-50 chance of playing this game. This is a must win game for the Legends. Hot Take Alert! I predict that not only does Tae Tae Johnson play in this game, but he has an immediate impact with at least one TD Catch. A team will rise from the ashes tonight, and that team resembles its name.
Players to Watch
North Side: Josh Masasu
Dwenger: Caleb Lehrman
WE THE NORTH by 1
1-1 John Glenn @ 0-2 Angola
Home Sweet Home for the Angola Hornets as they entertain the John Glenn Falcons out of the NIC. It’s two teams that will run the football, especially with Angola’s Pistol Option.
The question will be can the Hornets slow down the Falcons’ backfield? Because on paper, Angola has the edge with the big-time athletes and some talent, despite graduation really taking a toll on this defense.
As they say, speed Kills. What do Angry Hornets do? They sting hard! The difference John Glenn has from Angola, they don’t have Lane King, and they don’t have Hawk Hasselman.
Players to Watch
Glenn: Mason Kobelt
Angola: Coby Trick
Here comes the Hawk! Angola by 7
0-2 Bishop Luers @ 0-2 Northrop
Lions, Tigers, Blowout Losses, Bears, oh my! They say you are what the record tells you, but I think that is an understatement when discussing these two teams. For Luers, they faced two of the better teams from the NE8, but they were outscored 81-14 combined. Zoinks! Even that makes Shaggy spooked. As for Northrop, it is not any better as they have been outscored 84-13.
Good news: One of these teams will get off the donut streak.
Bad News: One of these teams will still be winless.
Northrop is looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2014. As for Luers, you have to go back to 2013 since the last time Luers lost their first 3 games.
Players to Watch
Luers: Kohen McKenzie
Northrop: Julante Hinton
Truth be told, I am one that believes in faith, and I have to think Luers will play their best game of the season.
Bishop Luers, don’t fail me now!!!
Luers by 4
1-1 Leo @ 0-2 Norwell
It’s amazing how last year was when Norwell won 27-0 at Leo. A lot has changed since 2022. But Leo is still the Big, Bad Lions. It’s a tough break for the hard-working Knights against a stacked Lions program. Leo eats well in this game.
Players to Watch
Leo: Kaden Hurst
Norwell: Trace Moser
Leo by 20
1-1 Woodlan @ 2-0 Heritage
The Patriots are 2-0 for the first time since 2006, but a trap game awaits them against a scrappy Woodlan team. This Woodlan team has some playmakers led by Drew Fleek and Braden Smith. But Heritage is 2-0 for a reason. They are senior-heavy, and they are a very good team. Kobe Meyer is ready to tell his teammates, Let’s Ride!
Players to Watch
Woodlan: Jayse Kuntz
Heritage: Kobe Meyer
Heritage by 14
2-0 Jay County @ 1-1 Southern Wells
The last time Jay County had a football team start a season 3-0, Heart was the hottest hard rock band of 1985. Their top 2 hits of that year were: “What about Love” and “If Looks Could Kill”. On paper, 2-0 looks cool. 3-0 is about to be even cooler.
Ride on that winning streak!
Players to Watch
Jay County: AJ Myers
S. Wells: Bryar Gearheart
Jay County by 30
SuperSam’s opinions only represent those of SummitCitySports, and no one else. Not the Joker, not the Penguin, and certainly not the evil Lex Luthor!
