We are over a third of the way through the season, and that means it’s time to make picks on tonight’s games. Here are SuperSam’s Top 10 area football games for Week 4.
3-0 New Haven @ 2-1 Leo
This is easily one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, and this undoubtedly should be an extremely close game that may come down to the final waning moments of the game in the 4th quarter. The talent is there, the playmakers are there, but which team will have that one guy or several guys that make the big-time plays in the biggest of moments?? Click here to see my New Haven-Leo Preview.
I expect this game to be a war out there, and it should be a game filled with multiple heroic performances. This one feels different from last year. I don’t sense domination in this one. With that being said, though, this is still a very close game to pick. And while New Haven has really, really impressed me this last week, I still like Leo just a tad more. I’m dead serious this game should be a fun one. Give me the Purple Eaters!
Players to Watch
New Haven: James Hardy IV Senior Tight End/Linebacker
Leo: Kamden Zeisloft Senior Wide Receiver/Free Safety
Leo by 1
(1-2) Garrett @ (3-0) Lakeland
All eyes from the NECC are on Turtle Town between Eastside and Churubusco. But personally, I see a potential trap game up in LaGrange. Now that the Big Train has a boost of confidence under their belt, how can they translate that to having a shot at upsetting Lakeland?
I think Garrett competes early, but in the end this Lakeland team is no pretender. They’re legit.
Players to Watch
Garrett Calder Hefty Junior Quarterback/Defensive End
Lakeland Sean Conley Sophomore Running Back
Lakeland by 16
(1-2) Eastside @ (0-3) Churubusco
This is for the Small School Division title for my money, and I know it’s hard to take that seriously when it’s only Week 4. But SuperSam doesn’t feel anything super special about this division. Can the Blazers get their offensive execution back to where they’re capable of? Can Busco simply play better football?
I know Busco plays hard, and they definitely need a win coming off their worst start since 2003. However, I think the Blazer Way finds daylight and escapes Busco deep into the night.
Players to Watch
Eastside: Joey Eck Senior OL/DL
Busco: Gavin Huelsenbeck Senior Tight End/Middle Linebakcer
Eastside by 10
(3-0) Heritage vs (2-1) South Adams @ Adams Central
Can lightning strike twice for the Fighting Kolkman’s versus the West Coast offense in South Adams? Last year Heritage had a thrilling comeback win to take down the Starfires. Now they’ll come into this matchup as the favorites on paper. With the Pats expecting to get healthy in this game, what can we expect from Kobe Meyer and this offense?
South Adams had a rough week @ Bluffton, and you have to hope they will have the manpower and resilience to slow down this dangerous Patriots squad. I think this game stays closer than expected, but I have Heritage continuing their winning ways.
Players to Watch
Heritage: Charlie Riddle Junior OL/DL
South Adams: Colton Bollenbacher Senior Running Back/Defensive Back
Heritage by 4
(0-3) Angola @ (3-0) West Noble
Hornets have speed, but that speed is going to run into a wall in Ligonier. West Noble storms through this one in a revenge game.
Players to Watch
Angola: Hawk Hasselman Sophomore Quarterback
West Noble: McKale Bottles Sophomore Tight End/Outside Linebacker
Los Caballos Grandes by 12
(0-3) Prairie Heights @ (0-3) Central Noble
It’s been a tough first three weeks for these two teams. But I can fully guarantee that someone will be a winner in Albion.
Call me crazy, but ‘We the Heights’, I’m just not so nice this time. I know this Central Noble team has frustrated me way too many times to do this, but they can’t be losers every game. Right?
Brody Morgan, Tysen Deck, Brayden Kirchner, Tyler Shisler, and Devin Hiestand. There’s more than enough talent to at least win some games…right??
Remember, last year, this was the game that Tysen Deck went off in Brushy Prairie. All Hands on Deck, folks, because if my superhero intelligence is as strong as I say it is, then it’s time to MEET and GREET with Drew Pliett.
Central Noble, don’t fail me now!!
Players to Watch
PH: Kris Levitz Junior OL/DL
CN: Drew Pliett Senior Wide Receiver
Cougars by 16
(3-0) Adams Central @ (3-0) Jay County
For the first time since 1985, Jay County is 3-0 in football. Who saw that coming? What’s not the first time is Adams Central dominating their first three games.
Sorry, Jay County, I’m not here to break your heart, but I have the Jets rolling, rolling, and rolling.
Players to Watch
AC: Ryan Tester Senior Running Back/Outside Linebacker
Jay County: Sean Bailey Junior Quarterback
J-E-T-S JETS by 28
(2-1) Fairfield @ (2-1) Culver Academies
Sources tell me that the Eagles can throw the football. Sources tell me that Fairfield has their hands full against CMA. Sources also tell me that SuperSam has beef with a team that resembles the same name as Culver’s….ok, that last part is actually not true.
So, I’m supposed to be boring and just take CMA because it’s CMA. As Lee Corso always says, NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!
Fairfield needs to have momentum heading into divisional play, and now they have the depth and athleticism to establish a frontline capable of frustrating the Eagles.
I have an upset special! FEAR THE WISHBONE!!!!
Fairfield: Brecken Maran Junior Running Back
CMA: Michael McColgan Sophomore Quarterback
Fairfield by 1 in OT
(0-3) North Side @ (0-3) Concordia
Ok, I was going to talk about an SAC team at some point, and this game has some intrigue that no one talks enough about. While Concordia has a bright future, the Legends need wins, and it’s no better way to do it than to debut divisional play with a win.
Players to Watch
North Side: Josh Masasu Junior Middle Linebacker
Concordia: Avery Cook Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Don’t worry, I have We the North picking up their first win of the season!
Legends by 8
(1-2) Bishop Luers @ (2-1) Wayne
Luers looked much better in Week 3 at Northrop. Wayne looked….pedestrian against Homestead. Something has to give? Can the young athletes at Luers find a way to score enough points to outwork the evil scientist Sherwood Haydock and Wayne’s lethal offense.
I have some bad news for Luers’ fans. While I thin this game has the upbeat of an exciting game, I see a huge bounce back from Wayne.
I’m in there like swimwear!
Players to Watch
Luers: Mickey Daring Senior Running Back/Middle Linebacker
Wayne: Darrion Alexander Senior Defensive End
Wayne by 4
