The calm before the storm. Week 9 is exactly the type of feeling everyone is feeling right now. Yes, everyone wants to win tonight, but they know the bigger prize lies ahead. Just like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hyping up the DC fans for the upcoming Black Adam film, which will be in theaters a week from tonight, I am here to get you hyped up for tonight’s regular season finale games for the NECC.

Last week was not my best performance within the NECC as I only went 3-2 in Week 8, which puts my season record at 39-10. Let’s see how Week 9 has in store.

Week 9 NECC Predictions

NECC Game of the Week: 6-2 Eastside Blazers @ 6-2 Angola Hornets

For the first time in the rivalry’s history, we will have the two outright divisional champions squaring off to showcase who is statistically the best team in the NECC in 2022. This is a rivalry that in recent years has been won by the Burning Blazers.

When you look at the numbers, these two teams are in the top 3 in rushing offense and defense, and in the top 4 in overall defensive efficiency. Both teams have been battle-tested all year with quality opponents that have helped them reach to their best football of the season.

In quarterback, you have two multi-tooled athletes in Carsen Jacobs of Eastside and Tyler Call of Angola. Both teams have that one guy that can make the big plays when needed most in Dax Holman of Eastside and Andre Tagliaferri of Angola. Both teams have great defensive ends in Jake Land and Jack Archbold of Angola and Dackotia Reed of Eastside, and of course, we have to mention Ethan Miller and Braden Toigo in the secondary.

However, when looking at this matchup, I see the depth of Eastside’s defense to be the possible edge on paper. Briar Munsey, Dax Holman, Gage Spalding, Dackotia Reed, Dane Sebert, Josiah Eck, Brady Laub, Carsen Jacobs, Kolt Gerke, Carson Days, and Tobin Biddle. That’s a lot of tremendous athletes that can excel on both ends of the field, and this is the first time since the Chelsea game where Angola is going to be tested against the opponents’ depth of great athletes.

Looking at the stat-line for Angola, Andy Thomas’ Pistol Motion offense relies a lot on the ability to use their speed to run the football, and that comes through their O-Line. Most O-Lines struggle to block this Eastside defensive unit these days.

Angola’s passing game only averages 10.5 attempts per game to their 44.8 carries per game. If Angola is unable to move the football through their speed, it could put a lot of pressure on Call to make more of these downfield throws.

If the Hornets are not able to move the football and establish their speed, I like the Blazers in a defensive show fest.

For more in-depth coverage of this game, take a look at my preview on my ANEC Blog

Players to Watch:

Eastside: Carsen Jacobs Sr. QB/CB

Angola: Ethan Miller Sr. CB/RB

Eastside by 3

2-6 Central Noble Cougars @ 1-7 Garrett Railroaders

Congrats to Brody Morgan on throwing the most passing yards in a season in the 49-year history of Central Noble football. Now, if Drew Pliett (FLEET) makes two more catches, he will break Terry Dazey’s 47-year-old record, which is one of the two oldest records within the program.

However, CN is going into this game mentally and physically exhausted from their three-week schedule of doom with Lakeland, Busco, and Eastside. I am not sure if they will be able to effectively recover from those tough losses.

As for Garrett, they are playing some of the best football I can recall from a 1-7 team as they are moving the ball so well, and this offensive line might be able to exploit the recent struggles with CN’s offense and defense (to a degree). If Garrett can force some turnovers and grab an early lead, it could be goodnight for the fans in Maroon and Blue.

After all, basketball season is almost here, and the fans don’t want to be done with football just yet. Keep an eye on Robert Koskie in the backfield.

Players to Watch:

Central Noble: Drew Pliett Jr. WR/CB

Garrett: Jack O’Connor Sr. C/NG

Garrett by 14

5-3 Fairfield Falcons @ 6-2 Churubusco Eagles

The Bird Trophy game features the somewhat rejuvenated Wishbone Triple-Option vs the Busco Wing-T. It’s old-school football vs an evolved Busco tradition.

Fairfield’s offense can be deadly, but last I heard Busco’s offense has been scorching hot as of late…so hot that not even the Fire Department can extinguish these flames.

Last week, Riley Buroff was En Fuego! This week, I could see them revolve around the running game more with Wyatt Marks, whose been Johnny on the Spot! If they want to spread the offense, Cullen Blake and Gavin Huelsenbeck are excellent options. One thing’s for sure, and that’s Riley Buroff will throw that ball right on the DOTTY!

That’s not to mention that Busco’s defense hasn’t given up more than 19 points since Week 4 @ Eastside.

Players to Watch:

Fairfield: Carter Kitson Sr. QB/CB

Churubusco: Cullen Blake Sr. RB/DL

Busco by 21

3-5 Lakeland Lakers @ 4-4 Bluffton Tigers

Both teams enter tonight needing a win to gain some confidence heading into sectionals. Lakeland’s last two games have seen them competing but not winning those one-possession games. Brayden Holbrook is still throwing the ball well, but the running game has hit a wall.

Kham Malaivanh (Muh-Lay-Vaghn) has failed to reach 100 yards and score a touchdown at the same time for the first time this season. If Lakeland’s going to find success for the rest of 2022, they have to get Kham’s swagger back tonight in Wells County. In their last meeting against Bluffton, Lakeland ran for 135 yards, but Kham had just 14 yards on 11 carries in the 33-29 loss.

Bluffton is a junior-heavy team that plays a ton of juniors, and the future seems bright for Coach Kunkel. Bluffton’s rushing attack is one by committee averaging 165.8 rushing yards per game led by Anthony Cruz’s 726 yards on 120 carries and 5 TDs. However, Bluffton was held to just 27 yards in the 31-20 loss to Heritage, which was their worst rushing performance since they ran for -56 yards against South Adams on September 4, 2020. However, Bluffton has thrown for at least 172 yards in three of their last five games.

Since 2020, Bluffton is 1-4 when they fail to run for 100 yards. Since last season, Lakeland is 4-0 when they can hold teams below 100 yards rushing. Bluffton has the longest consecutive seasons with four or more wins in program history.

NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND

I have a gut feeling Lakeland goes into Bluffton field and steal a huge win.

Players to Watch

Lakeland: Kham Malaivanh Sr. RB/DL

Bluffton: Kayden King Sr. G/MLB

Lakeland by 1

6-2 West Noble Chargers @ 2-6 Prairie Heights Panthers

According to Joe Walburn, “We the Prairie” is now the new hashtag that needs to be trending on Twitter. For the Panthers, their publicity on social media has reached greater heights, and as a matter of fact, Joe Walburn is requesting a trademark to be made for “The Heights of Prairie”.

If their locker room doesn’t have a sign that says, “The Fighting McCrea’s”, they’re not having fun right now. However, give me the LOS CABALLOS GRANDES!!

Players to Watch

West Noble: Seth Pruitt So. RB/DL

Prairie Heights: Jaden Daniels Sr. WR/RB

West Noble by 30

2-6 Fremont Eagles @ 3-5 Lake Station Eagles

I once picked Fremont to win the Steuben County Brawl in Week 8 of the 2022 season. But then the Evil Knievel Daniels’ twins destroyed my prediction into oblivion. Lake Station has some nice players led by Peyton McIntosh throwing for 1,117 yards and running for 999 yards.

I know Fremont’s Eighth Grade team just won a NECC championship, but last I checked, one should never underestimate the power of Thomas A. Edison (Pun Intended).

Eureka!

Players to Watch

Fremont: Zak Pica Sr. QB

Lake Station: Peyton McIntosh Sr. QB/RB

Lake Station by 35

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