Football
SuperSam Area Football Sectional Championship Picks (2024 Edition)
SuperSam projects all of the area football sectional championship games.
1A 44
South Adams (6-5) @ Madison-Grant (10-1)
MG is one of the top teams in all of Indiana in Class 1A. This team is going to run the football effectively, and has one of the state’s best frontlines in the state. South Adams needed a historic 25-point comeback to beat Tri 43-32. If the Starfires are going to win this sectional, they must get off to a better start and find success throwing the football. Otherwise, I think MG wins in a landslide.
Madison-Grant by 28
2A 35
Adams Central (10-1) @ Eastside (6-5)
It’s been a nice little run for the Blazers who have had Job Richman perform exceptionally well in his team’s wins over Whitko and Prairie Heights. That likely comes to an end tonight against Adams Central’s Wing-T offense led by the backfield duo of Aaron Hirschy and Matt Heiser.
J-E-T-S JETS by 30
3A 28
Mississinewa (11-0) @ Bishop Luers (7-4)
On paper, Luers has the talent and the defense to win this sectional. The questions will be: can they be disciplined and take care of the football? If they can play a clean game, Luers will win. If they don’t, Ole Miss will be a threat to end their title defense.
Bishop Luers by 3 in a SuperSam Upset Special
3A 26
Garrett (11-0) @ West Noble (10-1)
To me, this is the Game of the Week in this area. The first time these two teams met came in Week 6 when Garrett won on the road 17-6. On paper, these two teams match up very well. But the x-factors will bode down to quarterback play and which team is able to convert in the red zone.
In Week 6, Garrett performed well moving the ball and with their red zone defense. Can they hold Seth Pruitt in check? I don’t think it happens again, but I still like the Garrett Railroaders to win this sectional for the first time since 2016.
Roll Big Train! Garrett by 1
4A 20
Huntington North (8-3) @ Lebanon (9-2)
This is one of the most unpredictable matchups that we have in store from this area. On one hand, you have a Huntington North offense that has shown the ability to spread the football, whether it’s in the air or on the ground. On the other hand, you have this tremendous story from Lebanon who has seen a 4-win improvement. You have two teams that have tremendously improved filled with a battle-tested schedule, and the ability to win in any which way.
The key tonight bodes down to the quarterbacks. Tony Decker of Huntington North or Jackson Folden of Lebanon. Folden has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 33 passing TD’s. It’s going to be close with the possibility for some fireworks. However, I think home field matters in this case, to which I am leaning towards Lebanon.
Lebanon by 3
4A 19
East Noble (10-1) @ Bishop Dwenger (6-5)
Don’t let Dwenger’s record fool you. This is going to be a tight contest at Shields’ Field. Both teams have a strong defense with good quarterback play and have shown the ability to run the football. This will come down to whether each team is able to move the ball and which team can limit the turnovers. More importantly, can East Noble’s offense find success against an SAC caliber defense? That’s the one aspect in Dwenger’s favor on paper.
However, I think East Noble does just enough to squeak their way to a sectional championship for the first time since 2020.
East Noble by 3
6A 2
Snider (8-2) @ Carroll (8-2)
On paper, this game could be close. After all, it’s had tremendous victories in the past. With that being said however, this is not the Snider team from 2023, and the uncertainty surrounding the status of Brandon Logan is a concern. If he’s not on the field, Carroll wins big. I really like what Carroll has done this season surrounding the play of Jimmy Sullivan at quarterback, and I see them getting back to regionals.
Carroll by 14
