GameNight
Week 14: Northeast Indiana GameNight | Game Picks
I went undefeated last week with my picks, including three margins of victory within a single score (Carroll, Adams Central and South Adams). The ol’ crystal balls are producing some serious sorcery, which has me concerned for this week’s slate of games. I’m picking four of our five local entrants to go down in the semistate round, which has me feeling a little bit downtrodden. This is definitely one week where I don’t want to be right. So, I’m challenging all four – Carroll, Bishop Luers, Adams Central and South Adams – to silence me with their play on Friday night. Let’s get all five local teams to state! The GameNight gang is pulling for you!
CLASS 6A
WESTFIELD (10-2) at CARROLL (9-3): The host Chargers have seen Indy-tough foes before, including earlier this year to open up the season. Westfield’s “D,” however, is legit dynamite.
SWAMI SAYS: Westfield by 11
WARREN CENTRAL (8-4) at BROWNSBURG (12-0): The Warriors are this year’s Cinderella, but the glass shoe shatters Friday against the Bulldogs as the defending champs lay the wood.
SWAMI SAYS: Brownsburg by 24
CLASS 5A
CONCORD (11-1) at MERRILLVILLE (10-2): The Minutemen needed a couple late-game miracles to prevail a week ago. The Pirates, meanwhile, have been big-time bullies in recent weeks.
SWAMI SAYS: Merrillville 9
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (11-1) at NEW PALESTINE (12-0): Coach Ralph’s Dragons are in familiar territory, while the Panthers seek their first state-title appearance in 27 years. New Pal is better.
SWAMI SAYS: New Palestine by 16
CLASS 4A
SB ST. JOSEPH (12-1) at BISHOP DWENGER (11-2): Jesus’ dad is no match for this BD defense, despite the Saints giving up a season-most 27 points last week. For the record: Jesus’ dad rocks!
SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 15
HERITAGE HILLS (12-1) at INDY RONCALLI (10-3): The Royals were especially rebellious in recent weeks, leaving me to believe that Roncalli will prevail with relative ease Friday night.
SWAMI SAYS: Roncalli by 14
CLASS 3A
KNOX (13-0) at BISHOP LUERS (8-5): Will Knox RB Myles McLaughlin churn toward prep-football immortality? Or will the ghosts of Luersfield rise up and write their own fairytale ending? Buckle up!
SWAMI SAYS: Knox by 2
GIBSON SOUTHERN (12-1) at CASCADE (13-0): The Titans will have their clocks (and dishes) cleaned by Cascade, as the Cadets get a couple key plays late to win their first-ever semistate.
SWAMI SAYS: Cascade by 5
CLASS 2A
ADAMS CENTRAL (13-0) at ANDREAN (11-1): The Flying Jets won 20-13 at Andrean last season, so they’re not overwhelmed by a trip to the region. That said, this Andrean team is a year wiser.
SWAMI SAYS: Andrean by 3
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (13-0) at LAPEL (13-0): Someone’s undefeated dream season ends Friday night as this one goes down to the wire. Give me the Bulldogs for playing at home.
SWAMI SAYS: Lapel by 1
CLASS 1A
PIONEER (12-1) at SOUTH ADAMS (10-3): The Starfires get a slight edge for playing this game in Berne, but I’m a little reticent right now after seeing Friday night’s soggy forecast. Panthers prevail.
SWAMI SAYS: Pioneer by 12
SOUTH PUTNAM (11-2) at MILAN (7-4): If Bobby Plump or Jimmy Chitwood were suiting up for the Indians, I’d be going with the home folks. Instead, give me the Eagles by two touchdowns.
SWAMI SAYS: South Putnam by 13
OnCampus
Syracuse at Notre Dame: The Irish are playing as well as anybody in the country right now.
SWAMI SAYS: Notre Dame by 35
Ball State at Toledo: Two teams going in opposite directions. I like the Rockets at home.
SWAMI SAYS: Toledo by 27
USC at Oregon: An old Pacific Coast rivalry resumes with CFP implications. Quack, quack!
SWAMI SAYS: Oregon by 10
Evangel at USF: Some NAIA action here in The Fort as coach Sherm makes his playoff debut.
SWAMI SAYS: Saint Francis by 6
