The Sideline Swami’s Week 11 Sectional Picks

Boy, was I ever so close to hitting last week’s Upset Special when the Churubusco Eagles were leading favored Southwood in the second half of their Class 1A sectional opener last Friday night. But when area-rushing leader Jake Fulk went down with an injury, so too did Busco’s upset bid. And, subsequently, so too did the Swami’s epic prediction. No worries, folks, there were plenty of other slam dunks from yours truly, including seven games within just a few points of the final margin. Frightening? Oh, you know it. My ghoulish picks should be even more ghastly on the eve of All Soul’s Day. Win tonight, your postseason life is extended by another week. Lose tonight, and you’ll be reserving your ticket to the cemetery. … For the first time all season the Swami Scale remained unchanged over the previous week’s offering. Partly because our 6A and 5A squads were idle, but also partly because the remaining teams took care of bitness. This week, however, there’s bound to be some serious movement. … There are several intriguing clashes tonight with a handful of rematches taking centerstage: Carroll (6-3) at Snider (7-2), Bishop Dwenger (8-1) at North Side (4-5) and DeKalb (8-2) at East Noble (10-0). I’ve also got my eyeballs on a trio of parochial powers against public-school upstarts: Bishop Luers (3-7) at Eastside (8-2), Mishawaka Marian (9-1) at West Noble (10-0) and Norwell (5-5) at Concordia (5-5). Enjoy, everyone!

THE SWAMI SCALE

1. HOMESTEAD (9-0): The Spartans landed eight players on the All-SAC first team, and deservedly so. More individual accolades to come, but Homestead is hoping for a lengthy 6A trek. It starts tonight.
2. BISHOP DWENGER (8-1): Dwenger had a week off to tweak some things on offense, while also getting a few key contributors healthier for a lengthy tournament run. Saints are loaded with talent.
3. SNIDER (7-2): These Panthers would love nothing more than to have a rematch next week vs. unbeaten Homestead. But first, they must get past a more-than-capable Carroll club.
4. EAST NOBLE (10-0): The boys from Kendallville have taken a business-like approach all season, and tonight’s clash vs. rival DeKalb shouldn’t change any of that. Just be patient, Knights.
5. SOUTH ADAMS (10-0): Sure, I’ve been all over the Starfires this season; what soothsaying swami wouldn’t be? But this game sure feels like it might be closer than the regular-season clash.
6. WEST NOBLE (10-0): Coach Monte deserves Coach of the Year consideration for leading his pythons on such a magical run this season. Unfortunately, I believe the magic runs out tonight.
7. CARROLL (6-3): The Chargers have the talent and the belief that they’ll be playing football for another week, but it only happens if super soph Jeff Becker has a monster game. Monster mash?
8. LEO (9-1): The Swami brought a stack of B. Antonio’s pizzas out to Leo-Cedarville earlier this week. That should translate into good karma for the Lions; BA pizza usually means a dub on Friday night.
9. CONCORDIA (5-5): Speaking of BA pizza karma, the Cadets overcame their biggest sectional challenge last Friday after consuming about 20 large pizzas from the Swami. Just saying.
10. EASTSIDE (8-2): The Blazers have never won a sectional championship. Let me repeat: the Blazers have never won a sectional championship. To do so, they must go through perennial power BL.

FEATURED MATCHUPS

Class 6A – Carroll at Snider: A rematch of the Panthers’ 21-20 Week 2 victory, this one feels like a Snider swan song. If Carroll can move chains, the Chargers have a shot. Swami says: Snider by 10

Class 5A – Bishop Dwenger at North Side: Which Saints team shows up? If the Legends complete some passes, they’ll hang around for awhile. Swami says: Dwenger by 27

Class 4A – DeKalb at East Noble: The Knights annihilated the Barons in Waterloo midway through the regular season. I’m expecting a similar result tonight. Swami says: East Noble by 24

Class 3A – Mish. Marian at West Noble: The Chargers can pull off the upset with a huge rushing performance by senior RB Brandon Pruitt. I’m talking 200 yards or more. Swami says Marian by 14

Class 2A – Bishop Luers at Eastside: The Knights are surging at just the right time and should be considered favorites in Butler. Why not? The Upset Special. Swami says Eastside by 3

Class 1A – Monroe Central at South Adams: Starlight, star bright, first star MC sees tonight will be Drew Stutzman streaking down the sideline. Starfires shine early and often. Swami says South Adams by 27

THE UNDERCARD

Homestead at Noblesville: Sparty’s blue-ring quest begins tonight. Swami says: Homestead by 23

Northrop at Goshen: Bruins revile the Redhawks in a rousing rout. Swami says: Northrop by 25

NorthWood at Leo: Lions seize late-rally conquest at home. Swami says: Leo by 1

Mississinewa at Hunt. North: Funky bunch from Ole Miss prevails. Swami says: Mississinewa by 27

Marion at New Haven: Bulldogs have won 5 of their last 6 games. Swami says: Marion by 16

Norwell at Concordia: This one could be close in the third quarter. Swami says: Concordia by 18

Heritage at Peru: Tigers tame Tigulis’ tribe tonight in Circus City. Swami says: Peru by 24

Prairie Heights at Fairfield: Falcons flying high after last week’s dub. Swami says: Fairfield by 21

North Miami at Adams Central: Warriors need a strong start in Monroe. Swami says: Adams Central by 28

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