Welp ladies, and gents we have made it! Week one of the IHSAA High School Football Season is here and we now shift gears from our weekly College Prospect content while in season. I will be contributing a weekly game summation on the Northeast 8 conference. As well as a few film/scheme breakdowns with one little tidbit at the end of each of my summations. In week one I will be a little skeptical to see what all these teams have in their arsenal. So here we go!
New Haven vs. Marion: New Haven by 3
Mylan Graham and Co give the Bulldogs a dynamic edge. Just staying cautious as this is week one football.
Leo vs. Kokomo: Leo by 3
Again. Little precaution. New HC Jason Doerffler looks to marry the T formation to the spread. Will this work? Time will tell. But Leo has too many studs not to win regardless.
East Noble vs. Plymouth: EN by 10
The Knights may have some new faces but Coach Amstutz system is dialed in. Zander Brazel will be just fine. This will be a solid week one outing by the Knights.
Norwell vs. Ole Miss: Norwell by 5
I think this is going to be an interesting game. But as I pick Norwell to win the NE8, I must give them the edge here. In my opinion, no NE8 team plays as consistently in all three phases. The difference maker is Brody Bolyn on the line.
Huntington North vs. Eastbrook: Eastbrook by 7
I think this will be an improved Vikings team but I believe Eastbrook will outman and outmuscle HN.
Bellmont vs. Heritage: Heritage by 3
I still feel that although improved, the Braves are still a ways away from competing in the NE8.
Dekalb vs. Angola: Dekalb by 3
I think the Hornets will be an improved football team but the Barons could be a NE8 sleeper. Tegan Irk is the QB Hitlist top Prostyle QB in Indiana. He has weapons now. Can the defense rise to the occasion this season? We will see. But I take Dekalb here.
Busco vs. Columbia City: CC by 6
With a stud OLB like CC’s Josh Arntz one half of the midfield will be locked down. There will be flashes of Shearer and Fuller in CC skill positions. Depth will be the word of the day. Busco has plenty of QB talent and always come to play. But CC with the edge in depth here.
Scheme note for the week: Feathers will fly in the cross-county rivalry Busco vs. CC. As Coach Sade has made the Wing T famous in our neck of the woods, Coach Fox has brought his version of Warsaw Bart Curtis football to the NE8 with a modern twist. Power Flexbone, with passing. In my breakdown of Garrett at Columbia City’s scrimmage, the CC Eagles’ weak point was the backend and inside LB play on the defense. Can Busco QB Riley Buroff make CC pay via Gun T RPO plays? Can he ride the running back long enough to key a read and break down a big run outside? I think this is a great matchup in scheme with both teams running a heavy down offensive front vs athletic defense. CC basing out of a 4-man defensive front, Busco a 5-man front respectively. It will come down to the early game. Feeling each other out. And then the second half adjustments to close out.
The X Factor – Stratton Fuller
As CC moves the WR across or behind the face of the Busco linebackers he is easy to get lost in the backend. CC will use the looks they saw against Garrett here and hope to make Churubusco pay.
