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2023 Sideline Swami’s Week 11 Sectional Picks

THE SWAMI SCALE

  1. SNIDER (8-1): The Panthers stay atop Mount Swami upon completion of the 2023 regular season.
  2. CARROLL (7-2): Chargy chasing a repeat trip to LOS (Lucas Oil Stadium — NOT line of scrimmage).
  3. HOMESTEAD (5-4): Sparty remains in the three-hole after surviving Bishop Luers in Week 9. Whew!
  4. LEO (8-2): Leo beat South Side by 42 points (as Yours Truly predicted) a week ago. A nice tuneup.
  5. EAST NOBLE (8-2): These Knights are playing as well as anybody, locally speaking. Tonight is huge.
  6. BISHOP LUERS (7-3): These Knights nearly were known as the biggest playoff-upset victims ever.
  7. ADAMS CENTRAL (10-0): Another week, another blowout win for AC. Time to install some tricks.
  8. BISHOP DWENGER (5-5): The Saints switch places with Wayne after last week’s comeback victory.
  9. BLUFFTON (8-2): The Tigers feasted on some B. Antonio’s this past Monday for their W over Alexis.
  10. WEST NOBLE (10-0): As the Swami predicted, WN beat Jesus’ mom by a field goal last week. Nice!

CLASS 6A (SECTIONAL 2)

CARROLL (7-2) at WARSAW (8-1): If the Chargers get down early in this one, it will be a dogfight with the Tigers for a full 48 minutes. My crystal balls are seeing a couple TD tosses from Jimmy Sullivan to Hansen Haffner as the difference for Carroll.

SWAMI SAYS: Carroll by 14

CLASS 6A (SECTIONAL 3)

FISHERS (6-3) at HOMESTEAD (5-4): The host Spartans know they can match up just fine with a 6A heavyweight (see their Week 1 loss to massive Carmel for proof). That said, the traveling Tigers play an exclusively 6A schedule and have six wins to show for it

SWAMI SAYS: Fishers by 17

HAMILT0N SE (7-2) at NORTHROP (1-8): Northrop got a difficult draw and will need a minor miracle to pull off an upset tonight at Spuller Stadium. The Bruins have dropped 18 of their last 19 postseason games, so recent history certainly isn’t on their side.

SWAMI SAYS: Hamilton SE by 42

CLASS 6A (SECTIONAL 5)

BROWNSBURG (9-0) at  BEN DAVIS (8-1): Arguably the two best teams statewide square off in this sectional opener; unfortunately, one of them is starting basketball season on Saturday. I’m going with the Giants in a nail-biter at home. BD by a FG.

SWAMI SAYS: Ben Davis by 3

CLASS 5A (SECTIONAL 12)

ANDERSON (2-7) at SNIDER (8-1): The Panthers will put this one away by halftime with another strong rushing performance, plus some touchdowns from their defense and special-teams units. Snider’s JV guys will take the baton for a running-clock second half.

SWAMI SAYS: Snider by 49

CLASS 5A (SECTIONAL 15)

BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (8-1) at BLOOMINGTON NORTH (9-0): When the Swami worked at the Bloomington H-T, South reigned supreme in this series. The Cougs won in Week 5, 25-24 in OT. I’m smelling some payback for the visiting Panthers, Rex Kirts style.

SWAMI SAYS: Bloomington South by 5

CLASS 4A (SECTIONAL 19)

BISHOP DWENGER (5-5) at DEKALB (6-4): Will the Barons have athletic QB Aaden Lytle available? The talented senior signal-caller has been dinged up in recent weeks and was listed as “questionable” for tonight’s tilt in Waterloo. He’s a difference-maker.

SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 14

EAST NOBLE (8-2) at LEO (8-2): The rematch from Week 5 – which was won by the Lions in Kendallville, 14-7 – has all of the earmarks of an Instant Classic. Leo probably should be considered the favorite at home, but I’m taking the Knights by a FG late.

SWAMI SAYS: East Noble by 3

CLASS 4A (SECTIONAL 20)

MISSISSINEWA (10-0) at COLUMBIA CITY (6-4): CC got back on the winning track last week at HN, but it wasn’t exactly a resounding performance by the Eagles. The last time Ole Miss was 10-0, they got beach-slapped by Bishop Dwenger 56-2 in ’16.

SWAMI SAYS: Ole Miss by 7

CLASS 4A (SECTIONAL 22)

GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (9-1) at NEW PALESTINE (8-2): The host Dragons have won eight straight after starting 0-2, while the Cougars are hoping to avenge their Week 6 setback to coach Ralph’s rough-housers. I’m taking the Dragons by two scores here.

SWAMI SAYS: New Palestine by 12

CLASS 3A (SECTIONAL 26)

FAIRFIELD (6-4) at JOHN GLENN (6-4): This one appears to be a low-scoring, back-and-forth affair with the last team possessing the ball winding up victorious. For my money, I’m going with the Falcons. JK – they’re both Falcons. Let’s go, Fighting Thackers!

SWAMI SAYS: John Glenn by 6

WEST NOBLE (10-0) at KNOX (10-0): This is the lone matchup statewide this week of unbeaten teams, making it even more compelling. You know Russ Radtke’s Redskins will be juiced up for this one. Are Monte’s men on a mission from Gawd? 

SWAMI SAYS: Knox by 14

CLASS 3A (SECTIONAL 27)

GARRETT (5-5) at HERITAGE (9-1): The Patriots have been businesslike all season long. Now, any chance Kolk’s crew overlooks DePew’s dudes? By the way, Heritage grad Andrew Saalfrank – a former Indiana Ram – is going to the World Series. Just saying.

SWAMI SAYS: Heritage by 22

CLASS 3A (SECTIONAL 28)

INDY CHATARD (10-0) at GUERIN CATHOLIC (8-2): This is a rematch from Week 6 when the Trojans tamed the Golden Eagles at their place, 13-7. I’d love to call an Upset Special here for GC, but I’m just not seeing it. Give me Chatard by two touchdowns.

SWAMI SAYS: Indy Chatard by 13

CLASS 2A (SECTIONAL 35)

EASTSIDE (7-3) at BISHOP LUERS (7-3): Presumably, the Knights got that proverbial “wake-up call” last week in Turtletown. Tonight, we’ll find out if last Friday vs. Busco was an aberration, or a precursor to a disappointing end. My money’s on Luers.

SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 17

CENTRAL NOBLE (4-6) at MANCHESTER (4-6): CN senior RB Dev Heistand rushed for 133 yards and two TDs last week for the Cougars. I’m envisioning another strong night for the hard-running ball-carrier, as the Middlemen of Nobility advance to the title tilt.

SWAMI SAYS: Central Noble by 7

CLASS 2A (SECTIONAL 36)

EASTBROOK (7-3) at BLUFFTON (8-2): The Tigers took care of business last week at Alexandria and even though the Panthers have tradition on their side, coach Adamson’s 2023 squad isn’t as strong as recent past. Bluffton bigly in this catfight. Yuge!

SWAMI SAYS: Bluffton by 21

CLASS 2A (SECTIONAL 37)

GREENCASTLE (8-2) at LINTON-STOCKTON (9-1): The host Miners’ lone loss came in Week 3 at 3A Monrovia, 27-26 in OT. Greencastle has won eight straight after starting 0-2. But with a nickname of Tiger Cubs, GC deserves to lose. That’s how I roll.

SWAMI SAYS: Linton-Stockton by 14

CLASS 1A (SECTIONAL 44)

ADAMS CENTRAL (10-0) at SOUTHWOOD (5-5): Adams Central hasn’t been covering the spread much this season. Either coach Mosser is getting soft in his old age, or the Swami’s crystal balls need a good polishing. Tonight, I like the Flying Jets by a bundle.

SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 41

CLASS 1A (SECTIONAL 47)

INDY LUTHERAN (8-0) at SOUTH PUTNAM (9-1): This Indy Lutheran team is a machine and will coast to a big halftime lead. My CBs are seeing a late score by the host Eagles, but too little too late. The Saints go marching toward their 13th straight playoff win.

SWAMI SAYS: Indy Lutheran by 31

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