It’s time to predict the remaining area football sectional championship games. How many Fort Wayne area teams will get to play for a regional title one week from tonight? We are guaranteeing at least a couple.
It’s time for SuperSam to make the picks
Class 6A 2: #11 Warsaw (9-1) @ #8 Penn (9-1)
Series (1967): 12-1 Penn
The last time Warsaw took down Carroll in the playoffs, the Tigers went on to win their first ever sectional title against Penn.
Will they make it 2 in a row in this instance? For that to happen, however, Warsaw is going to have to snap Penn’s long shutout streak. The Kingsmen have not allowed a single point since the 4th quarter of their Week 7 road game against Mishawka Marian. That’s a total of 16 straight quarters of shutout football.
On top of the fact, this Kingsmen team averages nearly 30 points per game. If Bart Curtis’ defense can get stops, there’s always a chance, but I see Penn being too strong in this one.
Players to Watch:
Warsaw: Reed Zolinger Senior Running Back
Penn: Tommy Powlus Senior Outside Linebacker
Penn by 16
Class 5A 12: North Side (3-6) @ #2 Snider (9-1)
Series (1965): 56-16 Snider
Just like last season’s sectional championship, North Side will play for its first sectional championship since 1990. However, the Legends are coming off a 3-week break where they haven’t played sicken October 13.
With Tae Tae out, North Side will need others to step up. But Jamari Pearson has had strong performances in the past this season, especially at quarterback in recent days. They have size up front led by Josh Masasu and Da’Von Haney Jr.
Junior Tristen Newsome has 5 INT’s which gives North Side a potential challenge for Snider on paper. However, North has not been able to play consistent football and have struggled with adversity this season .
Snider is going to come into this game with the Russ Isaacs mentality of respecting North and expecting a dog fight. Yes, Uriah Buchanan is an elite running back and Ke’Ron Billingsley is a very good quarterback. But the success of Snider starts and ends with their frontline, especially on defense. This is the most balanced front line in the city and I think that will be shown tonight.
Players to Watch:
North: Jamari Pearson Junior Quarterback/Wide Receiver
Snider: Ethan Dodson Senior OL/DL
Snider by 14
Class 4A 19: Bishop Dwenger (6-5) @ #10 Leo (9-2)
Series (2011): 2-1 Bishop Dwenger
Leo looks to end the 12-year sectional title drought. This will come down to whether the Lions can play efficient and strong football on offense, defense, and special teams. If Leo’s defense comes up strong and the defense can avoid the turnover bug, I think they have a chance to win this game.
Dwenger is expected to battle and be right in this game to the end. But in the end, I see the Lions with the slight edge and snapping the sectional title drought.
Players to Watch:
Dwenger: Carter Minix Senior Wide Receiver/Running Back
Leo: Brock Schott Junior Tight End/Defensive End
Leo by 7
Class 3A 27: Delta (7-4) @ Garrett (6-5)
First Meeting
Last week, Garrett spoiled Heritage’s season thanks to an efficient run game and a strong physical defense. For Garrett to win this sectional tonight, they’ll have to be even better against a huge Delta frontline that has recorded over 36 sacks and averaging just under 300 yards rushing per game in the last 2 games.
But I said coming into the playoffs that this Garrett team is a dangerous one to play against, and while the challenge is steep momentum is on Garrett’s side.
Players to Watch:
Delta: Kaiden Bond Senior Running Back
Garrett: Calder Junior Quarterback/Defensive Back
Call me crazy, but here comes the SuperSam Upset Special! All I got to say is ROLL BIG TRAIN!
Garrett by 1
Class 2A 35: #7 Bishop Luers (8-3) @ Manchester (5-6)
Series (2000): 3-0 Luers
Manchester has their first 5-win season since 2009 and are playing in their first sectional championship game since 2007. I know Eddie Fields and his staff will make sure the team believes they can pull off a Herculean upset.
But last I checked; Bishop Luers is a Co-SAC champion for a reason. But they must play better than what we’ve seen lately. As Coach Lindsay informed me, they need to clean up with their blocking as that was the number one factor behind their issue with penalties vs Eastside. I expect Luers to not let this game inch any closer than what they’ve already been facing.
Players to Watch:
Luers: Isaac Zay Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Manchester: Logan Eastgate Junior Quarterback/Free Safety
Bishop Luers by 28
Class 2A 36: Eastern (Greentown) (9-2) @ #8 Bluffton (9-2)
Series (2009): Series Tied 1-1
This game has the potential to be a little wild, but I’m sure the Bluffton faithful would not want to hear that. However, this Comets team has some talent with a 1000–yard rusher, and a quarterback by the name if Eli Edwards with 2,362 passing yards on 67.3% completion and 27 TD’s. Edwards has only thrown for less than 200 yards twice all season long and 5 times in the last 2 seasons.
However, Eastern’s schedule is far less impressive than that of even Knox with the Hoosier North Athletic Conference. This Eastern did lose to Oak Hill early in the season, so it shows you how unpredictable this Comets team is.
But if Bluffton can play strong defense and get out to an early lead, I see the Tigers repeating as sectional champions.
Players to Watch:
Eastern: Eli Edwards Senior Quarterback
Bluffton: Ben Ramseyer Senior Cornerback/Wide Receiver
Bluffton by 21
Class 1A 44: #2 Adams Central (11-0) @ #13 Madison-Grant (8-3)
I like Madison-Grant a lot more if they’re in a sectional that does not have Adams Central. Bad news, you’re playing Adams Central. It is probably not going to be a good night for the Argylls.
Players to Watch:
AC: Keegan Bluhm Senior Running Back/Outside Linebacker
MG: Maverick Miller Senior Running Back/Defensive End
J-E-T-S JETS by 30
