SuperSam is back to make high school football predictions for the NECC. Week 1 tends to be the hardest to predict because our game notes are very reliant on what we know from last year, and what people are saying about these teams. Plus, this is always the honeymoon period of a brand-new season. We are getting acquainted with this season’s teams.
So, without further ado, let’s get into the picks.
Columbia City @ Churubusco
County rivalry games are the best sports have to offer when it comes to the gameday experience. Busco is one of the best places to see a game, and it’s my favorite place to see a football game. Rabid fanbase, blue-collar football, tremendous atmosphere, and we have to mention the pregame smoke show entrance.
Busco’s very young but clearly still has football talent with the Lawrence brothers and some seniors like Gavin Huelsenbeck. That said, numbers are not on their best side as Columbia City has the upper hand in talent (Stratton Fuller and then some), depth, and some experience. This game is really a measuring stick one for both teams. Let’s see what these two can do.
Players to Watch
CC: Landon Fazio Junior Running Back
Busco: Gavin Huelsenbeck Senior Tight End
Columbia City by 21
Eastside @ Woodlan
Woodlan is going to want to get some type of revenge from last year’s blowout loss to the Blazers (50-24). Both teams have some new and returning faces, so I am curious to see how the offense gels early on. While talent is very much there to score some points, this might quietly be a strong defensive showing as both teams have a lot of tough athletic kids.
The key is going to come down to who can stay the most conditioned, and who can make the big-time plays down the stretch. I expect this to be a one-score game. But in the end, Eastside finds a way to start 2023 1-0.
Players to Watch
Eastside: Dane Sebert Senior Guard/Defensive End
Woodlan: Braden Smith Senior Wide Receiver/Cornerback
Eastside by 4
Fremont @ Shenandoah
Fremont makes the two-hour drive on I-69 to Shenandoah where the Raiders run their own Wing-T offense. While the Raiders lost several guys to graduation, this is still an athletic team led junior running backs: Max Seaburn and Dylan Parsley.
Fremont is going to find out where they’re at on both ends of the floor, and I respect them for going out and test themselves. Unfortunately, Fremont will not start this year 1-0.
Players to Watch
Fremont: Gage Cope Senior Quarterback
Shenandoah: Max Seaburn Junior Running Back
Shenandoah by 30
Garrett @ Adams Central
Last season, Garrett lost this game by 50 points, which you rarely ever see a Garrett team can beat this badly. Inexperience played a role in some of that, and it was a team at the time that did not play up to what they could do at that time. Obviously, a lot has changed since that game, and the mojo coming in seems quite a bit better.
The juniors at Garrett are very athletically gifted, and at times those gifts will show at Minnich Field tonight. Unfortunately, you’re playing Adams Central, who’s arguably the best small school not only in the 260 but also in Northern Indiana especially in 1A. Some might argue AC is better this year.
So, I am not expecting much from Garrett this week, because this game won’t define their entire season. It’s simply a strong test. If Garrett can compete with AC for at least one quarter, I will call this a win in my book. I just want to see improvement, and I think you will see that.
But, in the end, J-E-T-S JETS
Players to Watch
Garrett: Levi Chaney Junior Wide Receiver/Linebacker
Adams Central: Keegan Bluhm Senior Running Back/Outside Linebacker
Adams Central by 24
Goshen @ Fairfield
The Maple City War is one of the greater matchups in Northern Indiana, and we will get to see which Goshen team can come out on a 1-0 start. Will it be the talented and skilled Goshen team, or the fundamentally sounded and deep Fairfield Falcons?
The talk around Goshen is they have the big-game potential, but they lack the depth behind them. Goshen is big and athletic, but they will need to showcase more physicality to give Coach Wogoman’s team a chance. Fairfield is one of the harder teams to play and quite frankly to predict. The Falcons run the Wishbone offense, so that means they are constantly pounding the ball using strong O-Line play and skilled tough running backs.
Last year, Fairfield lacked depth and was not able to build on their strong start. But with better execution and belief, the Falcons think their best days are coming. It’s going to be a battle, but I think Fairfield finds a way again in dramatic fashion.
Players to Watch
Goshen: Ryan Eldridge Senior Tackle
Fairfield: Ethan Hochstetler Senior O-Line/D-Line
Fairfield by 1
Lakeland @ South Bend St. Joseph
The Lakers make the drive to South Bend to take on a solid 4A NIC program. It’s always a good measuring stick game for Coach O’Shea’s program who they think is capable of being a title contender this fall. I think you will see some flaws in this game, but you will also see portions of greatness from this talented Lakeland team. If they can show some compete and toughness, Lakeland is in ok shape.
Players to Watch
Lakeland: Brayden Holbrook Sophomore Quarterback
St. Joe: Alexander Ortiz Senior Quarterback
St. Joe by 16
Whitko @ Prairie Heights
I’m going to make this brief because I have to discuss two more games that have been on my radar all week. But ‘We the Heights’ is going to be ‘We the Winners’ for Week 1.
Players to Watch
Whitko: Dean Boggs Senior Running Back/Linebacker
PH: Kris Levitz Junior OL/DL
We the Heights by 33
Angola @ DeKalb
On Around the Northeast Corner, I previewed this game in-depth as my NE8 Game of the Week. But because I went so in-depth on this game and the next one, this will be more straightforward.
So, where this game is going to be won is the line of scrimmage. DeKalb has way more experience than Angola does this year. That is a fact. But Angola still has the athletes that can fly with their speed. So, the big thing is who can exploit one’s weaknesses the best.
I feel like if the Barons can slow down Angola’s Pistol option, they will have to put more pressure on Micah Steury, who hasn’t started a lot of games in his career. If the Barons can contain Lane King and limit Angola’s rushing attack, DeKalb is in great position to win this game. So, yes, I am taking the “upset”.
Players to Watch
Angola: Lane King Senior Tight End/Linebacker
DeKalb: Wyatt Birch Senior O-Line
DeKalb by 3
West Noble @ Central Noble
Last but certainly not least the 10th annual Battle for the Bell. Probably the most overlooked great matchup that we have this week. At Around the Northeast Corner, I went in-depth on this game as my NECC Game of the Week.
Again, much like the previous game, the line of scrimmage and turnovers are so crucial in this game just as it has always been with this rivalry. But if the line does it job, now it comes down to the big-time players. And if CN has the skillsets and confidence, they are going to give West Noble trouble with guys like Brody Morgan, Drew Pliett, Brayden Kirchner, and Tysen Deck among others.
That said though, I still think West Noble has the horses up front, and the big-time performers on both ends to make just enough plays to win this game. It honestly could come down to a big Seth Pruitt performance or Drew Yates throwing the ball down the field late in this game. If CN performs to their level with their spread, this is absolutely a barn burner.
Players to Watch
West Noble Drew Yates Senior Quarterback
Central Noble: Tysen Deck Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
West Noble by 6
