Postseason football begins tonight with the first round of sectionals! Here are SuperSam’s top 10 sectional games for Week 1 of the state tournament.
4A 19: South Side (2-7) @ East Noble (8-1)
I expect South Side to compete in this game considering the fact the Archers have only allowed 12.5 points per game in their last 4 games against Concordia, North Side, Bishop Luers, and Northrop.
However, the NE8 champs East Noble knows what it takes to win in the playoffs. I think East Noble’s run defense led by Dylan Krehl and Kobe Ritchie is too much for South Side to generate enough offense.
East Noble by 24
4A 19: Columbia City (8-1) @ Bishop Dwenger (4-5)
On paper, Columbia City’s flexbone offense, even with Trace Parrish out of the lineup over the last couple weeks, can be effective enough against a very good Dwenger defense. But Columbia City’s success will hinge on their performance up front against one of the more talented linebacker cores in the area. Also, look for Gavin Smith and his 7 interceptions to play a factor against Quarterback Brady O’Keefe and the Saint’s aerial attack.
Bishop Dwenger by 3 in a Squeaker
3A 26: Lakeland (5-4) @ Garrett (9-0)
Lakeland is averaging 36 points per game in their last 2 games. The issue is Lakeland is also allowing 46 points per game in that same span. That’s not a recipe for success in the State Tournament, especially against 3A’s 4th ranked team. Garrett pounds the rock the same way they did it 50 years ago when they hoisted a state championship. If Lakeland is unable to solve quarterback Calder Hefty and the backfield duo of Cam Ruble and Alex Guzman, Lakeland is in trouble.
All I have to say is ROLL BIG TRAIN! Garrett by 20
3A 26: Woodlan (5-4) @ Tippy Valley (6-3)
The last time these two teams met at Death Valley, Woodlan was playing for a state championship in 1981. Woodlan is enduring a pleasant surprise in 2024 with their most successful season since their state run in 2017. Keep an eye on the matchup of Carter and Drew Fleek, as well as the play of Shaiden Snyder. Emerson Spieth and the Woodlan defensive front will have to contain the run against Valley’s Wes Parker, who ran for 111 yards and averaged 22 yards per carry in the 22-21 win over John Glenn 2 weeks ago. I like the Vikings to edge Woodlan.
Tippy Valley by 7
3A 26: Concordia (2-7) @ Fairfield (4-5)
The key question with Concordia is can they cut down on the turnovers? They don’t run the ball well, so they’ll need to be able to throw the ball. Fairfield still wants to pound the ball and they do so led by Breckan Maran in the backfield and the play of Hunter Kauffman up front. However, while the Cadets have thrown 19 picks, they are no longer playing against SAC defenses, and they should be able to open up the offense led by wide receiver Avery Cook.
Give me Concordia by 6 in a SuperSam Upset Special
3A 28: Heritage (8-1) @ Delta (4-5)
Muncie is a tough place to play and Delta won this sectional last season. However, despite some injuries recently, Heritage has a talented duo of Eli Tigulis at quarterback throwing for over 70% completion on his passes, and Braden Walter is the career leader in interceptions.
Heritage by 8
2A 35: Churubusco (4-5) @ Manchester (5-4)
If Busco is able to run their Wing-T and Angelo Ianucilli is able to stay involved, Busco will be in this game until the end. However, this Manchester team has been in almost every game, nearly beating Northwestern, Bluffton, and Peru. I’ll take the scrappy Squires to advance.
Manchester by 3
2A 35: Adams Central (8-1) @ Bluffton (6-3)
Adams Central’s run to a possible 4th straight state finals berth begins tonight. Adams Central has never won a postseason title in 2A, so these are brand new challenges awaiting the Jets. Despite some changes from last season in terms of player talent, Adams Central continues to dominate the regular season. As for Bluffton, Axton Beste and the sophomore class has been a remarkable surprise. Beste has a bright future ahead at quarterback, and the duo of running back Cooper Craig and wide receiver Aaron Streveler are players Coach Kunkel can build on. However, at the end of the day, Adams Central has an elite defense led by Cameron Fravel, and the Jets’ Wing-T led by Aaron Hirschy and Matt Heiser will be too much for a inexperienced Bluffton defense.
J-E-T-S JETS by 20
2A 35: Prairie Heights (4-5) @ Central Noble (0-9)
Prairie Heights hasn’t posted a 5-win season since 2013. It’s only happened twice since 1989. However, led by Coach Pat McCrea, wide receiver Jordan Klumpp, and the program’s newest career leader in passing yards quarterback Mac Armstrong, I think the Panthers tame the hapless Cougars.
‘We the Heights’ by 10
1A 43: Fremont (3-6) @ Northfield (3-6)
The storyline looks like this:
Fremont has a Jekyll and Hyde Offense
Northfield has a problem with fumbling the football
Which of these two headlines will outweigh the other? If Fremont is going to win this game, they need the combination of quarterback Trace Handshoe and running back Carmyne Moreno to have a productive football game. The defense led by Jackson Foster and Jonah Pentecost will do its job. But they need the offensive support to win.
However, Northfield is one of the more disciplined teams in terms of how they handle their offense through their halfbacks, and I think they create just enough havoc to place Fremont in a slippery slope.
I have the Norse moving on!
Northfield by 2
