Football
The Sideline Swami’s Week 11 Sectional Picks
WEEK 11
CLASS 6A, SECTIONAL 3
Snider (7-2) at Carroll (4-5): The Panthers have been licking their collective chops for this rematch since getting embarrassed at Neon Nation, 38-14, in Week 2. SWAMI SAYS: Snider by 14
Homestead (6-3) at Northrop (3-6): The Bruins haven’t won four games since 2012, while Sparty has failed to register at least seven wins just one time over the past 22 seasons. SWAMI SAYS: Homestead by 18
CLASS 5A, SECTIONAL 11
Huntington North (4-5) at W. Lafayette Harrison (4-5): Raiders rudely welcome the Vikes with a rousing rout at home. SWAMI SAYS: Harrison by 20
CLASS 4A, SECTIONAL 19
NorthWood (10-0) at East Noble (9-1): The Knights had trouble stopping the run last week in a 1-point win in Waterloo. Top-ranked NorthWood runs the ball well. Sounds like a bad recipe for the home folks. SWAMI SAYS: NorthWood by 15
Northridge (5-5) at Angola (10-0): Hornets swarmed to the ball last week at Culver; Raiders mopped up a bad Wawasee team. Should be all ‘Gola, right? Not so fast, my friends. I think this one stays close into the third. SWAMI SAYS: Angola by 22
CLASS 4A, SECTIONAL 20
Wayne (8-2) at New Haven (5-5): The Bulldogs are at full strength for the first time all season, while the Generals could be in a potential “trap” game as Bishop Dwenger looms. Still, these ‘dogs haven’t faced a defense as fast and tenacious as the Generals. SWAMI SAYS: Wayne by 13
Leo (7-3) at Bishop Dwenger (9-1): This one will be played at Luersfield. From a pure matchup standpoint, the Lions have a shot here. Both teams want to run the ball first, while sprinkling in some play-action passes. Both rely on good defense and solid special-teams play. The Saints have more depth. SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 19
CLASS 3A, SECTIONAL 28
Bishop Luers (6-4) at West Noble (8-2): This game only becomes “tricky” for the Knights if they have trouble stopping WN RB Brandon Pruitt. If the Chargers have to pass, they’re doomed. I’m seeing big games from Nate Moore and Jamic Johnson. Knights are 4-0 vs. WN all-time; the Chargers have never won a sectional title and only advanced to the final one time (1990). SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 23
Bellmont (1-9) at Concordia (5-5): The Cadets are 3-2 all-time against the Braves – all in the postseason – and will be heavy favorites to make it 4-2. Look for Amir Drew to get more carries tonight and rush for 150-plus. SWAMI SAYS: Concordia by 23
CLASS 2A, SECTIONAL 34
Bremen (8-2) at Central Noble (7-3): I’d love to call the upset here in Albion, but I think this Bremen team is just too physical. Give me the Lions by three scores. SWAMI SAYS: Bremen by 19
Prairie Heights (2-8) at Bluffton (6-4): The Panthers are just 6-34 all-time in the state playoffs and have NEVER made it to the sectional-title game, let alone won one. That trend continues tonight as the Tigers tame PH. SWAMI SAYS: Bluffton by 28
CLASS A, SECTIONAL 43
Southwood (10-0) at Fremont (2-8): Fremont’s Fighting Hummers pulled off the shocker last week against Southern Wells. Can they do it again tonight against unbeaten Southwood? In a word – no. SWAMI SAYS: Southwood by 45
Churubusco (9-1) at Adams Central (10-0): Another great area-A matchup pits the Eagles vs. the Flying Jets in Monroe. If ‘Busco can dictate tempo and control the clock with some long, sustained drives, the Eagles could surprise. In the end, however, I’m seeing another big night from Logan Macklin (including a couple key pass receptions) as the Jets pull away late. SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 16
