Obscene! There’s no other way to describe what this soothsaying sage did last Friday night. I mean, to correctly pick 18 out of 18 on winners in any given week is one thing; but to do it with games involving teams outside GameNight’s coverage area … well, that’s just downright corrupt. Furthermore, I also nailed – not just one, but two – Upset Specials (Mississinewa over Marion and Warsaw over Penn). No one person (even one with huge magical balls) should ever be this good at any one thing! I’m sorry folks; I don’t make the rules. On second thought, maybe I do. … The Swami Scale had a little shakeup this week, but mostly remained the same over Week 12. I actually moved Leo up a notch, despite losing a hard-fought game to East Noble. Subsequently, I dropped South Adams one spot (and this is after destroying Madison-Grant last Friday). My bad, Starfires; knock off ACAC-rival Adams Central tonight, and we’ll talk. …
THE SWAMI SCALE
- HOMESTEAD (11-0): The Spartans looked much more Sparty-like last week in defeating a tough Carroll club for the second time this season.
- BISHOP DWENGER (10-1): Yes, the 9-7 win over Northrop just a few short weeks ago was little more than an aberration. The Saints’ lopsided dub last week over the Bruins proved as much.
- EAST NOBLE (12-0): East Noble got pushed by Leo’s Lions, but the Knights did just enough to advance in the Class 4A tournament. They’ll be big faves tonight down in Gas City.
- CARROLL (7-4): I’m going to keep the Chargers right here, despite losing last week at Homestead. Solid season for coach Dinan’s dudes.
- SNIDER (7-3): It’s hard to believe that Snider was one-and-done this season, but the Panthers bowed out quietly a couple weeks back. Still, Snider is Snider, and I can’t put them lower than five.
- LEO (10-2): The Lions hung tough against favored East Noble last week; both of Leo’s losses came to the Knights this season. Good enough to jump one spot.
- SOUTH ADAMS (12-0): What the heck? You crush somebody for a sectional crown, and you drop a slot on the Swami Scale. That’s bogus. The Starfires can tilt my turban with a big W tonight.
- CONCORDIA (7-5): The Cadets, for all practical purposes, have replaced Bishop Luers as the “small-school” parochial power in the SAC in recent seasons. Congrats, Concordia!
- EASTSIDE (10-2): History made! Just as yours truly predicted, the Blazers claimed their first-ever sectional crown last week with a rousing win over Fairfield. Kudos to coach Todd Mason’s men!
- ADAMS CENTRAL (11-1): The Flying Jets have been eyeing this rematch since they were dismantled by a 42-14 decision on Sept. 27. Buckle your seatbelts, folks; this is going to be fun.
FEATURED MATCHUPS
Class 6A – Carmel at Homestead: Biggest postseason game for Sparty since 2006. That year, the Greyhounds were victorious by a 21-0 count. Repeat? Swami says: Carmel by 14
Class 5A – Bishop Dwenger at Harrison: The Raiders lost one of their top offensive players last week, but it’s their defense that will struggle tonight. Swami says: Dwenger by 14
Class 4A – East Noble at Mississinewa: If GN was giving out a Heisman, it would have to go to EN QB Bailey Parker. “Dozens of the prettiest little homes you ever saw.” Yes, it’s Bailey Park, Mr. Potter. Swami says: East Noble by 17
Class 3A – Indy Chatard at Concordia: Chatard has the second-highest Sagarin rating statewide among remaining teams, so the Trojans are big faves here. Big, big faves. Swami says Chatard by 30
Class 2A – Eastside at Eastbrook: The Blazers have won nine straight; the Panthers have won 10 in a row. Hot, you say? Blazing hot, but not hot enough for Eastside. Swami says Eastbrook by 18
Class 1A – South Adams at Adams Central: Thankfully, these two were separated at the sectional level to make way for this epic regional showdown. This will be a blast. James Arnold is the difference. Swami says South Adams by 15
THE UNDERCARD
1A – North Judson at Lafayette CC: Knights win 14th sectional crown. Swami says: LCC by 21
1A – North Vermillion at Indy Lutheran: Host Saints saunter after halftime. Swami says Indy Lutheran by 22
2A – Lewis Cass at Andrean: Kings slay the Fighting 59ers in Merrillville. Swami says LC by 7
2A – Evansville Mater Dei at Triton Central: Mother of God will tame the Tigers. Swami says EMD by 11
3A – Mish. Marian at Knox: MM teaches school of hard Knox. Knights’ D the diff. Swami says Marian by 9
3A – Heritage Hills at Lawrenceburg: Undefeated Patriots pass all over L-burg. Swami says HH by 8
4A – New Prairie at Hobart: NP coach Russ Radtke will have his guys juiced. Swami says NP by 4
4A – Indy Roncalli at Mount Vernon: Rebels started season 1-5; MV is 10-2. Swami says Roncalli by 1
5A – Valparaiso at Mishawaka: Vikes’ big O-line too much for Cavemen. Swami says Valpo by 15
5A – Indy Cathedral at New Palestine: NP coach Kyle Ralph is 85-4 with Dragons. Swami says NP by 4
6A – Warsaw at Merrillville: Pirates living dangerously. The Upset Special. Swami says Warsaw by 1
6A – Center Grove at Warren Central: Rematch from Week 1, won by WC 21-14. Swami says WC by 6
