The Sideline Swami’s Week 13 Regional Picks

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

1. HOMESTEAD (11-0): The Spartans looked much more Sparty-like last week in defeating a tough Carroll club for the second time this season.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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!
9. 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!
10. 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

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