An even 4-4 week for the Northeast 8 caused some slight shakeups in this week’s poll. Some teams like Columbia and East Noble flourished in their season openers, while teams like Norwell and Leo left sour tastes in the mouths of NE8 fans.
1. Columbia City (1-0)
Week 1: 49-8 W at 2A Churubusco
Week 2: vs 4A Plymouth
As expected, the defending NE8 champs took the field week 1 and dominated. Realistically, Columbia City won’t face much of a challenge until week 6 against New Haven. until then, the Eagles have matchups with Plymouth (0-10 last season), Bellmont (also 0-10 last year), Huntington North (3-8 in 2022), and DeKalb (4-7). Expect the Eagles to be at the top of these polls for a bit.
2. Norwell (0-1)
Week 1: 23-21 L vs 4A Mississinewa
Week 2: at 3A #19 Delta
Norwell’s upset loss to Mississinewa certainly came as a surprise. The Knight defense couldn’t do much to slow down running back Ah’lijah Monday, who scampered for 163 yards on 31 carries. Norwell faces Delta this week, a team highlighted by Nolan Carpenter, a junior running back who just went for 125 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-14 Delta win over Muncie Central.
3. Leo (0-1)
Week 1: 16-14 L at 4A #6 Kokomo
Week 2: vs 4A Angola
Leo led 14-3 in the fourth quarter against Kokomo, a team they lost to by 20 points in 2022. But then the Kats came storming back with an electric closing effort to win. Kokomo is a tough foe–coming off a 12-2 run to semistate in 2022–so this loss doesn’t spell gloom and doom for the Lions. They should take care of business this week against Angola.
4. New Haven (1-0)
Week 1: 42-6 W vs 6A Northrop
Week 2: at 2A #3 Bishop Luers
New Haven’s prolific offense really shined Friday night against a young Northrop defense. The play of Donovan Williams, Tre Bates, and Mylan Graham could push the Bulldogs teams to new heights in 2023. They are a very close #4 behind Norwell on this power poll. Eyes will be on the Dogs all year, especially as they go against a Luers team East Noble was able to handle with ease.
5. East Noble (1-0)
Week 1: 45-7 W vs 2A #3 Bishop Luers
Week 2: vs 5A #2 Snider
Putting East Noble at number five on this list is much less about how they played against Luers–because they played phenomenally–but instead about what they have coming. How will they fare against the powerhouse Snider Panthers? It’s hard to be convinced until the Knights beat a fellow big school.
6. DeKalb (1-0)
Week 1: 20-14 W vs 4A Angola
Week 2: at 3A Garrett
DeKalb took care of business Friday night and should take care of business this week as well. After Aaden Lytle’s 240-yard, four-touchdown game it will be interesting to see if he can keep his prolific play going for the Barons in a challenging NE8.
7. Huntington North (0-1)
Week 1: 27-24 L at 2A Eastbrook
Week 2: vs 4A Jay County
Although this was a third straight loss to Eastbrook for Huntington North, they improved the margin of defeat for a third straight year (last year losing to Eastbrook by 13, and the year before by 35). The Vikings should be able to handle Jay County on Friday night in one last out-of-conference game before NE8 play.
8. Bellmont (0-1)
Week 1: 34-0 L vs 3A Heritage
Week 2: at 1A #10 South Adams
Sheesh. Heritage QB Kobe Meyer scored every touchdown in this lopsided affair, rushing and passing for over 100 yards. Bellmont’s struggles on both sides of the field continue in 2023. We’ll see how the fare against a 1A-ranked Starefires squad.
