GameNight
Week 10: Northeast Indiana GameNight | Game Picks
Thank goodness; the 2025 playoffs are upon us. I was just 20-3 last week (with three outright losses), which is a bit of an anomaly after running roughshod through most of the prep regular-season schedule this year. Still, I had 10 games within one score, and the crystal balls are polished and ready for the stretch run. One upset that deserves mentioning from last week? Snider, trailing North Side 20-3 in the second half, coming all the way back to register a 24-20 win over the Legends. The Panthers received a tall stack of B. Antonio’s pizza on Tuesday night for their amazing comeback win and, by all accounts, appeared to have enjoyed their feast. Well done, Snider men!
CLASS 4A
WAYNE (0-9) at SOUTH SIDE (2-7): The Generals are vastly improved, despite their 0-9 record. Tonight, they’ll hang around for a while before those athletic Archers put an arrow through Wayne’s collective soul (whatever that means).
SWAMI SAYS: South Side by 25
NEW HAVEN (2-7) at EAST NOBLE (9-0): East Noble embarks upon a return trip to Lucas Oil with a relatively easy opener at home. Look for the Knights to unload the bench midway through the third quarter but not before a Phillips fill-up.
SWAMI SAYS: East Noble by 39
COLUMBIA CITY (5-4) at DEKALB (7-2): The Barons might be the best story in the GameNight Nation this season, having supplanted CC as an upper-NE8 squad. Tonight, DeKalb’s home crowd will be electric as the Barons beat up CC bigly.
SWAMI SAYS: DeKalb by 21
BISHOP DWENGER (7-2) at LEO (7-2): This is the Zolnik Bowl as the Lions’ former DC goes back to Leo-Cedarville but now wearing BD Navy and Vegas Gold. The Saints should win this one by at least two scores, especially with Lucas’ leg.
SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 13
HUNTINGTON NORTH (4-5) at LOGANSPORT (6-3): Most people are taking the Berries at home in this one, and I totally understand why. But I’m a homer for HN and I’m seeing a game-sealing play from Jimmy Linker. The Upset Special.
SWAMI SAYS: Huntington North by 1
CLASS 3A
GARRETT (4-5) at FAIRFIELD (3-6): The Railroaders needed overtime to beat the Falcons 21-14 just four weeks ago in G-town. Will Fairfield avenge that loss? If the Falcons can hit some pass plays early on, they just might pull it off.
SWAMI SAYS: Garrett by 12
WOODLAN (2-7) at LAKELAND (5-4): Mother Nature had her “change” this week, putting area passing plans in limbo as cold temps and wind will wreak havoc on aerial schemes. No matter, Lakeland lovers; the Lakers still rack up some yardage.
SWAMI SAYS: Lakeland by 27
TIPPECANOE VALLEY (7-2) at ANGOLA (4-5): There are some who are calling for an Angola upset here, and they may be onto something. Still, I’m seeing the Vikings from Death Valley fully alive in the ‘Gola and just too good for the Hornets.
SWAMI SAYS: Tippecanoe Valley by 7
CONCORDIA (1-8) at WEST NOBLE (7-2): The Cadets from the always-tough SAC will play with lots of pride tonight, and might even hang around for a spell. In the end, however, WN will wear down CLHS with its grinding ground game.
SWAMI SAYS: West Noble by 24
JAY COUNTY (3-6) at BELLMONT (0-9): Word on the street is the Braves are getting back one of their top players for this contest. Will that translate into a colossal upset of the Patriots? It might, but I’m still going with “Fast Eddie” Fields and JC.
SWAMI SAYS: Jay County by 25
NORWELL (1-8) at HERITAGE (5-4): The Patriots have been bitten by the injury bug this season, leaving me somewhat leery to go with the home team tonight. That said, Heritage is a little bit better in the trenches, too, and Patty moves on.
SWAMI SAYS: Heritage by 19
BISHOP LUERS (4-5) at DELTA (3-6): This isn’t necessarily the strongest deck of Delta dudes in recent history, but the Beagles are still a dangerous bunch at home. I think this one’s close throughout and the Knights prevail late by a tuddy.
SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 7
CLASS 2A
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-9) at MANCHESTER (6-3): The host Squires are enjoying their best season since the 2009 squad went 8-1 in the regular season. What does that mean for tonight? Well, I guess a good ol’ fashioned running clock.
SWAMI SAYS: Manchester by 35
WHITKO (1-8) at EASTSIDE (7-2): The Beastsiders got a favorable draw and should put this one to bed by halftime. I’m hearing some Prince playing in the background as Doves fly, while drawing inspiration from the Book of Job.
SWAMI SAYS: Eastside by 49
CENTRAL NOBLE (1-8) at ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0): If the Cougars try to test AC’s secondary like a census taker once tried to test me, the Flying Jets will be eating CN’s collective liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 58
BLUFFTON (8-1) at CHURUBUSCO (7-2): This is the best matchup on the first-round area docket, pitting a couple Swami faves – B-town’s Brent Kunkel and Busco’s Paul Sade – head to head in Turtle Town. I like the Tigers to escape late.
SWAMI SAYS: Bluffton by 4
CLASS A
SOUTHERN WELLS (2-7) at TRITON (6-3): The Raiders are experiencing a bit of a revival under coach Blake Blaker and an upset win over the Trojans would cement such a statement. Still, I like Triton at home by at least three scores.
SWAMI SAYS: Triton by 23
BLACKHAWK (2-7) at FREMONT (6-3): You can’t blame the Eagles for having a cupcake schedule; they can only play who they play. That said, host Fremont should put this game on ice sometime in the third quarter. Then, enjoy some cupcakes.
SWAMI SAYS: Fremont by 35
MADISON-GRANT (5-4) at SOUTH ADAMS (6-3): The Argylls have gotten their socks knocked off three weeks in a row after starting the season 5-1. The Starfires, meanwhile, have won three consecutive games since their loss at AC.
SWAMI SAYS: South Adams by 14
OnCampus
UCLA at Indiana: The Fighting Cigs just keep on winning. Will the red-hot Bruins topple the Hoosiers’ hopes? Not a chance.
SWAMI SAYS: Indiana by 31
Rutgers at Purdue: GameNight’s Men of Geiger will be on hand at Ross-Ade for this one; let’s get it done, boys. Boiler up!
SWAMI SAYS: Purdue by 3
Ball State at Northern Illinois: Local bishop boys involved in coaching at both programs, but I like the Huskies at home.
SWAMI SAYS: Northern Illinois by 9
Indiana State at North Dakota State: I’d love to take the Sycamores here, but I just can’t. You know how much I love Bison.
SWAMI SAYS: North Dakota State by 35
