Sam’s NECC Super Picks
Postseason football is finally here, and that means it is time to predict whether these NECC teams will fight for another week or will this be the swan song of their season. It’s win or go home for every school in Northeast Indiana. Get out the popcorn, and let’s ride!
#TheRoadToLucasOil
Week 10 NECC Predictions
NECC Game of the Week: 4A Sectional 19:
4-5 East Noble @ 6-3 Angola
For the first time since 1987, Angola will be hosting the East Noble Knights in a battle of former NEIAC rivals. Plus, this is Luke Amstutz’s first game coaching against Angola since he left for the East Noble head coaching position in 2012. You have to go back to 2004 since the last time these two clashed on a football field. It’s the power of Angola’s Pistol Motion vs East Noble’s spread offense.
The concern coming into tonight is the health of Tyler Call and Andre Tagliaferri of Angola. Michael Burelison is already ruled out for tonight’s game with a broken ankle, but the rest is up in the air. Can the Hornets fight through some adversity? Angola has not won a sectional game since the Hornets last won a sectional in 2018. Angola is looking to avoid losing their fifth straight postseason game for the first time since they lost 10 straight postseason games from 2000-2009.
East Noble has had their issues stopping the run, but they do have the toughness and skill capable of pounding the rock. Plus, quarterback Zander Brazel is starting to heat up.
NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND
While the Hornets are starting to hit some adversity to start sectionals, I know the Hornets have a very nice senior class and a talented team that is much better than last year’s. Despite the difficult circumstances, I will take the Stingy Hornets to at least survive for another round. A more in-depth preview is posted on my ANEC Blog.
Players to Watch:
East Noble: Tyson Reinbold Jr. RB
Angola: Jake Land Sr. DE
Angola by 3
2A Sectional 35: 7-2 Eastside @ 3-6 Wabash
While the Apache have a talented quarterback in Izaak Wright, they haven’t faced a team that is physically tough and mentally strong as the Eastside Blazers. If they can’t tackle against this line or find a way to stop Carsen Jacobs and Dax Holman, it’s game over for Wabash.
Players to Watch:
Eastside: Dax Holman Sr. RB/DL
Wabash: Izaak Wright Jr. QB/FS
Eastside by 40
3A Sectional 26:
2-7 Mishawaka Marian @ 7-2 West Noble
Usually, the Knights would be heavily favored to win every game in a sectional like 3A 26. However, this has been a rebuilding season for the historically rich Marian Knights. While West Noble knows they need to play their best football in October and November, I love Seth Pruitt at running back, and I love the defense of the Los Caballos Grandes a lot more. I have the Chargers to pick up postseason win number 12.
Players to Watch:
Mishawaka Marian: Bryce Lasane Jr. QB/FS
West Noble: Zach Beers Sr. MLB
West Noble by 20
2A Sectional 35:
7-2 Churubusco @ 2-7 Central Noble (BATTLE AT BASELINE)
For the first time since 2000, the Battle at Baseline reaches the postseason. However, unlike the last time these two met in sectional play, Busco is now the heavy favorite. The only way this game is close is if CN can contain the heavy blitz of Busco, shut down the Busco Wing-T, and Brody Morgan has to break his own single-game passing record at the same time (296 passing yards).
If none of these three things happen, Busco’s winning ways will keep rolling, rolling, and rolling to the second round.
Players to Watch:
Churubusco: Wyatt Marks Sr. RB
Central Noble: Drew Pliett Jr. WR/CB
Busco by 42
2A Sectional 35:
2-7 Prairie Heights @ 4-5 Bishop Luers
Here on SummitCity Sports DOT COMMM, we have a social media trend called: #WeTheHeights. We love to spread the love to the Fighting McCrea’s and the locals up in Brushy Prairie.
I hate to ruin the feel-good stories about Prairie Heights, but you’re also playing Charlie Stanski, Nick Thompson, and the Bishop Luers Knights. While the Knights are known to throw the ball, this is the perfect matchup to get some momentum by pounding the rock. On this night, the fans down on South Calhoun St. and East Paulding Rd. will be chanting: #WeTheLuers.
Players to Watch
Prairie Heights: Jaden Daniels Sr. WR/RB
Bishop Luers: RJ Hogue Sr. RB/DE
Luers by 48
1A Sectional 44: 3-6 Fremont @ 7-2 South Adams
I’m not going to waste too much time on this matchup because on paper, I don’t like this matchup at all for Fremont. It’s the NECC’s worst passing defense against the ACAC’s top passing offense led by the magical powers of Owen Wanner. Wanner has thrown for 1,971 yards and 25 TDs to just 6 picks. He and this West-Coast offense are so intimidating, it is like the DC universe trying to stop Black Adam without Superman. All I have to say is Berne, baby, Berne!!
Players to Watch
Fremont: Gage Cope Jr. FS
South Adams: Brady Beall Sr. TE/OLB/SS
South Adams by 54
3A Sectional 26: 3-6 Lakeland @ 6-3 Knox
Let me just say this. Lakeland has tremendous promise for the future of its football program. However, the last three games of the season simply have not gone their way at all. And when you consider the fact, Knox runs a filthy good Option Attack offense, Lakeland could be in for a long night.
Players to Watch
Lakeland: Kham Malaivanh Sr. RB/DL
Knox: Myles McLaughlin Fr. SB/OLB
Knox by 28
3A Sectional 27: 0-9 Bellmont @ 2-7 Garrett
The last time these two met, Bellmont was 0-9 but went all the way to the sectional finals by beating Garrett and Concordia before losing to Bishop Luers. This year feels a lot different compared to their 2018 meeting.
You never want to see a team finish their season winless, but that’s a very possible reality with how young Bellmont is. They’re improving, but is it enough to upset Garrett at Memorial Stadium?? The one major issue for Bellmont is trying to stop a hard-nosed Garrett run game, and that offensive line is steaming hot as of late. All aboard the Garrett Hype Train!
Players to Watch
Bellmont: Job Hoffman Jr. C/DT
Garrett: Kyle Smith Sr. OT/RB/MLB
Garrett by 24
3A Sectional 26: 5-4 Fairfield @ 5-4 John Glenn
It’s the battle of the Falcons between two former Northern State Conference rivals. Fairfield usually runs the Wishbone Triple-Option, while John Glenn runs (you guessed it!) the modern Wing-T offense. This type of matchup cannot feature a more unique storyline between two contrasting styles of offense.
Both teams have had their ups and downs along the way, but it does seem like Glenn is figuring things out going into the playoffs. Glenn had 373 total yards in the 36-0 win over South Bend Washington last week. It is clear whoever can stop the run and have the best defensive gameplan will SURVIVE AND ADVANCE. My heart says take Fairfield, but my head says take the Fighting Larkin’s.
Players to Watch
Fairfield: Cohen Custer Sr. WR/CB
John Glenn: Ty’Ronn Larkin Jr. SB/MLB
Glenn by 8
