I correctly picked 19 winners a week ago, including 13 margins of victory within a single score (two right on the dot). I also called the Upset Special (Central Noble over Manchester), which delivered double wins to the Ninja, J-Mac and the German spy. What will this week’s slate of games produce? Read below to find out:
CLASS 6A
NOBLESVILLE (2-7) at CARROLL (8-1): The Chargers are relatively healthy (though still missing their top ball-carrier), but should have more than enough to maul the Millers at Dean Gorsuch Athletic Complex. I love Carroll’s linebacking corps. Love ‘em!
SWAMI SAYS: Carroll by 35
NORTHROP (4-4) at HOMESTEAD (3-6): Northrop beat Homestead 28-16 on 9/11, but the Bruins have dropped three straight since then. Sparty lost to the same trio of heavies (BD, Snider and Carroll), but seems to be healthier right now. Coin flip?
SWAMI SAYS: Homestead by 6
CLASS 5A
SOUTH SIDE (3-6) at SNIDER (5-4): The Panthers have some nice wins over the past month, including a 27-26 OT thriller vs. North Side two weeks ago. Senior DT Kam Browning returns this week, giving Snider added depth in the defensive trenches.
SWAMI SAYS: Snider by 19
WAYNE (1-8) at WARSAW (8-1): If Javontae Eldridge can go for the Generals, they might hang around for awhile. Without him, it’s an uphill slog to be sure. Either way, Warsaw is better in the trenches and the Tigers do what they do. Run the ball!
SWAMI SAYS: Warsaw by 44
McCUTCHEON (5-4) at HUNTINGTON NORTH (5-4): The Vikings have been up and down all season long, but it’s time to rock out and let off some steam. I’m seeing some CJ between the tackles and Lathen Janes going Sweet Jane on the Mavericks.
SWAMI SAYS: Huntington North by 12
CLASS 4A
DEKALB (7-3) at BISHOP DWENGER (9-1): If the Saints can run the ball against The Nawf, what will they do against the Klab? BD’s senior-laden “D” is licking its collective chops to get after the Barons tonight. BD QB Tommy Coffman can sling it!
SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 24
COLUMBIA CITY (8-2) at EAST NOBLE (10-0): John Harrell has CC by a point, and I almost went with an Upset Special for the Eagles here. If the game were being played in The Whitley, I would concur. But the K-ville Krazies will ultimately be the difference.
SWAMI SAYS: East Noble by 6
LOGANSPORT (10-0) at JAY COUNTY (4-6): The host Patriots will need a quick start (either a turnover on “D” or a lengthy drive on offense) in order to keep this one close. In the end, I’m seeing the Berries going all Troy Kafka on JC. Hot Catlick hatches!
SWAMI SAYS: Logansport by 41
CLASS 3A
JIMTOWN (7-3) at WEST NOBLE (9-1): These aren’t your father’s Jimmies; Jimtown is a shell of its former self. That being said, the Chargers will need to be physical at the point of attack tonight if they want to advance. I like XBB to put up X-box numbers.
SWAMI SAYS: West Noble by 10
ANGOLA (7-3) at FAIRFIELD (6-4): Most are picking the Hornets in this one, and I certainly don’t blame them. The Hornets have more speed and more depth, to be sure. But there’s something about this Fairfield team that I can’t shake. The Upset Special.
SWAMI SAYS: Fairfield by 1
BLUFFTON (10-0) at NORWELL (5-5): The Tigers appear to be on a Mission from God (kinda like the Blues Brothers). If Jake (aka Cooper Craig) and Elwood (Axton Beste) make sweet music tonight, this one will be over midway through the third quarter.
SWAMI SAYS: Bluffton by 18
ADAMS CENTRAL (7-3) at HERITAGE (7-3): This might be the best game on tonight’s second-round docket, as the host Patriots get an opportunity for that signature win in coach Jeremy Hullinger’s third year at the helm. I’m going with AC due to experience.
SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 4
CLASS 2A
EASTSIDE (9-0) at BREMEN (7-3): These Blazers have the talent to make a run to LOS, but they must win the LOS against the Lions this week. That means guys like Wyatt Shull, Cole Omspacher and Micah Miller will need strong showings tonight.
SWAMI SAYS: Eastside by 21
ROCHESTER (5-5) at CENTRAL NOBLE (2-8): I correctly picked CN last week in an Upset Special that echoed throughout the Oak-hickory trees of Albion. Tonight, the Cougars can pull off another surprise if they start fast and force an early Zebra miscue.
SWAMI SAYS: Rochester by 23
CLASS 1A
SOUTH ADAMS (8-2) at SOUTHWOOD (3-7): Coach Bud is coming near the end of a legendary career, and tonight just might be the night that his curtain calls for the last time. The Starfires will light up the Wabash skyline with at least six/seven touchdowns.
SWAMI SAYS: South Adams by 45
NORTHFIELD (6-4) at FREMONT (7-3): The host Eagles should have more than enough to nullify the Norsemen, provided they don’t get caught looking ahead to next week’s showdown vs. SA. Keeping their talented QB healthy will be Priority No. 1.
SWAMI SAYS: Fremont by 24
OnCAMPUS
NOTRE DAME (6-1) at NAVY (2-5): The Irish regroup after their bye week and sink Navy’s ship by halftime. I saw Tae Johnson on North Side’s sideline last week, and his hoof looked pretty good to me. ND by Jesus’ age — 33!
SWAMI SAYS: Notre Dame by 33
MINNESOTA (5-2) at INDIANA (7-1): The Gophers’ defense is pretty tough, but IU must bounce back offensively. I like the Hoosiers by three touchdowns here, especially if they open up the playbook and let Josh Hoover throw it around.
SWAMI SAYS: Indiana by 22
PURDUE (3-4) at PENN STATE (3-4): If Penn State loses this one, coach Matt Campbell might be escorted out of town by the ghost of JoePa himself. Makes me long for the days of Northrop grad Josh Gaines in Happy Valley.
SWAMI SAYS: Penn State by 9
OHIO STATE (6-1) at USC (6-2): If USC has any hopes of playing in this year’s CFP, the Trojans must defeat the Buckeyes in So-Cal. We will find out more about OSU’s precarious QB situation this week, too. I’m just saying.
SWAMI SAYS: Ohio State by 7
WISCONSIN (5-2) at IOWA (5-2): The Heartland Trophy is on the line, which means my heart is calling for a Jimmy Sullivan sighting at QB. Let’s go, Hawkeyes; time to give the talented signal-caller a shot. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 49-48-2.
SWAMI SAYS: Iowa by 5
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