When the good doctor shaved down part of my shoulder this past Friday, he may as well have extracted a portion of my brain. While my selections last week were nonetheless ridiculous (correctly picking 19 winners with 10 outcomes within a single score), I nonetheless misfired on Columbia City, Angola and Norwell. Kudos to those programs for rising up and denying the Swami’s sinister sorcery. Happy Halloween!
CLASS 6A
CARROLL (6-3) at ELKHART (6-3): This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs, lending some intrigue for tonight’s sectional-opening contest. If the host Lions can run the ball, they’ll hang around for a bit. In the end, though, the Chargers are simply superior.
SWAMI SAYS: Carroll by 24
SNIDER (3-6) at NORTHROP (7-2): A rematch of the Bruins’ 35-14 win over the Panthers in Week 7, Snider-Northrop 2.0 might be a little closer this time around. Expect a few tricks up the Panthers’ collective sleeve as they throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Bruins.
SWAMI SAYS: Northrop by 14
CLASS 5A
WARSAW (6-3) at CONCORD (8-1): The Minutemen mauled the Tigers 38-7 in mid-September, but there’s no way this rematch isn’t much closer. Warsaw appears to be at full strength and you know coach Curtis will unleash a heavy dose of Bart ball Concord’s way.
SWAMI SAYS: Concord by 9
NORTH SIDE (5-4) at GOSHEN (2-7): On a personal note, I’d love to see two dudes wearing former mascot attire grappling underneath the stadium – winner take all. But that’s probably not going to happen. In the end, I’ll settle for 300-plus aerial yards from Jaydin Rivers.
SWAMI SAYS: North Side by 26
CLASS 4A
SOUTH SIDE (3-7) at EAST NOBLE (10-0): The Knights are big-time favorites in K-ville tonight as the athletic Archers come calling. Look for Alex Scott and Rylee Biddle to register huge plays in the first half as EN opens up a can. The clock will be running early in the third.
SWAMI SAYS: East Noble by 37
COLUMBIA CITY (6-4) at BISHOP DWENGER (8-2): My crystal balls tell me Lucas Nguyen drills one from 55 yards out and the Saints’ defense registers a shutout. I’m also seeing yuge defensive plays from Houston Ellinger or Cooper Campbell. Or both. Saints saunter onward.
SWAMI SAYS: Dwenger by 27
CLASS 3A
LAKELAND (6-4) at GARRETT (5-5): These two met seven weeks ago with the Railroaders rummaging the Lakers, 28-7. I do believe the G-men prevail again, but it should be closer. Garrett’s strength of schedule and defensive prowess are ultimately the difference.
SWAMI SAYS: Garrett by 14
ANGOLA (5-5) at WEST NOBLE (8-2): If my CB’s are accurate, I’m seeing an early Angola lead (courtesy of a Hawk Hasselman scamper) and some trepidation for the home folks. At the end I like WN seizing control in the third quarter and putting the game away late.
SWAMI SAYS: West Noble by 13
MISSISSINEWA (9-1) at JAY COUNTY (4-6): The Patriots have done some nice things this season (“Fast Eddie” Fields should be a finalist for GN Coach of the Year), but the magic runs out tonight against a talented Mississinewa club. Indians roll!
SWAMI SAYS: Mississinewa by 32
NORWELL (2-8) at BISHOP LUERS (5-5): Norwell freshman QB Hunter Kurtz is the nephew of former BL standout Brian Kurtz and the son of former South Side QB Jared Kurtz. A pretty daunting task for any young signal-caller, but I like this kid’s moxie.
SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 35
CLASS 2A
MANCHESTER (7-3) at EASTSIDE (8-2): Beastside coach Alyx Brandewie faces his old squad tonight in Butler, and the Blazers should take care of business. That said, the Squires are a feisty bunch and believe they belong. We’ll know after one quarter of action.
SWAMI SAYS: Eastside by 22
ADAMS CENTRAL (10-0) at BLUFFTON (9-1): Adams Central is getting a starting linebacker back into the mix, making the Flying Jets all the more dangerous. Bluffton is coming off one of its most memorable playoff wins ever last week at Busco. AC is just too good.
SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 25
CLASS 1A
TRITON (7-3) at FREMONT (7-3): Everyone knows about Fremont senior RB Carmyne Moreno, but did you know that the Eagles’ rushing leader is actually junior QB Jaret Laughlin (1,097 yards)? Now who’s laughing? QB1 has 22 total TDs and 628 aerial yards, too.
SWAMI SAYS: Triton by 19
SOUTH ADAMS (7-3) at TRI (6-4): SA coach Grant Moser reports that the Starfires have everyone in place after last week’s big win over Madison-Grant. A trick-or-treat test at Tri tonight presents the last final obstacle to their 12th sectional championship.
SWAMI SAYS: South Adams by 6
OnCampus
Indiana at Maryland: The Hoosiers will topple the host Terps like the roadkill turds they’ve become.
SWAMI SAYS: Indiana by 25
Purdue at Michigan: GameNight is on hand for this one as the Wolverines beat up the Boilers.
SWAMI SAYS: Michigan by 24
Notre Dame at Boston College: BC men’s hoops were involved in a point-shaving scandal, yes?
SWAMI SAYS: Notre Dame by 28
Vanderbilt at Texas: The Longhorns feel like they’re hanging by a thread and survive another week.
SWAMI SAYS: Texas by 4
Georgia at Florida: They call this one the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party, which seems obnoxious.
SWAMI SAYS: Georgia by 9
USC at Nebraska: The Cornhuskers just threw a bunch of keesh at their coach and instantly regret it.
SWAMI SAYS: USC by 7
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