It’s official, there will not be a repeat NE8 champion in 2023, as East Noble ran over Columbia City in Whitley County to turn the race into a sprint between New Haven (5-0), Leo (4-1), and themselves at 4-1. New Haven is one win away, but if they trip up against the Knights, the race gets wild in the final week.
1. New Haven (7-0, 5-0 NE8)
Previous Ranking #1
Week 7: 32-14 W at 3A Bellmont
Week 8: at 4A East Noble
Although the New Haven offense was slower than expected against Bellmont, they still performed excellently behind three touchdowns by Donovan Williams, all of which went to Ajani Washington (who finished with 128 yards). A big game awaits them this week against East Noble.
2. Leo (5-2, 4-1 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 7: 48-0 W at 4A Huntington North
Week 8: vs 4A #11 Columbia City
A 14-0 start elevated by a 20-0 second quarter pushed Leo to a blowout win over the Vikings. The Kylar Decker-Kaden Hurst connection worked like a charm once again, with 112 yards and a touchdown off four connections. Next up: a shot at revenge against Columbia City.
3. East Noble (5-2, 4-1 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 7: 35-0 W at 4A #11 Columbia City
Week 8: vs 4A #4 New Haven
I was very wrong about East Noble heading into this one, and the Knights stepped up for a massive revenge performance against the Eagles. A 42-19 loss this season, a 35-0 blowout this season. It may be a long shot with New Haven at first, but East Noble is still alive in the NE8 title race.
4. Columbia City (5-2, 3-2 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 7: 35-0 L vs 4A East Noble
Week 8: at 4A #15 Leo
Giving up 354 yards and not doing much themselves on offense, Columbia City got run off their own field against the Knights. In a span of two weeks, all hopes for a repeat of the illustrious NE8 are gone.
5. DeKalb (4-3, 2-3 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 7: 49-27 W vs 3A Norwell
Week 8: at 3A Bellmont
DeKalb has matched their win total from last season with this win over Norwell, and they did it in dominant fashion. Points in every quarter, and at least 14 in every one of them except the second. Loving the style of play the Barons have brought to the table this season.
6. Norwell (1-6, 1-4 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #6
Week 7: 49-27 L at 4A DeKalb
Week 8: vs 4A Huntington North
Last season Norwell won this matchup with 62 points on offense. This season it is a much different story, having been the team to give up the majority of points as DeKalb stormed the Knights en route to 49 points. It hurts to say, but Norwell is nowhere near the same as they were with the last round of seniors.
7. Huntington North (1-6, 1-4 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #7
Week 7: 48-0 L vs 4A #15 Leo
Week 8: at 3A Norwell
Home-field advantage didn’t do much to shift the outcome of this one, as Huntington North gave up 554 total yards. However, the defense did force three fumbles, recovering two of them. Not all gloom and doom for Huntington North.
8. Bellmont (0-7, 0-5 NE8)
Previous Ranking: #8
Week 7: vs 4A #4 New Haven
Week 8: vs 4A DeKalb
The Bellmont defense held their own against the Bulldogs, holding Williams to just 170 passing yards. However, the Braves were heavily reliant on the ground game with just 23 passing yards themselves—although the ground game moved smoothly with 252 yards. Not a bad performance at all for Bellmont despite the loss.
