We are counting down the final days of the 2022 regular season as the sectional draw is this Sunday. Can you believe the state tournament begins in just 17 days?? Me neither!!
This week will officially determine if Eastside is able to clinch their fourth straight outright divisional title against CN as they get ready for the postseason. Let’s take a look at the Small School Division.
Small School Division
1. Eastside Blazers 5-2, 3-0 (Small) (Clinched a Share)
Located in Butler, IN (DeKalb County)
2A Sectional 35
Current Ranking: 1st Small School Division; 1st NECC
Previous Ranking: 1st Small School Division; 1st NECC
Previous Outing: W 62-8 Fremont
Next Game: 10/7 @ Central Noble
- Head-To-Head Series: 32-21 Eastside
- First Meeting: 10/19/1973 Eastside won 42-0 at Eastside
- Last Meeting: 10/29/2021 Eastside won 38-6 at Eastside
- Eastside has not lost to the Cougars since October 9, 2009, when the Cougars won 22-8 in Albion.
- Eastside has won their last 14 meetings
The dominance of Eastside once again carried into senior night as the Blazers made this night a special one for the fans and seniors as Eastside dominated Fremont 62-8. Eastside had 397 yards of total offense, including 287 of those yards coming on the ground led by one of their seniors, Carsen Jacobs, with 114 rushing yards, 95 passing yards, and 3 total TDs.
The defense contributed to 14 TFLs (or tackles for a loss), 6 sacks (led by Kolt Gerke’s 2 sacks), and Briar’s Munsey’s 2 INTs. This was to be expected as Eastside starts to conclude the easiest stretch of games before their highly anticipated sectional draw and their week 9 matchup at Angola a week from Friday.
This week they will look to clinch the Small School Division outright with a win over the suddenly depleted Central Noble Cougars squad (we’ll talk about that in a moment). Realistically, Eastside is simply the superior team, it’s just a matter of getting it done on the field as Eastside posts the NECC’s number 1 rushing offense and defense as well as one of the NECC’s top defensive efficiencies.
2. Churubusco Eagles 5-2, 3-1 (Small)
Located in Churubusco, IN (Whitley County)
2A Sectional 35
Current Ranking: 2nd Small School Division; 4th NECC
Previous Ranking: 2nd Small School Division; 4th NECC
Previous Outing: W 42-0 Central Noble
Next Game: 10/7 @ West Noble
- Head-to-Head Series: 24-19 Busco
- First Meeting: 10/12/1973 Busco won 42-6 at Busco
- Last Meeting: 10/08/2021 Busco won 35-0 at Busco
- Both teams have split the last 4 meetings
Busco was not going to be denied in week 7 as they weren’t going to let the Cougars prevent them from ruining their homecoming. Busco had 422 yards of total offense, with 353 of those yards coming from the ground or 7.8 yards per carry. They held Central Noble to just a minuscule 13 yards of total offense, a loss of 14 yards on the ground, and limiting the previously number one passing offense in the NECC to just 27 yards on 14 attempts.
When you can shut a team down THIS convincingly, 1. You were extra motivated to beat said team or 2. Your defense is starting to turn it up a notch. THIS was the Busco defense I was hoping to see before the season began, and maybe they’re starting to learn how to fly as a postseason contender. One can only hope as that would make 2A 35 that much more entertaining.
Thankfully, they scheduled West Noble and Fairfield at the best opportune time to refine their schemes and skills for postseason football. Can Busco figure out how to slow down Monte’s Pistol, and can they utilize that Wing-T to give West Noble fits?
It’s a huge challenge considering the horses WN has, but Busco has some studs as well with Riley Buroff at quarterback, Wyatt Marks in the backfield, and some nice athletes led by Cullen Blake and Kameron Rinker. I think this will be an amazing football game, and one Busco needs to challenge them.
3. Central Noble Cougars 2-5, 2-1 (Small)
Located in Albion, IN (Noble County)
2A Sectional 35
Current Ranking: 3rd Small School Division; 8th NECC
Previous Ranking: 3rd Small School Division; 7th NECC
Previous Outing: L 42-0 @ Busco
Next Game: 10/7 vs Eastside
- Head-To-Head Series: 32-21 Eastside
- First Meeting: 10/19/1973 Eastside won 42-0 at Eastside
- Last Meeting: 10/29/2021 Eastside won 38-6 at Eastside
- Eastside has not lost to the Cougars since October 9, 2009, when the Cougars won 22-8 in Albion.
- The halftime of this week’s game will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2002 Central Noble Cougars that won their lone sectional title against Jimtown.
The Battle of Baseline was a battle that led to a sharp detour. Look, I cannot express enough how proud I am to see the Cougars competing extremely hard against Busco, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
They played against a Busco team that was simply the better team in every aspect, and you have to give them credit for that. Plus, CN lost Brody Morgan to an injury as Morgan was 1-3 for 10 yards and 3 carries for -18 yards before leaving the game.
This impacts their depth, where Drew Pliett, normally a wide receiver, was playing quarterback. I love Drew Pliett, but he’s not a starting quarterback in a normal situation. If there were other good things to say about this game, CN did force two turnovers against Busco and only trailed 7-0 after the first quarter.
It’s tough to really say how CN did because they didn’t finish this game in full strength and chances are they could be heading into sectional play battling through more injuries. I don’t have much confidence about CN this week because of this and the fact this is Eastside we’re talking about. To me, I can only hope they can survive the hardship of competing against the NECC’s most physical team and avoid any more injuries.
When healthy and given a good enough matchup for them, they CAN win a playoff game, but they got to stay healthy.
4. Prairie Heights Panthers 1-6, 0-3 (Small)
Located in Brushy Prairie, IN (LaGrange/Steuben County)
2A Sectional 35
Current Ranking: 4th Small School Division; 9th NECC
Previous Ranking: 4th Small School Division; 9th NECC
Previous Outing: L 38-6 Bremen
Next Game: 10/7 @ Fremont
- Head-To-Head Series: 33-24 Prairie Heights
- First Meeting: 10/01/1965 Fremont won 38-0 at PH
- Last Meeting: 10/08/2021 Prairie Heights won 34-12 at Prairie Heights
- Fremont has won 3 of their last 4 meetings
- PH has not beaten Fremont in consecutive meetings since October 10, 2014, when PH won 3 straight against Fremont
Autumn is here, and the dog days of football have officially arrived. These final two teams cannot be more excited to be out of September right now. Wake me up when September ends?! You bet! Welcome to Spooky Season, where Prairie Heights and Fremont have a chance to rise from the depths of blowout losses and bring some life back to the locker room.
Against Bremen, Prairie Heights had trouble slowing down Bremen’s pound the rock type of football. The Lions ran for 250 yards on 41 carries, led by Lance Moser’s 216 yards on 30 carries and 4 TDs.
The good news now is they don’t have to worry about another Lance Moser, or Carsen Jacobs, Brody Morgan, Riley Buroff, or Wyatt Marks. For the first time since Week 2, Prairie Heights really has a chance of turning this ship around by crashing Fremont’s senior night.
The Steuben County Brawl has been one of the two schools’ most anticipated matchups every year as this series has been known for unpredictable outcomes. Could this be the night Trenton and Jaden Daniels has at least one more big-time performance?? I think they’re well overdue for one.
5. Fremont Eagles 2-5, 0-3 (Small)
Located in Fremont, IN (Steuben County)
1A Sectional 44
Current Ranking: 5th Small School Division; 10th NECC
Previous Ranking: 5th Small School Division; 10th NECC
Previous Outing: L 62-8 @ Eastside
Next Game: 10/7 vs Prairie Heights
- Head-To-Head Series: 33-24 Prairie Heights
- First Meeting: 10/01/1965 Fremont won 38-0 at PH
- Last Meeting: 10/08/2021 Prairie Heights won 34-12 at Prairie Heights
- Fremont has won 3 of their last 4 meetings
- PH has not beaten Fremont in consecutive meetings since October 10, 2014, when PH won 3 straight against Fremont
As they say, there is light at the end of each tunnel. Much like with Prairie Heights, Fremont has survived the hardest part of their schedule.
Despite the defense still struggling to stop teams from reaching the end zone, Fremont scored their first points since the third quarter of their Week 3 home game against North Central (OH). This snapped a 16-quarter scoreless streak.
Now, can they use that confidence to get a huge win against Prairie Heights? After all, three or maybe four wins is better than two, and it would be nice to see Fremont redeem themselves from this five-game skid. They’ll have their chances against a Prairie Heights team that struggles to stop the run and has a very inexperienced offensive line.
In recent memory, I haven’t said Zak Pica or Collin Green’s name since Week 3, and I have to think these are the two guys I want to see with the game in the balance to gain Steuben County bragging rights and get some huge momentum for Week 9 and sectionals.
