We have two more weeks of regular season football, and every school in the state of Indiana is guaranteed of playing three more games in this 2022 season. For the NECC, division titles will be crowned tonight. It’s just a matter of who will have their place in history? Last week, I picked 5 of 6 games correctly, with the Garrett-Fairfield game being my lone incorrection. This now puts my season record for NECC predictions to 36-8. Let’s see what Week 8 brings to SuperSam’s crystal ball.
Week 8 NECC Predictions
NECC Game of the Week: 5-2 Churubusco Eagles @ 6-1 West Noble Chargers
The last time we saw both teams entering this matchup with championship-level football teams, the 2019 West Noble Chargers went into Turtle Town and beat them 33-20, led by an amazing return by Josh Gross for a touchdown that night. It is evident that when the Chargers field an exciting, good football team, they’ve become a menace to the Busco boys.
The Mawhorter’s have built a tremendous defensive scheme that when the players properly execute the playbook, it truly gives opponents plenty of frustrations. The challenge will be trying to get some offense on the board against a red-hot Busco defense that hasn’t allowed more than 100 yards in a game since their 28-6 Week 4 loss @ Eastside.
Busco fields the NECC’s number one passing defense (78.9) but have faced some struggles against the run at times as they’re ranked in the middle of the pack (over 151 per game). Although Busco had their best performance against the run all season limiting Central Noble to -14 yards on the ground. With Riley Buroff being a major threat to the West Noble defense, expect the Chargers’ 3rd ranked passing defense in the NECC (104.2) to be of full use.
Plus, Busco has the NECC’s second ranked rushing offense mustering about 257 yards per game. West Noble had some trouble stopping the run when they played Eastside in Week 3. I’m curious to see how they slow down Busco’s Wing-T.
This type of football game could be a defensive battle that is won based on situational field positioning, special teams, and opportunistic scoring opportunities.
Players to Watch:
Churubusco: Gavin Huelesenbeck Jr. TE/OLB
Churubusco: McKale Bottles Fr. WR/OLB
Charger Field can be an electric atmosphere when the games are good, and Busco is going into a tough environment for them to withstand the emotions and intensity of this game. Busco is red hot with that defense and their Wing-T offense…
If Busco is unable to run their Wing-T offense and allow Wyatt Marks to assert his will against WN’s horses, this could be a tough road game for Busco. However, I’ve been struggling with this matchup…This could go either way.
I’ll take Busco
For more in-depth insight on this game, I have a separate post through my ANEC blog!
Busco by 2
5-2 Angola @ 1-6 Garrett
Garrett has all kinds of momentum going for them against their rival Angola Hornets. However, Garrett’s big task is figuring out how to slow down Angola’s Pistol Motion Offense. The Hornets’ rushing offense averages 256 yards per game, which only trails Busco (256.6) and Eastside (305.9). Now, Garrett does have a strong offensive line, but this is a huge challenge blocking against Jake Land, Jack Archbold, Ethan Miller, Andre Tagliaferri, Josh Grace, and Braden Toigo.
One name to watch for Angola is the play of Andre Tagliaferri who contributed to 176 total yards and has scored 7 TDs in his last 3 games. Tyler Call barely leads the NECC in rushing with 811 yards and 10 TDs, which beats out Lakeland’s Kham Malaivanh and his 807 rushing yards.
My eyes are on Ethan Miller’s assignment, especially against someone like wide receiver Luke Holcomb. In the end, if Angola can stop the run, they’ll have a chance to put this division race to bed.
Players to Watch:
Angola: Ethan Miller Sr. CB/RB
Garrett: Jack O’Connor Sr. C/NG
Angola by 24
5-2 Eastside @ 2-5 Central Noble
Eastside has a chance to clinch their FOURTH straight outright division championship against a team they’ve beaten 14 straight times since 2009. Now, apparently, Brody Morgan is cleared to play tonight at quarterback, which means he still has a chance to break the single season passing record. I believe he has 125 more passing yards to go, which that will be tough against Eastside.
Despite that, Eastside is too talented, too big, and too physical for me to think an upset is going to happen. Yes, the Cougars will play hard and try to give it their all, but Eastside does not like sharing titles. In my eyes, there won’t be any of that this season.
Players to Watch:
Eastside: Dax Holman Sr. RB/LB
Central Noble: Ethan Skinner Sr. OLB/TE
Eastside by 45
3-4 Lakeland @ 4-3 Fairfield
These are two teams heading in opposite directions. Despite Lakeland’s frustrations in getting the win against West Noble, the young Lakers showed tremendous potential against a very good West Noble defense that has frustrated almost everyone all season long. It almost feels like Lakeland’s improving as the season progresses.
Fairfield, on the other hand, has left a bad taste to my mouth. August was such a promising start for Fairfield going 4-0 and being able to pound the football through the Wishbone Offense. However, much like a bone, that once mighty Wishbone looks like a Crushed-Bone offense as they’ve been outscored 100-19 (Ouch!).
Yes, they played some weaker teams early in the season, and they have been dealing with injuries. BUT…. I also know they have not been executing their gameplan. They have not been getting stops on defense, and they are not showing the confidence to get the job done in moving these chains.
Lately, Fairfield has not been able to respond to adversity, and times running thin on their season. That could change with more healthy bodies, but this Lakeland team is no joke. Lakeland has showed more confidence in being able to run and throw the ball PLUS playing better defense lately.
Because of that, I have to take the Lakeland Lakers. I just don’t have any confidence that Fairfield is going to play well enough to knock off the talented Lakers. Keep in mind Fairfield has the second worst passing defense, which only Central Noble’s is worst.
Players to Watch:
Lakeland: Brayden Holbrook Fr. QB
Fairfield: Brecken Maran So. FB/MLB
Lakeland by 14
1-6 Prairie Heights @ 2-5 Fremont
I’m going to keep this short and sweet because I don’t have a good sense who wins this game. These games tend to be unpredictable and can go either way.
Where I think this game is won is through the defense, and that’s critical in this game. Fremont’s defense has taken a beating, but this is Senior Night. At some point, Fremont is going to be tired of taking the punches.
Against a young offensive line like Prairie Heights, I see Fremont not only due for a big defensive showing but also a surprising and somewhat of an impressive performance. I see the Steuben Eagles pulling away with win number three.
Players to Watch
Prairie Heights: Jaden Daniels Sr. WR/RB
Fremont: Brogan Blue Sr. WR/CB
Fremont by 6
