Knightsfan_01

I’ll comment on these 3 teams, all in sectional 19. Leo — Awesome O-Line with size, a great stable of backs to share the load on carries, great hard nosed defense, great special teams, but a questionable Offensive scheme IMO. This is what I don’t understand about Leo, they have all this size, great backs, experienced QB, and their scheme relies on deception, ball fakes, and confusion?? As soon as they match up against a defense that has the minimum level of size and tackling ability, AND has the scheme to stop their run they’re in trouble. I think Amstutz and EN have that defensive scheme. EN is 3-1 against Leo in the past 2 years with much of the same players on both teams. East Noble — Down in size a little compared to Leo, but an experienced roster. Offensively they are much better than last year, more balanced for sure. Playmakers at skill spots. Defense has been improving since week 1 against Plymouth where for more than half the game, we didn’t have our 1st team D on the field much at all. Northridge — I honestly don’t know a whole lot about them. I expected a little drop off with Coach Wogoman gone but doesn’t appear so. I know their conference is tougher than the NE8 playing the likes of Warsaw/Mishawaka etc. I’ll be following them as they play out their conference schedule for sure. Seems to me it wouldn’t be a surprise to see any of these 3 teams win sectional 19 and move on.

I predicted at season’s start the North 4A rep would be from the NE8, and I’m still sticking to that. Leo/EN will meet in week 5, ultimately deciding the conference championship. Until that game unfortunately the matchups every week are meh… Not much to debate. I really hope the SAC in Ft Wayne adapts their schedule like I’ve heard and EN/Leo can pick up some of those early season games. I know we can compete and look forward to a more competitive schedule overall. But I gotta say it’s hard to make picks when kids are getting quarantined left and right. Are there school districts making changes with the Governer’s new guidelines isssued last week? As of yet EN has not changed anything.. although I wish they would, I hope it doesn’t bite us at the wrong time. Bellmont @ Norwell — No analysis needed, a garbage TD in trash time but 35-7 Norwell. Columbia City @ Huntington North — Not sure what happened last week but If Bolt plays 41-14 Col City, if not 35-14 lol. East Noble @ Dekalb — I’m impressed by the Dekalb QB but they can’t slow down EN’s offense.. 49-14 EN. New Haven @ Leo — Will Leo work on their passing game before the week 5 matchup with EN or just run like they do 99% of their plays? Did they learn anything last postseason? Will Jakar Williams play? Either way it’s a blowout.. 47-10 Leo. Can’t wait until next week.. where the Leo faithful at?!?

East Noble - 35 Huntington North - 0 still first quarter..

Yeah I remember this Junior class at Norwell from middle school. If they’ve matured as they should have they’ll be my pick to win the NE8 next year. Considering what Leo and EN will graduate.

Columbia City @ Bellmont - Not much to say, Col City by 35. Dekalb @ New Haven - Tough year for Dekalb keeps getting worse, New Haven by 14. Huntington North @ East Noble - Sophomore QB continues to settle in, heavy dose of EN run game, EN by 24. Leo @ Norwell - Leo’s powder puff non conference schedule is over but not much changes, different Norwell team than last year, Leo by 27.

That stuff was hilarious!

Yeah I agree with this. Looking forward to an SAC schedule shakeup so that the two conferences can play some games against each other.

Football is back and so are the fans in the stands! Here's to a good and healthy year to all teams in the conference! Couple predictions for the NE8 this year: Still a two team race for the conference title between Leo and EN. Columbia City will be last years Norwell and have a really good year. I'm putting the odds at 50/50 the 4A North State Representative comes from the NE8 ... either Leo/EN Kainon Carico(EN) comes out of nowhere and leads conference in rushing at +2000yds. Week 1 Matchups: Adams Central @ Bellmont -- AC by 21 Angola @ Dekalb -- Angola by 7 Col City @ Churubusco -- Col City by 14 EN @ Plymouth -- EN by 20 Garrett @ New Haven -- New Haven by 17 Huntington North @ Eastbrook -- Eastbrook by 21 Jennings County @ Norwell -- Norwell by 10 Leo @ Woodlan -- Leo by 24

I would lump EN and Leo together, whoever comes out of sectional 19. Leo brings a lot back just like EN. How will Hobart be next year? Who's the favorite in the north? I know Marion is graduating like 20 seniors.

I agree, a couple sloppy plays here and there (EN Special Teams and D) and EN could have easily won that game. I can't speak to the 5A and 6A game but I'm going to pick Hobart in a close one. I was hoping it would be EN to make the trip, even though I'm not sure we could have beaten Hobart, totally different EN team from last year. I was really impressed with the size and physicality of Marion's 2 backs.. Their feature back, Stamps I think his name is, is very fast and obviously great. I was more impressed with their second option guy.. don't remember name.. big, physical, tough. I think he wore down the EN defense more than anyone. And Yucca, dont fret the EN crowd too much.. they're always rowdy lol. Good luck to both teams!

Marion 21 EN 10 Halftime

Thought the new guidelines Started Nov 30th? Or was that the Governers state wide stuff?

LMAO biased opinion here also, but I like the chances of our D showing out again. Even though Marion seems more dynamic on offense than Leo, I think we have the athletes to match up. Glad this one's at home! 17-14 EN Good comparison, thanks!

I agree! I don't know a whole lot about Marion myself but I dug into each team's schedules to try to get a better idea of the type of match-up it might be. Not a straight forward comparison I know, but still fun to do. This just leads me to comparing the NE8 to the NCC which I know nothing about, and I'm sure is not apples to apples. The NCC definitely has some bigger schools. Just food got thought... Against teams with winning records: EN 3-2 ... Beat Columbia City twice and Leo, while losing to Leo and Norwell(also lost to Penn who ended 5-5) Marion 1-3 ... Beat Delta and losing to Eastbrook, Lawrence North and Lafayette Jeff. Combined records of teams beaten: EN 38-46 Marion 30-55 Combined records of teams lost to: EN 25-9 Marion 34-10 Seems to me that all of Marion's losses came to quality opponents, while EN's losses came to quality opponents also. The team was banged up and still finding it's identity during it's 3 game losing skid mid season though. So how does the NCC compare to the NE8? From an EN fan, while our school has had some success in conference lately, the NE8 still seems very competitive. You better show up and play well on Friday night or you could lose to pretty much anyone.

Told you guys their offense was suspect. EN D is way underrated.

4A Sectional 19 East Noble 10 Loe 0 Final

4A Sectional 19 EN 10 - Leo 0 Halftime

Not what anyone wants to see.

Yeah, I agree there.

6A Homestead vs Warsaw- Homestead 31-24 5A Dwenger vs North- Dwenger 28-21 4A Leo vs East Noble- East Noble 14-7 My pick for upset/game of the week... It's been said a lot lately but I believe it's absolutely true, EN is a different team now than when they first faced each other. Having Zolman back is a big help, but not the only reason why. Much respect to the Leo D but their offense, not so much... Expect EN to not turn the ball over 5 times again, and a low scoring close game with EN coming out on top. 3A Norwell vs Concordia- Norwell 21-10 2A Luers vs Eastside- Eastside 28-14 1A AC vs Southwood- Southwood 28-21 1A SA vs Madison Grant- South Adams 49-14