Week 8 - Best Games in the Region / Michiana / Northeast Indiana

[NLCTigerFan07]

I put this together last week and had some good feedback on it so figured why not do it again this week. Not as many high profile games this week as last week here up North (some BIG TIME games throughout the rest of the state though) but here are what I consider to be the best 5 games this week up here:

#1 - Central Noble (6-1) at Eastside (7-0): Unfortunately this game lost a little bit of its luster after the Cougars lost last week to Churubusco. However, this game is still large in terms of determining the Small Division champ of the Northeast Corner Conference. For those not in the know, Eastside QB Laban Davis is the best player you haven't heard of. The senior has thrown for 1,055 yards and rushed for another 1,115 yards and a bazillion TDs combined. He's a stud. This game will go a long way in telling us if the Blazers can/will pose any sort of threat to Luers in Sectional 35.

#2 - Wheeler (5-1) at Hanover Central (6-1): Another big time matchup between some smaller schools not getting any love in the polls. The Wildcats only loss this season was by 1 point at 4A Culver Academy, while hte Bearcats only misstep was a week 2 loss to 4A Kankakee Valley. The winner of this game guarantees at least a share of the Greater South Shore - South Division title and can win it outright with a victory next week. Which team will prevail? A Wheeler defense that has only given up 4 ppg on defense in conference play? Or a Hanover Central offense scoring 63 ppg in conference play?

#3 - Penn (3-4) at New Prairie (6-1): A lot of people wrote of the Kingsmen when they started the season 0-4, but they have since won their last 3 games scoring 100 points on offense, while only giving up 6 points on defense. Impressive. New Prairie has been just as stingy on that side of the ball their last 3 games as well, only giving up 8 points last week to Indianapolis Tech after back to back shutouts the 2 weeks previous. The Cougars have to win tonight to keep their hopes of a division crown in the NIC. Chuck Freeby and the Channel 46 crew will be in town to broadcast the game.

#4 - FW Dwenger (4-3) at FW Snider (5-1): Even though the Saints are coming into this game fresh off a loss to Luers in last week's Battle of the Bishops (and losers of 3 of 4), this is always a big game in the 260. The last 6 matchups between these two teams have been decided by an average margin of victory of 6 points. Always a close battle between these rivals. While Dwenger is out of the SAC title race, they would love nothing more than to spoil the Panthers chances prior to next week's matchup with Luers. Both teams can put up points, so there is potential for a bit of a shootout as opposed to a slugfest.

#5 - LaVille (5-1) at North Judson (5-2): Another huge game between small schools with an impact on their conference race. The Lancers have a tough defense this year, only giving up 8.5 ppg. That's good for 12th in the state and 4th in class 2A. Their only loss was a 5 point margin to perennial power Pioneer, while the 1A Blue Jays only losses are to undefeated 3A Tippecanoe Valley and 4A Culver Academy. North Judson needs to win this week to keep their outright Hoosier North championship alive before a colossal weeek 9 matchup at Pioneer.

[BTF]

Good game previews! 

You are spot on with the Snider/Dwenger game. This one always goes to the wire and I don't see tonight being any different. Dwenger proved last week that they can rumble with good teams. This will be a good preview as these two teams will more than likely duke it out in sectionals for the right to play Zionsville.