We’re down to the last two weeks of the regular season. It’s probably said every season, but this one has truly flown by. It’s Week 8 and two conference champions will likely be decided in both the ACAC and the SAC. There wasn’t many big surprises in Northeast Indiana last week, but one was how lopsided the game between the Carroll Chargers and the Homestead Spartans was.

SAC Spotlight: Carroll Chargers vs. Northrop Bruins

This week, the Chargers have a shot to clinch another SAC Championship. They travel to Spuller Stadium to face a hot Northrop Bruins team for the game of the week in the conference. Both teams come into the game with a 4-1 record in the SAC, the Bruins are 6-1 overall (lost to Homestead), meanwhile the Chargers are 4-3 overall record (lost to Hamilton SE, Center Grove, and Dwenger). The last time Northrop beat Carroll was back in the 2018 season. Since then, the Chargers have dominated the Bruins, but this year’s matchup is a lot different than recent years.

Northrop remains the highest-scoring team in the SAC coming into Week 8, but in addition to that, their defense has found its groove as of late. Other than the shootout against Homestead back in Week 4, the Bruins defense has only allowed 20 or more points one other game this season (Huntington North in Week 2). As usual, led by coach Doug Dinan (16th season), the Chargers program is battle tested and will be ready to play on Friday. With this in mind, I was able to catch up with Northrop’s head coach Quentin Bowen to preview this game against Carroll.

“Carroll is a very well-coached, disciplined football team with a lot of talent. They play fast, they’re physical, and they don’t beat themselves. For us, it’s going to come down to execution and focus — we have to match their intensity and play mistake-free football for four quarters. It’s another great opportunity to measure ourselves against one of the top programs in the area,” coach Bowen replied.

With Carroll on an impressive three-game winning streak, it’s all on the line in this showdown at Spuller

Predictions

Northrop over Carroll 28-21.

North Side over Homestead 24-14.

Dwenger over Snider 30-7.

South Side over Concordia 21-14.

Luers over Wayne 35-3.

NE8 Spotlight: Columbia City vs. Leo

Columbia City-Leo should be a fun one this week. Although the game against East Noble last week ended in a blowout, the Eagles were hanging with the Knights in the first half. Leo comes into Week 8 with one loss to East Noble 6-1 overall, 4-1 in NE8, meanwhile Columbia City is 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the conference. Last season, the Eagles beat the Lions 21-18, and Leo likely has revenge on the mind for this rematch. Leo’s offense that is led by running back Nathan Foster (1357 rushing yards and 17 TD’s) continues to be amongst the best in the entire state and will be no easy task for the Eagles defensively. If they end up being able to find a way to slow Foster down, defensive back Gavin Smith will be waiting in the secondary to add to his all-time interceptions record with CC. The Eagles offense remains one of the top-scoring offenses in the conference and one of the most versatile rushing attacks in the NE8 with nine different players getting rushing TD’s this season. Leo head coach Jason Doerffler is well-aware of the Eagles’ offense and spoke to us about this big game this week.

“Columbia City presents a huge challenge for us. They are a very good offensive team with a system that is difficult to stop. We will have to tackle better and play great defense. Offensively, we need to establish our running game and play physical football. As always, we will have to protect the ball and be solid in the kicking game. We expect a great battle on Friday,” coach Doerffler added.

As the Lions continue to climb the state rankings in Class 4A, the Eagles hope to spoil their party with a road victory this week.

Predictions

Leo over Columbia City 35-21.

DeKalb over Bellmont 28-7.

Huntington North over Norwell 21-18.

East Noble over New Haven 45-7.

ACAC Spotlight: Adams Central vs. Bluffton

Anytime you’ve got a battle of undefeated teams this late in the season, it brings one of the top games to watch in the state. Both the Bluffton Tigers and Adams Central Flying Jets are 7-0 going into Week 8 and the ACAC crown is up for grabs for whoever wins this game.

While Adams Central was expected to be unblemished to this point, Bluffton has its first 7-0 start since at least 1994 (that’s as far as John Harrell goes back). Under head coach Brett Kunkel, the Tigers are currently the highest-scoring offense in the conference and are led by quarterback Axton Beste, who has thrown for 1,187 yards for 18 touchdowns, three interceptions and a QBR of 140.5. His main target this season has been Aaron Streveler, who has 28 receptions for 475 yards and six touchdowns.

If anyone is up to the challenge against this high-powered aerial attack from the Tigers, it is the stingy Flying Jets defense that has only allowed 55 points total all season. Head coach Michael Mosser chatted with me about this battle of undefeated ACAC teams and what his gameplan is for the Tigers.

“We are going to have to stop their run game, contain their pass game and get to the QB. He can’t have time to pass. Offensively, we must not make mistakes, move the ball and score points. We do those things we may have a chance to win,” coach Mosser replied.

For what has the potential to be the best game in Northeast Indiana this week, only one can walk out of Bluffton with the ACAC title — who will it be?

Predictions

Adams Central 24-21 over Bluffton

Heritage over Southern Wells 28-21.

Lapel over Jay County 41-17.

South Adams over Woodlan 35-7.

NECC Spotlight: West Noble at Churubusco

The best of the Big Division against the best of the Small Division in the NECC in Week 8? Sign me up! Both teams are 2nd and 3rd in the entire NECC (Big & Small Division combined) in scoring and this has the potential to be a shootout. The Chargers come into Week 8 with a 6-1 record and the Eagles come in with a 5-2 record overall.

Busco is having the best start to their season since the 2021 season and is led by their three-headed rushing attack of senior quarterback Brody Lawrence (221 rush. yds 2 rush TD’s, senior running back Grant Sievers (550 rush yds, 4 TD’s), and senior Carson Tonkel (353 rush yds, 7 TD’s).

West Noble’s strength is their balanced offense that is capable of frustrating defenses in a variety of ways. Senior quarterback Trey Shisler has put together a solid season in addition to their running game that has been led by sophomores running back Brogan Parks (461 yds, six touchdowns) and Xy’mire Barnes-Bridges (221 yds, 3 TD’s).

With two high-powered offenses, West Noble-Churubusco should be a fantastic game to watch this week.

Predictions

West Noble over Churubusco 35-28.

Lakeland over Fairfield 28-14.

Fremont over Prairie Heights 21-14.

Angola over Garrett 14-7.

Eastside over Central Noble 41-7.