With the season winding down, we still have yet to figure out if Leo will claim the NE8 as the outright champs for the first time ever. Ok, everyone, act surprised. They’re playing DeKalb. They should be ok.
But, there is still one game I want to discuss this week in the NE8, and it’s an intriguing one. For the Columbia City Eagles, they’re 6-2 for the first time since 2010. But if you ask any of the players there, they’re not satisfied as they should. In their last 2 games combined, they’ve been outscored 48-17 against East Noble and Leo (both in their same sectional).
Tonight, they’ll have to face Norwell (7-1), who’s 7.9 points against per game is tied for 12th best in the state. For the Knights, it’s their best season since 2009. Both teams are prepping themselves for a shot at a sectional title, and both teams come in with unique styles of football.
Norwell leads the all time series 19-14 over the Columbia City Eagles but have lost their last 4 meetings. At home, Norwell is 10-7 against Columbia City compare to their 9-7 record @ Columbia City. When Norwell has a winning record, they’ve never lost a home game to Columbia City.
Columbia City
1. Get some confidence back on offense
Norwell defensively has allowed just 8 total TD’s this season with the most being 17 points total against Leo and East Noble.
In terms of passing, Bolt had games of 200+ yards passing in 3 of their first 6 games and combined for 18 TD passes to just 4 picks. In his last 2 games, he’s passed for a combined 198 yards with 0 TD passes and 6 picks. Not good.
The Eagles ran for at least 150 yards in 3 of his first 6 games. They’ve since combined for only 159 yards rushing in their last 2 games. So, for total offense, Columbia City had 300 or more total yards in 6 of their first 7 games. They’re coming off their worst offensive performance with only 165 yards of total offense yet they only lost 21-7.
For Columbia City to have a chance at winning meaningful games in the playoffs, they got to regain some of that swagger that made them the breakout team of the 2020 NE8 season because next week it’s back to Kendallville where they didn’t do so well the last time they played there.
It’s safe to say this game is super important.
2. Create havoc on the Norwell offense
Columbia City is going to have some challenges of scoring points on this Norwell defense, but the Eagles do need to perform well against Norwell’s versatile offense.
Norwell is 7-0 when they score 20 or more points this season.
Columbia City’s defense has recorded 6 sacks, 5 picks, 1 block punt, and 5 fumble recoveries so far this season. Look for Treyton Lomont to get something rolling for that defense.
Norwell
1. Limit Bolt’s options
As easy as this sounds, Bolt is one of the hardest QB’s to contain. He can not only throw the football from the pocket but he’s got the athleticism and speed to create pressure on opposing defenses. He is that much of a threat. On top of that, you have TJ Bedwell, Hunter Herron, AJ Barrera, and Garrett Geiger.
When defenses are creating chaos and are not giving Bolt time and options to create problems, success tends to happen, but that’s when defenses play well. Considering how good Norwell’s defense has been, it has to be fairly promising when EN and Leo have been successful at this with their defenses.
2. Take care of business at home
With this being the last regular season home game, Norwell obviously will come in with a ton of emotions. Top that with the pressure of their sectional a week from tonight, yeah it can be difficult for a team that hasn’t embraced expectations as often as this one in over a decade.
Columbia City typically doesn’t play as well as the visiting team with a 2-1 road record compare to their 4-1 home record.
One player to watch from both teams
Gregory Bolt Columbia City
While there are so many weapons at Columbia City, Bolt is no question their best player on offense. He is 4-0 when he completes 50% or more of his passes compare to his 2-2 record in his other games. When Bolt records 300+ yards of total offense, Columbia City is undefeated.
The good news is he’s seen the end zone in every game this season. Outside of the last 2 games, he’s recorded at least 1 TD pass. Other than the DeKalb game, he’s ran for at least 1 TD in every other game this season. If Bolt can get the rest of his team going on offense, the Eagles will have a good chance to win.
In his last 2 games against Norwell, he has passed for 195 yards with 2 TD passes and ran for 45 yards.
Isaiah Brege Norwell
If you recall back in the Norwell-East Noble preview, I talked about how Brege could have a big time game in Kendallville, and quite frankly he did just that in the comeback win over EN. It helps that he has a nice QB in Eli Riley and a solid offensive line. Considering how close this game could be, maybe that Riley-Brege connection may have one last dose of magic left before the postseason.
Conclusion
It’s been awhile since Norwell and Columbia City have come in with winning records, and this arguably is one of the best matchups in the entire area. If you have a chance to watch this game, please do because I think this game could swing in either direction. Either way, this is a great tuneup game for sectionals next week in their respective classes.
Around the NorthEast Corner 