Some improvement was made as I registered a 17-4 record (81 percent) last week. My overall record is now 71-24, which bumps me up to 75 percent. All games are Friday.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (0-4, 0-1 NIC) at Penn (3-1, 0-0 NIC): The Kingsmen clubbed Adams, 28-7, a year ago. Iraken Armstead tossed for 283 yards and five touchdowns in the Eagles’ 42-36 overtime loss to Mishawaka. Ryan Lynch threw for 209 yards and one score in Penn’s 38-17 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Matt’s pick: Penn 36, Adams 14.
Clay (0-4, 0-1 NIC) at Mishawaka (2-2, 1-0 NIC): The Colonials suffered a 41-6 loss to Mishawaka last year. Clay was limited to eight points in the first half on its 50-20 loss to Saint Joseph. Chris Harness ran for 120 yards and a touchdown for the Cavemen against Adams. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 45, Clay 7.
Elkhart Central (2-2, 0-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (1-3, 1-0): The Blazers earned a 38-26 win over Saint Joe last season. Adrean Sims caught four passes for 53 yards in Elkhart Central’s 21-7 loss to Birmingham Brother Rice. Ashton Ruszkowski threw six touchdowns to five different receivers for the Indians against Clay. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 23, Elkhart Central 20.
Glenn (2-2) at Knox (4-0): The Redskins posted a 34-21 win at Glenn in 2016. Graysen Fansler romped for 92 yards and a score in the Falcons’ 28-14 loss at Jimtown. With its 14-7 win, the Redskins have now won two straight meetings against North Judson. Matt’s pick: Knox 20, Glenn 13.
Marian (4-0, 2-0 NIC) at Jimtown (2-2, 2-0 NIC): The Knights cruised to a 30-7 win against Jimtown a season ago. Michael Floran passed for 114 yards and a touchdown for Marian in a 16-6 win over Riley. Trey Washington accumulated 68 yards on the ground and one score for the Jimmies against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Marian 34, Jimtown 16.
New Prairie (3-1, 1-0 NIC) at Bremen (2-2, 0-2 NIC): The Cougars clawed their way to a 28-6 win over Bremen in their last meeting. In addition to scoring a pair of touchdowns, Daniel Tyler also blocked a punt resulting in a safety for New Prairie in a 46-7 win against Washington. Ryan Caldwell threw for a pair of scores and ran for another tally in the Lions’ 3-10 win at Triton. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 38, Bremen 15.
Riley (2-2, 1-1 NIC) at Washington (2-2, 0-2 NIC): The Wildcats dropped a 16-6 contest to Washington a year ago. Jalen Jennings caught seven passes for 146 yards and one score for Riley against Marian. Chance Shabazz had a fumble recovery for the Panthers against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Riley 39, Washington 22.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (4-0, 3-0 NLC) at Goshen (1-3, 1-1 NLC): The RedHawks claimed a 28-25 win at Concord a season ago. Jack Lietzan ran for 171 yards and four touchdowns for the Minutemen in a 51-29 win at Wawasee. Wesley VanHooser scampered for 137 yards and threw for 40 yards in Goshen’s 19-10 loss at NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Concord 40, Goshen 19.
Northridge (4-0, 2-0 NLC) at Warsaw (2-2, 1-1 NLC): The Tigers roared past Northridge, 34-2, last year. Conner Graber accounted for 104 yards on the ground and one score in the Raiders’ 12-0 triumph at Plymouth. Tristan Larsh tossed for 101 yards and a touchdown in Warsaw’s 17-6 win at Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Northridge 19, Warsaw 14.
Plymouth (3-1, 1-1 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (0-4, 0-3 NLC): The Rockies rallied for a 19-17 win against Memorial last season. Jeremy Drudge recorded 14 tackles for Plymouth against Northridge. Nolan Grose had a 10-yard touchdown run for the Chargers against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 41, Elkhart Memorial 12.
Wawasee (1-3, 0-2 NLC) at NorthWood (3-1, 1-1 NLC): The Warriors are looking to make amends for a 53-30 loss to NorthWood in 2016. Aaron Evans threw for 249 yards and three scores and ran for a fourth tally for Wawasee against Concord. Brayton Yoder ran 12 times for 142 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers against Goshen. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 33, Wawasee 13.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
LaVille (2-2, 1-2 HNC) at Caston (1-3, 0-3 HNC): The Lancers marched past Caston, 54-8, in their last matchup. Andrew Dill raced for 155 yards and three scores in LaVille’s 28-12 win over Winamac. Kasey Ault had 80 yards rushing in the Comets’ 52-0 loss to Pioneer. Matt’s pick: LaVille 30, Caston 8.
North White (0-4) at Pioneer (4-0): The Panthers earned a 56-12 win against North White in the 2015 playoffs. Gavin Gross recorded 48 yards rushing in the Vikings’ 46-0 loss to Tri-County. Ezra Lewallen ran four times for 155 yards and two touchdowns for Pioneer against Caston. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 50, North White 6.
Triton (3-1, 2-0 HNC) at Culver (3-1, 1-1 HNC): The Cavaliers recorded a 40-26 victory over Triton a season ago. Lee Mullet tallied 13 tackles for the Trojans against Bremen. Ryan Tompos ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score in Culver’s 48-0 win over West Central. Matt’s pick: Culver 24, Triton 18.
Winamac (1-3, 0-3 HNC) at North Judson (1-3, 1-2 HNC): The Warriors racked up a 40-14 win against North Judson last season. Austin Brandt accounted for one of Winamac’s two touchdowns against LaVille. The Bluejays have been outscored 95-21 in their three losses. Matt’s pick: Winamac 21, North Judson 10.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (2-2, 1-1 DAC) at Portage (2-2, 2-0 DAC): The Indians escaped with a 7-3 win against Crown Point a year ago. Ryan Bolda tossed for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 45-0 shutout of Lake Central. Anthony Maceo threw for 100 yards and one score and ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns in Portage’s 28-21 win over Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Portage 32, Crown Point 25.
Lake Central (1-3, 0-2 DAC) at LaPorte (2-2, 1-1 DAC): The Slicers downed Lake Central, 35-17 in 2016. The Indians have been blanked twice in one season for the first time since 2008. Nolan Lorenz tossed for 96 yards and a score in LaPorte’s 20-18 win over Chesterton. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 35, Lake Central 12.
Merrillville (1-3, 1-1 DAC) at Michigan City (2-2, 1-1 DAC): The Wolves roared past Merrillville, 42-35, last year. Zachary Gault had a 16-yard interception return for a score for Michigan City against Valparaiso. Markus Fielder had six catches for 79 yards and two scores for the Pirates against Portage. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 37, Merrillville 34.
Valparaiso (4-0, 2-0 DAC) at Chesterton (2-2, 0-2 DAC): The Vikings were a 34-13 winner over Chesterton a season ago. Louie Razo had a 21-yard touchdown run for the Trojans against LaPorte. Michael Scarsella’s first career catch resulted in the game-winning 34-yard touchdown for Valparaiso against Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 19, Chesterton 10.
INDEPENDENTS
Brebeuf Jesuit (1-3) at Culver Academy (4-0): The Braves earned a 21-10 win against Culver Academy last year. Derek Ozobu threw for 180 yards and two touchdowns in Brebeuf’s 21-18 loss to Zionsville. Carson Bellman ran for a touchdown and a pair of two-point conversions as Culver Academy rallied from a 28-0 deficit to earn a 35-28 win at Western. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 25, Brebeuf 23.
