My upward climb continued as I went 17-3 record (85 percent) last week. My overall record is now 88-27, which now has me up to 77 percent. All games are Friday unless noted.
THURSDAY – HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
Triton (4-1, 3-0 HNC) at Pioneer (5-1, 3-0 HNC): The Panthers came away with a 50-7 win over Triton a year ago. Max Slusser racked up 14 tackles for the Trojans in their win over Culver. Jack Kiser threw four touchdown passes and ran for two more scores in Pioneer’s 80-0 victory over North White. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 48, Triton 12.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Bremen (2-3, 0-3 NIC) at Marian (4-1, 2-1 NIC): The Knights were a 31-14 winner over Bremen a year ago. Ryan Caldwell threw for 83 yards and a touchdown for the Lions in their 61-13 loss to New Prairie. Tyler DeBoe scampered for 36 yards in Marian’s 7-0 loss at Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Marian 30, Bremen 14.
Clay (0-5, 0-2 NIC) at Adams (0-5, 0-2 NIC) (School Field): The Eagles soared to a 40-14 win over Clay last season. With their 47-0 loss to Mishawaka, the Colonials have now been blanked in three of their five contests. Adams was held to 10 yards of offense in the second half of their 35-0 loss at Penn. Matt’s pick: Adams 24, Clay 12.
Jimtown (3-2) at Concord (5-0): The Jimmies held on for a 37-36 victory against Concord a season ago. Trey Washington’s 26-yard scoring run lifted Jimtown over Marian. Trayvon Sheppard ran eight yards for a score in the Minutemen’s 49-14 win at Goshen. Matt’s pick: Concord 31, Jimtown 16.
Mishawaka (3-2, 2-0 NIC) at Elkhart Central (2-3, 0-1 NIC): The Cavemen blanked Elkhart Central, 55-0, last year. Mishawaka exploded for 21 second-quarter points against Clay. Kyran Pearson had a three-yard touchdown romp in the Blazers’ 34-7 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 35, Elkhart Central 13.
Penn (4-1, 1-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (2-3, 2-0 NIC): The Indians dropped a 53-15 decision to Penn in their last meeting. Drew Schneider took an interception back 40 yards for a touchdown in the Kingsmen’s triumph over Adams. Tim Flanagan accumulated 168 yards on the ground against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Penn 40, Saint Joseph 17.
Riley (3-2, 2-1 NIC) at New Prairie (4-1, 2-0 NIC): The Cougars clawed past Riley twice in 2016 by scores of 70-14 and 42-14. Anthony Collier recorded 149 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Wildcats in a 12-7 win over Washington. Chris Mays had a pair of scoring runs in New Prairie’s win at Bremen. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 42, Riley 15.
Washington (2-3, 0-3 NIC) at Glenn (2-3, 1-2 NIC): The Panthers marched their way to a 31-16 win over Glenn a year ago. Jatvise Knight tossed for 158 yards and a touchdown for Washington against Riley. Brandon Becker racked up 12 tackles for the Falcons in a 28-3 loss at Knox. Matt’s pick: Washington 20, Glenn 19.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Elkhart Memorial (0-5) at Indianapolis Shortridge (4-0): The Chargers marched past Shortridge, 54-0, last season. Tyler Lehner found the end zone from one yard out in Elkhart Memorial’s 35-6 loss to Plymouth. Russell Lemaster ran five times for 123 yards and three scores in the Blue Devils’ 57-12 win over Anderson Prep Academy. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 39, Shortridge 37.
NorthWood (4-1, 2-1 NLC) at Northridge (5-0, 3-0 NLC): The Panthers downed Northridge, 14-0 and 43-14, a season ago. Bronson Yoder racked up eight tackles in NorthWood’s 32-0 shutout of Wawasee. Brad Schwartz hauled in a 66-yard pass for a score in the Raiders’ 24-6 win at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 28, Northridge 23.
Plymouth (4-1, 2-1 NLC) at Wawasee (1-4, 0-3 NLC): The Rockies clubbed Wawasee, 55-16, last year. Benji Nixon had a touchdown run and catch for Plymouth against Elkhart Memorial. Dalton Pearish recorded a fumble recovery for the Warriors against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 38, Wawasee 10.
Warsaw (2-3, 1-2 NLC) at Goshen (1-4, 1-2 NLC): The Tigers roared past Goshen, 43-14, a year ago. Harrison Mevis booted field goals of 38 and 43 yards for Warsaw against Northridge. Liam Morales rambled 96 yards for a touchdown for the RedHawks against Concord. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 22, Goshen 19.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
Caston (1-4) at North Miami (3-2): The Warriors recorded a 52-0 win against Caston in 2016. Kacey Ault had 70 yards on the ground for the Comets in a 14-0 loss to LaVille. Zane Briggs raced for 122 yards and one score and passed for 66 yards in North Miami’s 17-7 loss to Rochester. Matt’s pick: North Miami 39, Caston 8.
Culver (3-2, 1-2 HNC) at Winamac (2-3, 1-3 HNC): The Cavaliers slipped by Winamac, 15-14, in their last matchup. Ryan Tompos rushed for 112 yards and one score and also threw a touchdown pass in Culver’s 27-21 overtime loss to Triton. Kyle Chumley romped for 54 yards and a touchdown and recorded six tackles in the Warriors’ 48-7 win over North Judson. Matt’s pick: Culver 32, Winamac 30.
Knox (5-0, 3-0 HNC) at LaVille (3-2, 2-2 HNC): The Lancers racked up a 28-0 win against LaVille last season. Sean Trojan had a 72-yard touchdown reception in the Redskins’ win over Glenn. Rylan Martin tallied 129 yards and one touchdown for LaVille against Caston. Matt’s pick: Knox 33, LaVille 14.
North Judson (1-4) at West Central (0-5): The Bluejays flew by West Central, 36-6, a season ago. Caden Peretti tossed for 77 yards and one score for North Judson against Winamac. Dalton Sizemore rushed for 46 yards in the Trojans’ 47-6 loss at North Newton. Matt’s pick: North Judson 18, West Central 6.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (2-3, 0-3 DAC) at Portage (3-2, 3-0 DAC): The Indians downed Chesterton, 22-13, last year. Andrew Zimmerman tossed for 113 yards in the Trojans’ 14-0 loss to Valparaiso. Greg Milledge tallied five catches for 139 yards and a touchdown in Portage’s 27-10 win over Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Portage 41, Chesterton 19.
LaPorte (3-2, 2-1 DAC) at Merrillville (1-4, 1-2 DAC): The Slicers marched to a 46-35 victory over Merrillville in 2016. Detrick Merriweather ran for 108 yards and a score in LaPorte’s 56-7 win over Lake Central. Justin Rhodes scampered for 82 yards with a touchdown in the Pirates’ 56-28 loss to Michigan City. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 43, Merrillville 20.
Michigan City (3-2, 2-1 DAC) at Lake Central (1-4, 0-3 DAC): The Wolves roared past Lake Central, 46-42, last season. Mason Kaletha returned a fumble 23 yards for a score in Michigan City’s win over Merrillville. Keon Sellers hauled in three passes for 92 yards and a touchdown for the Indians against LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 44, Lake Central 23.
Valparaiso (5-0, 3-0 DAC) at Crown Point (2-3, 1-2 DAC): The Vikings posted a 21-7 win over Crown Point a year ago. Jesse Harper accumulated 91 yards on the ground with a touchdown in Valparaiso’s shutout of Chesterton. Tyler Gomez racked up 120 yards rushing and a score for the Bulldogs against Portage. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 21, Crown Point 15.
INDEPENDENTS
Culver Academy (4-1) at Heritage (0-5): The Patriots dropped a 54-18 contest to Culver Academy a season ago. Connor Henderson recorded eight tackles, including five for loss, in the Eagles’ 17-14 loss to Brebeuf Jesuit. Parker Tracey threw for 136 yards and ran for a touchdown in Heritage’s 49-14 loss to Adams Central. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 45, Heritage 16.
