Things didn’t go very well as I went 10-7 (59 percent) last week. My overall record is now 44-20, which is good for 69 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Elkhart (2-1, 1-0 NIC) at Riley (1-1, 0-1 NIC) (Jackson Field); The Wildcats are looking to make amends for a 44-0 loss to Elkhart during the 1971 campaign. Quinn Rost was 7-of-9 for 99 yards with two touchdowns and ran three times for 18 yards and another tally in the Lions’ 69-0 win over Washington. Ben Garpue came up with an interception in Riley’s 35-7 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 30, Riley 26.
New Prairie (2-1, 0-1 NIC) at Adams (0-3. 0-1 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The No. 9 (Class 4A) Cougars blanked Adams, 49-0, a season ago. Hayden Whitenack managed six tackles in New Prairie’s 7-0 loss to Saint Joseph. Kane Goddard went 9-of-16 for 94 yards in the Eagles’ 41-2 loss to Marian. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 44, Adams 7.
Saint Joseph (2-1, 1-0 NIC) at Marian (1-2, 1-0 NIC): The Knights crowned Saint Joseph, 16-10, last year. Franco Biffle’s two-yard touchdown run was the difference for the Huskies against New Prairie. Lucas Marr completed 10-of-19 for 149 yards with a score and ran for two touchdowns for Marian against Adams. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 23, Marian 20.
Washington (0-3, 0-1 NIC) at Penn (2-1, 1-0 NIC): The Kingsmen clubbed Washington. 42-19, during the 2014 season. Gabe Weber tossed for 31 yards and a pair of interceptions for the Panthers against Elkhart. Cohen Wysong scampered 10 times for 90 yards with a touchdown for Penn against Riley. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, Washington 6.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (3-0, 1-0 NLC) at Northridge (1-2, 1-0 NLC): The Raiders handed No. 5 (Class 5A) Concord a 21-14 loss last season. Bo Brunner was 15-of-17 for 155 yards with three scores in Concord’s 35-34 win over Mishawaka. Keivonte Copeland hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass in Northridge’s 13-7 win against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Concord 33, Northridge 21.
NorthWood (2-1, 1-0 NLC) at Mishawaka (2-1, 0-1 NLC): The No. 10 (Class 4A) Panthers needed overtime to post a 43-42 win over No. 5 (Class 5A) Mishawaka last year. Jeffrey Eash scampered six times for 36 yards and a pair of scores in NorthWood’s 49-14 win over Wawasee. Landon Snyder went 7-of-16 for 155 yards with two touchdowns for the Cavemen against Concord. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 34, NorthWood 31.
Plymouth (1-2, 0-1 NLC) at Goshen (0-3, 0-1 NLC): The RedHawks slipped past Plymouth, 24-21, a yearago. Jaden Yates racked up eight tackles and an interception for the Rockies against Northridge. Carter Diaz completed 7-of-13 for 161 yards with a touchdown in Goshen’s 56-7 loss to Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 25, Goshen 12.
Warsaw (2-1, 1-0 NLC) at Wawasee (0-3, 0-1 NLC): The No. 6 (Class 5A) Tigers claimed the “W” trophy a season with a 22-15 win over Wawasee. Drew Sullivan was 5-of-8 for 76 yards with a score and ran eight times for 89 yards with two touchdowns for Warsaw against Goshen. Bradyn Pike carried the ball four times for 71 yards with a touchdown for the Warriors against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 47, Wawasee 10.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE CONFERENCE
Jimtown (1-2) at Glenn (1-1): The Falcons soared to a 12-7 win over Jimtown in their last meeting. Cole Dutton returned a fumble three yards for a score in the Jimmies’ 35-0 blanking of Fairfield. Brayden Benwell tallied 134 yards on the ground with a touchdown and threw a 51-yard pass for another score in Glenn’s 27-17 win over Boone Grove. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 25, Glenn 13.
LaVille (1-2) at Bremen (2-1): The Lancers captured a 2023 Class 2A sectional crown with a 28-14 win over Bremen. Cody Allen came up with 42 carries for 221 yards and three touchdowns in LaVille’s 27-0 win at Central Noble. Jace Pippenger recorded a five-yard touchdown run in the Lions’ 41-0 win over Osceola Grace. Matt’s pick: Bremen 29, LaVille 15.
Tippecanoe Valley (3-0) at Knox (1-2): Brock Derf accumulated 12 rushes for 96 yards with a score in the No. 7 (Class 3A) Vikings’ 35-23 win over Hammond Morton. Jake Conroy totaled 33 rushes for 212 yards and two touchdowns in the Redskins’ 47-46 loss to Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Knox 40, Tippecanoe Valley 38.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (2-1, 0-1 DAC) at LaPorte (0-3, 0-1 DAC): The Trojans marched past LaPorte, 28-7, a season ago. Andrew Goveia mustered 22 rushes for 64 yards in Chesterton’s 20-0 loss to Michigan City. Reed Raymond finished with 20 carries for 104 yards with a touchdown in the Slicers’ 42-7 loss at Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 27, LaPorte 9.
Lake Central (2-1, 1-0 DAC) at Crown Point (3-0, 1-0 DAC): The No. 3 (Class 6A) Bulldogs recorded a 42-7 win over Lake Central in last season’s sectional final. Trever Baldin converted a 36-yard field goal in the Indians’ 23-21 win over Portage. Trevor Gibbs caught seven passes for 157 yards with two touchdowns in Crown Point’s 46-13 win at Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 49, Lake Central 14.
Merrillville (2-1, 0-1 DAC) at Portage (2-1, 0-1 DAC): The Indians suffered a 17-7 loss to No. 3 (Class 5A) Merrillville a year ago. John Peters managed a 30-yard touchdown reception for the Pirates against Crown Point. With its setback to Lake Central, Amontae Quarles hauled in six passes for 121 yards and a score for Portage against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 48, Portage 18.
Valparaiso (2-1, 1-0 DAC) at Michigan City (1-2, 1-0 DAC): The No. 2 (Class 5A) Vikings registered a 26-7 win over Michigan City in last year’s sectional finale. Kellan Hosek was 6-of-10 for 75 yards with two touchdowns and ran for three scores for Valparaiso against LaPorte. Jamorieon Gee amassed 14 carries for 112 yards with a touchdown for the Wolves against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 28, Michigan City 16.
