My stretch of good luck continued as I went 13-2 (87 percent) last week. My overall record is now 87-24, which has me at 78 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (0-6, 0-4 NIC) at Washington (0-6, 0-4 NIC): Everwise School Field): The Eagles opened the 2020 campaign with a 33-0 decision over Washington. Quincy Tootoo managed five catches for 81 yards with two touchdowns in Adams’ 49-14 loss to Penn. Jaydon Lineberry caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the Panthers’ 41-14 loss to Marian. Matt’s pick: Adams 20, Washington 15.
Elkhart (5-1, 4-0 NIC) at Penn (5-1, 4-0 NIC): The Kingsmen earned a pair of victories against Elkhart last year by scores of 21-0 and 35-0. Londyn Johnson returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in the Lions’ 38-17 win at Saint Joseph. Kellen Watson ran for 50 yards with two touchdowns and threw for 96 yards and two scores for the Kingsmen against Adams. Matt’s pick: Penn 26, Elkhart 19.
New Prairie (4-2, 3-1 NIC) at Marian (3-3, 3-1 NIC): The Cougars managed a 31-13 win over Marian during the 2023 season. Bryce Bell came up with a 35-yard reception for a touchdown in New Prairie’s 49-0 win over Riley. Brian Osman raced 15 times for 115 yards with two scores for the Knights against Washington. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 34, Marian 30.
Saint Joseph (3-3, 2-2 NIC) at Riley (2-3, 1-3 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Huskies eliminated Riley from the 2017 Class 4A playoffs with a 39-27 victory in the sectional semifinals. Ryder Place drilled a 40-yard field goal for Saint Joseph against Elkhart. Teon Wadley had 14 carries for 41 yards for the Wildcats against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 29, Riley 9.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Goshen (0-6, 0-4 NLC) at Concord (6-0, 4-0 NLC): The top-ranked (Class 5A) Minutemen cruised to a 42-0 win against Goshen in their last meeting. Logan Mishler tallied 19 tackles and a fumble recovery in the RedHawks’ 36-7 loss to Wawasee. Will Danner had a fumble recovery in Concord’s 27-17 win at NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Concord 48, Goshen 6.
Mishawaka (5-1, 3-1 NLC) at Warsaw (3-3, 2-2 NLC): The Tigers are looking to make amends for a 34-11 loss to No. 3 (Class 4A) Mishawaka last season. Kadyn O’Neal ran 15 times for 74 yards with a touchdown in the Cavemen’s 27-7 win over Northridge. Grady Nelson managed a 20-yard touchdown reception in Warsaw’s 33-32 overtime loss to Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 26, Warsaw 23.
NorthWood (3-3, 2-2 NLC) at Plymouth (4-2, 3-1 NLC): The Panthers clawed past Plymouth, 42-7, last year. Landon Perry rambled 18 times for 118 yards with a touchdown for NorthWood against Concord. Grady Metzger ended with two catches for 21 yards with a score for the Rockies against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 35, Plymouth 32.
Wawasee (1-5, 1-3 NLC) at Northridge (1-5, 1-3 NLC): The Raiders escaped with a 14-7 win over Wawasee a season ago. Cameron Senter recorded 23 carries for 107 yards with two touchdowns for the Warriors against Goshen. Elliot Frey accounted for seven tackles for Northridge. Matt’s pick: Northridge 31, Wawasee 10.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE CONFERENCE
Bremen (3-3) at Culver Academy (5-1): The Eagles soared to a 49-7 win over Bremen in the 2019 campaign. Carson Anderson ended with 17 carries for 85 yards in the Lions’ 21-0 win over Glenn. Tay Rodriguez returned a punt 49 yards for the game-winning score in Culver Academy’s 35-28 decision over Kankakee Valley. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 37, Bremen 21.
Glenn (1-4, 0-3 INSC) at LaVille (2-4, 1-2 INSC): The Lancers slipped past Glenn, 31-27, a year ago. Blake Wright came up with 21 rushes for 97 yards for the Falcons against Bremen. Brayden Schwitz registered seven receptions for 92 yards with two touchdowns in LaVille’s 57-24 loss to Knox. Matt’s pick: LaVille 32, Glenn 8.
Knox (4-2, 3-0 INSC) at Jimtown (4-2, 3-0 INSC): The Redskins captured a Class 3A sectional crown in 2022 with a 42-21 win over Jimtown. Cain Weber mustered 15 tackles for Knox against LaVille. Trasean Baldwin recovered a pair of fumbles in the Jimmies’ 14-0 blanking of Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Knox 44, Jimtown 22.
Tippecanoe Valley (4-2) at Western (0-6): The Panthers rolled to a 65-14 win over Tippecanoe Valley in the 2016 season. Brock Derf amassed 12 tackles for the Vikings against Jimtown. Kyler Norman accumulated 36 rushes for 104 yards in Western’s 20-0 loss to West Lafayette. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 30, Western 12.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (4-2, 2-2 DAC) at Lake Central (3-3, 2-2 DAC): The Indians slipped past Chesterton, 20-14, a year ago. Owen Edlen scooped up a fumble and returned it 52 yards for a score in the Trojans’ 10-6 win over Portage. Cameron Reddick tossed a pair of touchdown passes in Lake Central’s 20-14 loss at Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 18, Lake Central 13.
Crown Point (6-0, 4-0 DAC) at LaPorte (0-6, 0-4 DAC): The No. 3 (Class 6A) Bulldogs blanked LaPorte, 42-0, a season ago. Larry Ellison totaled 21 carries for 220 yards and three catches for 65 yards with four total touchdowns in Crown Point’s 41-7 win over Valparaiso. Reed Raymond was limited to 51 yards on 15 carries in the Slicers’ 35-0 loss to Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 56, LaPorte 7.
Michigan City (2-4, 2-2 DAC) at Portage (2-4, 0-4 DAC): The Wolves roared to a 21-8 win over Portage last year. George Branch tallied six tackles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception return for a score for Michigan City against Lake Central. Amontae Quarles’ 71-yard touchdown reception was not enough for the Indians against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 28, Portage 14.
Valparaiso (4-2, 3-1 DAC) at Merrillville (5-1, 3-1 DAC): The No. 7 Vikings edged No. 3 Merrillville, 26-24, during the regular season, but the Pirates rallied to down Valparaiso, 16-14, in the 2023 Class 5A regional final. Austen Mackenzie caught five passes for 41 yards for the Vikings against Crown Point. Cameron Jordan chipped in 14 carries for 77 yards with a touchdown for the Pirates against LaPorte, Matt’s pick: Merrillville 40, Valparaiso 20.