Things went much better last week as I went 15-5 (75 percent). Heading into the second half of the season, my overall record is now 86-30, which leaves me at 74 percent for the season. All games on Friday unless indicated.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
NORTH DIVISION
Adams (2-3, 0-2 NIC) at New Prairie (3-2, 1-1 NIC): The Eagles soared to a 34-12 win over New Prairie during the 1984 season. Ira Armstead ran for two scores in Adams’ 48-14 loss to Penn. Dylan Rose recorded 10 tackles for the Cougars in their 27-21 loss to Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 42, Adams 22.
Elkhart Central (3-2, 0-1 NIC) at Mishawaka (4-1, 2-0 NIC): The Cavemen marched past Elkhart Central, 42-14, a year ago. Dominic Davis had two catches for 68 yards and a score in the Blazers’ 29-27 loss to Saint Joseph. C.J. Fisher racked up 12 tackles for Mishawaka against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 31, Elkhart Central 23.
Saint Joseph (4-1, 1-1 NIC) at Penn (4-1, 1-0 NIC): The Kingsmen were a 30-14 winner over Saint Joseph last season. John Driscoll ran 22 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns for the Indians against Elkhart Central. Johnny Ho came up with an interception for Penn against Adams. Matt’s pick: Penn 35, Saint Joseph 17.
SOUTH DIVISION
Clay (0-4, 0-3 NIC) at Riley (2-3, 1-2 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Wildcats blanked Clay, 69-0, last year. Jackson Jones had a fumble recovery for a score in the Colonials’ 56-7 loss to Bremen. Conor Kingston connected on a 20-yard field goal and five extra-points for Riley in a 44-22 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Riley 45, Clay 9.
Concord (3-2) at Jimtown (2-3): The Minutemen cruised to a 41-7 win over Jimtown a season ago. Roemello Moon ran four yards for a touchdown in Concord’s 34-9 win over Goshen. Brandon Coble hauled in a 20-yard touchdown catch in the Jimmies’ 24-7 loss at Marian. Matt’s pick: Concord 33, Jimtown 18.
Glenn (0-5, 0-3 NIC) at Washington (2-3, 1-2 NIC) (TCU School Field): The Panthers escaped with a 6-3 win against Glenn in their last meeting. The Falcons suffered their eighth straight setback with a 14-8 loss to Knox. Jeremiah Dockery had an interception for Washington against Riley. Matt’s pick: Washington 32, Glenn 12.
Marian (4-1, 4-0 NIC) at Bremen (5-0, 3-0 NIC): The Lions slipped past Marian, 21-14, last season. Malcom Anderson ran 12 yards for a score for the Knights against Jimtown. Sam Huffman hauled in two passes for 27 yards and two touchdowns for Bremen against Clay. Matt’s pick: Bremen 30, Marian 27.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Elkhart Memorial (1-4) at Culver Academy (2-2): This is the first time the Chargers and Culver Academy have met on the football field. Ben Roby had seven receptions for 54 yards and a score for Elkhart Memorial in its 29-28 overtime loss at Plymouth. Elijah Pack rushed nine times for 34 yard and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 17-7 loss at Brebeuf Jesuit. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 20, Elkhart Memorial 13.
Goshen (1-4, 0-3 NLC) at Warsaw (4-1, 2-1 NLC): The Tigers roared past Goshen, 21-0, a season ago. Drew Marlow racked up nine tackles for the RedHawks against Concord. Logan Johnson came up with a blocked punt in Warsaw’s 37-14 win at Northridge. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 36, Goshen 14.
Northridge (3-2, 2-1 NLC) at NorthWood (5-0, 3-0 NLC): The Panthers are looking to avenge a 24-14 loss at Northridge last year. Breckin Judd tallied two catches for 55 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders against Warsaw. Kyle Sellers raced for 100 yards and a score in NorthWood’s 57-13 win over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 39, Northridge 15.
Wawasee (0-5, 0-3 NLC) at Plymouth (3-2, 2-1 NLC): The Rockies cruised to 34-6 win over Wawasee a year ago. Dylan Hepler returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown for the Warriors against NorthWood. Jacob Deacon caught five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown for Plymouth against Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 44, Wawasee 11.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (2-3, 1-2 DAC) at Valparaiso (3-2, 3-0 DAC): The Bulldogs handed Valparaiso its only DAC setback in 2017 with a 21-6 triumph. Adam Hilliard tallied 10 tackles in Crown Point’s 14-12 loss to Portage. Jackson Kurth scampered 18 times for 121 yards in the Vikings’ 23-0 win over Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 28, Crown Point 15.
Lake Central (2-3, 0-3 DAC) at Michigan City (3-2, 2-1 DAC): The Wolves posted a 56-14 win over Lake Central last season. Mateo Cedano ran three times for 34 yards and a score for the Indians in their 28-13 loss to LaPorte. Justin Wozniak hauled in a 29-yard touchdown reception for Michigan City in its 42-21 win at Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 40, Lake Central 16.
Merrillville (3-2, 2-1 DAC) at LaPorte (2-3, 2-1 DAC): The Slicers downed Merrillville, 42-20, in their last meeting. William Fulton snatched an interception for the Pirates against Michigan City. Zach Purnell recorded 12 tackles for LaPorte against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 29, Merrillville 25.
Portage (3-2, 2-1 DAC) at Chesterton (1-4, 0-3 DAC): The Indians raced to a 31-21 victory over Chesterton last year. Tangelo Rayner came up with seven tackles for Portage against Crown Point. Cory Boren had eight carries for 31 yards for the Trojans against Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Portage 19, Chesterton 10.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
LaVille (3-2, 3-1 HNC) at Knox (4-1, 3-0 HNC): The Redskins claimed a 19-0 victory over LaVille a season ago. Kolby Watts had six rushes for 61 yards with a touchdown in the Lancers’ 53-8 win over Caston. Jared Prater snatched an interception for Knox against Glenn. Matt’s pick: LaVille 25, Knox 24.
North Judson (3-2) at West Central (2-3) (Saturday): The Bluejays held on for an 11-8 win over West Central last season. Fletcher Greer raced 21 times for 132 yards and three touchdowns in North Judson’s 56-6 win over Winamac. Ethan White finished with eight tackles in the Trojans’ 46-12 loss to North Newton. Matt’s pick: North Judson 34, West Central 32.
North Miami (0-5) at Caston (0-5): The Warriors earned a 56-6 victory over Caston a year ago. Greg Sonafrank recorded an interception in North Miami’s 42-14 loss to Rochester. Gavin Hickle rushed 10 times for 25 yards for the Comets against LaVille. Matt’s pick: North Miami 14, Caston 8.
Pioneer (5-0, 3-0 HNC) at Triton (3-2, 2-1 HNC): The Trojans dropped a 62-8 decision to Pioneer last year. Kwintin Heiny rambled two times for 62 yards and two scores in the Panthers’ 78-0 blanking of North White. Delano Shumpert had three catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns in Triton’s 35-21 win over Culver. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 49, Triton 12.
Winamac (1-4, 0-3 HNC) at Culver (1-4, 0-3 HNC): The Cavaliers escaped with a 31-28 win over Winamac in 2017. Dylan Fox scampered nine times for 33 yards for the Warriors against North Judson. Kaleb Jones ran 11 times for 44 yards for Culver against Triton. Matt’s pick; Culver 17, Winamac 16.
