2021 GREAT LAKES CONFERENCE PREVIEW
There will be some significant changes as the league has gotten smaller in the size of its membership as a new consolidated school in Hammond takes the field for the first time. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of about half the season last year, so a return to a full schedule will be a welcome sight. It should be a highly competitive regular season among the four remaining schools.
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL CARDINALS (0-5 OVERALL, 0-1 GLC)
The 2020 campaign is one Dante Dinkins and the Cardinals would like to forget. The pandemic forced the cancellation of not only nearly half the regular season, but their sectional opener as well. Things can only get better with the return of junior quarterback Chantee Nunn and junior tailback Kanye Watkins. They also return a couple of solid two-way linemen, including three-year starting tackle D’antay Adams and two-year starting center Jayvon Jackson. Senior linebacker Julian Guerrero is back to anchor a defense that will need to improve after allowing 211 points. The schedule is challenging, but if they can make some strides defensively, and get their running attack going, they should make some positive strides.
GARY WEST SIDE COUGARS (2-6 OVERALL, 1-0 GLC)
Eric Schreiber Jr. stepped into a challenging situation which only got more challenging due to the pandemic in 2020. Bounced by Class 4A state runner-up Hobart in the first round of the playoffs, the Cougars are hoping a full season of practices and a more “normal” schedule will result in improvement. Sophomore quarterback Dontae Pope, who threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns, returns and will get plenty of help from senior tailback Payton Jordan, who rushed for 1,001 yards, seven scores, and averaged an amazing 13.2 yards per carry. An experienced front line also returns several seniors, including center K.J. Sandridge, guard Paul Gould, and tackle De’Eric Mister. They will be called upon in the trenches as well and will be joined by senior linebacker Donald Robinson (12 tackles for loss). On paper, they certainly look to be a contender and should show vast improvement.
HAMMOND CENTRAL WOLVES (0-0)
The consolidation of Hammond High, along with students from the now-closed Hammond Gavit and Hammond Clark high schools, has resulted in a fresh start for the Wolves. Former Lowell standout and Wheeler boss Adam Hudak will be in charge of a program playing in Class 5A and scheduled to play their first game against South Bend Washington. Senior quarterback Anthony Huber is joined in the backfield by Demetrius Jones, while seniors Demetrius McNeil and Rayshad Jones bring experience to the tackle positions. Daniel Reeves and Atrevius Pullum bring leadership at the linebacker spots on defense. Hudak will look to start building a solid foundation as there are certainly some winnable games on the schedule, including once conference play begins in late September.
HAMMOND MORTON GOVERNORS (3-1 OVERALL, 3-0 GLC)
Although the pandemic delayed the start of the season until October for new boss Mac Mishler, the Governors made the most of it before being eliminated by Lowell in the Class 4A playoffs. Thanks to the influx of students from Hammond Gavit and Hammond Clark, they will now compete in Class 5A and should definitely form a solid rivalry with Hammond Central. Senior Ryan Peppers steps in as the starter at quarterback, while Ken’shan Watkins and Greg Lawson look to get the bulk of the work in the backfield. Leading a solid front line will be senior tackles Hayden Lewter and Milton Lenoir. Joining Lewter in the trenches is senior Brandon Winslow, while junior linebacker Marcus Rosario should provide a strong force in the middle. Facing a challenging schedule, including Class 5A state champion Indianapolis Cathedral, it will definitely be interesting to see how they stack up against the rest of the competition.
For more in-depth information about these schools, check out the 2021 Indiana Football Digest. Best of luck for a successful season.
