BY FRANK KIELKIPOWSKI
We are coming down the homestretch of the 2024 season. There are five Region teams still playing football with hopes of reaching their respective “Final Four’ in their class. :
TOP 10 (Bolded teams still active)
- Crown Point (11-0)
- Merrillville (10-1)
- Valparaiso (8-3)
- North Judson (12-0)
- Chesterton (6-5)
- Hanover Central (9-3)
- Andrean (8-4)
- Portage (4-6)
- Wheeler (8-3)
- Griffith (9-2)
SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 1
Crown Point 35, Penn 0: Larry Ellison ran for 224 yards on 25 carries and scored four touchdowns as the No.2 Bulldogs got out to a 28-0 halftime lead and handed Penn (8-3) its worst home loss in more than 50 years.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 9
Merrillville 55, Hammond Morton 14: After spotting the Governors (5-5) an early touchdown, No. 3 Merrillville went on to score touchdowns of their own on seven consecutive possessions and claim its sixth consecutive sectional championship.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 10
Valparaiso 28, Chesterton 21: Thomas Burda ran for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns, the second coming midway through the fourth quarter, to help the No. 7 Vikings capture their seventh straight sectional crown. Chesterton is still in search of its first sectional championship.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 17
New Prairie 35, Hanover Central 23: Caiden Verrett ran for 148 scored four touchdowns for the Wildcats, but it wasn’t enough as New Prairie (9-3) won the sectional title for the fourth straight year. Verrett capped off a terrific senior season with 1,506 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 33
Andrean 35, Bremen 0: Brady Elish completed 15-of-17 passes with a pair of touchdowns and ran for a third score as the Niners breezed to their 22nd sectional title, tying them with Hobart for the most in the Region. Their defense limited Bremen (7-5) to 19 yards in the first half, blocked a punt, and picked up an interception.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 41
North Judson 44, LaVille 18: Brock Benson ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns as the top-ranked Bluejays piled up 383 yards on the ground to cruise to their four straight sectional title and fifth in the last six years. Kade Wilcox and Jesiah McDaniel each added 108 yards on the ground for North Judson.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 6A
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (9-2) at Crown Point (11-0): This is the first meeting between these two programs. Carroll’s last game in the Region was a 50-21 loss at Merrillville in the 2012 Class 5A regional final. The Bulldogs are in search of their second straight regional championship.
CLASS 5A
Valparaiso (8-3) at Merrillville (10-1): This marks the third straight year these schools have met for the regional title with the Pirates rallying from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter last year to earn a 24-20 triumph. Valparaiso, which won the 2022 meeting, is looking to make amends for a 35-7 to Merrillville in week seven.
CLASS 2A
Andrean (8-4) at Lafayette Central Catholic (11-0): These schools met just two years ago for the regional crown with the Niners winning 30-12 at Father Eckert Field. This time, Andrean hits the road to play at LaRocca Field against the No. 1 Knights, who have outscored their three playoff opponents, 151-47.
CLASS 1A
North Judson (12-0) at Taylor (7-5): This is your basic David vs Goliath matchup as the Titans, fresh off their first sectional title, host North Judson, which is in search of its fourth consecutive regional championship.
