BY FRANK KIELPOWSKI
I’m so glad and honored to be back once again for the third season of “Around the Region.” If you are unfamiliar with this, we will have a weekly top 10 rankings to start things off. Then, we will briefly look back on the 2024 campaign, as well as highlight a few of the players and coaches we think will be key for each school heading into the season. Once the season gets going, this section will have a recap of the previous week’s games. We’ll finish up with a look ahead to the next week’s schedule of games. There are no games to recap, so let’s look at our pre-season poll
- Crown Point (12-1)
- Merrillville (11-2)
- Valparaiso (8-4)
- Andrean (9-5)
- Portage (4-6)
- Chesterton (6-5)
- Griffith (9-2)
- Michigan City (3-7)
- Lake Central (2-8)
- Lowell (4-6)
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (6-5, 4-3 DAC): The Trojans fell to Valparaiso in disappointing fashion in last year’s Class 5A sectional final, but will look to running back Andrew Goveia (1,198 rushing yards) to lead the way.
Crown Point (12-1 overall, 7-0 DAC): The Bulldogs captured their third straight undefeated DAC title a year ago, but fell one game short of returning to the Class 6A state finals. Indiana-bound tight end-linebacker Trevor Gibbs and all-state tackle Nolan Cicero will try and lead them to their fourth straight title.
Lake Central (3-7, 2-5 DAC): The Indians are looking to claim their first winning season since 2014 behind senior quarterback Cam Reddick and junior linebacker Brody Ramirez .
LaPorte (0-10, 0-7 DAC): Coming off a winless campaign, the Slicers will try to get back on track behind juniors Reed Raymond and R.J. Carnes.
Merrillville (11-2, 6-1 DAC): The Pirates earned their second straight Class 5A regional title, but fell at Warsaw in the semistate. Expectations are high with senior running back JacQuarius Johnson (1,378 rushing yards) and senior defensive stalwart Quron Moore returning.
Michigan City (3-7, 3-4 DAC): The Wolves were involved in several close games, dropping five of six contests decided by seven points or less. They hope to reverse that behind senior quarterback Trinaston Hart.
Portage (4-6, 2-5 DAC): The Tribe bounced back from a winless season in 2023 and new boss Tony Klimczak has a lot of experience back as they look for their first winning record since 2016.
Valparaiso (8-4, 5-2 DAC): For the second straight year, the Vikings fell to Merrillville in the Class 5A regional. They hope the third time is the charm behind senior quarterback Kellen Hosek (1,618 yards passing and 16 scores).
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean (9-5 , 5-1 NWCC): The Niners bounced back from a 3-7 finish and gave eventual Class 2A state champion Adams Central all they could handle in the northern semistate final. They have state finals aspiration behind Wisconsin-bound senior tackle Ben Novak and senior quarterback Brady Elish.
Hanover Central (9-3, 5-1 NWCC): The Wildcats will have a new-look on the field because of several graduation losses as well as a new sideline leader in Tony Bartolomeo.
Highland (1-9, 0-6 NWCC): The Trojans struggled last fall, but second year boss Ben Geffert has returning quarterback Jake Slaven back in the fold.
Hobart (6-5, 5-1 NWCC): The Brickies endured several highs and lows, including a late loss to eventual Class 4A sectional champion New Prairie in the semifinal round. However, they welcome back quarterback Aleks Tatum along with running back Max Pickett.
Kankakee Valley (5-6, 2-4 NWCC): Coming off two straight 5-6 finishes, veteran leader Kirk Kennedy will have to replace a lot of offensive weapons. Hoping to step up and provide good leadership are junior quarterback Lucas Parker and senior guard Max Duttlinger.
Lowell (4-6, 3-3 NWCC): New field general Casey McKim brings his terrific resume of success to the Inferno from New Prairie. The Red Devils hope to find the end zone often behind senior quarterback Brody Kalwinski.
Munster (2-8, 1-5 NWCC): Second-year leader Romison Saint-Louis looks to returning running back Sam Sudac (772 rushing yards & seven scores) to pace the Mustangs.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
Boone Grove (6-4, 3-0 GSSC): Although the Wolves ended with a heartbreaking overtime loss to Wheeler in the Class 2A sectional quarterfinals, veteran boss Dan Kukulski has sophomore quarterback Kenny Saco (48-of-64 for 535 yards) to lead the offense and junior linebacker Bradley Aguayo (117 tackles) on defense.
Calumet (5-5, 2-2 GSSC): The Warriors will look to build off their .500 finish with much of their offensive line returning, including junior guard Jovaughn Pops.
Gary West (5-5, 1-3 GSSC): After getting off to a 4-1 start, the Cougars dropped four of their last five games. Alger Boswell has done a great job and should get help from Marcell Dixon, who returns after a season-ending injury.
Griffith (9-2, 3-1 GSSC): The Panthers were by far the most improved Region team behind seasoned leader Phil Mason with six more wins than in 2023. They have great expectations for a deep tournament run this year behind returning quarterback Ryan Buillion (1,999 yards passing with 26 touchdowns).
Hammond Bishop Noll (3-7, 1-2 GSSC): After stints at Calumet and Lake Central, Rick Good heads to Hammond to try and revive a Warriors’ program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2006.
Lake Station (2-8, 0-3 GSSC): Coming off their second consecutive two-win campaign, the Fighting Eagles will look once again to senior David Parker, who did a little bit of everything offensively and should be even better.
River Forest (5-5, 2-1 GSSC): The Ingots will have both a new head coach (Ed Ekeblad) and quarterback (sophomore Ryder Yates), but also should get help from returning running back Carlos Villagomez (630 yards and five scores).
South Central (2-8): After winning their first and last regular season contests, the Satellites look to improve behind a defense that returns eight starters.
Wheeler (8-3): The Bearcats had an outstanding season last year, winning eight straight to capture the conference title. They have several key offensive players to replace, and hope that junior quarterback Logan Fox picks up the offense quick for head coach Nick Testa.
Whiting (2-8): Thomas Knight becomes the Oilers’ fourth different field boss in the last three campaigns. They will look to senior running back Demetrio Lopez to lead the charge.
GREAT LAKES CONFERENCE
East Chicago Central (1-9, 0-2 GLC): Having endured back-to-back one-win finishes, the Cardinals hope to soar again on offense behind Derion Morris.
Hammond Central (3-7, 1-1 GLC): Tyler Milby make the move three miles south from Hammond Bishop Noll to guide the Wolves, who will count on junior Bryce Brandon and linebacker David Dandridge.
Hammond Morton (5-5, 2-0 GLC): The Govs rebounded from a 0-4 start to break even and once finished runner-up to Merrillville for a Class 5A sectional crown. Senior Davion Terry (1,617 rushing yards), who transfers across town from Hammond Central, should be one of the top backs in the Region.
INDEPENDENTS
Bowman Academy (0-10): With the departure of David Nelson after 12 seasons, Gary Richardson gets his chance to help the Eagles snap a 15-game losing streak.
North Judson (14-1): Coming off a Class 1A state runner-up finish, the Bluejays will look to retool behind senior Grason McDaniel and two-way lineman C.J. Sanchez.
WEEK ONE MATCHUPS
Andrean at Merrillville: In what is perhaps the top game in the Region, the Pirates have won the last eight meetings in the “Battle of Broadway” series, including a 27-0 decision last fall.
Boone Grove at Glenn: The Falcons have won five straight openers over the Wolves and six of the eight meetings overall. Boone Grove’s last win came in 2019 on the way to a school-best 10-1 record.
Bowman Academy at Christel House Manual: It’s the battle of the Eagles as Christel House begins their first full season in the IHSAA. In addition to Bowman’s Gary Richardson, Brent Ash makes his debut as Manual’s leader
Calumet at Osceola Grace: The Warriors look for their second straight triumph over Osceola after claiming a 36-13 decision in the previous meeting.
Chesterton at Hobart; The Trojans have won three of the last four meetings against Hobart, including an impressive 27-9 home victory last year. However, the Brickies edged Chesterton, 16-13, in their last matchup at The Brickyard.
Crown Point at Lowell: In a rivalry that dates back to 1903, these programs meet for a state record 119th time. The Bulldogs, who have won a state-best 27 straight regular-season contests, have dominated the series of late, winning the last four years by a combined score of 156-28.
East Chicago Central at River Forest: The Ingots have won both the previous two meetings with EC Central by combined total of 77-0.
Griffith at Highland: On their way to an 8-0 start, the Panthers avenged a 2023 setback to Highland with a 56-0 triumph.
Hanover Central at Michigan City: In the first meeting between the two clubs, the Wolves are in search of their season-opening win since 2021.
Indianapolis Washington at Gary West: The Cougars look to make it two straight over their visitors from the Circle City after a 38-0 blanking last fall.
Kankakee Valley at Rensselaer Central: The Kougars snapped a three-year losing streak to Rensselaer with a 23-0 blanking in Wheatfield last year.
Lake Central at Munster: The Indians have won nine straight openers against Munster and outscored them a combined 234-21 over the past six contests.
Lake Station at South Newton: Although they held their own in a 20-14 home loss, the Fighting Eagles have dropped six of the last seven contests with South Newton.
New Prairie at LaPorte: The Slicers are in search of their first victory since October 2023 as they welcome rival New Prairie to Kiwanis Field.
North Judson at Knox: In the 81st meeting between the two Starke County squads, the Bluejays lead the series, 53-25-2, including a 42-21 victory over Knox to begin their journey to the Class 1A state finals.
Penn at Valparaiso: Coming off a hard-fought 49-42 setback at Everwise Freed Field, the Vikings will look to defeat Penn for the first time since 2021.
Portage at Hammond Morton: The Indians ended an 11-game losing streak with a 41-17 victory over Morton. Portage has taken three of the four season openers against the Governors.
South Bend Riley at Hammond Bishop Noll- The Wildcats blanked Bishop Noll, 35-0, in their only other meeting.
South Bend Washington at Hammond Central- The Wolves have won the last three season openers against Washington, including a 28-24 decision at Everwise School Field a season ago.
Wheeler at South Central: In their first meeting since 2022, the Bearcats are looking to make it six straight victories against South Central.
Whiting at North Newton: The Oilers, who downed North Newton, 63-0, in last year’s opener, make their first trip to Morocco since dropping a 20-14 contest to the Spartans in the 2017 Class 1A sectional quarterfinals.
