It was another average performance after going 12-4 (75 percent) last week. Nearing the midway point of the regular season, my overall record is 37-14, which leaves me at 73 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (3-0) at Saint Joseph (1-2): The Indians cruised to a 42-12 win over Adams a year ago. Gavin Pulling tossed three touchdown passes and ran for 80 yards in the Eagles’ 32-6 win over Riley. Alex Ortiz scampered 31 yards for a score in Saint Joseph’s 48-0 victory at Glenn. Matt’s pick: Adams 35, Saint Joseph 32.
Clay (1-2) at Riley (0-3, 0-1 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Wildcats clawed past Clay, 51-6, last season. James Johnson ran for 120 yards in the Colonials’ 28-20 loss at Munster. Chris Krause had 61 yards on the ground for Riley against Adams. Matt’s pick: Riley 30, Clay 27.
Elkhart (2-0) at Washington (0-3) (TCU School Field): The Panthers suffered a 15-13 loss to No. 9 (Class 6A) Elkhart during the 1971 campaign. Tyren Mason ran for a score and caught a pass for another tally in the Lions’ 52-28 win at Columbus East. Marshawn Lottie rambled 18 times for 55 yards in Washington’s 42-7 loss to Kankakee Valley. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 49, Washington 6.
Jimtown (1-1) at Glenn (2-1, 1-0 NIC): The Jimmies rolled to a 28-3 win over Glenn a season ago. Tysen House threw a 68-yard touchdown pass in Jimtown’s 56-0 win over Osceola Grace. Chase Howe and the Falcons were limited to 61 yards rushing against Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 33, Glenn 7.
New Prairie (2-1) at Marian (3-0): The Cougars blanked No. 2 (Class 3A) Marian, 42-0, during the 2017 season. Bobby Siford came up with five tackles in New Prairie’s 42-14 loss to No. 1 (Class 2A) Andrean. Davion Taylor caught a pair of passes for scores in the Knights’ 49-26 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Marian 39, New Prairie 20.
Penn (1-2) at East Noble (3-0): The Kingsmen and No. 3 (Class 4A) East Noble will be meeting for the first time on the gridiron. Ron Powlus tossed for 126 yards with a touchdown in Penn’s 52-7 loss to top-ranked (Class 5A) Indianapolis Cathedral. Dalton Stinson passed for 134 yards with a score and ran for another tally in the Knights’ 28-21 win against Huntington North. Matt’s pick: Penn 24, East Noble 17.
Triton (2-0) at Bremen (2-1): The Lions roared to a 27-6 win over Triton last year. Trace Schuh found the end zone twice in the Trojans’ 14-12 win at Caston. Lance Moser romped five yards for a touchdown for Bremen against Marian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 40, Triton 13.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Mishawaka (0-2) at Warsaw (2-1, 1-0 NLC): The Cavemen were a 21-7 winner against Warsaw in the 1984 campaign. Dylan Wise racked up seven tackles in Mishawaka’s 35-28 loss to Elkhart, Colton Wampler had 126 yards rushing and two scores in the Tigers’ 28-14 win at Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 37, Mishawaka 34.
Plymouth (0-3, 0-1 NLC) at Northridge (2-0, 1-0 NLC): The Rockies claimed a 34-17 win over No. 10 (Class 4A) Northridge in their last meeting. Michael Sheely hauled in three passes for 34 yards and a score for Plymouth against Warsaw. Dom Crowder accounted for 65 yards on the ground and a touchdown run in the Raiders’ 20-0 blanking of Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Northridge 38, Plymouth 14.
Wawasee (2-1, 0-1 NLC) at Concord (1-1, 0-1 NLC): The Minutemen downed Wawasee, 43-7, last season. Adam Beer came up with a 21-yard reception for the Warriors against Northridge. Anthony Mensah accounted for Concord’s lone score with a 21-yard touchdown reception in a 14-6 loss at NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Concord 32, Wawasee 13.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (1-2. 1-0 DAC) at LaPorte (0-3, 0-1 DAC): The Trojans marched to a 43-7 win over LaPorte a year ago. Ethan Troy’s interception lifted Chesterton to a 21-13 win over Michigan City. Jayden Parkes came up with a six-yard touchdown catch in the Slicers’ 37-7 loss at No. 3 (Class 5A) Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 23, LaPorte 10.
Lake Central (1-2, 0-1 DAC) at Crown Point (1-2, 0-1 DAC): The Bulldogs came up with a pair of victories over Lake Central (10-0 and 22-7) a season ago. Luke Neidy threw for 113 yards in the Indians’ 21-0 loss to Portage. J.J. Johnson raced 11 yards for a score in Crown Point’s 42-7 loss to Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 39, Lake Central 9.
Merrillville (3-0, 1-0 DAC) at Portage (2-1, 1-0 DAC): The No. 4 (Class 6A) Pirates cruised to a 45-7 win against Portage last year. Lavarius Logan accumulated 144 yards rushing and two scores for Merrillville against Crown Point. Devan Howard caught four passes for 64 yards with a score for the Indians against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 45, Portage 15.
