It’s hard to believe that I am entering my 15th season writing about high school sports on the RRSN website. With that said, I am hoping to improve on last year’s mark of 227-55 (80 percent) as I analyze Northern Indiana, Northern Lakes, Indiana Northern State, and Duneland Athletic Conference contests during the regular season. Records are 2024 final unless noted.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Concord (10-1) at Elkhart (8-2): The No. 8 (Class 5A) Minutemen edged Elkhart, 13-12, a year ago. Bo Brunner tossed for 1,425 yards and 16 touchdowns for Concord. Nic Bosworth totaled 42 tackles and four interceptions for the Lions. Matt’s pick: Concord 21, Elkhart 13.
Culver Academy (8-2) at Adams (2-8) (Everwise School Field): The Eagles soared to a 36-14 win over Adams last season. Owen Dorrel racked up 83 tackles and a fumble recovery for Culver Academy. Carson Bryce rambled for 345 yards for the Eagles. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 34, Adams 12.
Lakeland (5-5) at Saint Joseph (6-5): The Huskies are looking to avenge a 21-20 loss at Lakeland last year. Tom Wogomon returns to the sidelines to head up the Lakers after Ryan O’Shea left for New Prairie. Brayden Holbrook completed 133-of-232 for 1,662 yards with 19 touchdowns and ran 73 times for 157 yards with five scores for Lakeland. Franco Biffle accounted for 102 carries for 493 yards with five touchdowns and four catches for six yards for Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 30, Lakeland 28,
Marian (6-6) at Mishawaka (11-3): The No. 3 (Class 4A) Cavemen clubbed Marian, 41-24, a season ago. Mitchell Fimbel went 89-of-166 for 1,272 yards with 11 touchdowns for the Knights. Kadyn O’Neal scampered for 1,387 yards with 16 scores for Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 33, Marian 14.
New Prairie (9-4) at LaPorte (0-10): The Cougars clawed past LaPorte, 33-14, last year. Former Lakeland boss Ryan O’Shea is now in charge at New Prairie with Casey McKim’s departure for Lowell. Reed Robinson accounted for more than 2,200 total yards with 30 touchdowns for the Cougars. Reed Raymond tallied 151 rushes for 505 yards on the ground with two touchdowns for the Slicers. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 38, LaPorte 9.
Penn (8-3) at Valparaiso (8-4): The Kingsmen held on for a 49-42 win over No. 10 (Class 5A) Valparaiso a year ago. Vinny Freeman accounted for 56 solo tackles and an interception for Penn. Kellan Hosek passed for 1,618 yards with 16 touchdowns for the Vikings. Matt’s pick: Penn 23, Valparaiso 20.
Riley (2-7) at Hammond Bishop Noll (3-7): The Wildcats blanked Bishop Noll, 35-0, in their last meeting. Teon Wadley amassed 882 yards rushing with six touchdowns for Riley. Antonio Benson ended with 79 touches for 781 yards with nine scores for the Warriors. Rick Good is now in charge at Bishop Noll after Tyler Milby leaves for Hammond Central. Matt’s pick: Riley 29, Bishop Noll 16.
Washington (0-10) at Hammond Central (3-7): The Panthers suffered a 28-24 loss to Hammond Central last season. Bryce Verse accumulated 95 tackles, six quarterback sacks, and a fumble recovery for Washington. David Dandridge paced the Wolves with 52 tackles, including three for loss, and one fumble recovery. Tyler Milby takes over for Adam Hudak as the new boss at Hammond Central. Matt’s pick: Hammond Central 19, Washington 15.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Columbia City (8-2) at NorthWood (6-6): The Panthers rolled to a 52-13 win over Columbia City in the 2016 Class 4A sectional quarterfinals. Trace Parrish accumulated 85 rushes for 503 yards with 10 scores for the Eagles. Deondray Monroe came up with 766 yards receiving with 14 touchdowns for NorthWood. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 25, Columbia City 21.
Goshen (0-10) at Fairfield (5-6): The RedHawks dropped a 55-17 decision to Fairfield during the 2024 campaign. Logan Mishler rolled up 114 tackles for Goshen. Hunter Kauffman recorded 103 tackles with eight for loss, two sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception, and a fumble recovery for the Falcons. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 20, Goshen 9.
Jimtown (7-4) at Wawasee (1-9): Brodric Kaler finished with 49 tackles for the Jimmies. Cameron Senter completed 18-of-36 for 304 yards with four touchdowns and ran 130 times for 356 yards with three scores for the Warriors. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 34, Wawasee 8.
Northridge (3-7) at Fort Wayne North (5-5): The Legends earned a 32-20 win over Northridge last year. Karsyn Rumfelt threw for 1,442 yards with 11 touchdowns for the Raiders. Caleb Kiengele totaled 104 carries for 744 yards with five touchdowns and eight catches for 60 yards with a score for Fort Wayne North, Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne North 35, Northridge 24.
Tippecanoe Valley (7-4) at Plymouth (6-5): Owen Omondi managed 12 receptions for 263 yards with two touchdowns for the Vikings. Finn Holm romped for 858 yards with 14 touchdowns for the Rockies. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 31, Tippecanoe Valley 30.
Warsaw (10-4) at Fort Wayne Snider (8-3): The No. 6 (Class 5A) Tigers came up on the short end of a 33-20 decision against Fort Wayne Snider in the 2009 Class 5A sectional final. Matthew Flores-Ortega compiled 92 tackles with 10 for loss and one sack for Warsaw. Jordan Davis accumulated 158 carries for 776 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 receptions for 177 yards with two touchdowns for the Panthers. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Snider 20, Warsaw 17.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE
Boone Grove (6-4) at Glenn (1-8): The Falcons opened the 2024 season with a 27-17 win over Boone Grove. Jack Niemand caught 37 passes for 459 yards with four touchdowns for the Wolves. Ayden Smigielski ended with 34 tackles and five quarterback sacks for Glenn. Matt’s pick: Boone Grove 15, Glenn 6.
Bremen (7-5) at Churubusco (5-6): The Lions slipped past Churubusco, 35-28, in the 2013 Class 2A sectional semifinals. Longtime Glenn field general and Bremen alum Justin Bogunia comes home to replace Jordan Leeper. Logan Frederickson came up with 47 tackles for the Lions. Grant Sievers finished with 67 carries for 359 yards for the Eagles. Matt’s pick: Bremen 22, Churubusco 18.
North Judson (14-1) at Knox (9-4): The No. 2 (Class 1A) Bluejays picked up a 42-21 win over Knox a year ago. Grason McDaniel had 40 carries for 399 yards with three touchdowns, three catches for 77 yards, and seven two-point conversions for North Judson. Cain Weber amassed 82 tackles with seven for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one interception for the Redskins. Matt’s pick: Knox 40, North Judson 34.
Triton (8-4) at LaVille (6-6): The Trojans marched past LaVille, 27-6, last season. Jayden Overmyer ran for 1,151 yards and 14 touchdowns for Triton. Andy Barker assumes control of the Trojans from Zach Whittaker. Brayden Schwitz accounted for 358 yards receiving and seven scores for the Lancers. Matt’s pick: Triton 26, LaVille 19.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Andrean (9-5) at Merrillville (11-2): The No. 3 (Class 5A) Pirates were a 27-0 winner over No. 5 (Class 2A) Andrean a season ago. Brady Elish tossed for 1,599 yards with 15 touchdowns for the 59ers. Jac’Quarious Johnson paced Merrillville with 163 carries for 1,161 yards with 17 touchdowns. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 35, Andrean 22.
Chesterton (6-5) at Hobart (6-5): The Brickies are looking to make amends for a 27-9 setback at Chesterton last year. Andrew Goveia recorded 101 carries for 603 yards with three touchdowns for the Trojans. Aleks Tatum finished with 1,389 yards through the air with 13 scores for Hobart. Matt’s pick: Hobart 37, Chesterton 19.
Crown Point (12-1) at Lowell (4-6): The No. 5 (Class 6A) Bulldogs cruised to a 44-7 win against Lowell a year ago. Trevor Gibbs managed 40 catches for 654 yards with nine touchdowns for Crown Point. Brady Kalwinski raced for 661 yards with eight touchdowns for the Red Devils. Casey McKim is now the top man at Lowell. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 43, Lowell 16.
Hanover Central (9-3) at Michigan City (3-7): Lincoln Zerby accounted for 60 tackles with five for loss, two fumble recoveries, and an interception for the Wildcats. Kyron Hart hauled in 33 receptions for 456 yards with three scores for the Wolves. Tony Bartolomeo takes command from Brian Parker at Hanover Central. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 28, Hanover Central 24.
Lake Central (3-7) at Munster (2-8): The Indians claimed a 38-0 win over Munster last season. Brody Ramirez rolled up 103 tackles with six for loss, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries for Lake Central. Sam Sudac had 772 yards on the ground with 10 scores for the Mustangs. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 36, Munster 18.
Portage (4-6) at Hammond Morton (5-5): The Governors dropped a 41-17 contest to Portage in their previous matchup. Amontae Quarles hauled in 17 passes for 363 yards with three scores for the Indians. Jalen Arnold registered 118 tackles with four for loss, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery for Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Portage 35, Hammond Morton 32.
