My upward trend continued as I went 12-3 (80 percent) last week. With just three weeks left in the regular season, my overall mark is now 84-28, which has me at 75 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Marian (2-4, 1-3 NIC) at New Prairie (1-5, 1-3 NIC): The Cougars clawed past Marian, 42-28, last season. The Knights’ 28-21 loss to Washington was their first in the series since 2015. Colter Smith racked up eight tackles for New Prairie in its 45-42 win over Riley. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 38, Marian 30.
Penn (6-0, 4-0 NIC) at Elkhart (4-2, 3-1 NIC): The Lions claimed the NIC crown last year with a 7-3 win over No. 5 (Class 6A) Penn. Jaedon Parker scampered four times for 36 yards with a touchdown in the Kingsmen’s 42-7 win over Adams. Cole Bell came up with eight tackles in Elkhart’s 21-14 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Penn 23, Elkhart 13.
Riley (3-3, 1-3 NIC) at Saint Joseph (6-0, 4-0 NIC): The No. 6 (Class 4A) Huskies blanked Riley twice a season ago by counts of 29-0 and 35-0. Trevion Fedele threw for 318 yards with two scores and ran 45 yards with two touchdowns for the Wildcats against New Prairie. James Criniti picked up a fumble and took it 80 yards for a touchdown for Saint Joseph against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 42, Riley 12.
Washington (2-4, 1-3 NIC) at Adams (2-4, 1-3 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The Eagles soared to a 49-20 win against Washington a year ago. Taydan Reed tallied 10 carries for 37 yards for the Panthers against Marian. Cleal Kimbrough hauled in four passes for 105 yards for Adams against Penn. Matt’s pick: Washington 32, Adams 26.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (5-1, 3-1 NLC) at Goshen (2-4, 1-3 NLC): The No. 7 (Class 5A) Minutemen marched past Goshen, 49-0, in their last meeting. Eli Castaneda totaled eight tackles with four for loss in Concord’s 44-34 win over NorthWood. Spencer Elliott amassed 11 catches for 106 yards with two scores in the RedHawks’ 24-15 win over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Concord 33, Goshen 10.
Northridge (0-6, 0-4 NLC) at Wawasee (1-5, 0-4 NLC): The Raiders rolled to a 44-15 win over Wawasee last year. Myhles Norman recorded two receptions for 38 yards with a touchdown in Northridge’s 35-20 loss to Mishawaka. Max Pena rolled up seven tackles for the Warriors against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Northridge 30, Wawasee 14.
Plymouth (3-3, 3-1 NLC) at NorthWood (3-3, 2-2 NLC): The Panthers edged Plymouth, 14-10, a season ago. Owen Verhaeghe finished with eight tackles in the Rockies’ 42-14 loss to Warsaw. Jaron Allen hauled in two passes for 87 yards for NorthWood against Concord. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 28, Plymouth 15.
Warsaw (4-2, 3-1 NLC) at Mishawaka (5-1, 4-O NLC): The Tigers posted a 21-13 win over No. 3 (Class 4A) Mishawaka a year ago. Quinton Brock tossed for 99 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 29 yards for Warsaw against Plymouth. Kamdon Putz accounted for seven tackles and a fumble recovery for the Cavemen against Northridge. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 29, Warsaw 18.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE
Culver Academy (2-4) at Bremen (4-2): The Eagles flew past Bremen, 31-7, during the 2024 campaign. Jak Chaney returned a blocked punt 36 yards for a score in Culver Academy’s 14-3 win over Kankakee Valley. Hunter Cannon raced eight times for 43 yards in the Lions’ 15-14 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Bremen 23, Culver Academy 9.
Jimtown (1-5, 0-3 INSC) at Knox (6-0, 3-0 INSC): The No. 5 (Class 3A) Redskins raced to a 41-28 win over Jimtown last season. Brodric Kaler had a quarterback sack which forced a fumble in the Jimmies’ 33-0 loss at Tippecanoe Valley. Victor Beaucahmp registered five tackles and returned an interception 50 yards for a score in Knox’s 62-16 win over LaVille. Matt’s pick: Knox 48, Jimtown 8.
LaVille (2-4, 1-2 INSC) at Glenn (2-4, 1-2 INSC): The Lancers managed a 17-7 win against Glenn a year ago. Lawrence Wood totaled seven rushes for 25 yards for LaVille against Knox. Austin Pranger tallied a 23-yard touchdown reception for the Falcons against Bremen. Matt’s pick: LaVille 22, Glenn 16.
Western (5-1) at Tippecanoe Valley (4-2): The Vikings captured a 31-14 win over Western last year. Mason Conner racked up nine tackles in the Panthers’ 34-20 win at West Lafayette. Jamison Phillips registered two catches for 32 yards, two carries for six yards, two tackles, and an interception0 for Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Western 34, Tippecanoe Valley 19.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Lake Central (2-4, 1-3 DAC) at Chesterton (4-2, 3-1 DAC): The Trojans were a 17-16 winner over Lake Central a season ago. Frank Verta came up with a 15-yard touchdown reception in the Indians’ 37-17 loss to Michigan City. Zane Westerlund managed eight tackles in Chesterton’s 36-16 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 24, Lake Central 7.
LaPorte (2-4, 1-3 DAC) at Crown Point (6-0, 4-0 DAC): The No. 3 (Class 6A) Bulldogs cruised to a 42-0 win against LaPorte a year ago. Ethan Bair contributed eight tackles and a quarterback sack in the Slicers’ 38-0 loss to Merrillville. Trevor Gibbs returned a blocked punt for a score in Crown Point’s 35-14 win against Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 43, LaPorte 6.
Merrillville (4-2, 3-1 DAC) at Valparaiso (1-5, 1-3 DAC): The Vikings suffered a pair of setbacks to No. 8 (Class 5A) Merrillville last year by scores of 35-7 and 48-14. Mikel Smoot accounted for eight receptions for 83 yards with a touchdown for the Pirates against LaPorte. Chase Lovig tallied five catches for 78 yards with a score for Valparaiso against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 39, Valparaiso 10.
Portage (0-6, 0-4 DAC) at Michigan City (4-2, 3-1 DAC): The Indians slipped by Michigan City, 9-7, last season. Kodie Young tossed a pair of touchdown passes for Portage against Chesterton. Jeremy Thurman carried the ball 13 times for 87 yards and caught six passes for 38 yards with a score for the Wolves against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 31, Portage 3.
