BY FRANK KIELPIKOWSKI
This week, we not only look back, but we also look ahead as the regular season comes to a close with a couple of conference championships on the line. It’s hard to believe that the 53rd annual IHSAA state football tournament begins next Friday.
REGION TOP 10
- Crown Point (8-0)
- Merrillville (6-2)
- Andrean (7-1)
- Michigan City (6-2)
- Lowell (7-1)
- Hobart (6-2)
- Chesterton (5-3)
- Griffith (7-1)
- Hammond Morton (5-3)
- Wheeler (7-0)
WEEK EIGHT RESULTS
DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Crown Point 48, Chesterton 10: Sophomore Max Gurnic ran for over 100 yards and scored twice as the Bulldogs won their 27th straight DAC contest and clinched a share of their fourth straight league title.
Merrillville 42, Lake Central 18: Michael Hill threw for 298 yards with three scores and ran for a fourth tally as the Pirates outscored Lake Central 28-12 in the second half.
Michigan City 20, LaPorte 7: Jeremy Thurman ran for 116 yards and a score as the Wolves scored all their points in the fourth quarter.
Valparaiso 34, Portage 3: James Parisi ran for one score and caught a touchdown pass as well to help the Vikings snap a four-game losing streak.
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean 21, Hanover Central 0: Tyler Vo caught seven passes for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Niners won their seventh straight contest.
Hobart 29, Hammond Morton 18: Aleks Tatum threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Brickies held off Morton’s comeback attempt.
Kankakee Valley 27, Highland 10: The Kougars got into the win column for the first time and downed Highland for the fourth straight time in the process.
Lowell 49, Munster 14: Tymothy James ran for a season-best 274 yards and four touchdowns as the Red Devils head into their showdown with Andrean on a seven-game win streak.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
Gary West Side 36, Hammond Bishop Noll 6: Kamari Loggins ran 29 times for 212 yards and three scores as the Cougars pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Griffith 63, Calumet 14: The Panthers racked up 474 yards of offense in the first half alone on their way to their fifth straight victory.
Lake Station 29, Boone Grove 8: David Parker and Oscar Alderson ran for 152 and 110 yards respectively and combined for three touchdowns as the Eagles captured the GSSC North Division title.
Rensselaer Central 57, River Forest 17: The Bombers exploded to a 29-9 lead at the break.
Wheeler 52, Whiting 0: Levi Murray ran for 149 yards and two scores and added a touchdown pass to help the Bearcats stay unbeaten.
OTHER RESULTS
Bowman Academy 47, Tri-County 14: The Eagles soared to a 34-6 halftime cushion to clinch their first winning season since 2018.
East Chicago Central 22, Hammond Central 12: The Cardinals kept the Wolves winless by winning consecutive games for the first time since 2019.
North Judson 35, Caston 0: The Bluejays limited Caston to just 88 total yards to earn their seventh straight triumph.
WEEK NINE MATCHUPS
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (5-3, 4-2 DAC) at Merrillville (6-2, 4-2 DAC): The Pirates are seeking their sixth win in a row, while Chesterton looks for a signature win heading into the post-season.
Lake Central (2-6, 1-5 DAC) at Valparaiso (2-6, 2-4 DAC): The Vikings look to win consecutive games for the first time this season.
Michigan City (6-2, 5-1 DAC) at Crown Point (8-0, 6-0 DAC): The Wolves can claim a share of the DAC title with an upset at the Dog Pound.
Portage (0-8, 0-6 DAC) at LaPorte (2-6, 1-5 DAC): The Indians look to win for the first time since beating LaPorte, 35-14, at home last year.
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean (7-1, 5-0 NCC) at Lowell (7-1, 5-0 NCC): Both clubs have won seven games in a row entering this winner-take-all showdown.
Hammond Central (0-8) at Hanover Central (3-5): The Wildcats have won both previous meetings, including last year’s 48-26 victory.
Highland (2-6, 0-5 NCC) at Hobart (6-2, 3-2 NCC): The Brickies have captured the previous 27 meetings against Highland.
Munster (2-6, 1-4 NCC) at Kankakee Valley (1-7, 1-4 NCC): The Kougars have won five of the last six meetings with Munster.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
Calumet (5-3, 1-2 GSSC) at Gary West Side (3-4, 0-3 GSSC): The Warriors look to snap a two-game losing streak, while Gary West hopes to get back to the .500 mark.
Griffith (7-1, 3-0 GSSC) at Wheeler (7-0, GSSC) – The GSSC South Division title is on the line once again for these schools. The Bearcats won handily 35-13 over Griffith at The Boneyard a year ago.
Hammond Bishop Noll (2-6, 0-2 GSSC) at Boone Grove (3-4, 1-1 GSCC): The Wolves look to get back to .500 plateau, while Bishop Noll tries for just its second win in 13 tries in this series.
Lake Station (6-2) at River Forest (3-5): The GSSC North Division champion Eagles look to finish off their best season since 1998 (8-5) against their rivals from New Chicago.
Whiting (2-6) at LaVille (4-4): The Oilers travel to Lakeville looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
OTHER CONTESTS
Knox (8-0) at Bowman Academy (5-3) – Knox’s Myles McLaughlin comes to Lake County to continue his quest to become Indiana’s all-time leading rusher.
Hammond Morton (5-3) at East Chicago Central (3-5): The Govs have won 16 of the previous 18 meetings against EC Central.
Pioneer (7-1) at North Judson (7-1): The Hoosier North Conference title is at stake at Liberty Field.
