BY FRANK KIELKIPOWSKI
It’s time to start passing out the hardware this week as we have finally made it to the sectional championship games. Around the state, 48 programs will add a trophy to their trophy case on Friday. Before we preview the title games involving Region schools, let’s check out this week’s poll as well as a look back on how they got here.
- Crown Point (10-0)
- Merrillville (9-1)
- Valparaiso (7-2)
- North Judson (11-0)
- Hanover Central (9-2)
- Andrean (7-4)
- Chesterton (6-4)
- Portage (4-6-season over)
- Wheeler (8-3-season over)
- Griffith (9-2-season over)
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL REVIEW
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 1
Crown Point 35, Portage 0: Noah Ehrlich threw a pair of touchdown passes, while Larry Ellison and Jayden Rodriguez each ran for scores as the Bulldogs overcame a slow start.
Penn 35, Lake Central 7: The Kingsmen scored early and often to set up a rematch with Crown Point, who eliminated them in last year’s regional. Lake Central closes at 3-7.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 9
Hammond Morton 35, Munster 20: Dashawn Woods had a pair of 21-yard touchdown runs, while teammates Freddy Brown and Martel Kelly added second half scores of their own to help the Governors (5-4) rally past Munster (2-8).
Merrillville 63, Hammond Central 6: Kristopher Boyd scored three first quarter touchdowns as the Pirates raced to a 49-0 halftime lead and cruise past Hammond Central (3-7).
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 10
Chesterton 28, Michigan City 21 (OT): The Wolves (3-7) sent the game into overtime on a three-yard touchdown pass from Trinaston Hart to Michael Crawford with 15 seconds left in regulation. However, Chesterton scored on a one-yard sneak by quarterback Corey Perez, while defensive stalwart Owen Edlen sacked Hart on fourth down to send them to the title game for the fourth time in five years.
Valparaiso 35, LaPorte 7: Kellan Hosek threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Vikings sent LaPorte (0-10) to its first winless campaign since 1983.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 17
Hanover Central 42, Kankakee Valley 14: Tommy Bonner completed all 15 of his passes for 279 yards with one touchdown, while Caiden Verrett added 10 rushes for 91 yards with four scores for the Wildcats. Marco Castro managed 175 yards on the ground for Kankakee Valley (5-6).
New Prairie 15, Hobart 14: Hayden Scott scampered seven yards for a touchdown on a fourth-down play, followed by quarterback Reed Robinson’s two-point conversion with just under two minutes left as the Cougars (8-3) eliminated Hobart (6-5) for the third year in a row.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 25
Knox 66, Griffith 28: The two-time defending sectional champion Redskins (8-3) proved to be too much in the second half as they outscored Griffith, 46-14. Jason Dillon and Jaxson Lawson each ran for scores for the Panthers.
Mishawaka Marian 34, Jimtown 26: Deuce Owens hauled in three touchdown receptions as the Knights (6-5) downed Jimtown (7-4) to advance to their first sectional final since 2021.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 33
Andrean 19, Wheeler 0: Ethan Reyna ran for 103 yards and a touchdown as the Niners’ defense allowed less than 80 yards of total offense to snap Wheeler’s eight-game winning streak.
Bremen 38, Rensselaer Central 7: Silas Laidig threw for 216 yards and a pair of scores as the Lions (7-4) racked up 20 first downs against Rensselaer Central (3-7).
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 41
North Judson 58, Culver 0: Kole Wilcox ran for 206 yards and three touchdowns as the Bluejays piled up over 450 yards on the ground against Culver (2-9).
LaVille 49, North Newton 0: Cody Allen’s 140 yards and three touchdowns on the ground was more than enough for the Lancers (6-5) against North Newton (3-8).
SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 1
Crown Point at Penn: The Bulldogs prevailed 34-33 a year ago at Everwise Freed Field in the regional round with the aid of a blocked extra-point and a missed 46-yard field goal in the closing seconds.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 9
Merrillville at Hammond Morton: The Panthers return to Hessville where they rolled to a 42-18 victory last year.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 10
Chesterton at Valparaiso: The Trojans are still seeking that elusive first sectional championship, having lost in their previous nine attempts. Valparaiso is in search of its seventh consecutive sectional crown.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 17
Hanover Central at New Prairie: The Wildcats are making their fifth consecutive sectional final appearance, but their first in Class 4A. New Prairie is in pursuit of its fourth consecutive sectional crown.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 25
Mishawaka Marian at Knox: The Redskins are looking for their third straight sectional title, but it won’t be easy as Marian is playing well now following an 0-2 start. The Knights have also won all four previous meetings against Knox.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 33
Bremen at Andrean: These schools met just two years ago for the sectional title with the Niners coming out on top 56-13 at Bremen. This is the first time they are playing at Father Eckert Field in Merrillville.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 41
LaVille at North Judson: This is a rematch of a week two contest in which the Bluejays won 32-8. It was also the fewest points North Judson has scored this season. LaVille has won a pair of Class 2A sectionals in the past three years.
