BY FRANK KIELPIKOWSKI
Now that the regular season is over, it’s tourney time! The 53rd annual IHSAA state football tournament begins this week as teams in Class 1A through Class 4A start sectional play, while Class 5A (with the exception of Whiteland and Seymour) and Class 6A begin action next week. Sectional champions will be crowned on Friday, November 7. As always, we start with the latest top 10 poll.
- Crown Point (9-0)
- Merrillville (7-2)
- Andrean (8-1)
- Lowell (7-2)
- Michigan City (6-3)
- Hobart (7-2)
- Griffith (8-1)
- Hammond Morton (6-3)
- Chesterton (5-4)
- Wheeler (7-1)
WEEK NINE RESULTS
DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Crown Point 42, Michigan City 28: Although the Bulldogs trailed for the first time this season, they managed to regroup and score 35 unanswered points to capture their fourth straight undefeated DAC championship.
Lake Central 21, Valparaiso 14: The Indians ended an eight-game losing streak to Valparaiso and claimed their first win at Viking Field since 2014.
LaPorte 35, Portage 22: Reed Raymond ran for 133 yards with a touchdown and caught a 40-yard scoring pass as the Slicers kept Portage winless in the regular season for the second time in three years.
Merrillville 42, Chesterton 7: The Pirates built a 28-7 half cushion and cruised to earn their sixth straight win.
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean 19, Lowell 3: The Niners’ defense dominated Lowell to earn the NCC championship and their eighth straight victory.
Hanover Central 42, Hammond Central 0: Ben Baswell and Isaiah Buikema combined for 201 yards rushing and four touchdowns as the Wildcats snapped a two-game losing streak.
Hobart 74, Highland 0: Max Pickett returned to action with 140 yards on the ground with a pair of scores as the Brickies racked up 372 total rushing yards.
Munster 17, Kankakee Valley 14: Owen Burns’ field goal midway through the fourth quarter gave the Mustangs their second NCC win, which the most they’ve in conference since 2017.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
Boone Grove 21, Hammond Bishop Noll 14: Sal Montes ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns to help the Wolves finish the regular season at the .500 mark.
Gary West Side 36, Calumet 0: Kamari Loggins ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns to lift the Cougars to their second straight victory.
Griffith 34, Wheeler 10: Desmond Neylon accumulated 26 carries for 314 yards with three second half touchdowns to guide the Panthers to the GSSC South Division crown.
LaVille 70, Whiting 7: The Lancers dominated Whiting by racing to a 62-0 halftime lead.
River Forest 19, Lake Station 6: The Ingots took advantage of five Lake Station turnovers to pick up their 10th straight win in the series.
OTHER CONTESTS
Knox 64 Bowman Academy 0 – Myles McLaughlin rushed for 271 yards and four scores in the first half to surpass the 10,000-yard mark for his career for the unbeaten Redskins.
Hammond Morton 58, East Chicago Central 6: The Govs head into the post-season with four wins in their last five games.
Pioneer 36, North Judson 18: The Panthers rolled up 279 yards on the ground to capture the Hoosier North Conference championship.
SECTIONAL QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL17
Hanover Central (4-5) at Lowell (7-2): The Red Devils defeated Hanover Central, 35-20, in week four in Cedar Lake.
Highland (2-7) at East Chicago Central (3-6): The Trojans marched past East Chicago Central, 56-6, in the 2023 sectional quarterfinals.
Kankakee Valley (1-8) at Gary West Side (4-4): It’s the Kougars vs the Cougars as these teams meet in the post-season for the second time in three years in the sectionals. (Kankakee Valley won 37-22 in 2023).
New Prairie (3-6) at Hobart (7-2): In a rematch of last year’s sectional semifinal, the Brickies hope to make amends for a heartbreaking 15-14 loss to New Prairie.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 25
Glenn (2-7) at Calumet (5-4): In their only other matchup, the Falcons soared to a 41-6 win over Calumet in the 2000 tournament.
Mishawaka Marian (2-7) at River Forest (4-5): The Knights blanked River Forest, 40-0, during the 1966 season.
Griffith (8-1) at Hammond Bishop Noll (2-7): In a rematch of last year’s sectional opener, the Warriors hope for a better result after suffering a 61-0 defeat to Grifith.
Knox (9-0) at Jimtown (2-7): The Redskins cruised to 56-13 win over visiting Jimtown three weeks ago at Community Field.
CLASS 2A, SECTIONAL 33
Wheeler (7-1) at Lake Station (6-3): Coming off their first loss of the season, the Bearcats look to bounce back, while Lake Station seeks its first win in the series since 2004. Andrean (8-1) takes on the survivor in next week’s semifinal round.
Rensselaer Central (7-2) at Boone Grove (4-4): In the first meeting between these two clubs, the Bombers come to the Wolves Den on a four-game winning streak.
Bremen (5-4) at Whiting (2-7): The Lions have won seven of the eight previous meetings with Whiting.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 41
LaVille (5-4) at Culver (3-6): In their last playoff meeting, the Lancers edged Culver, 19-16.
North Judson (7-2) at South Central (0-9): The Bluejays hammered South Central, 60-6, in week three.
West Central (8-1) at South Newton (3-6): In search of their first sectional crown in 20 yards, the Trojans cruised past South Newton, 52-6, in week six.
North Newton (5-4) at Bowman Academy (5-4): The Eagles hope to replicate their 34-14 victory over North Newton from three weeks ago.
