BY FRANK KIELPIKOWSKI
Just two Region teams, who both reside in the town of Merrillville, remain in the 53rd Annual IHSAA State Football Tournament after last Friday’s regional round. Andrean and Merrillville are just one win away from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and an opportunity to compete in the state finals. Here’s a recap what happened last week and a look ahead to this Friday’s semistate championships.
REGION TOP 10 (Bolded teams’ season complete)
- Crown Point (10-1)
- Merrillville (10-2)
- Andrean (11-1)
- Michigan City (8-4)
- Hobart (10-3)
- Lowell (9-3)
- Griffith (9-2)
- Hammond Morton (6-4)
- Wheeler (8-2)
- Chesterton (5-5)
REGIONAL FINALS RECAP
CLASS 5A
Merrillville 34, Michigan City 14: Cam Jordan ran for 124 yards with three touchdowns as the Pirates’ defense limited Michigan City to just 174 total yards to earn their third straight regional crown and sixth title in the past seven seasons.
CLASS 4A
South Bend Saint Joseph 10, Hobart 7: Stephen Miller’s interception set up a Max Pickett one-yard touchdown run, but that’s all the offense the Brickies could muster as they were held to just 97 total yards by Saint Joseph (12-1).
CLASS 2A
Andrean 52, Southmont 32: Tyler Vo caught 11 passes for 155 yards with a touchdown and four runners each a score as the Niners downed Southmont (11-2) to capture their fourth regional crown in the past five years.
SEMISTATE FINAL MATCHUPS
CLASS 5A
Concord (11-1) at Merrillville (10-2): Once again, the Pirates will try to make it to the state finals for the first time since 1976. They enter 0-10 all-time in semistate games and will host for the first time since losing to Westfield in 2020.
CLASS 2A
Adams Central (13-0) at Andrean (11-1): On their way to the state title a year ago, the Flying Jets won 20-13 at Father Eckert Field. Andrean is in search of its ninth trip to the state finals, second only to Hobart’s, who is tops in the Region with 12 appearances.
