BY FRANK KIELKIPOWSKI
BACK FOR THE 2024 SEASON!!
Last year, I had the honor of beginning this weekly blog focusing on high school football in the Region. I had a blast doing it and am glad to be back once again. We look back briefly on the 2023 campaign and look forward to what is ahead for not only week one of the 2024 campaign, but at the overall season. There are no games to recap, so let us look at our pre-season poll, the teams by conference, and a preview of this week’s games.
PRE-SEASON TOP 10
- Crown Point
- Merrillville
- Valparaiso
- Hanover Central
- Kankakee Valley
- Chesterton
- North Judson
- Hobart
- Andrean
- Boone Grove
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (2-8, 2-5 DAC): The Trojans will look to bounce back from a tough 2023 behind senior quarterback Brady McCormack, who combined for 1,120 yards and 10 scores.
Crown Point (13-1, 7-0 DAC): The Bulldogs made history by making the state finals for the first time and became the first Region team to play in the Class 6A state championship game. They have high hopes of a return trip to Lucas Oil Stadium behind Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25 quarterback Noah Ehrlich and all-state running back Larry Ellison.
Lake Central (5-6, 3-4 DAC): Pete Koulianos returns to his alma mater and inherits a pair of defensive anchors at linebacker with seniors Tyler Becich and Matt Penman.
LaPorte (2-8, 1-6 DAC): The Slicers opened and ended the 2023 regular campaign with wins, but struggled in between. Senior two-way standout lineman Lucas Del Rio is one to watch.
Merrillville (10-3, 5-2 DAC): The Pirates got revenge on Valparaiso, rallying from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to win the Class 5A regional, but fell to eventual state champion Fort Wayne Snider in the semistate. Expectations are high with 17 starters back, including running back JacQuarius Johnson (1,130 rushing yards) and pre-season all-state defensive lineman Adam Camphor.
Michigan City (6-5, 4-3 DAC): The Wolves ended with four wins in their final six games to finish with a winning record. The new-look offense includes seeing more of sophomore wide receiver Kyron Hart along with senior all-state lineman Adrian Holley on both sides of the ball.
Portage (0-10, 0-7 DAC): The Tribe struggled mightily in suffering their first winless season since 1965. Veteran leader Roy Richards is looking to produce much better results in his second year behind junior quarterback Kodie Young, who threw for 1,325 yards.
Valparaiso (9-3, 6-1 DAC): The Vikings fell short in their attempt to repeat as Class 5A champions, Running back Thomas Burda steps into the starter’s role on offense, while the defense features linebackers Ben Fedorchak and Tommy Ampeliotis.
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean (3-7, 3-3 NWC): The Niners are coming off their first losing campaign since Chris Skinner’s first year in 2016, and just their third below .500 finish in 28 seasons. They will look to return to their winning ways behind running back Elias Dumas, who was injured last year, along with pre-season all-state offensive tackle Ben Novak.
Hanover Central (11-1, 6-0 NWC): The Wildcats made quite the debut in the conference by going unbeaten to claim the title. Although they move up to Class 4A, they still look to be the team to beat behind IFD Prime Time 25 running back Caiden Verrett, who rushed for 1,743 yards and scored 33 total touchdowns.
Highland (4-7, 1-5 NWC): The Trojans posted their seventh straight four-win season last year, but will look to former Griffith boss Ben Geffert to break that streak. He inherits a very young team that lost a lot to graduation.
Hobart (7-3, 5-1 NWC): The Brickies will also welcome a new leader as Eric Schreiber Jr. takes over for Craig Osika. Willy Shearer, who rushed for over 1,000 yards, returns for his senior season, and will be running behind all-state senior guard Luke Juris.
Kankakee Valley (5-6, 2-4 NWC): Optimism is very high in Wheatfield as Kirk Kennedy’s squad won four of their last six games, and took 2022 Class 4A state runner-up New Prairie to overtime in the sectional semifinals. Both starting quarterback Diego Arroyo (1,359 passing yards) and running back Marco Castro (1,718 rushing yards) return to the fold.
Lowell (4-6, 3-3 NWC): For the first time in 25 years, the Red Devils posted an uncharacteristic sub-.500 record. Quarterback Brody Kalwinski returns for his junior season, while senior Caden Thompson should get the majority of the carries out of the backfield.
Munster (3-7, 1-5 NWC): Former Elkhart field general Romison Saint-Louis heads west to guide the Mustangs. Senior wide out Anthony Cowins (311 yards and seven scores) returns to help them record their first winning season in a decade.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
Boone Grove (8-3): Pre-season all-state quarterback Mark Rowland (2,732 passing yards and 34 touchdowns) returns for his third year as the starter for the Wolves, who are now in Class 2A. They seek to not only repeat as conference champions, but to capture the program’s first sectional championship.
Calumet (3-7): The Warriors saw their streak of five straight winning seasons come to an end. However, second-year boss Charles Salary is counting on seniors JoVaugh Pops, Jeremiah Henderson, and Nick Latham) in the trenches on both sides of the ball to help them return to their winning ways.
Gary West (6-4): The Cougars registered their third straight winning season under Alger Boswell. Quarterback Guiseppe Moore returns for his third year as the starter after rushing for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns and throwing for 594 yards and seven scores. Senior linebacker LaDarrion Newell also returns.
Griffith (3-7): Veteran boss Phil Mason has nearly everyone back as the Panthers look to be one of the area’s most improved teams in 2024. All-conference running back Jaxon Lawson (950 yards and 17 touchdowns) leads the way on offense with fellow senior quarterback Colton Strezo (54-of-87 for 563 yards).
Hammond Bishop Noll (2-8): In his first go-around, Tyler Milby promptly led the Warriors to two wins. It does not seem like much, but it was the most victories for the program in 10 years. They will look to keep it going in the right direction behind two-year starting all-conference linebacker Julian Ramirez (114 tackles with 12 for loss and five sacks).
Lake Station (2-8): After a 2-3 start, things quickly went south for the Fighting Eagles as they were outscored 272-20 in their final five games. Quarterback David Parker (444 rushing yards and four touchdowns) is back for his senior season to help get things back on track.
River Forest (6-4): Don’t look now, but the Ingots have now put together five consecutive winning seasons. Second-year leader Mark Hidalgo believes they have a good chance of making it six straight with all-conference quarterback Ayden Silver (1,080 passing yards, 1,107 rushing yards, and 27 combined touchdowns) returning for his senior season. He also had 94 tackles and two interceptions from his spot in the secondary.
South Central (3-7): The Satellites face another pretty tough schedule with all-conference two-way starter Clayten Strauch (205 rushing yards, 85 tackles and three sacks). Among the six offensive starters are wide receivers Ben Beschinski and Brad Beschinski.
Wheeler (6-4): After an 0-3 start, the Bearcats reeled off six straight wins to finish the regular season. Although Bremen knocked them off in the Class 2A sectional opener, Nick Testa’s crew should be a force with nine returning offensive starters on offense, including senior quarterback Caleb Klimczak (1,870 passing yards and 18 touchdowns), fellow senior wide receiver Bryce Compton (40 catches for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns), and running back Jayden Ortiz (1,230 yards and 12 touchdowns).
Whiting (4-7): Former South Bend Riley offensive coordinator John Jolley takes over the controls and brings stepson, senior quarterback Austin White, who threw for 1,323 yards and 18 scores. Senior wide out Kamron Patterson might be a favorite target, having caught 18 passes for 363 yards and a pair of scores.
GREAT LAKES CONFERENCE
East Chicago Central (1-9): The Cardinals suffered their fourth straight losing season, but they will try and improve on that behind returning quarterback Yamauree Wallace and junior running back Derion Morris, who may also step in at the quarterback position from time to time.
Hammond Central (5-5): After getting off to a 4-0 start, the Wolves struggled after that, losing five of their last six games, including the Class 5A sectional opener to their rivals from Hessville (Hammond Morton). Senior running back Dashawn Woods (952 yards and 14 touchdowns, good for eight yards per carry) returns for his third season as a starter to lead the way for Adam Hudak’s squad.
Hammond Morton (5-5): The Govs rebounded from a 1-3 start to finish as Class 5A sectional runner-up to Merrillville. Senior quarterback Holland Harris returns after throwing for 1,588 yards and 17 touchdowns along with two-time all-area senior lineman Damian Herrera.
INDEPENDENTS
Bowman Academy (1-6): Although the Eagles won just once and tallied just 26 points, veteran boss David Nelson will look to reach the end zone more often with quarterback Maurice Jackson and an experienced group of linemen.
North Judson (9-5): After a roller coaster regular season, the Bluejays caught fire in the post-season to arn their third straight Class 1A regional title. Once again, their campaign ended with a loss to three-time state runner-up Adams Central in the semistate. With the Flying Jets moving up to Class 2A, Brett Lambert’s squad now has the opportunity to take that next step with IFD Prime Time 25 lineman Cole Kozecar and senior quarterback Jesiah McDaniel.
WEEK ONE MATCHUPS
Andrean at Merrillville: The Pirates have won the last seven meetings with Andrean in the “Battle of Broadway” series, including a 40-13 decision last year.
Bowman Academy at South Central: These two programs open the season for the first time since 2015. South Central has won the previous two meetings with the Eagles.
Gary West at Indianapolis Washington: In the only previous meeting, the Cougars registered a 64-8 triumph over Washington in 2022.
Glenn at Boone Grove: This marks the Wolves’ first home opener at their new field. The Falcons have won four straight openers over Boone Grove and five of the seven meetings overall.
Hammond Central at South Bend Washington- The Wolves have won the last two matchups against Washington, including a 34-12 victory in Hammond a season ago.
Hammond Morton at Portage: Roy Richards seeks his first win with the Indians against a Morton team he coached for 16 years (1999-2014),
Hammond Noll at South Bend Riley: In the first meeting between the two clubs, the Warriors are looking for their third season opening win in the past four years.
Highland at Griffith: The Trojans’ 27-23 triumph over Griffith a year ago was their first in the series.
Hobart at Chesterton: Another close contest is expected as the Brickies earned a 16-13 home win over Chesterton last season.
Knox at North Judson: In the 80th meeting between these two Starke County rivals, the Bluejays lead the overall series, 52-25-2. However, the Redskins, who reached the Class 3A semistate last fall, recorded a 22-18 triumph a season ago.
LaPorte at New Prairie: The Slicers shocked the Region with a 20-18 win over New Prairie last year.
Lowell at Crown Point: In a rivalry that dates back to 1903, these programs meet for a state record 118th time. The Bulldogs have dominated of late, winning the last three years over Lowell by a combined score of 112-21.
Michigan City at Warsaw: The Tigers have taken the last two openers against Michigan City, including a 17-13 decision at Ames Field last year. The Wolves last beat Warsaw, 35-16, in 2021.
Munster at Lake Central: The Indians have won eight straight openers against Munster. The Mustangs’ last victory in the series was a 20-19 home triumph in 2015.
North Newton at Whiting: This marks the first meeting between the two programs since the Oilers posted a 34-7 win over North Newton in the 2018 Class 2A sectional opener. The Spartans enter the 2024 campaign with a 20-game losing streak, while Whiting has dropped just one season opener (2020) since 2011.
Osceola Grace at Calumet: In the first meeting between the two programs, the Warriors look to win their first season opener since 2021.
Rensselaer Central at Kankakee Valley: The Bombers are going for their fourth straight win over Kankakee Valley. Rensselaer Central rallied for 28-27 home win over the Kougars last fall.
River Forest at East Chicago Central: Mark Hidalgo returns home to East Chicago for the first time after working there for eight seasons (1998-2005). The Ingots blanked EC Central, 42-0, a year ago.
South Newton at Lake Station: The Rebels have won five of the last six meetings, including a 46-0 win over Lake Station in last year’s season opener.
Valparaiso at Penn: The Vikings will look to avenge last year’s 38-21 home loss at home to Penn. The Kingsmen have outscored Valparaiso, 73-28, over their last two contests.
Wheeler at Hanover Central: The Wildcats enter with a Region-best 24-game regular season winning streak, including a 40-17 victory at Wheeler in last year’s season opener.
