BY FRANK KIELPIKOWSKI
We wrap up the month of September with several interesting games. Before that though, we look back at what happened last week and unveil this week’s top 10.
- Crown Point (5-0)
- Merrillville (3-2)
- Andrean (4-1)
- Hobart (4-1)
- Michigan City (3-2)
- Lowell (4-1)
- Chesterton (3-2)
- Hammond Morton (3-2)
- Griffith (4-1)
- Wheeler (4-0)
WEEK FIVE RESULTS
DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Chesterton 24, Valparaiso 16: Andrew Goveia ran for 169 yards and a score as the Trojans ended a 13-game losing streak to Valparaiso.
Crown Point 47, Portage 7: The Bulldogs built a 33-7 halftime lead on their way to their 32nd straight regular season victory.
LaPorte 27, Lake Central 16: The Slicers earned just their second DAC victory in their last 18 contests.
Merrillville 44, Michigan City 7: The Pirates secured their most impressive of the season and handed Michigan City its first DAC setback.
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean 17, Hobart 7: Brady Elish completed 19-of-23 passes for 175 yards and a score as the Niners earned a key NCC victory over previously unbeaten Hobart.
Hanover Central 17, Kankakee Valley 7: Isaiah Buikema rushed for 102 yards as the Wildcats picked up their second win of 2025.
Lowell 42, Highland 7: The Red Devils made it four in row behind Tymothy James’ 193 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Munster 44, East Chicago Central 30: The Mustangs cracked the win column for the first time by downing EC Central for the fifth straight time.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
Calumet 52, Bowman Academy 16: Bryce Brandon ran for 304 yards and six touchdowns as the Warriors handled Bowman Academy for the fourth straight time.
Griffith 49, River Forest 7: The Panthers improved to 4-1 by racking up 49 points for the second consecutive week.
Hammond Bishop Noll 34, Calumet Christian 14: Jeremiah Patton ran for 250 yards and four touchdowns as the Warriors got past Calumet Christian for the second straight year.
Lake Station 36, Whiting 28: The Eagles are 4-1 for the first time in 35 years, and snapped a 22-game losing streak Whiting in the process.
Stratford (Tennessee) 19, Gary West Side 12: Marcell Dixon’s 197 yards through the air with two scores wasn’t enough as the Cougars fall to 2-2.
The Boone Grove at Wheeler contest was cancelled because of rumored alleged threats being made against Wheeler.
OTHER RESULTS
Culver Academy 35, Hammond Central 6: The Eagles earned their first win and left Hammond Central still in search of its first victory.
Hammond Morton 62, Phalen Academy 0: Davion Terry scored twice to help lift the Governors back over the .500 mark.
North Judson 41, Culver Community 0: On their way to their fourth win in a row, the Bluejays soared to a 29-0 halftime lead and rolled up over 250 yards on the ground in the process.
WEEK SIX MATCHUPS
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (3-2, 2-1 DAC) at Portage (0-5, 0-3 DAC): The Trojans seek their first three-game winning streak since 2021.
LaPorte (2-3, 1-2 DAC) at Merrillville (3-2, 2-1 DAC): The Pirates own a 28-12 record over LaPorte. who last beat them in 2017.
Michigan City (3-2, 2-1 DAC) at Lake Central (2-3, 1-2 DAC): The Wolves won 20-14 over Lake Central at Ames Field last season.
Valparaiso (1-4, 1-2 DAC) at Crown Point (5-0, 3-0 DAC): The Bulldogs are seeking their 25th straight DAC win, which would tie Valparaiso for the second longest streak.
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
Andrean (4-1, 3-0 NCC) at Highland (2-3, 0-2 NCC): The Niners look for their fifth straight win against Highland and own a 29-2 all-time record in the series.
Culver Academy (1-4) at Kankakee Valley (0-5): The Kougars will look to avoid their first 0-6 start since 2010.
Hanover Central (2-3, 2-1 NCC) at Munster (1-4, 0-2 NCC): While the Wildcats look to get back to the .500 mark, Munster seeks its first two-game winning streak since 2022.
Lowell (4-1, 2-0 NCC) at Hobart (4-1, 2-1 NCC): The Brickies go for their fifth straight triumph over Lowell.
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
East Chicago Central (1-4) at Griffith (4-1): The Panthers have won 15 of the 18 matchups with EC Central, including a 49-0 triumph a year ago.
Hammond Bishop Noll (2-3, 0-1 GSSC) at Lake Station (4-1, 1-0 GSSC): A victory by the Fighting Eagles would give them their highest win total since 1999.
River Forest (2-3) at Boone Grove (1-3): The Ingots look to avenge last year’s heartbreaking 32-31 overtime loss to Boone Grove.
Wheeler (4-0) at Gary West Side (2-2): The Bearcats handed West Side a 41-0 loss last season.
Whiting (2-3) at Calumet (4-1): The Warriors escaped with a 38-36 win at Whiting a season ago.
OTHER CONTESTS
Andrew (Illinois) (2-2) at Hammond Central (0-5): The Wolves welcome their guests from Tinley Park, who handed them a 44-6 setback a year ago.
Hammond Morton (3-2) at Calumet Christian (1-3) (Saturday): The Governors seek their first two-game winning streak of the season.
Triton (4-1) at North Judson (4-1): Both clubs are in pursuit of their fifth straight victory.
