Progress continued as I went 18-3 record (86 percent) last week. My overall record is now 106-30, which bumps me up to 78 percent. All games are Friday.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Elkhart Central (2-4, 0-2 NIC) at Adams (1-5, 1-2 NIC) (School Field): The Eagles soared to a 34-7 win over Elkhart Central last year. With their 42-14 loss to Mishawaka, the Blazers have now dropped 14 straight decisions in the series. Ben Foster had a pair of touchdowns for Adams in a 49-6 win over Clay. Matt’s pick: Adams 34, Elkhart Central 20.
LaVille (3-3) at Glenn (2-4): The Lancers rolled to a 35-7 win against Glenn a season ago. As a result of its 19-0 loss to Knox, LaVille has now been limited to three or fewer points three times. Gino Scott ran for 37 yards in the Falcons’ 6-3 loss to Washington. Matt’s pick: LaVille 21, Glenn 13.
Mishawaka (4-2, 3-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (2-4, 2-1 NIC): The Indians are looking to avenge a 36-3 loss at Mishawaka a year ago. Noah Stanton recorded eight tackles for the Cavemen against Elkhart Central. Ashton Ruszkowski scampered for 82 yards and one score for Saint Joseph in a 30-14 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 24, Saint Joseph 14.
New Prairie (5-1, 3-0 NIC) at Marian (4-2, 2-2 NIC): On their way to winning the 2016 NIC South Division, the Knights slipped past New Prairie, 21-17. Chris Mays accumulated 101 yards on the ground for the Cougars in a 42-32 win over Riley. Aaron Fuller rambled for 63 yards and a touchdown in Marian’s 21-14 loss to Bremen. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 32, Marian 23.
Penn (5-1, 2-0 NIC) at Clay (0-6, 0-3 NIC): The Kingsmen crowned Clay, 51-0, last season. James Morris recorded a safety in Penn’s triumph at Saint Joseph. During their current 18-game losing streak, the Colonials have been limited to eight or fewer points 12 times. Matt’s pick: Penn 52, Clay 8.
Riley (3-3, 2-2 NIC) at Jimtown (3-3, 3-0 NIC): The Wildcats suffered a 31-20 loss to Jimtown in their last meeting. Gabe Johnson had three receptions for 101 yards with a touchdown for Riley against New Prairie. Clay Campbell recorded the Jimmies’ lone score in a 41-7 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 33, Riley 31.
Washington (3-3, 1-3 NIC) at Bremen (3-3, 1-3 NIC): The Lions needed overtime to claim a 27-21 win over Washington. Jarvise Knight threw for 105 yards for the Panthers against Glenn. Evan Manges had two catches for 37 yards in Bremen’s win at Marian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 28, Washington 22.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (6-0, 4-0 NLC) at Plymouth (5-1, 3-1 NLC): The Minutemen rallied for a 19-18 win over Plymouth last season. Carter Neveraski returned a punt 75 yards for a score in Concord’s win over Jimtown. Blake Reed rushed for 101 yards in the Rockies’ 34-6 win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Concord 31, Plymouth 30.
Goshen (1-5, 1-3 NLC) at Northridge (6-0, 4-0 NLC): The RedHawks posted a 24-21 win against Northridge last year. Rene Gutierrez tallied 58 yards on the ground for Goshen in a 21-0 loss to Warsaw. Nolan Laughlin connected on a 42-yard field goal in the Raiders’ 24-14 win over NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Northridge 39, Goshen 18.
NorthWood (4-2, 2-2 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (1-5, 0-4 NLC): The Chargers dropped a 52-21 decision at NorthWood a season ago. Landen Gessinger ran and threw for scores for the Panthers against Northridge. Ivan Seoun scored twice for Elkhart Memorial in a 46-14 win over previously unbeaten Indianapolis Shortridge. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 40, Elkhart Memorial 12.
Wawasee (1-5, 0-4 NLC) at Warsaw (3-3, 2-2 NLC): The Tigers clawed past Wawasee, 38-14, a year ago. Keyan Peete racked up 35 yards on the ground for the Warriors against Plymouth. Tristan Larsh recorded 165 total yards and one score for Warsaw against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 35, Wawasee 15.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
Culver (4-2, 2-2 HNC) at Caston (1-5, 0-4 HNC): The Cavaliers blanked Caston, 33-0, in their previous matchup. Ryan Tompos scampered for 245 yards and three touchdowns in Culver’s 31-28 win against Winamac. Kasey Ault ran for 71 yards in the Comets’ 56-6 loss to North Miami. Matt’s pick: Culver 22, Caston 6.
Knox (6-0, 4-0 HNC) at Pioneer (6-0, 4-0 HNC): The Panthers cruised to a 48-6 win against Knox in 2016. Dawson Patrick accounted for the Redskins’ first tally with a six-yard run against LaVille. Austin Mersch racked up 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns in Pioneer’s 62-8 win over Triton. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 39, Knox 23.
North Judson (2-4, 1-3 HNC) at Triton (4-2, 3-1 HNC): The Bluejays flew past Triton, 38-12, last season. Fletcher Greer had 106 yards on the ground in North Judson’s 11-8 win over West Central. Hunter McIntyre accounted for 55 yards rushing for the Trojans against Pioneer. Matt’s pick: Triton 19, North Judson 7.
Winamac (2-4) at West Central (0-6): The Warriors marched to a 49-14 victory against West Central last year. Jeb Smith tallied 68 yards rushing and one score for Winamac against Culver. Ethan White scampered for 37 yards for the Trojans against North Judson. Matt’s pick: Winamac 36, West Central 9.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Lake Central (1-5, 0-4 DAC) at Chesterton (2-4, 0-4 DAC): The Indians blanked Chesterton, 38-0, a year ago. Zach Bundalo tossed a pair of touchdown passes in Lake Central’s 56-14 loss to Michigan City. Louie Razo ran for 56 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for another score in the Trojans’ 31-21 loss to Portage. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 37, Lake Central 10.
LaPorte (4-2, 3-1 DAC) at Crown Point (3-3, 2-2 DAC): The Slicers carved up Crown Point, 34-16, a season ago. Nolan Lorenz completed both of his passes for touchdowns in LaPorte’s 42-20 win over Merrillville. Sam Krutz returned an interception 50 yards for a score in the Bulldogs’ 21-6 win over Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 29, Crown Point 25.
Merrillville (1-5, 1-3 DAC) at Valparaiso (5-1, 3-1 DAC): The Vikings held on for a 20-15 win over Merrillville last season. Aahric Whitehead threw for 130 yards and one touchdown for the Pirates against LaPorte. C.J. Opperman had 132 yards through the air for Valparaiso against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 26, Merrillville 18.
Portage (4-2, 4-0 DAC) at Michigan City (4-2, 3-1 DAC): The Wolves posted a 35-14 victory against Portage last year. Angel Sanchez hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass for the Indians against Chesterton. Keyshawn McGill caught five passes for 194 yards and three scores for Michigan City against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 41, Portage 37.
INDEPENDENTS
Culver Academy (5-1) at Indianapolis Howe (0-6): The Hornets came up on the short end of a 34-30 contest against Culver Academy a season ago. Carson Bellman rambled for 106 yards and two scores in the Eagles’ 61-0 triumph over Heritage. With its 36-6 loss to Indianapolis Manual, Howe has now been limited to six or fewer points three times. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 43, Howe 11.
