It proved to be another average week as I went 15-5 (75 percent). Heading into the homestretch, my overall record is now 117-39, which leaves me at 75 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
NORTH DIVISION
Culver Academy (4-2) at Saint Joseph (4-3): The Eagles flew past Saint Joseph, 47-14, a year ago. Ethan Pack ran for 95 yards and a score in Culver Academy’s 9-7 win over Marian. Patrick Oliva booted a 37-yard field goal and three extra-points in the Indians’ 26-24 loss at Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 27, Culver Academy 21.
Marian (4-3) at Mishawaka (6-1): The Cavemen clubbed Marian, 38-14, last season. Mitchell Nagy tossed for 109 yards and a touchdown for the Knights against Culver Academy. Sam Shively ran for a pair of scores for Mishawaka against Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 33, Marian 20.
Penn (6-1, 3-0 NIC) at Elkhart Central (4-3, 1-2 NIC): The Kingsmen marched past Elkhart Central, 47-3, last year. Nick Favilla caught a 21-yard touchdown pass for Penn in its 35-7 win over New Prairie. Brian Mullins connected on six extra-points and a 36-yard field goal in the Blazers’ 45-19 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Penn 38, Elkhart Central 14.
Riley (4-3) at New Prairie (4-3): The Wildcats suffered a 42-32 loss to New Prairie a season ago. Chris White came up with a pair of interceptions in Riley’s 14-13 win over Jimtown. Chase Ketterer accounted for 52 yards on the ground for the Cougars against Penn. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 35, Riley 19.
Washington (3-4) at Adams (2-5) (TCU School Field): The Eagles slipped past Washington, 26-21, in 2017. Kenyon Grant ran 17 times for 75 yards in the Panthers’ 37-0 loss to Bremen. Tre Gray hauled in seven passes for 151 yards for Adams against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Adams 40, Washington 34.
SOUTH DIVISION
Clay (0-6, 0-4 NIC) at Glenn (0-7, 0-4 NIC): The Colonials blanked Glenn, 28-0, during the 1972 campaign. Macey Ginzer rushed for two touchdowns and passed for a third score in Clay’s 21-19 setback to Indianapolis Howe. Nate Creed tossed for 83 yards and a score in the Falcons’ 55-14 loss to LaVille. Matt’s pick: Glenn 13, Clay 12.
Jimtown (3-4, 2-2 NIC) at Bremen (7-0, 5-0 NIC): The Jimmies rallied for a 28-13 victory against Bremen last season. Jared Lyle caught three passes for 42 yards for Jimtown against Riley. Alex Stouder ran six times for 40 yards and two scores for the Lions against Washington. Matt’s pick: Bremen 36, Jimtown 16.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (3-4, 3-2 NLC) at Northridge (4-3, 3-2 NLC): The Raiders edged Concord, 28-21, last year. Jamyris Rice returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the Minutemen’s 27-23 loss to Plymouth. Aiden Berger racked up two receptions for 70 yards and a score in Northridge’s 30-14 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Concord 29, Northridge 25.
Plymouth (5-2, 4-1 NLC) at Goshen (1-6, 0-5 NLC): The RedHawks dropped a 41-21 decision to Plymouth a season ago. Blake Reed rambled 14 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns for the Rockies against Concord. Colin Turner completed 13-of-21 passes for 200 yards for Goshen against Northridge. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 39, Goshen 14.
Warsaw (6-1, 4-1 NLC) at NorthWood (7-0, 5-0 NLC): The Tigers came from behind to post a 31-28 win against NorthWood in their last meeting. Kane Dawson raced 16 times for 89 yards and a score for Warsaw in a 49-16 win over Wawasee. Veshon Malone found the end zone twice in the Panthers’ 49-6 win over Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 31, Warsaw 27.
Wawasee (0-7, 0-5 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (1-6, 1-4 NLC): The Warriors edged Elkhart Memorial, 7-6, a year ago. Josh Slabuagh racked up a seven-yard touchdown reception for Wawasee against Warsaw. Derrick Woods tallied a one-yard touchdown run for the Chargers against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Memorial 34, Wawasee 30.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (2-5, 1-4 DAC) at Crown Point (3-4, 3-2 DAC): The Bulldogs marched past Chesterton, 21-7, last season. Bryce Pickering scampered for 111 yards and a score in the Trojans’ 15-0 blanking of Lake Central. Ethan Potosky racked up 18 tackles in Crown Point’s 24-21 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 26, Chesterton 18.
Lake Central (2-5, 0-5 DAC) at Merrillville (4-3, 3-2 DAC): The Indians downed Merrillville, 27-23, a year ago. Zach Bundalo went 9-of-17 for 103 yards for Lake Central against Chesterton. Roderick Bell raced 10 yards for a score in the Pirates’ 20-6 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 33, Lake Central 13.
LaPorte (2-5, 2-3 DAC) at Michigan City (5-2, 4-1 DAC): The Slicers posted a 58-56 win against Michigan City during the regular season last year, while the Wolves claimed a Class 5A sectional crown with a 38-10 victory over LaPorte. Noah Perez recorded 18 tackles for LaPorte against Crown Point. Lyric McFarrin finished with four touchdowns for the Wolves in their 49-14 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 41, LaPorte 17.
Portage (4-3, 3-2 DAC) at Valparaiso (5-2, 5-0 DAC): The Vikings recorded a 23-20 win over Portage a season ago. Scott Hansen had four receptions for 61 yards with a touchdown for the Indians against Michigan City. Reece Crossin came up with two interceptions for Valparaiso against Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 28, Portage 10.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
Culver (2-5, 1-4 HNC) at Pioneer (7-0, 5-0 HNC): The Cavaliers are looking to make amends for a 53-7 loss to Pioneer in their previous matchup. Kaleb Jones rushed seven times for 63 yards and two scores in Culver’s 45-12 win over Caston. Calahan Kindley had three receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 36-0 blanking of Knox. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 44, Culver 12.
Knox (5-2, 4-1 HNC) at Triton (4-3, 3-2 HNC): The Redskins racked up a 35-7 win over Triton last season. Dawson Patrick rushed 10 times for 48 yards for Knox against Pioneer. Tye Orsund came up with four catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 37-29 win at North Judson. Matt’s pick: Knox 32, Triton 29.
North Judson (4-3, 3-2 HNC) at LaVille (4-3, 3-2 HNC): The Lancers blanked North Judson, 33-0, last year. Fletcher Greer scampered 20 times for 93 yards and a score for the Bluejays against Triton. Robby Pope recovered an onside kick for LaVille against Glenn. Matt’s pick: LaVille 40, North Judson 36.
Winamac (3-4, 1-4 HNC) at Caston (0-7, 0-5 HNC): The Warriors cruised to a 47-8 victory over Caston a season ago. Kyle Chumley accounted for 19 carries for 90 yards and two scores in Winamac’s 22-14 win over West Central. Gavin Hickle racked up 14 rushes for 91 yards for the Comets against Culver. Matt’s pick: Winamac 43, Caston 10.
