My run of bad luck continued last week with a 13-7 (65 percent) finish. My overall record is now 71-25, which leaves me at 74 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
NORTH DIVISION
Mishawaka (3-1, 1-0 NIC) at New Prairie (3-1, 1-0 NIC): The Cougars clawed their way to a 42-21 win over Mishawaka in last year’s Class 4A sectional semifinals. Sam Shively scampered for 104 yards and three scores in the Cavemen’s 51-27 win over Adams. Chris Mays had 20 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns in New Prairie’s 41-28 win at Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 38, Mishawaka 35.
Penn (3-1) at Adams (2-2, 0-1 NIC) (School Field): The Kingsmen blanked Adams, 35-0, last season. Brock Boynton had an 11-yard reception for a touchdown in Penn’s 20-17 win at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Michigan). Jaylin Gray caught a 24-yard pass for a score for the Eagles against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, Adams 20.
Saint Joseph (3-1, 0-1 NIC) at Elkhart Central (3-1): The Indians rolled to 34-7 win against Elkhart Central a year ago. Luke Leonard recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a score for Saint Joe against New Prairie. Mark Brownlee raced 28 times for 250 yards and four touchdowns in the Blazers’ 35-12 win at Benton Harbor (Michigan). Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 24, Elkhart Central 21.
SOUTH DIVISION
Bremen (4-0, 2-0 NIC) at Clay (0-3, 0-2 NIC): The Colonials were a 35-12 winner over Bremen in the 1963 season finale. Bryce Wogomon raced 10 yards for a touchdown in the Lions’ 49-7 win over Triton. Chris Castaneda booted an 18-yard field goal in Clay’s 54-10 loss to Washington. Matt’s pick: Bremen 40, Clay 12.
Jimtown (2-2, 2-0 NIC) at Marian (3-1, 3-0 NIC): The Jimmies were a 7-0 winner over Marian during the regular season last year, while the Knights earned a Class 3A sectional crown with 21-7 win against Jimtown. Dustin Whitman scored a pair of touchdowns, including a 52-yard punt return, in the Jimmies’ 27-10 win at Glenn. Hunter Renner converted a 33-yard field goal in the Knights’ 21-13 win over Riley. Matt’s pick: Marian 23, Jimtown 17.
Knox (3-1) at Glenn (0-4): The Falcons came up on the short end of 28-3 decision to Knox a season ago. Jared Prater accounted for two touchdowns in the Redskins’ 14-7 victory over North Judson. Garrett West had four rushes for 54 yards and a score for Glenn against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Knox 39, Glenn 13.
Washington (2-2, 1-1 NIC) at Riley (1-3, 0-2 NIC): The Wildcats edged Washington, 12-7, a year ago. Kenyon Grant rambled for 125 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers against Clay. Jalen Cummings raced for 102 yards and a touchdown for Riley against Marian. Matt’s pick: Washington 32, Riley 30.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Elkhart Memorial (1-3, 1-2 NLC) at Plymouth (2-2, 1-1 NLC): The Rockies rolled to a 35-6 win at Elkhart Memorial last season. Javon Forester caught a seven-yard pass for a touchdown in the Chargers’ 14-7 loss at Warsaw. Joe Barron tossed for 207 yards and two scores in Plymouth’s 37-34 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 34, Elkhart Memorial 18.
Goshen (1-3, 0-2 NLC) at Concord (2-2, 2-1 NLC): The Minutemen claimed a pair of wins against Goshen last year by counts of 49-14 and 28-12 for the Class 5A sectional crown. Brant Grewe had seven carries for 141 yards in the RedHawks’ 43-14 loss to NorthWood. Julius James hauled in three passes for 117 yards and a score in Concord’s 49-28 victory over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Concord 41, Goshen 16.
NorthWood (4-0, 2-0 NLC) at Wawasee (0-4, 0-2 NLC): The Warriors are looking to avenge a 32-0 loss to NorthWood in their last meeting. Nic Bontrager recorded six tackles for the Panthers against Goshen. Jonathon Konieczny tallied a fumble recovery in the end zone for a score for Wawasee against Concord. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 44, Wawasee 11.
Warsaw (3-1, 1-1 NLC) at Northridge (3-1, 2-0 NLC): The Raiders cruised to a 24-6 win at Warsaw in 2017. Blake marsh scampered 67 yards for a touchdown for the Tigers against Elkhart Memorial. Breckin Judd had a 36-yard reception for a score for Northridge against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Northridge 26, Warsaw 22.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (1-3, 0-2 DAC) at Valparaiso (2-2, 2-0 DAC): The Vikings posted a 14-0 win over Chesterton a season ago. Jacob Coslet was 7-of-17 for 205 yards with two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 29-14 loss at LaPorte. Jesse Harper scampered 45 yards for a score in Valparaiso’s 14-7 win at Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 30, Chesterton 9.
LaPorte (1-3, 1-1 DAC) at Lake Central (2-2, 0-2 DAC): The Slicers carved up Lake Central, 56-7, last season. Dylan Gray had 44 yards on the ground and a score for LaPorte against Chesterton. Cole Rainwater connected on a 47-yard field goal in the Indians’ 21-3 loss to Crown Point. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 28, Lake Central 21.
Michigan City (2-2, 1-1 DAC) at Merrillville (3-1, 2-0 DAC): The Wolves roared past Merrillville, 56-28, a year ago. Michael Bradford raced 79 yards for a touchdown for Michigan City against Valparaiso. Jeremiah Howard had five catches for 139 yards and a score in the Pirates’ 39-0 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 37, Michigan City 36.
Portage (2-2, 1-1 DAC) at Crown Point (2-2, 1-1 DAC): The Indians downed Crown Point, 27-10, during last year’s regular season, while the Bulldogs captured a Class 6A sectional championship with a 14-7 decision over Portage. Zach Warchus managed just seven rushes for 13 yards for Portage against Merrillville. Scott Mills ran for 125 yards and three scores for the Bulldogs against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 20, Portage 15.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
Caston (0-4, 0-3 HNC) at LaVille (2-2, 2-1 HNC): The Lancers slipped past Caston, 14-0, last year. Sam Duvall contributed two tackles in the Comets’ 78-0 loss to Pioneer. Andrew Dill had 15 carries for 93 yards and a score in LaVille’s 22-0 blanking of Winamac. Matt’s pick: LaVille 31, Caston 6.
Culver (1-3, 0-2 HNC) at Triton (2-2, 1-1 HNC): The Trojans needed overtime to escape with a 27-21 win against Culver last season. Kaleb Jones had 18 carries for 195 yards in the Cavaliers’ 51-46 win over West Central. Tye Orsund caught a 57-yard touchdown pass for Triton against Bremen. Matt’s pick: Triton 25, Culver 19.
North Judson (2-2, 2-1 HNC) at Winamac (1-3, 0-3 HNC): The Bluejays soared to a 48-7 win over Winamac a season ago. Caden Peretti ran 27 times for 80 yards and a score for North Judson against Knox. Kyle Chumley racked up nine rushes for 24 yards for the Warriors against LaVille. Matt’s pick: North Judson 36, Winamac 14.
Pioneer (4-0) at North White (0-4): The Panthers crushed North White, 80-0, during the regular campaign and 46-0 in last year’s Class 1A sectional semifinals. Miles Vontobel had 30 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Pioneer against Caston. Gavin Gross contributed 10 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings’ 66-12 loss to Tri-County. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 50, North White 7.
INDEPENDENTS
Culver Academy (2-1) at Brebeuf Jesuit (2-2): The Braves edged Culver Academy, 17-14, a year ago. Elijah Pack ran eight times for 51 yards in the Eagles’ 17-14 loss to Hobart. Isaiah Martin had 20 rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in Brebeuf’s 31-28 loss to Southport. Matt’s pick: Brebeuf Jesuit 17, Culver Academy 10.
