More progress was made as I went 16-4 (80 percent) a week ago. With just three weeks left in the regular campaign, my overall record is now 102-34, which has me at 75 percent for the season. All games on Friday unless indicated.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
NORTH DIVISION
Adams (2-4, 0-3 NIC) at Elkhart Central (3-3, 0-2 NIC): The Blazers earned a 27-20 win over Adams last year. Jaydin Miller had two catches for 84 yards in the Eagles’ 35-14 loss at New Prairie. Ricky Rocha hauled in six passes for 77 yards in Elkhart Central’s 22-15 loss at Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 35, Adams 33.
New Prairie (4-2, 2-1 NIC) at Penn (5-1, 2-0 NIC): Although New Prairie and Penn have never met on the football field, the Kingsmen blanked New Carlisle, 20-0, in 1966. Jacob Tuttle came up with two interceptions and a fumble recovery for the Cougars against Adams. George Ohlson tallied a 20-yard touchdown reception in Penn’s 21-13 win over Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Penn 23, New Prairie 20.
Saint Joseph (4-2, 1-2 NIC) at Mishawaka (5-1, 3-0 NIC): The Indians edged Mishawaka, 27-25, a season ago. Kenzel Kelly recorded eight tackles for Saint Joseph against Penn. Nick Bodle registered 11.5 tackles for the Cavemen against Elkhart Central. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 24, Saint Joseph 21.
SOUTH DIVISION
Bremen (6-0, 4-0 NIC) at Washington (3-3, 2-2 NIC) (TCU School Field): The Lions roared past Washington, 43-7, last season. Justin Zumbrun had two catches for 44 yards and a score for Bremen in its 21-14 win over Marian. Jayson Johnson had a pair of touchdown receptions in the Panthers’ 27-22 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Bremen 37, Washington 22.
Glenn (0-6) at LaVille (3-3): The Falcons soared to a 17-0 win over LaVille a season ago. Sam Thomas converted a pair of field goals for Glenn against Washington. Ayden Doyle was 16-of-28 for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Lancers’ 14-7 loss at Knox. Matt’s pick: LaVille 25, Glenn 12.
Jimtown (3-3 2-1 NIC), at Riley (3-3, 2-2 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Wildcats clawed past Jimtown, 42-20, in their previous meeting. Clay Campbell ran for 81 yards and three scores in the Jimmies’ 27-7 victory over Concord. Senator Brown went 8-of-12 for 274 yards and five scores in Riley’s 45-10 win over Clay. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 28, Riley 27.
Indianapolis Howe (5-1) at Clay (0-5) (2 p.m. Saturday): The Hornets and Clay are meeting on the gridiron for the first time. Jalen Stamp rambled 18 times for 220 yards and a touchdown in Howe’s 19-14 win over Indianapolis Washington. Anthony Neal racked up a 94-yard scoring reception for the Colonials against Riley. Matt’s pick: Howe 40, Clay 13.
Marian (4-2) at Culver Academy (3-2): The Knights claimed a Class 3A regional crown in 2015 with a 21-14 win at Culver Academy. Tyler DeBoe scampered 12 times for 46 yards for Marian against Bremen. Jackson Rice returned a fumble 28 yards for a score in the Eagles’ 13-0 victory over Elkhart Memorial. Matt’s pick: Marian 26, Culver Academy 23.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Elkhart Memorial (1-5, 1-3 NLC) at NorthWood (6-0, 4-0 NLC): The Chargers came up on the short end of a 65-14 decision to NorthWood last season. Clayton Lundy tallied 10 tackles for Elkhart Memorial against Culver Academy. Nate Newcomer threw a touchdown pass, caught a pass for a score, and ran for three scores in the Panthers’ 63-30 win over Northridge. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 44, Elkhart Memorial 18.
Northridge (3-3, 2-2 NLC) at Goshen (1-5, 0-4 NLC): The Raiders slipped past Goshen, 29-26, a year ago. Josh Beard hauled in 17-yard touchdown pass for Northridge against NorthWood. Dominic Sosa registered 11 tackles for the RedHawks in a 35-0 loss at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Northridge 29, Goshen 14.
Plymouth (4-2, 3-1 NLC) at Concord (3-3, 3-1 NLC): The Minutemen blanked Plymouth, 17-0, a season ago. Cole Filson recorded a 65-yard scoring reception in the Rockies’ 28-14 win over Wawasee. Manuel Tuchan finished with 14 tackles for Concord against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 32, Concord 28.
Warsaw (5-1, 3-1 NLC) at Wawasee (0-6, 0-4 NLC): The Tigers roared to a 35-13 win against Wawasee last year. Bryce Garner ran for score and also caught a pass for a touchdown for Warsaw against Goshen. Levi Brown came up with a pair of interceptions for the Warriors against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 36, Wawasee 15.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (1-5, 0-4 DAC) at Lake Central (2-4, 0-4 DAC): The Trojans soared to a 42-24 win over Lake Central in their last matchup. Chris VanEekeren tossed a pair of touchdown passes in Chesterton’s 20-14 double overtime loss to Portage. Quincy Tribble ran 28 times for 129 yards in the Indians 49-6 loss to Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 16, Chesterton 13.
Crown Point (2-4, 2-2 DAC) at LaPorte (2-4, 2-2 DAC): The Bulldogs edged LaPorte, 37-35, last season. Adam Hilliard came up with eight stops in Crown Point’s 38-7 loss to Valparaiso. Jeremiah Ruiz raced 35 yards for a score in the Slicers’ 35-7 loss to Merrillville. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 25, Crown Point 19.
Michigan City (4-2, 3-1 DAC) at Portage (4-2, 3-1 DAC): The Wolves cruised to a 31-14 win against Portage last year. Zennon Wilhelm caught nine passes for 119 yards with a touchdown for Michigan City against Lake Central. Zack Warchus had 17 rushes for 98 yards and two scores for the Indians against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 34, Portage 14.
Valparaiso (4-2, 4-0 DAC) at Merrillville (4-2, 3-1 DAC): The Pirates suffered a 28-0 setback to Valparaiso a season ago. Max Bukur racked up 10 tackles for the Vikings against Crown Point. Rodrick Bell rambled 55 yards for a score for Merrillville against LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 28, Merrillville 23.
HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE
Caston (0-6, 0-4 HNC) at Culver (1-5, 0-4 HNC): The Cavaliers earned a 45-21 win over Caston a year ago. Samuel Smith raced 20 times for 59 yards in the Comets’ 41-8 loss to North Miami. Zac Ditmire had 24 carries for 135 yards in Culver’s 41-24 loss to Winamac. Matt’s pick: Culver 31, Caston 6.
Pioneer (6-0, 4-0 HNC) at Knox (5-1, 4-0 HNC): The Panthers were a 28-7 winner over Knox a season ago. Daniel Gregorich accounted for 11 rushes for 105 yards in Pioneer’s 56-6 win at Triton. Jared Prater came up with an interception and fumble recovery for the Redskins against LaVille. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 41, Knox 19.
Triton (3-3, 2-2 HNC) at North Judson (4-2, 3-1 HNC): The Trojans downed North Judson, 36-8, last year. Martin Napierkowski caught a 24-yard pass for a score for the Redskins against LaVille. Fletcher Greer had 15 carries for 100 yards in the Bluejays’ 56-18 win at West Central. Matt’s pick: North Judson 33, Triton 28.
West Central (2-4) at Winamac (2-2): The Warriors posted a 37-14 victory against West Central in 2017. Russell Compton went 12-of-15 for 198 yards and three touchdowns for Winamac against Culver. Alfred Daniel had seven rushes for 81 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans against North Judson. Matt’s pick: Winamac 18, West Central 15.
