I experienced a bump in the road by going 11-4 (73 percent) last week. With just three weeks left in the regular season, my overall record is 80-24, which leaves me at 77 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
NORTH DIVISION
Elkhart Central (5-1, 1-1 NIC) at Adams (0-6, 0-3 NIC) (TCU School Field): The Blazers rolled to a 45-19 win against Adams a year ago. Vincent Ambrose recorded 13 tackles in Elkhart Central’s 22-17 loss to Mishawaka. Brayden Saxton caught four passes for 69 yards in the Eagles’ 55-14 loss to New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Elkhart Central 44, Adams 28.
Mishawaka (4-2, 2-1 NIC) at Saint Joseph (0-6, 0-3 NIC): The Cavemen claimed a pair of victories over Saint Joseph in 2018 by counts of 26-24 and 27-23. Justin Fisher scampered 21 times for 113 yards for the Cavemen against Elkhart Central. John Driscoll was limited to 15 yards rushing on four carries in the Indians’ 34-2 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 39, Saint Joseph 18.
Penn (3-3, 2-0 NIC) at New Prairie (6-0, 3-0 NIC): The Kingsmen cruised to a 35-7 win over No. 1 (Class 4A) New Prairie a season ago. Nick Hardrict returned an interception 23 yards for a score for Penn against Saint Joseph. Taylor Adams hauled in a 68-yard touchdown pass for the Cougars against Adams. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 35, Penn 31.
SOUTH DIVISION
Culver Academy (3-3) at Marian (6-0): The Eagles edged No. 4 (Class 3A) Marian, 9-7, last season. Ryan Tompos accounted for the game-winning one-yard touchdown run in Culver Academy’s 9-7 win at Elkhart Memorial. Jayson Johnson came up with a 61-yard scoring reception in Marian’s 49-0 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Marian 33, Culver Academy 16.
Clay (1-5) at Benton Harbor (3-2): The Michigan-based Tigers posted a 24-7 win over Clay during the 1978 campaign. Macey Ginzer threw an 84-yard touchdown pass in the Colonials’ 51-6 loss to Riley. Quindarius Davis accounted for a two touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions in Benton Harbor’s 28-21 win over Battle Creek Central. Matt’s pick: Benton Harbor 40, Clay 6.
LaVille (4-2) at Glenn (2-4): The Lancers breezed to a 55-14 victory over Glenn last year. Ayden Doyle went just 8-of-20 for 80 yards in LaVille’s 13-3 loss to No. 10 (Class 3A) Knox. Johnny Drews registered an interception in the Falcons’ 28-21 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: LaVille 27, Glenn 13.
Riley (4-2, 2-2 NIC) at Jimtown (2-4, 2-1 NIC): The Wildcats slipped past Jimtown, 14-13, in their last meeting. Chris White was responsible for a pair of scoring receptions for Riley against Clay. Trey Washington returned from a knee injury to run four times for 28 yards in the Jimmies’ 29-9 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 21, Riley 20.
Washington (4-2, 2-2 NIC) at Bremen (2-4, 1-3 NIC): The Lions blanked Washington, 37-0, a season ago. Marquis Bates scampered 70 yards for a score for the Panthers against Glenn. Trevor Rowe managed only three carries for 14 yards for Bremen against Marian. Matt’s pick: Washington 41, Bremen 19.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (6-0, 4-0 NLC) at Plymouth (5-1, 4-0 NLC): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Rockies posted a 27-23 win at No. 3 (Class 5A) Concord last season. Ethan Cain was 18-of-24 for 182 yards with two scores for the Minutemen against Jimtown. Garrett Schrameyer managed two catches for 89 yards with a touchdown in Plymouth’s 35-0 blanking of Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 36, Concord 33.
Goshen (1-5, 0-4 NLC) at Northridge (3-3, 1-3 NLC): The Raiders were a 30-14 winner over Goshen a year ago. Isaac Sawatzky booted a 23-yard field goal in the RedHawks’ 48-10 loss to Warsaw. Jaden Bourne rushed eight times for 20 yards in Northridge’s 34-14 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Northridge 43, Goshen 9.
NorthWood (4-2, 3-1 NLC) at Elkhart Memorial (1-5, 1-3 NLC): The Panthers roared to a 49-6 win against Elkhart Memorial in their last meeting. Kyle Sellers tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass for NorthWood against Northridge. Derrick Woods accounted for a school-best 98-yard scoring run for the Chargers against Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 42, Elkhart Memorial 23.
Wawasee (1-5, 0-4 NLC) at Warsaw (5-1, 3-1 NLC): The No. 10 (Class 6A) Tigers claimed the “W” trophy with a 49-16 victory over Wawasee last year. Julius Jones rambled 48 yards for a score for Warsaw against Goshen. Levi Brown raced six times for 31 yards for the Warriors against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 45, Wawasee 8.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Lake Central (3-3, 2-2 DAC) at Chesterton (4-2, 2-2 DAC): The Trojans blanked Lake Central, 15-0, a season ago. Diego Garcia hauled in four passes for 47 yards with a score in the Indians’ 13-7 win over Michigan City. Jake Warren recorded a pair of touchdown catches in Chesterton’s 26-7 win at Portage. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 30, Lake Central 10.
LaPorte (1-5, 1-3 DAC) at Crown Point (3-3, 2-2 DAC): The Bulldogs squeezed by LaPorte, 24-21, last season. Collin Bergquist came up with an interception in the Slicers’ 21-0 setback at Merrillville. Davian Lira ran 14 yards for a touchdown in Crown Point’s 31-14 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 29, LaPorte 15.
Merrillville (6-0, 4-0 DAC) at Valparaiso (6-0, 4-0 DAC): The No. 2 (Class 5A) Vikings recorded a 20-6 win over No. 6 (Class 6A) Merrillville a year ago. Darius Schultz accounted for three scores for the Pirates against LaPorte. Blake Lemmons racked up a pair of interceptions for Valparaiso against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 21, Merrillville 14.
Portage (1-5, 0-4 DAC) at Michigan City (2-4, 1-3 DAC): The Wolves racked up a 49-14 win against Portage in 2018. Kody Taylor caught a 15-yard touchdown pass for the Indians against Chesterton. Kaydarious Jones ran 15 yards for a score for Michigan City against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 32, Portage 18.
