I could have not asked for a better outcome after going 16-0 last week. With just two weeks left in the regular season, my overall record is now 94-22, which has me at 81 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (3-4) at Jimtown (5-2): The Jimmies are looking to make amends for a 28-16 loss to Adams a season ago. Jeremiah Love found the end zone from a yard out in the Eagles’ 35-13 loss to Elkhart. Bishop Williams scampered 35 yards for a score in Jimtown’s 62-16 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 39, Adams 10.
Bowman Academy (0-6) at Washington (2-3) (TCU School Field): Damarion Campbell raced for 101 yards with a touchdown in the Eagles’ 54-12 loss to Lake Station. Bryce Taylor ran nine times for 27 yards for the Panthers against Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Washington 40, Bowman Academy 8.
Bremen (4-3, 2-1 NIC) at Riley (1-3, 1-1 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Lions roared to a 37-7 win over Riley last year. Austin McKenzie had a one-yard scoring run for Bremen in its 35-14 win over Prairie Heights. James Boyd scored four touchdowns, including an 80-yard interception return in the Wildcats’ 42-6 win over Clay. Matt’s pick: Bremen 31, Riley 9.
Elkhart (4-3, 2-1 NIC) at Marian (4-3, 2-1 NIC): Aalias Leonard ran 38 times for 271 yards and four scores for the Lions against Adams. Kaleb Lusanga recorded 16 carries for 155 yards in Marian’s 42-0 win at Angola. Matt’s pick: Marian 26, Elkhart 23.
Penn (3-4, 3-0 NIC) at New Prairie (6-1, 2-1 NIC): The Kingsmen cruised to a 42-3 win over No. 10 (Class 4A) New Prairie a year ago. Zach Lane accounted for 121 yards on the ground with a touchdown and caught a pass for another score in Penn’s 34-3 win over Saint Joseph. Dallas Ryans hauled in a 63-yard touchdown pass in the Cougars’ 46-8 win against Indianapolis Tech. Matt’s pick: Penn 28, New Prairie 14.
Saint Joseph (2-5) at Culver Academy (5-2): The Eagles soared to a 27-14 win over Saint Joseph last season. Julian Kamanda came up with two receptions for 13 yards for the Indians against Penn. Jimmy Pisani threw for 217 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 236 yards and four scores in Culver Academy’s 47-13 win over Woodlan. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 37, Saint Joseph 11.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Goshen (2-5, 0-5 NLC) at Plymouth (0-7, 0-5 NLC): The Rockies clubbed Goshen, 36-6, during the 2019 campaign. Noah Alford caught seven passes for 56 yards in the Rockies’ 35-10 loss to Northridge. Nathaniel Derifield tallied five tackles in Plymouth’s 51-3 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 20, Goshen 15.
Mishawaka (5-2, 3-2 NLC) at Wawasee (1-6, 1-4 NLC): The No. 10 (Class 5A) Cavemen rolled to a 42-7 win against Wawasee last year. Chase Gooden rambled 18 times for 161 yards with two touchdowns in Mishawaka’s 40-20 win over NorthWood. Jaxon Brown completed all four of his passes for 33 yards with a score in the Warriors’ 49-7 loss to Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 44, Wawasee 7.
Northridge (5-2, 3-2 NLC) at Concord (6-1, 5-0 NLC): The Raiders claimed a 55-20 win over No. 7 (Class 5A) Concord a season ago. Ridge Howard returned a fumble 89 yards for a score for Northridge against Goshen. Titus Hackworth recorded nine carries for 55 yards and two scores for Concord against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Concord 33, Northridge 12.
NorthWood (4-3, 3-2 NLC) at Warsaw (6-1, 5-0 NLC): The Panthers slipped past Warsaw, 22-21, last season. Ethan Evers carried the ball four times for 22 yards with a touchdown for NorthWood against Mishawaka. Jayce Sawyer racked up 13 rushes for 169 yards with two scores for the Tigers against Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 42, NorthWood 21.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (4-3, 3-2 DAC) at Chesterton (6-1, 4-1 DAC): The No. 10 (Class 6A) Trojans posted a 27-14 win against Crown Point in the 2019 season. Landon Delich chipped in four catches for 73 yards and two scores in the Bulldogs’ 40-0 win over LaPorte. Ethan Troy scampered 12 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Chesterton’s 21-0 win over Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 30, Crown Point 7.
Merrillville (7-0, 5-0 DAC) at Lake Central (3-4, 1-4 NLC): The No. 3 (Class 6A) Pirates downed Lake Central, 35-7, a year ago. Justin Marshall ran for a touchdown and caught a pass for another tally in Merrillville’s 42-7 win over Valparaiso. Luke Neidy was 10-of-17 for 79 yards for the Indians against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 46, Lake Central 6.
Michigan City (4-3, 2-3 DAC) at LaPorte (2-5, 1-4 DAC): The Slicers needed overtime to claim a 14-13 win at Michigan City in the 2020 campaign. Racion Anderson amassed 26 carries for 138 yards and a score in the Wolves’ 43-29 win over Portage. Grant Ott-Large added two receptions for 24 yards for LaPorte against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 32, LaPorte 10.
Valparaiso (6-1, 4-1 DAC) at Portage (1-6, 0-5 DAC): The No. 5 (Class 5A) Vikings recorded a 41-7 win over Portage a season ago. Thomas Vo managed four catches for 27 yards for Valparaiso against Merrillville. Colton Wilkie accounted for nine rushes for 75 yards and two touchdowns for the Indians against Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 43, Portage 9.
