Things went well last week as I posted a 14-2 (88 percent) record. With two weeks left in the regular season, my overall mark is 94-23, which has me at 80 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Benet Academy (Ill.) (3-3) at Saint Joseph (2-5): The Redwings blanked Niles Notre Dame, 14-0, in their last contest. Alex Ortiz was limited to 21 yards passing in the Indians’ 40-0 loss to Penn. Matt’s pick: Benet Academy 20, Saint Joseph 13.
Jimtown (5-2) at Adams (1-6) (TCU School Field): The Eagles dropped a 55-27 decision to Jimtown a year ago. Bishop Williams ran 10 times for 59 yards with two scores in the Jimmies’ 35-0 win over Washington. Kamaj Parker recorded 13 tackles for Adams in its 35-3 loss to Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 40, Adams 10.
Glenn (3-4, 1-2 NIC) at Clay (0-7, 0-3 NIC): The Falcons flew past Clay, 15-6, during the 2020 campaign. Mason Kobelt scampered 11 times for 64 yards in Glenn’s 42-6 loss to No. 3 (Class 2A) LaVille. Ethan Berndt accounted for 120 yards on the ground in the Colonials’ 60-0 loss to Calumet. Matt’s pick: Glenn 39, Clay 6.
Marian (2-5, 1-2 NIC) at Elkhart (6-1, 2-1 NIC): The Knights slipped past Elkhart, 24-19, last season. William Owens rushed for 17 yards and caught a pass for 41 yards in Marian’s 28-0 loss to Angola. Connor Dow came up with seven carries for 51 yards and two scores for the Lions against Adams. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 35, Marian 9.
New Prairie (7-0, 3-0 NIC) at Penn (5-2, 3-0 NIC): The No. 5 (Class 4A) Cougars were a 17-7 winner over Penn in their previous meeting. Marshall Kmiecik tossed for 103 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 52 yards with another score in New Prairie’s 42-21 win over Riley. Jake Balis tallied 73 yards rushing with a touchdown for the Kingsmen against Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Penn 38, New Prairie 18.
Riley (4-3, 2-1 NIC) at Bremen (4-3, 2-1 NIC): The Lions managed a 48-21 victory over Riley last year. Caleb Francis registered nine receptions for 170 yards with two scores for the Wildcats against New Prairie. Tyrus Graverson caught three passes for 70 yards with a score in Bremen’s 38-6 win over Prairie Heights. Matt’s pick: Riley 36, Bremen 34.
Washington (1-6) at Bowman Academy (3-3): The Panthers cruised to a 56-8 win against Bowman Academy a season ago. Ty Grundy came up with 75 yards on the ground for Washington against Jimtown. Derrick Santiago had 18 carries for 170 yards with a touchdown in the Eagles’ 28-26 win over Lake Station. Matt’s pick: Bowman Academy 22, Washington 8.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Goshen (2-5, 2-3 NLC) at Warsaw (5-2, 3-2 NLC): The Tigers clawed past Goshen, 42-0, last season. Laish Litwiller came up with a fumble recovery in the RedHawks’ 7-6 win over Plymouth. Grady Nolin recorded 49 yards on the ground with a touchdown in Warsaw’s 36-0 win over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 43, Goshen 11.
Mishawaka (6-1, 4-1 NLC) at Concord (3-4, 2-3 NLC): The No. 5 (Class 5A) Cavemen claimed a 35-7 win at Concord in last year’s Class 5A sectional semifinals. Isaac Valdez managed seven tackles for Mishawaka in its 14-6 loss to NorthWood. Titus Hackworth finished with 28 carries for 128 yards with three scores in the Minutemen’s 29-28 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 37, Concord 15.
Northridge (4-3, 3-2 NLC) at Plymouth (0-7, 0-5 NLC): The Raiders posted a 35-0 win against Plymouth a season ago. Alex Eby ended with seven catches for 147 yards with two touchdowns for Northridge against Concord. Payton Bonebrake racked up 10 tackles for the Rockies against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Northridge 41, Plymouth 7.
Wawasee (1-6, 1-4 NLC) at NorthWood (7-0, 5-0 NLC): The No. 3 (Class 4A) Panthers roared to a 44-14 win over Wawasee during the 2021 campaign. Mason Shoemaker tossed for 89 yards for the Warriors against Warsaw. Wes Yoder accounted for eight rushes for 41 yards for NorthWood against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 45, Wawasee 12.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (3-4, 2-3 DAC) at Crown Point (7-0, 5-0 DAC): The No. 7 (Class 6A) Bulldogs earned a 14-7 win over Chesterton a year ago. Devin Sain ended with 16 tackles in the Trojans’ 14-13 win over Lake Central. Logan Rodriguez caught a 10-yard pass for a score in Crown Point’s 51-10 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 29, Chesterton 17.
Lake Central (4-3, 3-2 DAC) at Merrillville (6-1, 4-1 DAC): The top-ranked (Class 5A) Pirates rolled to a 34-7 win over Lake Central last season. Jeffrey Lucas finished with eight tackles for the Indians against Chesterton. Terrelle Elmore recovered a fumble for Merrillville in a 37-10 win over Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 44, Lake Central 13.
LaPorte (1-6, 1-4 DAC) at Michigan City (2-5, 2-3 DAC): The Wolves blanked LaPorte, 39-0, last year. Lucas Del Rio rambled three yards for a score for the Slicers against Crown Point. Cameron Bell hauled in four receptions for 71 yards with a touchdown in Michigan City’s 35-12 win at Portage. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 40, LaPorte 12.
Portage (1-6, 0-5 DAC) at Valparaiso (4-3, 3-2 DAC): The Indians suffered a 36-0 setback to No. 10 (Class 5A) Valparaiso a season ago. Keenan Miller had 103 yards on the ground with a score for Portage against Michigan City. Drayden Wilcox booted an 18-yard field goal for the Vikings against Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 46, Portage 6.
