Entering my 12th year, I hope to build on last season’s 80 percent performance. During the regular season, I will once again focus on Northern Indiana, Northern Lakes, and Duneland Athletic conference contests. All games on Friday unless indicated and records are 2021 final.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFEREBCE
Adams (4-7) at Northridge (10-5): The Raiders were a 21-0 winner over Adams a year ago. Former Eagles’ quarterback Frank Karczewski replaces Antwon Jones. Senior lineman Solomon Parker is one of the standouts for Adams. Northridge will be counting on senior wide out Jethro Hochstetler. Matt’s pick: Northridge 16, Adams 12.
Bremen (7-4) at LaVille (9-3): The Lancers escaped with a 14-6 win over Bremen in last years’ Class 2A sectional semifinals. Senior running back Austin McKenzie returns for the Lions. Senior Paul DeWitt is back in the backfield for LaVille. Matt’s pick: LaVille 30, Bremen 15.
Elkhart (5-5) at Concord (9-2): The Lions slipped past Concord, 12-7, a season ago. Romison Saint-Louis takes over for Josh Shattuck at Elkhart. Senior quarterback Brady Krueper returns to guide the Lions’ attack. Senior linebacker Armen Koltookian is one of the unsung heroes on the Minutemen defense. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 14, Concord 13.
Gary West (6-3) at Riley (1-6) (Saturday at TCU School Field): The Wildcats blanked Gary West, 34-0, during the 2020 campaign. Alger Boswell replaces Eric Schreiber Jr. as the top man for the Cougars. Darrick Lee leaves Muncie Central to step in for Justin Kinzie at Riley. Senior lineman De’Eric Mister is back up from for Gary West. Senior linebacker Ethan Witz will roam the middle of the Wildcats’ defense. Matt’s pick: Gary West 35, Riley 28.
Glenn (5-5) at Boone Grove (2-7): The Falcons soared to a 46-0 win against Boone Grove a year ago. John Barron comes over from Plymouth to replace Austin Foust at Glenn. Senior Will Brinkman leads the charge up front for Glenn. Senior runner Nate Hilty returns to the backfield for the Wolves. Matt’s pick: Glenn 19, Boone Grove 9.
Hammond Central (2-8) at Washington (3-5) (TCU School Field): The Panthers claimed a 27-20 win over Hammond Central last year. Senior wide receiver Jordan Woods is the mainstays for the Wolves. Senior back Ty’shaun Grundy will have the run of things in the backfield for Washington. Matt’s pick: Hammond Central 34, Washington 19.
LaPorte (2-8) at New Prairie (11-3): The Cougars pounded LaPorte, 37-21, last season. Bob James is now in charge of the Slicers, replacing David Ortiz. Senior quarterback R.J, Anglin is one of the leaders for LaPorte. Senior running back Noah Mungia will be counted on to produce for New Prairie. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 33, LaPorte 10.
Mishawaka (8-3) at Marian (10-4): The No. 8 (Class 5A) Cavemen clubbed No. 4 (Class 3A) Marian, 43-16, a season ago. Junior quarterback Brady Fisher takes over the controls of the Mishawaka offense. Junior signal caller Bryce LaSane will guide the Knight’s attack. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 30, Marian 20.
NorthWood (5-5) at Jimtown (9-3): The Panthers held on for a 7-6 win against Jimtown last year. Junior Kanye King will be asked to lay it all on the line up front on the NorthWood defense. Senior tight end Tay Williams hopes to catch plenty of passes for the Jimmies. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 17, Jimtown 16.
Osceola Grace (8-3) at Clay (0-9): The Eagles flew past Clay, 42-7, a year ago. Senior Eli Kern will be a threat both at running back and linebacker for Osceola Grace. back Marcus Rankin hopes to get the Colonials’ offense back on track. Matt’s pick: Osceola Grace 23, Clay 6.
Saint Joseph (4-8) at Lakeland (3-7): The Indians scalped Lakeland, 27-0, last season. Ben Downey returns to Saint Joseph to replace Bryon Whitten. Senior linebacker Austin Futa returns in the middle of the Indians’ defense. Senior quarterback Deion Marshall is the one of the unsung heroes for the Lakers. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 40, Lakeland 14.
Valparaiso (10-2) at Penn (6-6): The No. 4 (Class 5A) Vikings cruised to a 35-7 win over Penn in their previous meeting. Senior linebacker Peter Crossin will be in the middle of the action on the Valparaiso defense. Senior runner Josiah Williams will be one of the standouts in the Kingsmen backfield. Matt’s pick: Penn 24, Valparaiso 18.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Fairfield (4-6) at Goshen (4-6): The RedHawks earned a 21-10 win over Fairfield last season. Tom Wogomon takes over for Kyle Park as the Goshen leader. Senior defensive back Cohen Custer will be a force in the secondary for the Falcons. Senior lineman Yabi Kurtz will be asked to pace the way on both sides of the ball for Goshen. Matt’s pick: Goshen 21, Fairfield 7.
Michigan City (9-4) at Warsaw (7-3): The No. 3 (Class 5A) Wolves roared to a 35-16 win over Warsaw a season ago. Junior quarterback Tyler Bush leads the charge for Michigan City. Senior running back Haydin Rodriguez will be one of the mainstays in the Tigers’ backfield. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 25, Warsaw 22.
Plymouth (0-10) at East Noble (6-3): The Knights came away with a 56-33 win at Plymouth during the 2021 season. Adam Handley leaves Wabash to be the Rockies’ boss. Senior lineman Thad Pletcher is one of the leaders up front for Plymouth. Junior quarterback Zander Brazel leads the way for East Noble. Matt’s pick: East Noble 29, Plymouth 11.
Wawasee (1-9) at Tippecanoe Valley (10-1): The Vikings managed a 42-7 win over Wawasee a season ago. Senior running back Cam Zimmerman has the run of things in the backfield for the Warriors. Senior lineman Evan Maish will lay it all on the line on both sides of the field for Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 31, Wawasee 12
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Andrean (12-3) at Merrillville (12-1): The top-ranked (Class 5A) Pirates rolled to a 47-21 win over No. 1 and defending Class 2A state champion Andrean a year ago. Junior wide out Pat Clacks III hopes to have plenty of passes thrown in his direction for the 59ers. Senior Jaylen Thomas takes over at quarterback for Merrillville, Matt’s pick: Merrillville 36, Andrean 34.
Hammond Morton (1-6) at Portage (2-8): The Indians cruised to a 26-6 win against Hammond Morton last season. Junior quarterback Lamontae Nimox will be at the control of the Governors’ offense. Senior Terrell Craft will be a workhorse in the offensive backfield for Portage. Matt’s pick: Portage 26, Hammond Morton 8.
Hobart (8-4) at Chesterton (7-4): The Trojans managed a 20-14 win at No. 10 (Class 4A) Hobart in their last meeting. Senior linebacker Gavin Miller will be in the middle of the action on the Brickies’ defense, Senior Ethan Troy will be part of the offensive backfield for Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Hobart 37, Chesterton 17.
Lowell (9-4) at Crown Point (5-5): The Red Devils suffered a 28-14 loss to Crown Point a season ago. Junior cornerback Malachi James is one of the leaders in the secondary for Lowell. Senior quarterback J.J. Johnson will be at the controls of the Bulldogs’ offense. Matt’s pick: Lowell 18, Crown Point 16.
Munster (3-8) at Lake Central (3-7): The Mustangs dropped a 28-0 decision to Lake Central last year. Senior back Brendan Budeselich will be one of the offensive mainstays for Munster. Junior runner Xavier Williams hopes to get plenty of touches out of the backfield for the Indians. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 38, Munster 12.
