It proved to be an average performance as I went 12-4 (75 percent) last week. As the regular season enters the midway point, my overall record is now 59-17, which leaves me at 78 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFEREBCE
Adams (1-3) at Marian (1-3, 0-1 NIC): The Knights held on for a 7-6 victory against Adams in their previous meeting. David Hayo ran 18 times for 83 yards with a touchdown in the Eagles’ 46-7 loss to Saint Joseph. Bryce LaSane went 17-of-29 for 149 yards and ran seven times for 11 yards in Marian’s 31-13 loss to New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Marian 28, Adams 10.
Bremen (3-1, 1-0 NIC) at Jimtown (1-3, 0-1 NIC): The Jimmies downed Bremen, 35-17, a year ago. Austin Young carried the ball 22 times for 113 yards with a score in the Lions’ 28-21 win at Triton. Bishop Williams recorded a one-yard scoring run in Jimtown’s 12-7 loss to Glenn. Matt’s pick: Bremen 21, Jimtown 13.
Clay (0-4, 0-1 NIC) at Washington (1-3, 0-1 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The Panthers blanked Clay, 52-0, during the 2022 campaign. Jeremy Cleveland was one of the bright spots for the Colonials in their 76-0 loss to Riley. Tyrin Reed accounted for a touchdown in Washington’s 30-6 win over Calumet. Matt’s pick: Washington 34. Clay 6.
Elkhart (1-3) at Penn (3-1): The Kingsmen edged Elkhart, 21-20, last season. Quinn Rost tossed for 81 yards in the Lions’ 55-0 loss to Massillon Washington (Ohio). Jake Balis ran for a pair of touchdowns and caught a pass for another tally in Penn’s 35-0 blanking of Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Penn 40, Elkhart 9.
Glenn (3-1) at Knox (4-0): The Redskins claimed a 42-21 win over Glenn last year. Mason Kobelt scampered 19 times for 108 yards for the Falcons against Jimtown. Jake Conroy accounted for three touchdowns in Glenn’s 22-18 win over North Judson. Matt’s pick: Knox 29, Glenn 16.
New Prairie (3-1, 1-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (3-1, 1-0 NIC): The Cougars rolled to a 38-7 win over Saint Joseph a season ago. Hayden Scott came up with nine tackles for New Prairie against Marian. Franco Biffle scored a pair of touchdowns for Saint Joe against Adams. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 35, Saint Joseph 18.
Riley (4-0) at Indianapolis Washington (2-2): The Wildcats clawed their way to a 52-6 win over Washington a year ago. Austin White completed all six of his passes for 99 yards with two scores against Clay. Jordan Miller had 13 carries for 198 yards in the Continentals’ 36-0 win over Lake Station. Matt’s pick: Riley 44, Indianapolis Washington 19.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFEREN CE
Goshen (0-4, 0-2 NLC) at Northridge (3-1, 1-1 NLC): The No.7 (Class 4A) Raiders were a 32-10 winner over Goshen last year. Drew Elliott tallied 18 carries for 108 yards with two score in the RedHawks’ 48-13 loss to Mishawaka. Derek Sherwood rambled 26 times for 97 yards with a score in Northridge’s 25-22 win over NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Northridge 36, Goshen 8.
Mishawaka (3-1, 2-0 NLC) at Plymouth (2-2, 1-1 NLC): The Rockies are looking to make amends for a 36-7 loss to No. 7 (Class 5A) Mishawaka a season ago. Tim Kaye carried the ball twice for 29 yards and a touchdown for the Cavemen against Goshen. Brady Coffin registered 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in Plymouth’s 25-19 win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 43, Plymouth 12.
NorthWood (3-1, 1-1 NLC) at Warsaw (4-0, 2-0 NLC): The No. 9 (Class 4A) Panthers managed a 42-21 win over Warsaw a year ago. Keith Miller racked up 13 tackles for NorthWood against Northridge. Mason Smythe booted a school-record 52-yard field goal in the Tigers’ 10-3 win over Concord. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 23, Warsaw 21.
Wawasee (1-3, 1-1 NLC) at Concord (2-2, 0-2 NLC): The Minutemen recorded a 16-0 win over Wawasee last season. Camden Bonds managed eight tackles and a fumble recovery for Concord against Warsaw. Derek Bontrager caught three passes for 38 yards with a score for the Warriors against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Concord 22, Wawasee 7.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (4-0, 2-0 DAC) at Portage (0-4, 0-2 DAC): The No. 7 (Class 6A) Bulldogs posted a 44-14 win over Portage in the 2022 Class 6A sectional semifinals. Jaylynn Kelly amassed an interception and fumble recovery in Crown Point’s 38-12 win over Lake Central. Jojo Mabon recorded 12 rushes for 96 yards with a touchdown in the Indians’ 17-7 loss to Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 41, Portage 14.
Lake Central (2-2, 1-1 DAC) at LaPorte (1-3, 0-2 DAC): The Indians registered a 21-7 victory against LaPorte last year. Chase Kwiatkowski tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass for Lake Central against Crown Point. Keigan Henckel hauled in six receptions for 37 yards with a score in the Slicers’ 28-7 loss to Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 19, LaPorte 6.
Merrillville (3-1, 1-1 DAC) at Michigan City (2-2, 1-1 DAC): The No. 6 (Class 5A) Pirates clipped Michigan City, 38-24, a season ago. Trey Stephens came up with nine carries for 110 yards for Merrillville against Portage. Tyler Bush was 17-of-28 for 409 yards with a touchdown in the Wolves’ 31-7 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 35, Michigan City 30.
Valparaiso (3-1, 2-0 DAC) at Chesterton (1-3, 1-1 DAC): The No. 3 and defending Class 5A state champion Vikings captured a sectional crown last season with a 14-7 win against Chesterton. Ty Veen contributed 12 tackles for Valparaiso against Michigan City. Brady McCormack threw for a touchdown and ran for another score for the Trojans against LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 39, Chesterton 15.
