Clay’s 19-16 win over Glenn’s junior varsity was my lone mistake as I went 15-1 (94 percent) last week. Going into the last week of the regular season. my overall record is 112-26, which has at 81 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (1-7, 0-4 NIC) at Penn (7-1, 4-0 NIC): The No. 8 (Class 6A) Kingsmen crowned Adams, 35-7, last year. Mason Foster racked up 11 rushes for 39 yards in the Eagles’ 44-6 loss to Jimtown. Jake Balis had 26 carries for 101 yards with a touchdown in Penn’s 22-0 win at New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, Adams 6.
Bremen (4-4) at Tippecanoe Valley (8-0): The No. 4 (Class 3A) Vikings suffered a 34-7 loss to Bremen during the 2018 campaign. Tyrus Graverson caught five passes for 93 yards with a score in the Lions’ 22-9 loss to Riley. Cody Eastgate finished with six carries for 42 yards with two touchdowns and completed 5-of-9 for 68 yards in Tippecanoe Valley’s 37-14 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 40, Bremen 19.
Bremen JV at Clay (2-6, 1-3 NIC) (Thursday): The Lions blanked Clay, 40-0, a season ago. Karon Miller recorded four quarterback sacks in the Colonials’ 19-16 win over Glenn’s junior varsity. Matt’s pick: Clay 20, Bremen 18.
Glenn (4-4, 2-1 NIC) at Washington (2-6, 1-3 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The Falcons soared to a 36-0 win against Washington last season. Mason Kobelt returned an interception 41 yards for a score for Glenn against Tippecanoe Valley. Gabe Weber threw a 76-yard touchdown pass in the Panthers’ 51-6 loss to No. 5 (Class 3A) Hamilton Heights. Matt’s pick: Glenn 29, Washington 7.
Jimtown (4-4, 2-1 NIC): at Riley (7-1, 4-0 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Jimmies claimed a 19-7 win over Jimtown a year ago. Brayden Fox converted a 41-yard field goal for Jimtown against Adams. Austin White went 6-of-14 for 52 yards and ran seven times for 36 yards with a touchdown for the Wildcats against Bremen. Matt’s pick: Riley 30, Jimtown 24.
Marian (4-4, 2-2 NIC) at Saint Joseph (4-4, 1-3 NIC): The Knights are looking to make amends for a 28-21 overtime loss to Saint Joseph in their previous meeting. Brian Osman raced 22 times for 112 yards with two scores in Marian’s 27-14 win over Elkhart. Franco Biffle’s one-yard touchdown run lifted Saint Joe to a 20-6 win over Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Marian 31, Saint Joseph 28.
New Prairie (6-2, 3-1 NIC) at Elkhart (3-5, 2-2 NIC): The Cougars clawed past Elkhart, 35-7, during the 2022 season. Trenton Klute recorded a fumble recovery for New Prairie against Penn. Chase Bussard completed 6-of-17 for 57 yards for the Lions against Marian. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 33, Elkhart 12.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Northridge (7-1, 5-1 NLC) at Warsaw (7-1, 5-1 NLC): The Tigers downed No. 3 (Class 4A) Northridge, 35-21, a season ago. McClain Miller rambled 51 yards for a score in the Raiders’ 42-14 win over Plymouth. Quinton Brock accounted for an 85-yard touchdown run in Warsaw’s 42-7 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 18, Northridge 14.
NorthWood (6-2, 4-2 NLC) at Goshen (1-7, 1-5 NLC): The Panthers cruised past Goshen, 42-6, last year. Jeffrey Eash managed 16 carries for 115 yards with a score in NorthWood’s 38-21 win over Wawasee. Cole Hinkel amassed six tackles for the RedHawks against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 47, Goshen 10.
Plymouth (2-6, 1-5 NLC) at Concord (4-4, 2-4 NLC): The Minutemen rolled to a 52-0 win over Plymouth last season. Enrique Ramirez went 9-of-16 for 126 yards and ran 13 times for 94 yards with a score for the Rockies against Northridge. Chris Adams ended with nine tackles in Concord’s 31-7 loss to Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Concord 34, Plymouth 15.
Wawasee (1-7, 1-5 NLC) at Mishawaka (6-2, 5-1 NLC): The No. 9 (Class 5A) Cavemen clubbed Wawasee, 54-21, a year ago. Mason Shoemaker was 19-of-28 for 192 yards with two scores for the Warriors against NorthWood. Lucas Larson connected on a 25-yard field goal and four extra-points for Mishawaka against Concord. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 46, Wawasee 9.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (2-6, 2-4 DAC) at Merrillville (6-2, 4-2 DAC): The Trojans marched past No. 6 (Class 5A) Merrillville, 35-10, a season ago. Cameron Chadwick hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass in Chesterton’s 21-7 loss to Crown Point. JQ Johnson finished with 27 carries for 152 yards with a score in the Pirates’ 38-9 win over Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 39, Chesterton 10.
Lake Central (4-4, 3-3 DAC) at Valparaiso (6-2, 5-1 DAC): The No. 4 (Class 5A) Vikings squeezed by Lake Central, 21-14, last year. Cam Reddick ran one yard for a score for the Indians against Merrillville. Andrew Alcorn completed 11-of-15 for 141 yards with two touchdowns in Valparaiso’s 42-6 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 36, Lake Central 12.
Michigan City (5-3, 4-2 DAC) at Crown Point (8-0, 6-0 DAC): The No, 5 (Class 6A) Bulldogs came away with a 38-3 win over Michigan City a year ago. Jaden Hart ran 18 times for 100 yards with two scores in the Wolves’ 35-0 win over LaPorte. Larry Ellison accumulated 39 carries for 168 yards with two touchdowns for Crown Point against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 37, Michigan City 21.
Portage (0-8, 0-6 DAC) at LaPorte (1-7, 0-6 DAC): The Indians managed a 28-6 win over LaPorte last season. Troy Marshall caught a 12-yard touchdown pass for Portage against Valparaiso. RJ Carnes came up with 14 tackles for the Slicers against Michigan City, Matt’s pick: Portage 18, LaPorte 16.
