Things improved as I went 13-2 (87 percent) last week. Heading into the final four weeks of the regular season, my overall record is now 72-19, which bumps me up to 79 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFEREBCE
Glenn (3-2, 1-1 NIC) at Bremen (3-2, 1-1 NIC): The Lions clawed past Glenn, 14-7, a year ago. Brayden Benwell came up with an interception in the Falcons’ 37-8 loss to Knox. Noah Wildauer caught two passes for 24 yards with a touchdown in Bremen’s 35-24 loss to Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Bremen 20, Glenn 16.
Jimtown (2-3) at Tippecanoe Valley (5-0): The Jimmies downed No. 9 (Class 3A) Tippecanoe Valley, 27-6, in the 2019 Class 3A sectional semifinals. Ty Zartman came up with 26 carries for 212 yards with three touchdowns for Jimtown against Bremen. Nathan Parker accumulated 14 rushes for 214 yards with three scores in the Vikings’ 59-28 win over Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 34, Jimtown 21.
New Prairie (4-1, 2-0 NIC) at Adams (1-4, 0-2 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The Cougars rolled to a 49-2 win against Adams a season ago. Brock Sinka ran 12 times for 47 yards and a score in New Prairie’s 29-26 win over Saint Joseph. Braylon Williams hauled in seven passes for 153 yards with a touchdown in the Eagles’ 13-6 overtime loss to Marian. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 43, Adams 12.
Penn (4-1, 1-0 NIC) at Marian 2-3, 1-1 NIC): The Kingsmen clubbed Marina, 42-3, last year. Cole Bennett registered three catches for 24 yards in Penn’s 21-0 win over Elkhart. Luke Marr scored the game-winning 10-yard touchdown in overtime for the Knights against Adams. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, Marian 10.
Saint Joseph (3-2, 1-1 NIC) at Elkhart (1-4, 0-1 NIC): The Indians are looking to make amends for a 43-7 loss to Elkhart last season. Alex Ortiz was 20-of-29 for 255 yards with four touchdowns for Saint Joe against New Prairie. Connor Dow came up with eight rushes for 21 yards for the Lions against Penn. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 33, Elkhart 24.
Washington (2-3, 1-1 NIC) at Riley (5-0, 2-0 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Wildcats slipped past Washington, 34-26, in their last meeting. Torrey Wilson found the end zone as the Panthers used a 26-point third quarter to post a 46-8 win over Clay. Uriah Orozco came up with an interception in Riley’s 46-6 win over Indianapolis Washington. Matt’s pick: Riley 49, Washington 7.
Clay (0-5) at Jimtown JV (2-2) (Saturday): The Colonials suffered a 69-6 loss to Jimtown during the 2022 season. Shaq Edwards caught a touchdown pass for Clay against Washington. The Jimmies are coming off a 32-0 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Jimtown JV 22, Clay 8.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (3-2, 1-2 NLC) at Goshen (0-5, 0-3 NLC): The Minutemen marched to a 37-7 win over Goshen last year. Bo Brunner was 7-of-10 for 90 yards with two touchdowns in Concord’s 52-0 blanking of Wawasee. Drew Elliott accounted for 10 rushes for 107 yards with a score in the RedHawks’ 43-6 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Concord 38, Goshen 0.
Northridge (4-1, 2-1 NLC) at Wawasee (1-4, 1-3 NLC): The No. 7 (Class 4A) Raiders cruised to a 42-17 win over Wawasee a season ago. Zach Baugh registered six catches for 76 yards with a score for Northridge against Concord. Brandon Kelly recorded nine tackles for the Warriors against Concord. Matt’s pick: Northridge 40, Wawasee 6.
Plymouth (2-3, 1-2 NLC) at NorthWood (3-2, 1-2 NLC): The Rockies came up on the short end of a 48-0 decision to NorthWood a year ago. Finnigan Holm tallied 12 carries for 52 yards in Plymouth’s 42-7 loss to Mishawaka. Kanye Tucker racked up 11 tackles in the Panthers’ 45-21 loss to Warsaw. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 36, Plymouth 11.
Warsaw (5-0, 3-0 NLC) at Mishawaka (4-1, 3-0 NLC): The No. 7 (Class 5A) Cavemen clubbed No. 9 (Class 6A) Warsaw, 43-19, last season. Lucas Ransbottom came up with a pair of scores for the Tigers against NorthWood. Jack Troyer scampered six yards for a score for Mishawaka against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 25, Warsaw 22.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (1-4, 1-2 DAC) at Portage (0-5, 0-3 DAC): The Trojans managed a 41-7 victory against Portage in the previous matchup. CJ Perez went 11-of-26 for 132 yards with a touchdown in Chesterton’s 28-14 loss to Valparaiso. Kodie Young was 5-of-11 for 104 yards in the Indians’ 49-6 loss to Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 15, Portage 14.
LaPorte (1-4, 0-3 DAC) at Merrillville (4-1, 2-1 DAC): The Slicers dropped a 41-3 contest to No. 6 (Class 5A) Merrillville a season ago. Drew Flores managed 10 rushes for 87 yards with a score in LaPorte’s 17-12 loss to Lake Central. Jaylen Ramsey returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown in the Pirates’ 17-0 win over Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 33, LaPorte 3.
Michigan City (2-3, 1-2 DAC) at Lake Central (3-2, 2-1 DAC): The Indians edged Michigan City, 35-31, last season. Jaden Hart came up with 20 carries for 134 yards for the Wolves against Merrillville. LJ Richardson recorded nine catches for 145 yards with two touchdowns for Lake Central against LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 26, Lake Central 18.
Valparaiso (4-1, 3-0 DAC) at Crown Point (5-0, 3-0 DAC): The No. 5 (Class 6A) Bulldogs earned a 34-13 win over No. 3 (Class 5A) Valparaiso a year ago. Julian Stokes had a 34-yard touchdown scamper for the Vikings against Chesterton. Jacob Jomes ran four times for 102 yards with a score and caught a 66-yard touchdown for Crown Point against Portage. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 32, Valparaiso 27.
