It proved to be an average performance as I went 12-4 (75 percent) last week. My overall record is now 99-28, which keeps me at 78 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Marian (3-4, 3-2 NIC) at Elkhart (6-1, 5-0 NIC): The Knights downed No. 10 (Class 6A) Elkhart, 27-14, a year ago. Deuce Owens hauled in six passes for 88 yards with a touchdown in Marian’s 42-28 loss to New Prairie. Anthony Leonard accounted for 11 tackles in the Lions’ 7-3 win at Penn. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 21, Marian 14.
Penn (5-2, 4-1 NIC) at New Prairie (5-2, 3-2 NIC): The Kingsmen blanked New Prairie, 22-0, last season. Tayshon Bardo came up with three catches for 17 yards for Penn against Elkhart. Harrison Groves racked up nine tackles for the Cougars against Marian. Matt’s pick: Penn 20, New Prairie 17.
Riley (2-4, 1-4 NIC) at Adams (1-6, 1-4 NIC): Everwise School Field): The Wildcats claimed a 22-12 win over Adams last year. With their 29-0 setback to Saint Joseph, Riley has now been held scoreless for nine straight quarters. Carson Bryce ran for a pair of scores in the Eagles’ 49-20 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Riley 30, Adams 24.
Washington (0-6, 0-5 NIC) at Saint Joseph (4-3, 3-2 NIC): The Huskies rolled to a 51-0 win over Washington a season ago. Brayson Hurley caught a 12-yard touchdown pass for Saint Joseph against Riley. Keltin Verse rambled five yards for a score for the Panthers against Adams. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 49, Washington 12.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (7-0, 5-0 NLC) at Wawasee (1-6, 1-4 NLC): The top-ranked (Class 5A) Minutemen marched to a 52-0 win over Wawasee last year. Jack Jewett came up with a 24-yard touchdown reception in Concord’s 49-0 win over Goshen. Benjamin Brice ran 15 times for 65 yards with a score in the Warriors’ 44-15 loss to Northridge. Matt’s pick: Concord 45, Wawasee 8.
Northridge (2-5, 2-3 NLC) at Goshen (0-7, 0-5 NLC): The Raiders cruised to a 43-6 win against Goshen in their previous meeting. Judah Hochstetler registered nine catches for 163 yards with two scores for Northridge against Wawasee. Nicholas Johnson mustered six carries for 19 yards for the RedHawks against Concord. Matt’s pick: Northridge 39, Goshen 6.
Plymouth (5-2, 4-1 NLC) at Mishawaka (5-2, 3-2 NLC): The Rockies are looking to make amends for a 42-7 loss to No. 6 (Class 4A) Mishawaka last season. Jaden Yates tallied four tackles and an interception in Plymouth’s 14-10 win over NorthWood. Jackson Snyder accounted for a one-yard scoring run in the Cavemen’s 21-13 loss at Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 33, Plymouth 19,
Warsaw (4-3, 3-2 NLC) at NorthWood (3-4, 2-3 NLC): The Tigers clawed past NorthWood, 45-21, during the 2023 campaign. Tucker Reed raced 27 yards for a touchdown for Warsaw against Mishawaka. Kent Miller amassed nine tackles for the Panthers against Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 28, NorthWood 24.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE CONFERENCE
Jimtown (4-3, 3-1 INSC) at LaVille (3-4, 2-2 INSC): The Jimmies escaped with a 6-3 victory over LaVille during the 2014 season. Ty Zartman tallied 19 rushes for 178 yards with a score in Jimtown’s 41-28 loss to Knox. Cody Allen finished with 16 carries for 93 yards with two touchdowns in the Lancers’ 17-7 win against Glenn. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 27, LaVille 23.
Glenn (1-5, 0-4 INSC) at Tippecanoe Valley (5-2, 1-2 INSC): The Vikings seized a 37-14 win against Glenn a year ago. Austin Pranger recorded an interception for the Falcons against LaVille. Wyatt Hart rambled 10 times for 82 yards in Tippecanoe Valley’s 31-14 win at Western. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 41, Glenn 10.
Knox (5-2, 4-0 INSC) at Bremen (3-4, 1-2 INSC): The Redskins are looking to avenge a 55-0 loss to Bremen during the 2014 campaign. Jake Conroy scampered 19 times for 100 yards with a score for Knox against Jimtown. Tyrus Graverson threw a touchdown pass in the Lions’ 31-7 loss to Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Knox 44, Bremen 16.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (5-2, 3-2 DAC) at Crown Point (7-0, 5-0 DAC): The No. 2 (Class 6A) Bulldogs posted a 21-7 win over No. 10 (Class 5A) Chesterton a season ago. Drew Pacilio connected on a 29-yard field goal in the Trojans’ 17-16 win over Lake Central. Trevor Gibbs caught a touchdown pass and returned an interception for another tally in Crown Point’s 42-0 win over LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 43, Chesterton 15.
Lake Central (3-4, 2-3 DAC) at Merrillville (6-1, 4-1 DAC): The No. 3 (Class 5A) Pirates earned a 38-9 victory against Lake Central a year ago. Cameron Reddick threw and ran for scores for the Indians against Chesterton. Jordan Sanders went 9-of-15 for 144 yards with two touchdowns in Merrillville’s 35-7 win over Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 40, Lake Central 12.
LaPorte (0-7, 0-5 DAC) at Michigan City (2-5, 2-3 DAC): The Wolves came away with a pair of wins over LaPorte in 2023 by scores of 35-0 and 6-5. The Slicers have been held scoreless for 10 straight quarters. Michael Crawford had a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown in Michigan City’s 9-7 loss at Portage. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 25, LaPorte 9,
Portage (3-4, 1-4 DAC) at Valparaiso (4-3, 3-2 DAC): The No. 9 (Class 5A) Vikings handed Portage a 42-6 loss last year. Danny Lule’s 38-yard field goal was the difference for the Indians against Michigan City. Kellan Hosek was 14-of-20 for 124 yards for Valparaiso against Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 36, Portage 16.
