Some progress took place as I went 15-2 (88 percent) last week. As the regular season hits the midway point, my overall record is now 59-22, which gets me up to 73 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Marian (2-2, 2-0 NIC) at Penn (3-1, 2-0 NIC): The Kingsmen crowned Marian, 41-13, a season ago. Mitchell Fimbel completed all three of his passes for 30 yards with a touchdown in the Knights’ 27-0 blanking of Saint Joseph. Taeshon Bardo caught two passes for 58 yards with a score in Penn’s 44-7 win over Washington. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, Marian 14.
New Prairie (3-1, 1-1 NIC) at Elkhart (3-1, 2-0 NIC): The No. 10 (Class 4A) Cougars edged Elkhart, 16-8, last year. Hayden Whitenack racked up five tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery in New Prairie’s 48-6 win over Adams. Zach Anderson came up with a 47-yard touchdown reception in the Lions’ 35-2 win over Riley. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 21, New Prairie 20.
Adams (0-4, 0-2 NIC) at Saint Joseph (2-2, 1-1 NIC): The Eagles suffered a 46-7 loss to Saint Joseph a year ago. Quincy Tootoo had a one-yard scoring run for Adams against New Prairie. The Huskies were guilty of four turnovers against Marian. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 45, Adams 6.
Riley (1-2, 0-2 NIC) at Washington (0-4, 0-2 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The Wildcats blanked Washington, 26-0, last season. Braxton Shines hauled in four receptions for 37 yards for Riley against Elkhart. Gabe Weber tossed a six-yard touchdown pass for the Panthers against Penn. Matt’s pick: Riley 40, Washington 15.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Mishawaka (3-1, 1-1 NLC) at Goshen (0-4, 0-2 NLC): The No. 6 (Class 4A) Cavemen earned a pair of wins of Goshen a year ago by counts of 48-13 and 48-14. Brady Hooten scampered six yards for a score in Mishawaka’s 35-19 win against NorthWood. Jack Krider mustered five tackles in the RedHawks’ 31-3 loss to Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawka 41, Goshen 12.
NorthWood (2-2, 1-1 NLC) at Northridge (1-3, 1-1 NLC): The Raiders downed NorthWood, 25-21, during the 2023 regular season, but lost 17-14 in the Class 4A sectional final. Micah Jarrell went 23-of-27 for 143 yards with a touchdown and ran nine times for 16 yards and two scores for the Panthers against Mishawaka. Austin Hollis recorded 50 total yards and two touchdowns in Northridge’s 34-17 loss to Concord. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 28, Northridge 26.
Warsaw (3-1, 2-0 NLC) at Concord (4-0, 2-0 NLC): The No. 5 (Class 5A) Tigers clawed past No. 4 (Class 5A) Concord, 10-3, in their last matchup. Mason Smythe converted all eight of his extra-point attempts in Warsaw’s 56-6 win at Wawasee. Reece Breveard combined for 136 yards and two scores for the Minutemen against Northridge. Matt’s pick: Concord 24, Warsaw 23.
Wawasee (0-4, 0-2 NLC) at Plymouth (2-2, 1-1 NLC): The Rockies claimed a 25-19 win over Wawasee a season ago. Benjamin Brice tallied six rushes for 32 yards for the Warriors against Warsaw. Brady Coffin racked up 13 tackles for Plymouth against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 39, Wawasee 10.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE CONFERENCE
Bremen (2-2, 0-1 INSC) at Jimtown (2-2, 1-0 INSC): The Jimmies were a 35-24 winner over Bremen last year. Carson Anderson romped for 110 yards and a score on 29 attempts in the Lions’ 13-12 loss to LaVille. Owen Glass managed nine tackles in Jimtown’s 22-14 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 31, Bremen 16.
Glenn (1-2, 0-1 INSC) at Knox (2-2, 1-0 INSC): The Redskins cruised to a 37-8 win over Glenn last season. Eli Beeney ended with 7.5 tackles and a fumble recovery for the Falcons against Jimtown. Myles McLaughlin raced for 130 yards with two touchdowns and threw a 20-yard pass for another tally in Knox’s 26-3 win over Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Knox 43, Glenn 18.
Tippecanoe Valley (3-1, 0-1 INSC) at LaVille (2-2, 1-0 INSC): Collin Czarnecki went 10-of-16 for 112 yards with a touchdown for the Lancers against Bremen. Brandon Stiles came up with seven carries for 34 yards for the Vikings against Knox. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 32, LaVille 19,
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (3-1, 1-1 DAC) at Valparaiso (3-1, 2-0 DAC): The No. 3 (Class 5A) Vikings managed two victories against Chesterton in 2023 by scores of 28-14 and 31-14. Andrew Goveia accounted for 224 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 28-7 win at LaPorte. Thomas Burda rambled 14 times for 64 yards in Valparaiso’s 20-14 win over Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 33, Chesterton 13.
LaPorte (0-4, 0-2 DAC) at Lake Central (2-2, 1-1 DAC): The Indians slipped by LaPorte, 17-12, a year ago. Dawson Shreve accounted for 14 tackles and an interception for the Slicers against Chesterton. Lake Central surrendered 42 first-half points in a 42-14 loss at Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 23, LaPorte 9.
Michigan City (1-3, 1-1 DAC) at Merrillville (3-1, 1-1 DAC): The No. 4 (Class 5A) Pirates earned a 17-0 win over Michigan City last year. Zaire McKinney hauled in a 59-yard touchdown pass for the Wolves against Valparaiso. John Peters racked up four tackles and returned an interception 100 yards for a score in Merrillville’s 27-13 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 34, Michigan City 22.
Portage (2-2, 0-2 DAC) at Crown Point (4-0, 2-0 DAC): The No. 4 (Class 6A) Bulldogs rolled to a 49-6 win against Portage during the 2023 campaign. The Indians were guilty of four turnovers against Merrillville. Jayden Rodriguez found the end zone for Crown Point against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 46, Portage 11.
