My stretch of good luck continued as I went 14-2 (88 percent) last week. Heading into the homestretch, my overall record is now 98-30, which leaves me at 77 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (3-4, 2-3 NIC) at Riley (3-4, 1-4 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Eagles slipped past Riley, 7-6, a year ago. John Bond recorded 10 tackles and an interception in Adams’ 28-7 win over Washington. Nick Washington snatched a 10-yard touchdown pass in the Wildcats’ 21-6 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Adams 27, Riley 21.
Elkhart (4-3, 3-2 NIC) at Marian (2-5, 1-4 NIC): The Lions clawed past Marian, 26-0, a season ago. Cole Bell registered six tackles and an interception in Elkhart’s 37-12 loss to Penn. Vinny Gruber finished with three touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions in the Knights’ 34-30 loss to New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 40, Marian 19.
New Prairie (2-5, 2-3 NIC) at Penn (7-0, 5-0 NIC): The No. 4 (Class 6A) Kingsmen crowned New Prairie, 24-7, last year. Lucas Halderman raced 11 times for 79 yards with a touchdown for the Cougars against Marian. Harris Stipp converted four extra-points and field goals of 35 yards, 26 yards, and 23 yards for Penn against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, New Prairie 8.
Saint Joseph (7-0, 5-0 NIC) at Washington (2-5, 1-4 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The No. 5 (Class 4A) Huskies roughed up Washington, 49-0, last season. Anthony Gubi went 8-of-17 for 93 yards for Saint Joseph against Riley. The Panthers allowed more than 200 yards rushing against Adams. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 31, Washington 6.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Goshen (2-5, 1-4 NLC) at Northridge (1-5, 1-4 NLC): The Raiders were a 36-7 winner over Goshen a year ago. Spencer Elliott contributed 11 receptions for 71 yards, three carries for 30 yards, and an interception in the RedHawks’ 42-0 loss to Concord. Hayden Gorball hauled in three passes for 42 yards with a score in Northridge’s 42-7 win over Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Northridge 39, Goshen 10.
Mishawaka (6-1, 5-0 NLC) at Plymouth (3-4, 3-2 NLC): The No. 3 (Class 4A) Cavemen notched a pair of victories against Plymouth during the 2024 campaign by scores of 34-10 and 41-14. Ken Clemente amassed 14 tackles in Mishawaka’s 42-21 win over Warsaw. Andres Medrano chipped in seven tackles and a fumble recovery in the Rockies’ 41-14 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 45, Plymouth 13.
NorthWood (4-3, 3-2 NLC) at Warsaw (4-3, 3-2 NLC): The Tigers roared past NorthWood, 35-21, in their previous matchup. Austin King totaled 12 tackles and four rushes for 15 yards with two scores for the Panthers against Plymouth. James Pattison notched a six-yard scoring run for Warsaw against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 33, NorthWood 30.
Wawasee (1-6, 0-5 NLC) vs. Concord (6-1, 4-1 NLC) (Elkhart’s Rice Field): The Warriors suffered a 44-7 loss to No. 8 (Class 5A) Concord last year. Kaden Andrew carried the ball five times for 42 yards for Wawasee against Northridge. Matt Gunawan came up with three tackles and an interception for the Minutemen against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Concord 47, Wawasee 8.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE
Bremen (5-2, 3-0 INSC) at Knox (7-0, 4-0 INSC): The No. 4 (Class 3A) Redskins held on for a 46-38 win against Bremen in their last matchup. Jake Rodriguez hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass in the Lions’ 40-24 win over Culver Academy. Ashton Walker has two carries for 25 yards with a score in Knox’s 56-13 win over Jimtown. Matt’s pick: Knox 44, Bremen 14.
LaVille (3-4, 2-2 INSC) at Jimtown (1-6, (0-4 INSC): The Jimmies downed LaVille, 49-20, during the 2024 season. Cole Stafford caught two passes for 28 yards with two scores in the Lancers’ 45-0 win over Glenn. Chase Coughenour mustered a three-yard touchdown run for Jimtown against Knox. Matt’s pick: LaVille 25, Jimtown 17.
Tippecanoe Valley (5-2, 2-1 INSC) at Glenn (2-5, 1-3 INSC): The Vikings squeezed by Glenn, 22-21, a season ago. Grady Moriarty ran 10 times for 78 yards with a touchdown and racked up 13 tackles in Tippecanoe Valley’s 38-7 win over Western. The Falcons had a pair of fumbles against LaVille. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 39, Glenn 10.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (7-0, 5-0 DAC) at Chesterton (5-2, 4-1 DAC): The No. 2 (Class 6A) Bulldogs rolled to a 41-7 win over Chesterton a season ago. Lu Tiawhan scampered 55 yards for a score in Crown Point’s 42-7 win over LaPorte. Zane Westerlund came up with 11 tackles in the Trojans’ 27-6 win over Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 40, Chesterton 15.
Merrillville (5-2, 4-1 DAC) at Lake Central (2-5, 1-4 DAC): The No. 6 (Class 5A) Pirates cruised to a 43-10 win over Lake Central last year. Cameron Jordan accounted for six catches for 55 yards and six rushes for 27 yards with a touchdown in Merrillville’s 48-21 win over Valparaiso. Frankie Verta came up a 76-yard touchdown reception for the Indians against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 46, Lake Central 9.
Michigan City (5-2, 4-1 DAC) at LaPorte (2-5, 1-4 DAC): The Wolves blanked LaPorte, 39-0, a year ago. Meek Laurent managed two catches for 81 yards with a score and ran once for five yards in the Wolves’ 43-3 win over Portage. Aiden Penziol was 11-of-19 for 122 yards for the Slicers against Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 43, LaPorte 16.
Valparaiso (1-6, 1-4 DAC) at Portage (0-7, 0-5 DAC): The Indians are looking to make amends for a 42-32 loss to Valparaiso last season. Gage Finley rambled 28 times for 139 yards with a score and completed a five-yard pass for the Vikings against Merrillville. Ryan Scanlon converted a 30-yard field goal for Portage against Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 37, Portage 11.
