It was another productive performance as I went 16-2 (89 percent) last week. Nearing the midway point of the regular season, my overall mark is now 48-19, which is good for 72 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (1-2, 0-1 NIC) at New Prairie (0-3, 0-1 NIC): The Cougars clawed past Adams, 48-6, a season ago. John Bond registered seven tackles and a sack in the Eagles’ 21-0 loss at Marian. Carson Sinka managed four carries for 19 yards with a score in New Prairie’s 43-13 loss to Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 28, Adams 13.
Marian (2-1, 1-0 NIC) at Saint Joseph (3-0, 1-0 NIC): The Knights crowned Saint Joseph, 27-0, a year ago. Doren Brooks came up with 13 tackles and an interception for Marian against Adams. Matt Champlin romped four yards for a touchdown for the Huskies against New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 35, Marian 19.
Penn (3-0, 1-0 NIC) at Washington (1-2, 0-1 NIC) (Everwise School Field): The No. 7 (Class 6A) Kingsmen clubbed Washington, 44-6, last year. Blake Ewald had seven carries for 25 yards with a score in Penn’s 49-6 win over Riley. Bryce Verse racked up 14 tackles in the Panthers’ 34-13 loss to Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Penn 49, Washington 6.
Riley (2-1, 0-1 NIC) at Elkhart (2-1, 1-0 NIC): The Lions roared to a 35-2 win over Riley last season. Cayden Hurtsel finished with four catches for 13 yards for the Wildcats against Penn. Dametre Pulliam came up with three rushes for 25 yards with a touchdown for Elkhart against Washington. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 33, Riley 12.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Goshen (1-2, 0-1 NLC) at Plymouth (1-2, 1-0 NLC): The Rockies rolled to a 31-3 victory against Goshen in their last meeting. Colton Rapp hauled in a 20-yard touchdown reception in the RedHawks’ 37-7 loss to Warsaw. Ben Shively completed 10-of-12 for 129 yards with a score and ran 13 times for 51 yards with another touchdown in Plymouth’s 24-21 win at Northridge. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 31, Goshen 15.
Mishawaka (2-1, 1-0 NLC) at NorthWood (2-1, 1-0 NLC): The No. 4 Cavemen celebrated a 2024 Class 4A sectional crown with a 22-21 win over NorthWood. Drew Ginter registered 11 tackles in Mishawaka’s 38-34 win over Concord. Deondray Monroe came up with a 29-yard touchdown reception and a five-yard run in the Panthers’ 36-7 win at Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 37, NorthWood 20.
Northridge (0-3, 0-1 NLC) vs. Concord (2-1, 0-1 NLC) (Mishawaka’s Steele Stadium): The No. 8 (Class 5A) Minutemen marched past Northridge, 34-17, a season ago. Austin Horn scampered eight times for 58 yards with a touchdown for the Raiders against Plymouth. Parker Shaffer tallied 14 tackles for Concord against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Concord 41, Northridge 10.
Wawasee (1-2, 0-1 NLC) at Warsaw (2-1, 1-0 NLC): The No. 5 (Class 5A) Tigers claimed the “W” trophy last year with a 56-6 win over Wawasee. Konnor Sharp totaled six tackles and a sack for the Warriors against NorthWood. Quinton Brock found the end zone twice for Warsaw against Goshen. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 45, Wawasee 9.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE
Bremen (1-2) at LaVille (2-1): The Lancers edged Bremen, 13-12, last season. Jack Wildauer ran seven times for 64 yards with two scores and booted three extra-points in the Lions’ 39-0 blanking of Boone Grove. Noah Menis accounted for six catches for 68 yards with two touchdowns in LaVille’s 42-9 win over Central Noble. Matt’s pick: LaVille 22, Bremen 16.
Jimtown (1-2) at Glenn (1-2): The Jimmies cruised to a 37-7 win against Glenn in last year’s Class 3A sectional quarterfinals. Nash Hamby ended with three carries for 22 yards with a score and also ran for the game-winning two-point conversion in Jimtown’s 29-28 win over Fairfield. Blake Wright mustered eight tackles in the Falcons’ 28-0 loss at Rensselaer Central. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 26, Glenn 8.
Knox (3-0) at Tippecanoe Valley (2-1): The No. 5 (Class 3A) Redskins posted a 26-3 win over Tippecanoe Valley a year ago. Ashton Walker accounted for two catches for 38 yards with a score in Knox’s 72-24 win over Culver Academy. Wyatt Bradley amassed seven tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery in the Vikings’ 35-19 loss to Hamilton Heights. Matt’s pick: Knox 40, Tippecanoe Valley 14.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (3-0, 1-0 DAC) at Lake Central (2-1, 1-0 DAC): The No. 4 (Class 6A) Bulldogs earned a 42-14 win over Lake Central a season ago. Max Gurnic ran 16 times for 170 yards with a touchdown in Crown Point’s 35-21 win over Merrillville. Frankie Verta caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the Indians’ 26-0 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 32, Lake Central 12.
LaPorte (1-2, 0-1 DAC) at Chesterton (1-2, 0-1 DAC): The Slicers are looking to avenge a 28-7 loss to Chesterton last year. Leo Vargas ended with eight tackles in LaPorte’s 28-0 loss to Valparaiso. Hunter Boyd went 12-of-22 for 154 yards with two scores in the Trojans’ 30-13 loss at Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 23, LaPorte 17.
Michigan City (2-1, 1-0 DAC) at Valparaiso (1-2, 1-0 DAC): The Vikings edged Michigan City, 20-14, a year ago. Aiden Needles contributed nine tackles for Valparaiso against LaPorte. Jeremy Thurman rambled 15 times for 100 yards with two touchdowns for the Wolves against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 24, Michigan City 22.
Portage (0-3, 0-1 DAC) at Merrillville (1-2, 0-1 DAC): The No. 9 (Class 5A) Pirates registered a 27-13 win over Portage last season. Jordan Bills notched 13 tackles for Merrillville against Crown Point. The Indians were limited to just 10 yards of offense against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 41, Portage 7.
