2021 DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW by Frank Kielpikowski and Matt Kopsea
It should be another solid year as the conference has sent multiple teams to the semistate in the state tournament the past two seasons. Expectations are high once again this season as some schools strive toward another deep playoff run while others will experience change and look to make significant improvements in their respective programs.
CHESTERTON TROJANS (5-5 OVERALL,4-2 DAC)
The Trojans came up just short in 2020 of capturing their first sectional title, falling 14-10 to Elkhart in the finale. However, expectations are still very high for Mark Peterson’s squad behind Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25 quarterback Chris Mullen, who threw for over 1,900 yards and had 21 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. He’ll have a solid running game behind him with Cody Bullock and Ethan Pickering back, as well as up-and-coming back Ethan Troy. Mullen’s main target Jackson Westmoreland (38 receptions for 532 yards) also returns. The defense should be solid with seven starters back including linebackers Gage DeMarco and Matt McCracken. Newcomers will need to step up on the offensive line and someone also needs to take on the kicking duties. If they can get production there in these areas, they will contend for the regular season title as well as for the Class 6A Sectional 2 crown.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS (3-4 OVERALL, 2-2 DAC)
The COVID-19 pandemic forced multiple cancellations as the Bulldogs struggled to find consistency a year ago. After nine seasons, Kevin Enright stepped aside and a familiar face has returned to the Region as former Portage and Michigan City leader Craig Buzea brings his 213-87 record to the Hub of Lake County to try and revitalize the program. Buzz brings in multiple former bosses, including Zac Wells, Dave Egofske, and Bubba Mattix. They will also have a new quarterback with J.J. Johnson having the inside track on the job. Solid play on the offensive line has always been a staple and this year is no exception with four starters back, including tackle Jack Darlington. Defensive lineman Niko Paic also returns for his third season along with three-year veteran kicker Sammy Brewer. It will be interesting to see how quickly this young squad grasps Buzea’s system, but once they do, history has shown that success will follow.
LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS (1-9 OVERALL, 1-6 DAC)
Fresh off leading Calumet to its first sectional crown, Rick Good moves over to St. John to replace Tony Bartolomeo to try and bring his winning ways to the Indians’ squad. In search of their first winning season since 2014, senior quarterback Luke Niedy returns along with backfield mate Max Creasbaum. This duo will have to rely on a rebuilt offensive line as five juniors are expected to step in to starting positions. Senior linebacker Carter Schuster leads the defense. Hopes are high that Coach Good can get them off to a “good” start and build on that momentum for the rest of the 2021 season.
LAPORTE SLICERS (4-7 OVERALL, 3-4 DAC)
Former Portage standout David Ortiz steps in for Jeremy Lowery, who heads to West Washington after just two seasons. The Slicers played much better in the second half of 2020 with a solid win over Crown Point, a thrilling overtime decision over Michigan City, as well as a tournament win over Munster to advance to the Class 5A sectional final. Ortiz inherits some solid skilled position players, including all-everything running back Collin Bergquist, who rushed for 1,374 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also returning are quarterback R.J. Anglin, change-of-pace back Jayden Parkes, and three-year starting tight end Grant Ott-Large, who is the leading returning receiver. They also have a solid group of linebackers back in the fold, including Gavin Zolvinski, Brennan Balka, and Chase Lewis. The challenge will be building both the offensive and defensive lines. If this takes place, they will not be an easy team to face this fall.
MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (10-2 OVERALL, 5-0 DAC)
For the second year in a row, the Pirates advanced to the 6A semistate, but once again, came up short of reaching Lucas Oil Stadium with a setback to Westfield. The other loss came to Class 3A state champion Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, so Brad Seiss has them in position to not only be the team to beat in the DAC but in the entire north and northwest portion of the state in Class 6A. They will be formidable once again with all-DAC quarterback Angel Nelson, who threw for 2,517 yards and 26 touchdowns. Although he won’t have JoJo Johnson in the backfield at his disposal, senior Lavarion Logan (1,627 yards and 25 scores) does return along with junior Philip Roche. There will be some new targets on the perimeter, including Silas Mathis (seven catches for 53 yards). The anchor on the front line will be IFD Prime Time 25 center Kenneth Grant, who will also see action in the trenches on defense. With all this talent at their disposal, another trip to the Final Four and possibly beyond is possible.
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES (4-3 OVERALL, 2-2 DAC)
Phil Mason’s crew had a tough finish to the 2020 season, falling to rival LaPorte in overtime, and then dropping a seven-point game to Valparaiso in the Class 5A tournament. The Wolves will look to rebound with a solid returning core, especially on defense. Leading the charge offensively is quarterback Giovani Laurent (1,096 yards passing and 13 combined touchdowns), along with a new backfield mate in senior Omarian Hatch and wide out Treylen Simmons. Among the nine regulars back on defense are a pair of all-state performers in linebacker Cornell Branch and cornerback Kennon Tucker. It appears they will be tough to score against, so it will be imperative for the offense to step up and put points on the board. If they can do that, they could be in the mix in the DAC and a very difficult team on anyone’s schedule.
PORTAGE INDIANS (3-7 OVERALL, 1-5 DAC)
Terry Chestovich brought the Indians one step forward in 2020 as they won two more games from the previous campaign. With 12 starters back, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them increase this total. After seeing limited action, quarterback Josh Bloom takes over full time. He is joined by junior running back Terrell Craft (522 yards and three touchdowns), wide out Devan Howard (34 catches for 372 yards and five scores), and the entire front line. All-DAC lineman Corey Hill returns to lead the defense, along with Trevor Shively in the secondary. Look for them to be the “surprise team” this season in the DAC as Chestovich has them headed in the right direction.
VALPARAISO VIKINGS (8-1 OVERALL, 4-0 DAC)
The pandemic hit no program harder than the Vikings as a lack of consistency may have caught up with them in the tournament as they fell to Zionsville in the Class 5A semistate. However, Bill Marshall has a strong nucleus back, including senior signal caller Logan Lockhart and tailback Hayden Vinyard (797 yards and eight touchdowns). Ricky Hall is expected to be one of the main players to step up in the perimeter. Standout linemen Cooper Jones and Dylan Dingman are gone on defense, but eight starters return, including linebackers Mason McMullen, Dylan Kwiatkowski, and Pete Crossin. Replacing kicking standout Liam Shephard will be another challenge. Marshall is unbeaten in DAC play and his club should be contenders yet again. It will be interesting to see if they can continue this dominance in the league this season, especially with teams like Merrillville, Chesterton, or an up-and-coming team ready to end that streak.
For more in-depth information about these programs, check out the 2021 Indiana Football Digest.
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