2021 NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE PREVIEW
The Northwest Crossroads Conference continues to have success, especially in the post-season, and 2020 was no exception. The league produced a state finalist in Hobart, coming off the previous year’s success of sending Andrean and Hobart to the semistate level. Andrean dominated the regular season in league play, but 2021 appears to be a lot more competitive heading into the season.
ANDREAN 59ERS (11-2 OVERALL, 5-0 NCC)
The 59ers continued their winning ways by winning 11 straight contests following a season opening loss to Merrillville, before dropping a heartbreaker to Pioneer in the Class 2A regional. They dominated the conference by winning all five games by double digits, including a 35-24 win against eventual Class 4A state finalist Hobart. However, Chris Skinner faces a challenge as s graduation hits them hard,with nine starters on offense needing to be replaced. Sophomore quarterback Scott Ballentine is expected to step in, while Drayk Bowen looks to take over at running back for the departed all-state performer Ryan Walsh. Wide out Alonzo Paul does return, having caught 40 passes for 491 yards and eight scores. Bowen will lead the way defensively at linebacker (80 tackles with 13 for loss). Among the other six regulars back is fellow linebacker Eddie Bastardo and cornerback Danny O’Shea as Skinner says that the defense will have to “carry the team until the offense can figure things out.” Given his success the past several years, it likely won’t take long for the Niners to figure it out, and they will once again be a force in Class 2A by the time the sectionals come along.
HIGHLAND TROJANS (4-5 OVERALL, 1-3 NCC)
The Trojans won four games for the fourth consecutive season, so the challenge for Pete Koulianos and his staff is to figure how to get his team over the hump and up to the next level. Senior quarterback Nick Steele, who got some playing time by rushing 17 times for 178 yards, is expected to be the full-time starter, while Andrew Barsich looks to get the bulk of the carries in the backfield with competition coming from Leo Luviano and Josh Hubbard. They also have two experienced tackles back in Dylan Hanson and Vincent Cruz, who will anchor an experienced defensive line as well. Ian Fulkerson, who earned all-conference honors, also returns as the punter. There are some very winnable games to start the 2021 season, so look for them to get off to a good start. If that happens, they could ride some momentum heading into conference play and earn their first winning season since 2014.
HOBART BRICKIES (11-3 OVERALL, 3-1 NCC)
The return of Brickie football took another step forward in 2020 as they earned their first trip to the state finals since 1996. Despite a 49-7 loss to Indianapolis Roncalli in the Class 4A finale. it signaled they had indeed returned to the level of where it was during the Don Howell era. Craig Osika does have some holes to fill because of graduation, but does have seven starters back on offense. Luke Abbott looks to step in as starting quarterback, while Wheeler transfer Trey Gibson brings his 1,569 yards and 22 touchdowns to the backfield. Connor Bock, Elijah Wilson, and Ammen Hicks return on the front line which should bode well for the rushing attack. Defensively, they have to replace all-state linebacker Bobby Babcock, but seven starters return, including lineman Alex Pickett and linebacker Ryan Flores. The kicking game will be solid again with Miki Djankovic, so they should once again be a force in the conference as well as one of the teams to beat in the northern half of Class 4A.
KANKAKEE VALLEY KOUGARS (5-4 OVERALL, 1-3 NCC)
2020 was a tale of two seasons for James Broyles and the Kougars as they won their first five games before losing the last four, including a tough 21-14 loss to Culver Academy in the Class 4A sectional opener. They hope to improve on that mark this fall as Broyles believes his team is ready to “win the day”. Senior Grant Stowers and junior Andrew Parker will compete for the starting quarterback job, while the tailback duties will be a one-two combo of senior Cade Capps and junior Logan Parks. Senior Dyllin Bolton and junior Chase Armstrong are back to anchor the front line, while Zack Dobson and Daniel Buck return to the anchor the trenches with Capps back for his fourth season as a starter in the secondary. They should once again start strong, but stepping up once conference play begins will be the challenge as well as being ready for the tournament.
LOWELL RED DEVILS (4-7 OVERALL, 2-2 NCC)
Lowell had a solid campaign by winning their first seven games of the season before having to forfeit their first five victories because of an ineligible player. They gave eventual Class 4A state finalist Hobart all they could handle in the sectional final, before falling 10-7. There’s a lot of expectations for success in 2021 for veteran boss Keith Killmer’s squad as seven starters return on offense, including all-state running back Joe Heuer (1,306 yards and 17 touchdowns). Ryan Marx, who rushed for an additional 592 yards and nine scores, is also back for RDP, while junior Riley Bank and senior John Johnson compets for the quarterback spot. A trio of seniors in Hunter Cross, Josh Moore, and Adam Malave are back on the front line, while all-conference lineman Ray Ambassi and linebacker Spencer Barta (96 tackles with 13 for loss) are mainstays on defense. Handling the punting is Chris Jancosek with Caden Britton serving as the kicker for a squad which seeks its first sectional title since 2018, which was the last of their five-year sectional title run. On paper, they certainly appear to have what it takes to achieve that goal and are definitely in the mix for the conference title as well.
MUNSTER MUSTANGS (1-9 OVERALL, 0-5 NCC)
The only way to go is up for the Mustangs as they followed up a winless season by snapping a 13-game losing streak. James Grunewald returns to try and rebuild the program, but it’s going to take plenty of hard work to do so. He does have nine starters with experience back on offense, including an experienced front line, led by seniors Alex Pala, Zach Lenaburg, and Austin Talbot. Sophomore Bryce Gelarden should get the nod at quarterback, while Brendan Budeselich (273 yards) and Laz Crenshaw (155 yards and two touchdowns) should get the bulk of the carries in the backfield. Budeselich also anchors the defensive line, while linebackers Alec Castillo (55 tackles), Lenaburg (82 tackles with seven for loss), and Tommy Choros are veterans in the middle. Grunewald says their’ slogan for 2021 is “ALL IN”, and it will take an “all in” effort to make the improvements needed to be successful.
For more in-depth information about these schools, check out the 2021 Indiana Football Digest. Best of luck to all the schools in the NCC for a successful season!
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