After missing just one contest the previous week, I slipped a little by going 11-4 (73 percent). As the regular season hits the midway point, my overall record is now 55-17, which has me at 76 percent.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (3-1, 1-0 NIC) at Marian (2-2, 1-0 NIC): The Knights crowned Adams, 35-13, a season ago. Daveon Patterson scampered for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 21-7 win over Saint Joseph. Greg Atkinson caught a touchdown pass and returned an interception 31 yards for another score in Marian’s 33-0 win at New Prairie. Matt’s pick: Marian 34. Adams 13.
Bremen (2-2, 1-0 NIC) at Jimtown (2-2, 1-0 NIC): The Jimmies edged Bremen, 14-13, last year. Ethan Nunemaker threw for 70 yards and three scores in the Lions’ 35-7 win at Triton. Johntu Reed ran for 115 yards with a touchdown and caught a 14-yard pass for another score in Jimtown’s 21-0 win over Glenn. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 21, Bremen 18.
Clay (0-4, 0-1 NIC) at Washington (1-1, 0-1 NIC) (TCU School Field): The Panthers cruised to a 35-6 win over Clay last season. Marcus Rankin accounted for the Colonials’ lone touchdown in their 42-6 loss to Riley. Marshawn Lottie tallied 19 rushes for 82 yards and a score in Washington’s 33-14 loss to Bremen. Matt’s pick: Washington 30, Clay 6.
Elkhart (2-2) at Penn (0-4): The Lions held on for a 20-19 win over Penn a year ago. Aalias Leonard had 16 carries for 97 yards in Elkhart’s 35-28 double-overtime loss to Byron Center (Michigan). Zach Lane scampered six yards for a score in the Kingsmen’s 41-10 loss to Saint Xavier (Ohio). Matt’s pick: Penn 24, Elkhart 19.
Glenn (2-2) at Knox (1-3): The Redskins rolled to a 45-13 win over Glenn in their previous meeting. Nathan Creed ran for 70 yards and threw for 22 yards for the Falcons against Jimtown. Cohen Watson tossed for 131 yards and a touchdown in Knox’s 12-7 loss to Rochester. Matt’s pick: Knox 14, Glenn 10.
New Prairie (3-1, 0-1 NIC) at Saint Joseph (2-2, 0-1 NIC): The Indians are looking to avenge a 45-20 loss to New Prairie in 2020. Noah Mungia ran 34 times for 134 yards for the Cougars against Marian. Quinn Boyer managed just two carries for six yards for Saint Joseph against Adams. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 32, Saint Joseph 22.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Concord (3-1, 2-0 NLC) at Goshen (2-2, 0-2 NLC): The Minutemen blanked Goshen, 33-0, last season. Jack D’Arcy hauled in a pair of touchdown passes in Concord’s 44-0 win at Wawasee. Roman Schrock scampered three yards for a score in the RedHawks’ 17-7 loss to NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Concord 31, Goshen 14.
Northridge (4-0, 2-0 NLC): at Warsaw (3-1, 2-0 NLC): The No. 7 (Class 4A) Raiders suffered a 27-14 loss to Warsaw a year ago. Qade Carrington had four rushes for 33 yards and two scores in Northridge’s 35-0 win over Plymouth. Jonney Burritt took a fumble back 12 yards for a touchdown in the Tigers’ 17-15 win over Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 20, Northridge 17.
Plymouth (0-4, 0-2 NLC) at Mishawaka (3-1, 1-1 NLC): The No. 6 (Class 5A) Cavemen downed Plymouth, 39-30, last year. Caiden Hooley racked up nine tackles for the Rockies against Northridge. Chase Gooden registered 27 carries for 88 yards and a score for Mishawaka against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 35, Plymouth 15.
Wawasee (0-4, 0-2 NLC) at NorthWood (2-2, 1-1 NLC): The Panthers eliminated Wawasee, 20-7, in the 2020 Class 4A sectional opener. Aiden Monds came up with a fumble recovery for the Warriors against Concord. C.J. Kuhn recorded an interception for NorthWood against Goshen. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 39, Wawasee 7.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Crown Point (2-2, 1-1 DAC) at Portage (1-3, 0-2 DAC): The Bulldogs were a 24-21 winner over Portage last year. Elijah Tiawhan raced 18 times for 119 yards with a score in Crown Point’s 42-7 win over Lake Central. Josh Bloom threw for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the Indians’ 45-13 loss to Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 26, Portage 11.
Lake Central (3-1, 1-1 DAC) at LaPorte (1-3, 0-2 DAC): The Slicers earned a 28-16 win over Lake Central a season ago. Xavier Williams had 16 carries for 57 yard and a score for the Indians against Crown Point. Jayden Parks caught a 52-yard touchdown pass in LaPorte’s 42-6 loss to Chesterton. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 34, Lake Central 32.
Merrillville (4-0, 2-0 DAC) at Michigan City (2-2, 0-2 DAC): The Pirates crowned Michigan City, 48-7, during the 2019 campaign. Justin Marshall had six catches for 135 yards and two scores for Merrillville against Portage. Giovani Laurent registered 12 receptions for 195 yards in the Wolves’ 49-28 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 41, Michigan City 23.
Valparaiso (4-0, 2-0 DAC) at Chesterton (4-0, 2-0 DAC): The No. 2 (Class 5A) Vikings claimed a 30-21 win against No. 10 (Class 6A) Chesterton last season. Logan Lockhart passed for 116 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 84 yards and another tally for Valparaiso against Michigan City. Ethan Troy recorded eight rushes for 50 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans against LaPorte. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 33, Valparaiso 31.
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