The 2021 campaign got off to a slow start as I went 14-7 (67 percent) last week. Here is hoping things are better the second time around.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (0-1) at Fairfield (0-1): Jeremiah Love had a fumble recovery in the Eagles’ 21-0 loss to Northridge. Michael Slabaugh ran a fake punt 64 yards for touchdown in the Falcons’ 21-10 loss to Goshen. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 18, Adams 12.
Bremen (0-1) at Washington (1-0) (TCU School Field): The Lions roared past Washington, 41-6, a year ago. Austin McKenzie ran four yards for a score in Bremen’s 14-12 loss to LaVille. Devin Devries caught a 78-yard touchdown pass in the Panthers’ 27-20 win over Hammond Central. Matt’s pick: Bremen 21, Washington 17.
Clay (0-1) at Goshen (1-0): The RedHawks rolled to a 43-6 win over Clay a year ago. Ayden Kent caught a 60-yard pass for a score in the Colonials’ 42-7 loss to Osceola Grace. Mitch Daniels hauled in a touchdown pass for Goshen against Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Goshen 38, Clay 8.
Culver Academy (1-0) at Marian (0-1): The No. 9 (Class 3A) Knights crowned Culver Academy, 32-7, during the 2019 season. Katherine Berry converted five extra-points in the Eagles’ 43-8 win over Indianapolis Crispus Attucks. Bryce LaSane threw and ran for two-point conversions in Marian’s 43-16 loss to Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Marian 31, Culver Academy 15.
Elkhart (1-0) at Mishawaka (1-0): The No. 6 (Class 6A) Lions slipped past No. 7 (Class 5A) Mishawaka, 35-28, last year. Pedro Velasquez connected on a 25-yard field goal in Elkhart’s 12-7 win over Concord. Owen Walters scampered nine yards for a touchdown for the Cavemen against Marian. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 23, Elkhart 21.
Jimtown (0-1) at Concord (0-1): The Minutemen needed overtime to post a 29-23 win over Jimtown a season ago. Trent Daniels ran for 50 yards and a score in the Jimmies’ 7-6 loss to NorthWood. Hunter Dutton threw a 77-yard touchdown pass for Concord against Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Concord 14, Jimtown 10.
LaPorte (0-1) at Penn (0-1): The Kingsmen cruised to a 35-14 win over LaPorte last year. Jayden Parkes finished with six catches for 107 yards and a score in the Slicers’ 37-21 loss to New Prairie. Seth Jankowski registered an interception for Penn in a 35-7 loss at Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Penn 36, LaPorte 13.
Riley (0-1) at Glenn (1-0): The Falcons flew past Riley, 24-14, last season. Stephen Kimani finished with 14 tackles for the Wildcats in their 62-0 loss at Michigan City. Chase Howe caught a four-yard touchdown pass in Glenn’s 46-0 win over Boone Grove. Matt’s pick: Glenn 42, Riley 11.
Saint Joseph (1-0) at Northridge (1-0): The No. 9 (Class 4A) Raiders blanked Saint Joseph, 42-0, a year ago. Jacob Deahl booted a 20-yard field goal in the Indians’ 27-0 win over Lakeland. Matthew Rutledge came up with an interception for Northridge against Adams. Matt’s pick: Northridge 29, Saint Joseph 14.
Twin Lakes (1-0) at New Prairie (1-0): Kayvion Jackson ran 16 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Indians’ 38-12 win over Northwestern. Tayvion Ortman tallied a fumble recovery for the No. 10 (Class 4A) Cougars against LaPorte. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 33, Twin Lakes 22.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Kokomo (1-0) at Plymouth (0-1): The Wildkats claimed a 34-18 win over Plymouth in their previous meeting. Plez Lawrence returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and ran for 80 yards and another score in Kokomo’s 28-14 win over Western. Devin Bowering had four receptions for 50 yards with a touchdown in the Rockies’ 56-33 loss to East Noble. Matt’s pick: Kokomo 40, Plymouth 20.
Warsaw (1-0) at Michigan City (1-0): The Wolves roared to a 41-21 win over Warsaw a season ago. Tucker Curtis scampered 12 times for 156 yards with a score in the Tigers; 48-23 win over Dublin Coffman (Ohio). Racion Anderson scored four touchdowns for Michigan City against Riley. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 46, Michigan City 41.
Wawasee (0-1) at West Noble (0-1): The Chargers are looking to make amends for a 31-0 loss to Wawasee last season. Jaxon Brown connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass in the Warriors’ 42-7 loss to Tippecanoe Valley. Drew Yates tossed for 157 yards with a touchdown and ran for another tally in West Noble’s 21-14 loss to Central Noble. Matt’s pick: West Noble 12, Wawasee 6.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Andrean (0-1) at Crown Point (1-0): J.J. Johnson passed for two scores and ran for 139 yards and another two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 28-14 win at Lowell. Alonzo Paul hauled in 11 passes for 102 yards in the No. 4 (Class 2A) 59ers’ 47-21 loss at Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Andrean 25, Crown Point 19.
Hammond Morton (0-1) at Lake Central (1-0): The Indians suffered a 20-0 setback to Hammond Morton in the 2019 campaign. Roman Hernandez registered four catches for 62 yards with a touchdown in the Governors’ 26-6 loss to Portage. Ace Henry had an interception and touchdown catch in Lake Central’s 28-0 win over Munster. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 32, Hammond Morton 21.
Hobart (0-1) at Merrillville (1-0): The No. 4 (Class 6A) Pirates were a 23-7 winner over Hobart last season. Trey Gibson raced 24 times for 93 yards and two scores in the Brickies’ 20-14 loss to Chesterton. Kenneth Grant came up with two blocked punts for Merrillville against Andrean. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 37, Hobart 16.
Lowell (0-1) at Portage (1-0): The Red Devils posted a 37-19 win against Portage during the 2020 campaign. Riley Bank accounted for 45 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Lowell against Crown Point. Devan Howard raced eight times for 106 yards and two scores for the Indians against Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Lowell 34, Portage 15.
Thornton Fractional South (Illinois) (0-0) at Chesterton (1-0): Ernest Temple ran 55 times for 301 yards and five touchdowns for Thornton (4-2) last season. Bryce Thoma caught three passes for 90 yards and a score for the Trojans against Hobart. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 43, Thornton South 23.
Valparaiso (1-0) at Hammond Central (0-1): Hayden Vinyard scampered for 217 yards and four touchdowns for the No. 4 (Class 5A) Vikings against Penn. Jordan Woods recorded five receptions for 142 yards and two scores for the Wolves against Washington. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 46, Hammond Central 10.
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