It was another average performance as I went 13-4 (76 percent) last week. After three weeks, my overall record is 45-13, which leaves me at 78 percent for the season.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFEREBCE
Adams (1-2) at St. Joseph (1-2): The Eagles soared to a 21-7 win against Saint Joseph a year ago. Josh Nziza hauled in a nine-yard touchdown pass in Adams’ 14-6 double-overtime win over Riley. Gerry Jones converted a 28-yard field goal in the Indians’ 8-3 loss to Glenn. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 16, Adams 13.
Clay (0-3) at Riley (1-2, 0-1 NIC) (Jackson Field): The Wildcats clawed their way to a 42-6 win over Clay last season. Shaquille Edwards came up with three catches for 45 yards with a touchdown in the Colonials’ 48-6 loss to Hammond Central. Austin White scampered two yards for a score for Riley against Adams. Matt’s pick: Riley 34, Clay 6.
Elkhart (3-0) at Washington (0-3) (TCU School Field): The Lions cruised to a 57-6 win over Washington during the 2020 campaign. Maurice Harris returned an interception for a touchdown in Elkhart’s 35-6 win at Hammond Morton. Tyrin Reed ran six times for 19 yards in the Panthers’ 41-0 loss to Kankakee Valley. Matt’s pick: Elkhart 43, Washington 7.
Jimtown (1-2) at Glenn (3-0, 1-0 NIC): The Jimmies posted a 22-3 win over Glenn in last year’s Class 3A sectional opener. Sam Garner snatched two interceptions, including one returned 96 yards for a score, in Jimtown’s 64-0 win over Osceola Grace. Chase Miller had a 25-yard touchdown reception and a pair of interceptions for the Falcons against Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Glenn 14, Jimtown 10.
New Prairie (3-0) at Marian (1-2): The Knights blanked No. 4 (Class 4A) New Prairie, 33-0, a season ago. Dallas Ryans had two receptions for 52 yards as well as an interception in the Cougars’ 24-7 win at Lowell. Chase Bays ran for a touchdown and caught a pass for another tally in Marian’s 35-31 loss to Bremen. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 31, Marian 17.
Penn (2-1) at Cincinnati St. Xavier (Ohio) (1-2): The Bombers rolled to a 41-10 win over Penn last year. Nolan McCullough ran for a pair of touchdowns and tossed a pass for another score in the Kingsmen’s 35-21 loss to No. 3 (Class 6A) Indianapolis Cathedral. Jack O’Malley threw for 329 yards with four touchdowns and ran for another score in Saint Xavier’s 45-21 win over Olentangy Liberty. Matt’s pick: Saint Xavier 28, Penn 24.
Triton (2-1) at Bremen (2-1): The Lions were a 35-7 winner against Triton a year ago. Anthony Schuh rambled 13 times for 220 yards with four scores in the Trojans’ 46-6 win over Caston. AJ Ton caught a 56-yard touchdown pass for Bremen against Marian. Matt’s pick: Bremen 23, Triton 19.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Mishawaka (3-0, 1-0 NLC) at Goshen (1-2, 1-0 NLC): The No. 2 (Class 5A) Cavemen clubbed Goshen. 36-7, last season. Lucas Larson booted a 42-yard field goal in Mishawaka’s 45-39 double-overtime win over Northridge. Drew Elliott scampered 17 times for 129 yards with a touchdown in the RedHawks’ 28-18 win against Wawasee. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 40, Goshen 15.
NorthWood (3-0, 1-0 NLC) at Northridge (1-2, 0-1 NLC): The Raiders eliminated No. 6 (Class 4A) NorthWood, 28-7, in the 2021 Class 4A sectional opener. NiTarian Tuggle hauled in five passes for 244 yards with three touchdowns and added an interception in the Panthers’ 41-13 win over Concord. Dylan Ritchie kicked a 39-yard field goal for Northridge against Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 30, Northridge 26.
Warsaw (3-0, 1-0 NLC) at Concord (1-2, 0-1 NLC): The Minutemen slipped past No. 10 (Class 6A) Warsaw, 26-22, a season ago. Morgan Johnson rushed for 45 yards and found the end zone twice in the Tigers’ 70-0 win over Plymouth. Hudson Glantz threw for 239 yards with two scores for Concord against NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 38, Concord 14.
Wawasee (0-3, 0-1 NLC) at Plymouth (0-3, 0-1 NLC): The Rockies are looking to make amends for last year’s 21-19 loss to Wawasee. Brandon Kelly accounted for 40 yards on the ground for the Warriors against Goshen. Alan Barrera racked up seven tackles for Plymouth against Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Plymouth 13, Wawasee 12.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Chesterton (1-2, 0-1 DAC) at LaPorte (0-3, 0-1 DAC): The Trojans marched to a 42-6 win over LaPorte last season. Bryce Thoma came up with seven catches for 117 yards with a touchdown in Chesterton’s 24-21 loss to Michigan City. RJ Anglin passed for 145 yards in the Slicers’ 42-3 loss to Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 32, LaPorte 9.
Lake Central (2-1, 1-0 DAC) at Crown Point (3-0, 1-0 DAC): The Bulldogs mauled Lake Central, 42-7, in their previous meeting. Xavier Williams tallied 23 carries for 205 yards with two touchdowns in the Indians’ 17-14 win at Portage. Elijah Taiwhan galloped for 137 yards with two scores in Crown Point’s 48-40 win over Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 34, Lake Central 18.
Merrillville (2-1, 0-1 DAC) at Portage (1-2, 0-1 DAC): The No. 3 (Class 5A) Pirates crushed Portage, 45-13, a season ago. John Peters caught eight passes for 83 yards with a score for Merrillville against Crown Point. Aidan Barney contributed 11 tackles for the Indians against Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 41, Portage 10.
Valparaiso (2-1, 1-0 DAC) at Michigan City (1-2, 1-0 DAC): The Wolves needed double overtime to earn a 31-28 win over No. 6 (Class 5A) Valparaiso in last season Class 5A regional final. Travis Davis rambled for 110 yards with a touchdown for the Vikings against LaPorte. Jahari Branch accounted for seven tackles for Michigan City against Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 39, Valparaiso 36.
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