Let’s hope my 13th season is lucky as I look to build on last season’s 79 percent performance. During the regular season, I will once again focus on Northern Indiana, Northern Lakes, and Duneland Athletic conference contests. All games on Friday unless indicated and records are 2022 final.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFEREBCE
Boone Grove (3-7) at Glenn (6-5): The Falcons soared to a 28-14 win over Boone Grove last season. Quarterback Mark Rowland returns for his third go-around with the Wolves. Ty’Ron Larkin managed 49 carries for 303 yards with two touchdowns, caught 46 passes for 601 yards with eight scores, and was 1-of-3 for 25 yards with a touchdown for Glenn. Matt’s pick: Glenn 26, Boone Grove 12.
Concord (5-6) at Elkhart (7-3): The Lions blanked Concord, 33-0, a season ago. Hudson Glantz completed 107-of-197 for 1,553 yards with 11 touchdowns and ran 87 times for 143 yards with three scores for the Minutemen. Elkhart defensive lineman Marion Dye has gotten looks from several NCAA Division 1 programs. Matt’s pick: Concord 15, Elkhart 13.
Culver Academy (2-8) at Adams (1-9) (Everwise School Field): The Eagles claimed a 37-22 win over Adams during the 2009 campaign. Kyle Eggebraten had 96 carries for 477 yards with five touchdowns and 11 receptions for 160 yards with two scores for Culver Academy. Amari Wesson came up with 34 catches for 398 yards with two scores for the Eagles. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 20, Adams 16.
Hammond Bishop Noll (0-9) at Clay (0-10): Wide receiver Angel Alvarez is one of the leaders for the Warriors. Shaquille Edwards hauled in 17 receptions for 220 yards with five touchdowns for the Colonials. Matt’s pick: Bishop Noll 13, Clay 12.
Jimtown (9-3) at NorthWood (11=1): The No. 7 (Class 4A) Panthers clawed past Jimtown, 31-7, in their previous meeting. Bishop Williams was a dual-threat for the Jimmies with 525 yards passing and eight touchdowns to go along with 417 yards rushing and 10 scores. NiTareon Tuggle registered 41 receptions for 793 yards with 15 touchdowns, scampered 17 times for 185 yards with two scores, completed 2-of-5 passes for 94 yards with two touchdowns and also returned a pair of kickoffs for scores for NorthWood. Matt’s pick: NorthWood 34, Jimtown 20.
Lakeland (3-7) at Saint Joseph (4-7): The Lakers suffered a 38-17 loss to Saint Joseph a year ago. Cam Riegling tallied 47 tackles for Lakeland. Hayden Miller came up with 13 receptions for 240 yards with a touchdown and 20 carries for 152 yards with two scores for Saint Joe. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 30, Lakeland 7.
LaVille (10-1) at Bremen (7-5): The No. 10 (Class 2A) Lancers managed a 42-0 win over Bremen last year. Joe Neese tallied 61 tackles with seven for loss, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries for LaVille. Tyrus Graverson finished with 33 grabs for a team-high 628 yards and six scores for the Lions. Matt’s pick: LaVille 31, Bremen 14.
Marian (2-8) at Mishawaka (10-3): The No. 7 (Class 5A) Cavemen clubbed Marian, 38-0, last season. Bryce LaSane went 77-of-174 for 853 yards with three touchdowns and ran 69 times for 101 yards and three scores for the Knights. Brady Fisher rambled for 1,180 yards with 12 scores for Mishawaka. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 28, Marian 17.
New Prairie (13-2) at LaPorte (2-8): The No. 5 and defending Class 4A state runner-up Cougars roared to a 35-0 victory against LaPorte in their previous meeting. Brock Sinka racked up 42 tackles and four interceptions for New Prairie. Sam Pressler managed 40 tackles with four for loss for the Slicers. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 43, LaPorte 9.
Penn (7-3) at Valparaiso (11-3): The Kingsmen crowned No. 1 and defending Class 5A state champion Valparaiso, 35-6, a season ago. Dominic Bonner managed 21 tackles and a pair of interceptions for Penn. Senior tackle Matt Hofer anchors an experienced front line for the Vikings. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 27, Penn 24.
Riley (5-5) at Gary West (7-3): The Wildcats hung on for an 18-14 win over Gary West last season. Omarion Youghbor scampered for 459 yards and nine scores for the Cougars. Robert Nabieu had 591 yards rushing with six touchdowns as well as 78 tackles and four sacks for Riley. Matt’s pick: Riley 29, Gary West 23.
Washington (2-8) at Hammond Central (8-3): The Wolves earned a 30-6 win over Washington a year ago. Dallonte Smith could see action as both a quarterback and wide receiver for the Panthers. Dashawn Woods accounted for nearly 1,000 yards rushing for Hammond Central. Matt’s pick: Hammond Central 36, Washington 12.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Calumet (9-2) at Plymouth (0-10): Linebacker Alex Ponce registered 131 tackles for the Warriors. Exzander Ramirez was 118-of-218 for 940 yards with five touchdowns and ran 144 times for 396 yards with a score for the Rockies. Matt’s pick: Calumet 22, Plymouth 15.
Goshen (2-8) at Fairfield (5-5): The Falcons needed overtime to come away with a 22-20 win over Goshen last year. Ryan Eldridge will be a major contributor on both sides of the line for the RedHawks. Brecken Maran mustered 147 carries for 619 yards with four touchdowns and three receptions for 14 yards for Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Goshen 18, Fairfield 14.
Northridge (8-5) at Fort Wayne North (8-3): McClain Miller raced for 979 yards with 11 touchdowns for the Raiders. Brauntae (Tae Tae) Johnson earned a spot on the IFD’s Prime Time 25 with 69 receptions for 1,081 yards with 17 touchdowns for the Legends. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne North 32, Northridge 19.
Tippecanoe Valley (9-2) at Wawasee (1-9): The Vikings were a 26-0 winner over Wawasee last season. Nate Parker totaled 196 carries for 1,375 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 receptions for 309 yards with three scores for Tippecanoe Valley. Hunter Tinkey ended with 26 receptions for 407 yards with three touchdowns and 45 carries for 214 yards with two scores for the Warriors. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 40, Wawasee 18.
Warsaw (8-3) at Michigan City (2-8): The Tigers posted a 35-7 win against Michigan City a season ago. Warsaw’s Jette Woodward earned all-Northern Lakes Conference accolades with 78 tackles, including two for loss, and one sack. Tyler Bush went 79-of-150 for 876 yards with seven touchdowns and ran 30 times for 77 yards and one touchdown for the Wolves. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 33, Warsaw 30.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Andrean (10-4) at Merrillville (9-3): The No. 4 (Class 5A) Pirates downed No. 5 (Class 2A) Andrean, 27-7, a year ago. An injury limited 59ers quarterback Scott Ballentine to just 154 yards passing and two touchdowns. Terrelle Elmore tallied 60 tackles, six sacks, and one interception for Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 24, Andrean 17,
Chesterton (5-6) at Hobart (8-4): The Trojans marched past Hobart, 35-20, a season ago. Garrett Lewis finished with 123 rushes for 727 yards with six touchdowns and 18 receptions for 325 yards with five touchdowns for Chesterton. Brad Gibson recorded 103 tackles for the Brickies. Matt’s pick: Hobart 25, Chesterton 21.
Crown Point (10-1) at Lowell (7-4): The Bulldogs cruised to a 42-0 victory over Lowell last year. Crown Point signal caller completed 140-of-249 passes for 1,662 yards with 14 touchdowns Isaiah Sanchez tallied 51 tackles for the Red Devils. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 30, Lowell 23.
Lake Central (4-6) at Munster (3-7): The Indians blanked Munster, 47-0 during the 2022 season. Xavier Williams accumulated 238 rushes for 1,511 yards with 15 touchdowns for Lake Central. Daniel Asgedom averaged 100 yards on the ground per game for the Mustangs. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 21, Munster 6.
Portage (2-8) at Hammond Morton (1-9): The Governors are looking to make amends for a 46-27 loss to Portage last season. for loss). Kodie Young finished 51-of 108 for 690 yards with four touchdowns for the Indians, Maetel Kelly is one of the leaders in the secondary for Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Portage 20, Hammond Morton 8.
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