As I embark on my 16th season of picking games, I am hoping to equal or do better than last year’s mark of 240-55 (81 percent). During the regular campaign, I will once again be selecting Northern Indiana, Northern Lakes, Indiana Northern State, and Duneland Conference contests. All records are 2025 final.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Adams (4-6) at Culver Academy (3-7): The Eagles flew past Culver Academy, 35-7, a year ago. Lamarr Shaw amassed 57 tackles with 13.5 for loss for Adams. Andrew Kang tallied 79 tackles and three sacks for Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Adams 22, Culver Academy 20.
Elkhart (6-4) at Concord (11-2): The No 5 (Class 5A) Minutemen edged Elkhart, 35-29, a season ago. Frankie Willis hauled in 24 passes for 534 yards with four touchdowns for the Lions. Braylon Monroe will be one of the leaders for Concord after throwing for 1,354 yards with 10 touchdowns and running for 485 yards with seven scores. Matt’s pick: Concord 33, Elkhart 23.
Hammond Central (0-10) at Washington (2-8) (Everwise School Field): The Panthers roared their way to a 31-0 blanking of Hammond Central last season. Bradley Scott rolled up 42 tackles with 8.5 for loss and four sacks for the Wolves. Rick Bailey is now in charge at Hammond Central with the departure of Tyler Milby. Zy’rell Greene completed 33-of-52 for 592 yards with six touchdowns and ran 16 times for 98 yards for Washington. Matt’s pick: Washington 23, Hammond Central 12.
Hammond Bishop Noll (2-8) at Riley (4-6) (Jackson Field): The Wildcats blanked Bishop Noll, 31-0, last year. Jeremiah Patton raced for 826 yards with nine scores and six catches for 88 yards for the Warriors. Bradford Washington managed 26 catches for 345 yards with four touchdowns for Riley. Matt’s pick: Riley 35, Bishop Noll 13.
LaPorte (4-7) at New Prairie (3-7): The Cougars are looking to avenge a 32-14 loss to LaPorte in their last meeting. Khalen Matzke had 26 catches for 479 yards with six touchdowns for the Slicers. Tyler Pranger will help pave the path up front for New Prairie. Matt’s pick: LaPorte 31, New Prairie 18.
Mishawaka (10-2) at Marian (4-8): The No 6 (Class 4A) Cavemen clubbed Marian, 35-7, last year. Amir Dean was responsible for 55 tackles for Mishawaka. Terrel Lane totaled 15 receptions for 307 yards with two scores for the Knights. Joe Calderone replaces Mike Davidson as the Marian boss. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 39, Marian 10.
Saint Joseph (12-2) at Lakeland (6-5): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Huskies earned a 36-6 win over Lakeland a year ago. Sam Scicchatano passed for 1,041 yards with six scores for Saint Joseph. Bryar Alleshouse contributed 104 tackles with four for loss for the Lakers. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 41, Lakeland 15.
Valparaiso (2-8) at Penn (11-2): The No. 10 (Class 6A) Kingsmen posted a 21-13 win over Valparaiso last season. James Parisi mustered 57 catches for 518 yards with three touchdowns for Valparaiso. Mason Biernacki accounted for 44 receptions for 877 yards with 11 scores for Penn. Matt’s pick: Penn 42, Valparaiso 14.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
Angola (7-6) at Goshen (2-8): Gus Heavin recorded 92 tackles with 9.5 for loss for the Hornets. Carter Diaz accounted for 1,552 yards through the air with 13 touchdowns and 241 yards with three scores on the ground for the RedHawks. Seth Wilcox replaces Andy Thomas at Angola, while Griffin Heckaman takes over for Joey Hecklinski at Goshen. Matt’s pick: Angola 20, Goshen 9.
Fort Wayne Snider (3-7) at Warsaw (6-4): The No. 10 (Class 5A) Tigers clawed their way to a 38-30 win over No. 6 (Class 5A) Fort Wayne Snider to commence the 2025 season. Braylin Fertil racked up 61 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and a sack for the Panthers. Matthew Flores-Ortega chipped in 84 tackles for Warsaw. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Snider 36, Warsaw 26.
Northridge (3-8) at West Noble (8-3): The Raiders opened the 2004 campaign with a 27-21 win over West Noble. Tre Copeland came up with 53 catches for 688 yards with nine touchdowns for Northridge. Luke Amstutz takes over for Chad Eppley as the Raiders’ sideline boss. Brogan Parks accounted for 102 carries for 633 yards with 10 touchdowns and four catches for 41 yards for the Chargers. Matt’s pick: Northridge 32, West Noble 16.
NorthWood (5-5) at Columbia City (6-5): The Eagles slipped past NorthWood, 27-24, last season. Brady Weaver tallied 43 carries for 346 yards with six scores and 270 yards receiving and a touchdown for the Panthers. Jace Pettigrew ended with 37 tackles, including 15 for loss, and five sacks for Columbia City. Matt’s pick: Columbia City 23, NorthWood 22.
Plymouth (4-7) at Tippecanoe Valley (7-3): The Vikings marched to a 20-3 victory against Plymouth a season ago. Ben Shively was a double threat for the Rockies with 187 carries for 1,108 yards with 10 touchdowns and 788 yards passing with five scores. Brent Corbett replaces Adam Handley as Plymouth’s top man. Hunter Stage was 40-of-88 for 481 yards with a score for Tippecanoe Valley. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 25, Plymouth 17.
Wawasee (1-9) at Jimtown (2-8): The Warriors squeezed by Jimtown, 10-9, a year ago. Max Pena contributed 59 tackles with five for loss, one sack, one interception, and a fumble recovery for Wawasee. The Warriors are now led by Mark Osmialowski, who replaces Matt Thacker. Nathan Guthrie mustered 42 tackles for the Jimmies. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 34, Wawasee 21.
INDIANA NORTHERN STATE CONFERENCE
Churubusco (7-3) at Bremen (6-5): The Lions are looking to make amends for a 36-7 loss to Churubusco last year. Quinn Blake registered 91 tackles with eight for loss, two sacks, and two caused fumbles for the Eagles. Logan Moser accounted for 72 carries for 481 yards with four touchdowns for Bremen. Matt’s pick: Bremen 39, Churubusco 31.
Glenn (2-8) at Boone Grove (4-5): The Falcons soared to a 43-0 win against Boone Grove a season ago. Archer Rust threw for 887 yards with seven touchdowns and rushed for 512 yards with five scores for Glenn. Troy Sausaman takes over for Ron Brown for the Falcons. Along with running for more than 1,200 yards with 14 touchdowns, Sal Montes also chipped in 40 tackles and a pair of interceptions for the Wolves. Matt’s pick: Boone Grove 18, Glenn 11.
Knox (13-1) at North Judson (8-3): The No. 9 (Class 2A) Redskins cruised to a 38-6 win over No. 5 (Class 1A) North Judson a year ago. Hunter Anderson notched 25 tackles with five for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery for Knox. Logan Pradke netted 612 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Bluejays. Matt’s pick: North Judson 36, Knox 27.
LaVille (8-5) at Triton (7-4): The Lancers were a 28-0 winner against Triton last year. Noah Menis racked up 124 tackles with 12 for loss for LaVille. Matt Thacker replaces Jeff Kaiser as the Lancers’ top man. Cayden Bradley accounted for 10 carries for 167 yards with three touchdowns for the Trojans. Matt’s pick: LaVille 22, Triton 20.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Hammond Morton (6-4) at Portage (0-10): The Governors posted a 35-7 victory against Portage a year ago. Corderro Bennett had 18 receptions for 373 yards with eight scores for Hammond Morton. Tristan Burelison registered 71 tackles with 6.5 for loss and four pass breakups for the Indians. Cody French takes over for Tony Klimczak on the Portage sidelines. Matt’s pick: Hammond Morton 37, Portage 14.
Hobart (10-3) at Chesterton (5-5): The No. 8 (Class 4A) Brickies registered a 20-3 win over Chesterton last season. Bryce Tolliver snatched four interceptions for Hobart. Bradley Robinson rolled up 36 tackles and an interception for the Trojans. Matt’s pick: Hobart 32, Chesterton 15.
Lowell (9-3) at Crown Point (10-1): The No. 7 (Class 6A) Bulldogs recorded a 38-7 triumph against Lowell last year. Tymothy James rambled 153 times for 1,303 yards with 19 touchdowns for the Red Devils. Brayden Schutt raced 604 yards with 12 touchdowns on 99 carries for Crown Point. Matt’s pick: Crown Point 41, Lowell 21.
Merrillville (11-3) at Andrean (13-1): The defending Class 5A state runner-up Pirates claimed a 41-14 win over No. 1 (Class 3A) and defending Class 2A state champion Andrean to open the 2025 season. Jordan Bills was responsible for 42 tackles with two for loss for Merrillville. Bruce Moorhouse amassed 57 tackles, seven pass breakups, and an interception for the 59ers. This is the first time these two teams have played at Andrean’s Father Eckert Stadiun since 1996. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 44, Andrean 26.
Michigan City (8-4) at Hanover Central (4-6): The Wolves blanked Hanover Central, 31-0, in their last matchup. Meek Laurent notched 43 receptions for 666 yards with three touchdowns for Michigan City. Charles Salary is now the Wolves’ leader, replacing Cody French. Isaiah Buikema scampered 154 times for 740 yards with seven scores for the Wildcats. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 38, Hanover Central 18.
Munster (4-7) at Lake Central (3-7) (Saturday): The Indians mustered a 38-17 win over Munster a season ago. Zion Richards racked up 101 tackles with three for loss, 3.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles for the Mustangs. Brody Ramirez accounted for over 100 tackles for Lake Central. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 25, Munster 20.
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