I am entering my 11th year predicting high school football and boys’ basketball games for RRSN. Last year, I went 190-60, which was good for 76 percent. Records are 2020 final unless indicated.
NORTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE
Boone Grove (3-7) at Glenn (4-6): The Falcons blanked Boone Grove, 41-0, a year ago. Junior linebacker Brock Pikelis recorded 49 tackles and three fumble recoveries for the Wolves. Senior quarterback Nathan Creed completed 53-of-71 passes for 270 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 555 yards on 119 carries and eight scores for Glenn. Matt’s pick: Glenn 30, Boone Grove 18.
Concord (4-4) at Elkhart (9-1): Senior wide out Jack D’Arcy tallied 51 receptions for 657 yards with six touchdowns for the Minutemen. Senior receiver Donovan Johnson came up with 31 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns for the No. 8 and defending Class 6A sectional champion Lions. Matt’s pick: Concord 24, Elkhart 23.
Hammond Central (0-0) at Washington (4-6) (Jackson Field): Senior quarterback Anthony Huber and the Wolves are playing their first contest on the gridiron and are combination of participants from Hammond, Hammond Clark, and Hammond Gavit. Senior back Marshawn Lottie scampered 160 times for 660 yards with four touchdowns for the Panthers. Matt’s pick: Washington 31, Hammond Central 28.
Jimtown (7-4) at NorthWood (4-4): The Panthers clawed past Jimtown, 35-21, last season. senior tight end Nick Carithers is back after making 14 receptions for 319 yards and four touchdowns for the Jimmies. Junior linebacker Ethan Evers registered 56 tackles with seven for loss for NorthWood. Matt’s pick: Jimtown 32, NorthWood 26.
Lakeland (2-8) at Saint Joseph (3-8): The Indians cruised to a 49-0 win over Lakeland in the 2010 Class 3A sectional semifinals. Senior wide out Mark Burlew came up with 15 grabs for 354 yards and five touchdowns for the Lakers. Senior two-way lineman Zach Kennedy had 24 tackles with two for loss for Saint Joseph. Matt’s pick: Saint Joseph 39, Lakeland 14.
LaVille (6-2) at Bremen (9-3): The Lancers downed Bremen, 34-14, in the 2019 Class 2A sectional semifinals. Junior linebacker Noah Richhart finished with 65 tackles for LaVille. Senior quarterback Ethan Nunemaker was 56-of-110 for 762 yards with 15 touchdowns for the Lions. Matt’s pick: LaVille 21, Bremen 20.
Mishawaka (7-4) at Marian (11-1): The No. 3 (Class 3A) Knights slipped past Mishawaka, 44-43, last year. Senior linebacker Max Micola racked up 50.5 tackles for the Cavemen. Paving the way on both sides of the front line for Marian is senior Setefano Sete (99 tackles). Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 40, Marian 34.
New Prairie (5-5) at LaPorte (4-7): The Cougars earned a 14-0 win over LaPorte a season ago. University of Illinois- bound senior two-way lineman Hunter Whitenack is one of the leaders for New Prairie. Senior running back Collin Bergquist ran 232 times for 1,374 yards with 11 touchdowns for the Slicers. Matt’s pick: New Prairie 22, LaPorte 15.
Northridge (6-3) at Adams (1-9) (TCU School Field): The Raiders claimed a 35-34 win against Adams during the 2019 season. One of the standouts for Northridge will be senior two-way lineman Trent Jensen (24 tackles). Chad Eppley takes for over for Tom Wogomon as the Raiders’ field boss. Senior running back Gavin Pulling accounted for 514 yards and eight scores for the Eagles. Matt’s pick: Northridge 35, Adams 30.
Osceola Grace (4-7) at Clay (1-9): The Colonials squeezed by Osceola Grace, 7-0, in their previous meeting. Senior quarterback Isaiah Wolf completed 102-of-208 for 1,545 yards with 13 touchdowns for the Eagles. Senior defensive back and Julius Bagarus finished with 20 tackles and two interceptions for Clay. Matt’s pick: Clay 20, Osceola Grace 8.
Penn (5-5) at Valparaiso (8-1): The No. 6 (Class 5A) Vikings used a late field goal to earn a 17-16 win over Penn last year. Senior runner Hunter Mrozinski managed 43 carries for 209 yards and three scores for the Kingsmen. Senior quarterback Logan Lockhart was 57-of-127 for 1,006 yards with seven touchdowns and ran for 236 yards with five touchdowns for Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 27, Penn 23.
Riley (4-6) at Michigan City (4-3): The Wildcats are looking to make amends for a 55-0 loss to Michigan City last season. Senior back Chris Krause tallied 95 carries for 602 yards with three scores for Riley. Senior quarterback senior quarterback Giovani Laurent completed 80-of-152 for 1,096 yards with nine touchdowns and ran 54 times for 287 yards and four scores for Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 38, Riley 10.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE
East Noble (9-4) at Plymouth (2-6): The No. 9 (Class 4A) Knights crowned Plymouth, 31-0, in last year’s season opener. Senior wide out Nick Munson added 41 receptions for 532 yards with three scores and 21 carries for 76 yards for East Noble. Help on both side of the front line for the Rockies will come from senior Christin Quintana. Matt’s pick: East Noble 37, Plymouth 16.
Dublin Coffman (Ohio) (8-1) at Warsaw (8-3): Senior running back Jarel Heard is the one of the standouts for the Shamrocks. Senior Julius Jones rolled up 871 yards on the ground on 87 carries and scored six touchdowns for the Tigers. Matt’s pick: Dublin Coffman 41, Warsaw 33.
Goshen (1-6) at Fairfield (9-1): The RedHawks were a 20-14 winner over Fairfield in the 2019 campaign. Senior linebacker Roman Shrock racked up with 88 tackles, including three for loss, for Goshen. Junior defensive back Brock Short registered 77 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three passes defended, and one fumble recovery for Fairfield. Matt’s pick: Fairfield 26, Goshen 13.
Tippecanoe Valley (7-4) at Wawasee (3-7): Senior quarterback Branson McBrier completed 59-of-117 passes for 1,099 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Vikings. Senior linebacker Dominick Blair had 68 tackles with 13 for loss, 4.5 quarterback sacks, and two interceptions for the Warriors. Matt’s pick: Tippecanoe Valley 33, Wawasee 17.
DUNELAND CONFERENCE
Andrean (11-2) at Merrillville (10-2): The No. 7 (Class 6A) Pirates cruised to a 40-13 win over top-ranked (Class 2A) Andrean a season ago. Senior receiver Alonzo Paul finished with 40 catches for 491 yards and eight touchdowns for the 59ers. Senior quarterback Angel Nelson was 137-of-222 for 2,517 yards with 26 touchdowns for Merrillville. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 28, Andrean 24.
Chesterton (5-5) at Hobart (11-3): The No. 6 (Class 4A) Brickies rolled to a 24-10 win over Chesterton last year. Senior Colby Bullock recorded 60 rushes for 374 yards with four touchdowns and 61 receptions for 737 yards and four touchdowns for the Trojans. Senior linebacker Jake Simpson finished with 74 tackles with six for loss for Hobart. Matt’s pick: Hobart 25, Chesterton 22.
Crown Point (3-4) at Lowell (4-7): The Red Devils blanked Crown Point, 6-0, a year ago. senior linebackers Liam Begley came up with 29 tackles with two sacks for the Bulldogs. Craig Buzea replaced Kevin Enright as Crown Point’s boss. Senior running back Ryan Marx tallied 94 carries for 592 yards with nine touchdowns for Lowell. Matt’s pick: Lowell 31, Crown Point 14.
Lake Central (1-9) at Munster (1-9): The Indians manhandled Munster, 38-0, last year. Senior quarterback Luke Niedy was 104-of-176 for 969 yards with seven touchdowns for Lake Central. Rick Good takes over for Tony Bartolomeo as the Indians’ field general. Senior linebacker Zach Lenaburg tallied 82 tackles with seven for loss and two quarterback sacks for the Mustangs. Matt’s pick: Lake Central 15, Munster 13.
Portage (3-7) at Hammond Morton (3-1): Senior wide out Devan Howard hauled in 34 passes for 372 yards with five touchdowns for the Indians. Senior lineman Brandon Winslow will be counted on for leadership on both sides of the front line for the Governors. Matt’s pick: Portage 19, Hammond Morton 18.
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