FOOTBALL: Is It August Yet?

Week #1 – Chesterton at SB St. Joseph’s

Yes, I could go on about how it’ll be interesting to see how Mark Peterson does in his first game as Chesterton head coach, but this game is on the list for one simple reason: because Chesterton is playing in South Bend it’s a 6:00 Central kickoff, making this the first game of the year!

Week #1 – Crown Point at Lowell

After 106 meetings, this bitter rivalry definitely hasn’t lost any of it’s intensity as these CP-Lowell battles for the Leather Helmet are always one of the more physical and hard hitting contests of the season. 

Week #2 – Andrean at Merrillville

The “Battle of Broadway” seems to have found a permanent home as the two teams play at Merrillville High School once again this season. Both of these squads made it to semi-state last year and don’t be surprised to see them at, or near, the very top of the first RSN Top 10 poll. A great early season test for both the Pirates and Niners.

Week #3 – Lowell at Kankakee Valley

Another week, another potential “trophy” for the Red Devils as the Milk Can is on the line. The Kougars took this one of the first time since 1984 in last season’s matchup and you just know that Lowell is dying to get the can back.

Week #4 – Kankakee Valley at Hobart

A KV game highlighted two weeks in a row…what’s going on here? Based off of last year’s sectional matchup, this one is going to be intense. There was a lot of hard hitting before and after the whistle when the Kougars and Brickies met in the post-season and this one may be more of the same.

Week #4 – Morton at Hammond High

The Wildcats ended Morton’s four year strangle-hold on the GLAC in 2012, winning the regular season and the outright conference title. If you don’t think Roy Richards already has his team foaming at the mouth to get revenge on their cross-town rivals, you are mistaken.

Week #5 – Hobart at Andrean

Depending on what the Bricks do the previous week against KV, this game could very well be for the NCC title. Even if it’s not, this should still be a battle between two of the conference’s, and Region’s, best teams.

Week #6 – North Judson at Kankakee Valley

In the intro, I mentioned the coaching matchups with this specific game in mind. Kennedy vs. Stewart. The master vs. the pupil. Who will take this one? Way too early for predictions, but it’ll be fun to watch!

Week #7 – Griffith at Highland

Admitted bias here, this game mainly appeals to me because I’m a former Panther and it hurts a little bit that this one will be a game to watch, but I’m interested to see how Griffith responds to the playoff loss the Trojans dealt them last year. We’ll know plenty about both of these teams by Week #7, but this game will tell us everything we need to know about Griffith going forward.

Week #8 – Merrillville at Lake Central

Since the resurgence of the Indians a couple years ago, these games have always been fun to watch, but Merrillville has come out on top in each of the three meetings. Will LC finally break through?