One week of football action is in the books – see how the RSN staff ranked the Top 10 heading into Week #2!

#10	CROWN POINT BULLDOGS 1-0

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Last Week: NR

The Bulldogs pulled off one the biggest opening week shockers in the state with their 9-3 double OT win over Lowell. Kevin Enright’s squad is likely to be much improved over last year. And if they can avoid the injury bug that kept biting them last year, they might just be able to hang around the Top 10 for a while. We’ll know after their trip to Mishawaka, where they’ll play the Cavemen.

#9	MICHIGAN CIY WOLVES 1-0

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Last Week: #10

With Markice Hurt on the field, the Wolves can score a lot of points, that much we know. If they can play Duneland level defense, City will win their share of games. Roy Richards is in charge of Phil Mason’s defense, so expect them to improve quickly. 

#8	HOBART BRICKIES 1-0

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Last Week: #8

The Brickies put up some big numbers in their annual pre-season opener against West Side. With a trip to LaPorte on tap for Friday, we’ll find out if the Bricks are for real.

#7	LOWELL RED DEVILS (0-1)

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Last Week: #1

We said the Devils would be #1 until they or someone else proved otherwise. Well it didn’t take long for both of those things to happen. A double overtime loss on the first Friday of the season causes a free fall that lands Lowell in the seventh position. That’s not their concern at the moment though.

#6	MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (1-0)

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Last Week: #6

The Pirates finally take the Battle of Broadway…and they did it with some flair. The Purple Gang showed the Region they have playmakers once again – and with the Penn Kingsmen coming to Demarree this week, Brad Seiss is going to need them to make plays. An upset isn’t out of the question.

#5	VALPARAISO VIKINGS (0-1)

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Last Week: #2

Not only did the Vikings not embarass themselves against Penn on Friday night, they even managed to make a game of it for better than three quarters. Despite keeping closer than usual, a drop in the polls can’t be helped. This week the Cougars of West Side come to Viking Field.

#4	WHITING OILERS (1-0)

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Last Week: #4

With a 33-point victory, the Oilers had an easy time of it in the Battle of 119th Street. With an improved Gavit team coming to the Oil City on Friday, the home team could face their first test of the season.

#3	CHESTERTON TROJANS (1-0)

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Last Week: #7

The Trojans outlasted defending 5A regional champ Kokomo 14-7 in their tooth and nail opening night contest. A trip to the Marsh Lands to mingle with the Mustangs is next on the slate for Mark Peterson’s crew. Then comes Duneland play. Are we having fun yet?

#2	LAPORTE SLICERS (1-0)

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Last Week: #5

The Slicers won a tug-of-war with Russ Radtke’s New Prairie Cougars to open the campaign. The #2 ranking may be the highest ever for the LaPorte program. But this team is tough and has talent. Hobart will have their hands full on Friday.

#1	LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS (1-0)

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Last Week: #3

The Indians made it look easy against Munster in the opener and for the time in several years in the Region Sports Top 10, Lake Central leads the pack. With several big play threats on the field, this team has the potential to be extremely dangerous at all times. Friday night sees Lincoln-Way Central coming in from across the state line for a border war at the LC Coliseum. More of these crossover match ups would be a good thing.