A quick look at most of the games taking place in Week #5!
ANDREAN (1-3, 0-1) @ HOBART (3-1, 2-0)
Andrean hasn’t started a season 1-4 since the 1995 season, so not only is a win over the Brickies huge if the Niners want to keep their NCC hopes alive, it would also means they avoid repeating history they would rather not repeat. Besides taking the Niners down a peg, a Hobart win would keep the Brickies in the ranks of the NCC unbeaten along with Munster, who has non-conference Morton this week. FAVORITE: Hobart
CALUMET (1-3, 1-1) @ BISHOP NOLL (0-4, 0-2)
A pair of first year head coaches that are taking on large rebuilding projects square off on Chicago Avenue, where winless Noll hosts one win Calumet. The Warriors in red hung around with North Newton for three quarters before the game got away from them in the fourth, while the Warriors in blue have seemingly regressed since playing Hanover Central tough in the opener. If both coaching staffs are given the time and resources to build, this could be an intriguing matchup in a few years, but for now it’s a battle of fledgling Warrior tribes. FAVORITE: Calumet
BOONE GROVE (1-3, 0-2) @ HANOVER CENTRAL (4-0, 2-0)
For the third straight season, Hanover Central is off to a 4-0 start, although this one is more impressive than the previous years. Also for the third straight year, they’ll face Boone Grove in Week #5 with the Wolves handing the ‘Cats losses in both meetings. But there’s little doubt that Hanover Central has its best team to date on the field while Boone Grove appears to be having a down season. FAVORITE: Hanover Central
CHESTERTON (2-2, 0-2) @ VALPARAISO (2-2, 1-1)
The Vikings defeated Michigan City 29-0 a week ago. The week before that, Chesterton lost to Michigan City 20-0. Does that mean Valpo will defeat Chesterton 49-0? Probably not, but momentum is on the side of gang green. FAVORITE: Valpo
CLARK (0-4, 0-1) @ EC CENTRAL (2-1, 2-0)
EC Central head coach Jay Novak takes on his former team, one that’s fallen on hard times the last couple of seasons. This is one of only two regular season home games for the Cardinals, so while they want to put on a show for the fans at Pete Rucinski Field, they’ll probably keep it subdued a little bit. FAVORITE: EC Central
PORTAGE (2-2, 1-1) @ CROWN POINT (2-2, 1-1)
The ‘Dogs and Indians have played the exact same schedule the first four weeks, with both beating Lowell & Lake Central and both falling to Mishawaka & Merrillville. Just based off that fact alone, you know this is going to be a tight one. Does CP get the edge playing at Bulldog Turf on homecoming night? FAVORITE: Pick ‘Em
BLOOM TWP. (IL) (2-1) @ GAVIT (1-2, 0-1)
In the previous meetings between these two, Gavit hasn’t scored a single point against the “Blazing Trojans” (which is a quality nickname), who hold a 78-0 scoring advantage in the series. Will the Gladiators win the game outright? Possibly, they’re much better than the last two seasons, but we’ll bet big money the Gladiators get on the scoreboard, and most likely. FAVORITE: Pick ‘Em
GRIFFITH (2-2, 1-1) @ KV(1-3, 0-2)
The head coach of the Panthers the last time they beat KV? Russ Radtke, way back in 2012. The Kougars with a K hold a four game winning streak over the black and gold, but that will likely change this week, as KV’s lost three straight and Griffith comes in riding high after their win over Lowell. FAVORITE: Griffith
WEST SIDE (0-3) @ HAMMOND HIGH (0-4, 0-2)
We don’t like seeing teams go winless over the course of a season, so while these games featuring teams still looking for their first wins don’t scream “Game of the Week” it is nice knowing either the Cougars or ‘Cats won’t be winless after Week #5….unless they tie. FAVORITE: Hammond High
LOWELL (1-3, 1-1) @ HIGHLAND (3-1, 0-1)
The host Trojans are 3-0 against non-conference opponents, but their one NCC game against Munster…wasn’t so good. In comes in Lowell who’s the surprise of the Region, but not in a good way. Will Highland step up in a big NCC game or will the Lowell team we all expected to see this season make an appearance? This is one of those rare ocassions when a 1-3 team is favored over a 3-1 team. FAVORITE: Lowell
LAPORTE (4-0, 2-0) @ LAKE CENTRAL (1-3, 0-2)
It’s been a tough week for the Lake Central Indians, with news of coach Brett St. Germain’s leave of absence. It won’t get any easier Friday as an Indian defense that struggles to stop the run takes on one of the best rushing teams in the Region. FAVORITE: LaPorte
WHITING (4-0, 2-0) @ LAKE STATION (2-2, 1-1)
The 28-7 win over Boone Grove was exactly what the Eagles needed a week ago to show that this program was on the rise. Now they step up a weight class to take on the Oilers, the Class AA #1 ranked team. A Lake Station victory here wouldn’t just show the Region fans that the Eagles are legit, it would send shockwaves around Indiana. FAVORITE: Whiting
MICHIGAN CITY (3-1, 1-1) @ MERRILLVILLE (3-1, 2-0)
How will this pack of Wolves respond to adversity? We’ll find out Friday as Michigan City takes on Merrillville a week after suffering their first loss of the season. Turnovers were the Achilles heel for MC against Valpo, so expect the Pirate defense to be trying to punch the ball out on every play. FAVORITE: Pick ‘Em
MORTON (3-1, 2-0) @ MUNSTER (2-2, 2-0)
Two years ago, these two teams combined for 100 points. Last year, it was “only” 83. What will the 2016 version of this non-conference matchup bring? We’re not entirely sure, but if history is any indication, it’ll be fun. FAVORITE: Munster
WHEELER (2-2, 1-1) @ NORTH NEWTON (3-1, 2-0)
Can the North Newton defense stand tall against what’s likely to be one of their biggest tests this season as they take on a Bearcat offense that averages more than 28 points a game? That’ll be the key matchup as the Spartans look to continue their historic run. They haven’t started a season this hot since 1993. FAVORITE: Wheeler
WHEELER (2-2, 1-1) @ NORTH NEWTON (3-1, 2-0)
Can the North Newton defense stand tall against what’s likely to be one of their biggest tests this season as they take on a Bearcat offense that averages more than 28 points a game? That’ll be the key matchup as the Spartans look to continue their historic run. They haven’t started a season this hot since 1993. FAVORITE: Wheeler
RIVER FOREST (0-4, 0-2) @ SOUTH CENTRAL (3-1, 1-1)
After two close but not quite games, the Ingots have been outscored 62-0 in the last two weeks, so that’s a trend they’d prefer not to continue. South Central rebounded nicely after their first loss of the season to rout Bishop Noll and being at home, they should take that winning streak up to two. FAVORITE: South Central
BOWMAN (0-4) @ ROOSEVELT (0-4)
Like Hammond High vs. West Side, this Saturday afternoon matinee features a pair of teams still looking for win #1 on the year. Bowman hasn’t scored a point since Week #1 and Roosevelt’s defense has given up 90 points in the last two weeks combined….something has to give.FAVORITE: Pick ‘Em
