FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #2

#10.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
0-1

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LAST WEEK: #9

We saw the expected growing pains that come along with fielding an inexperienced offense as the Crown Point fell to Lowell last week. While the result may not be what Kevin Enright and the Bulldog backers wanted, there are definite signs of the potential that this team has not only for later this year, but in seasons to come. It’ll be interesting to see how those players who got their first taste of varsity action a week ago react to being under the lights again when they travel to Highland on Friday.

9.
BOONE GROVE WOLVES
1-0

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LAST WEEK: NR

After narrowly missing out on a spot in the Top 10 to open the season, Boone Grove left no doubt that they belong in the rankings after dismantling John Glenn in Week #1. Braeton Vann also left no doubt that he needs to be mentioned when talking about the Region’s elite players. All he did last week was rush for 261 yards and four TDs to go along with two touchdown catches.

#8.
HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS
1-0

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LAST WEEK: NR

Not only was the Wildcat win impressive as it was the first under new coach Brian Parker, but to win by double-digits against a solid Clinton Prairie club with very little time to prepare? That was eye-opening. HC can prove any remaining doubters wrong with Andrean coming to Cedar Lake this week. They’ve only met once before, but this could be a program defining victory for the ‘Cats.

#7.
ANDREAN 59ERS
0-1

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LAST WEEK: #3

It takes more than one week of action to kill an off-season’s worth of hype, but an unexpected loss at the hands of Merrillville sure hurts Andrean in the rankings as they fall from the #3 spot. The Niners have to regroup and fast, which won’t be easy with a schedule that features Hanover Central and New Prairie, both on the road, in the next two weeks.

#6.
MORTON GOVERNORS
1-0

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LAST WEEK: #6

While it’s always great for a team to start off the season with a “W”, we were expecting Morton to have a bit more convincing win over visiting Highland than a 16-6 victory. This week, the Govs have a chance to do something they haven’t done since the Roy Richards era – go 2-0 to begin the year. They’ll have to do it against a team they’ve never faced before in Lake Central.

#5.
WHITING OILERS
1-0

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LAST WEEK: #10

To no one’s great surprise, the Oilers once again dominated the Battle of 119th Street, winning by a lopsided score of 54-7. This week’s foe, the Griffith Panthers, lost to Michigan City 53-0. Does that mean the Oilers will have an easy time with the Panthers? Of course not, but they could be considered the favorite, which is almost certainly a first for the program against a program like Griffith.

#4.
HOBART BRICKIES
1-0

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LAST WEEK: #8

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, as the Brickies found out Friday night. Granted, they made some big plays when needed, but none of that matters if the Trojan kick doesn’t go wide left. Next up is a trip to the Maple City to take on another DAC opponent – the LaPorte Slicers. If Hobart can sweep the Duneland, running the regular season table isn’t out of the question. But first things first.

#3.
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
0-1

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LAST WEEK: #1

The Vikings drop two spots after a less than stellar performance in a town named after a Seminole Indian chief. The team bus will head in the same direction this week, with a trip to Mishawaka planned for Friday afternoon. The Cavemen are already 1-0 against the Duneland, having rolled over Portage 35-14, so the green & white will have a battle on their hands. Starting 0-2 is not part of plan, so a sense of urgency is needed.

#2.
LOWELL RED DEVILS
1-0

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LAST WEEK: #4

The Devils move up two spots after beating Crown Point, a school two classes larger, on the road. They’ll play another 6A opponent in week two – the Portage Indians, only this time the Devils will have the home field advantage and they’ll be the favorite. If the Devils can sweep the Duneland, running the regular season table isn’t out of the question. But first things first.

#1.
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
1-0

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LAST WEEK: #2

The Wolves had a perfect opening to the season – a dominating 53-0 manslaughter of Griffith. No disrespect to the Panthers, who were no match for City from pre-game to post-game, but this week’s opponent Homewood-Flossmoor is on another level, like that of a small college program, so don’t expect the Wolves to win by the same margin as last week because they won’t. In the 2017 match up, MC surrendered 63 to HF and lost by 42. Duneland action starts next Friday so the goals may just be to play smart and stay healthy.