FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #5

ON THE EDGE: Highland (2-2)

KO’D: Portage (2-2)

#10.
HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS
3-1/2-0

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LAST WEEK: NR

The win over a feisty River Forest squad was a bit closer than many anticipated, but a win is a win is a win, and that win puts Hanover back in the RSN Top 10 after an absence of a few weeks. One thing we can be sure of, the ‘Cats won’t be at #10 next week as they host Boone Grove on Friday. A win moves them up and a loss likely takes them out. Oh yeah….Whiting is on the schedule for the following week. Not an easy stretch in Cedar Lake.

9.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
2-2/1-1

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LAST WEEK: #10

In what’s a good sign for things to come, the ‘Dogs quickly moved past their heartbreaking loss to Merrillville and beat up rival Lake Central 21-3 last week. Crown Point’s young offense is finding their rhythm and if you combine that with a tough defense, it could spell good things for a three-peat in Sectional #1. Potential post-season opponent Portage comes to the County Hub this week.

#8.
BOONE GROVE WOLVES
3-1/1-1

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LAST WEEK: #8

Sure the Wolves technically took an “L” last week, having their game against Whiting being officially declared a loss, but on the field the Wolves took care of business against Lake Station 63-0. Next up for BG is a four straight on the road, including a trip to #10 Hanover Central on Friday in a game we’re sure will keep the scoreboard operator busy.

#7.
ANDREAN 59ERS
3-1

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LAST WEEK: #6

Win a game 59-0 and fall in the rankings? The Niners can look to the south for the reason why as Merrillville’s dominating win over Portage, combined with the Pirate win over Andrean in Week #1, cause the two Broadway squads to flip-flop. Don’t worry Niner Nation – get a win this week over Hobart and you won’t be dropping in the rankings again.

#6.
MERRILLVILLE PIRATES
3-1/2-0

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LAST WEEK: #7

We’re not shocked that Merrillville picked up the road win at  the “Warpath” last week, but we definitely didn’t see the 39-0 shellacking the Pirates pasted on Portage coming. The 39 points was the most Merrillville has scored in a game in over two years, so needless to say the Pirates are rolling. They’ll need that momentum this week with Michigan City coming to town.

#5.
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
2-2/1-1

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LAST WEEK: #1

The Wolves may be closer to being undefeated than any 2-2 team in history. Their losses are to 8A Illinois power Homewood-Flossmoor and 6A Valpo – both of which went down to the wire. This week won’t get any easier with a date at Demaree on the docket. A City win would likely take some luster off the Valpo-Merrillville game that’s waiting down the road, and the Wolves would love nothing more than to play spoiler. 

#4.
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
2-2/2-0

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LAST WEEK: #5

The win at Ames was a big one for the Vikings, who needed to prove they could beat a top tier team. Chesterton rides the bus a few miles south on Friday, then comes Crown Point followed by a trip to the Purple Palace for what right now has a chance to be the DAC title game (but there’s a lot of football to be played before that).

#3.
LOWELL RED DEVILS
3-1

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LAST WEEK: #3

The Devils were supposed to be rebuilding this year, but they aren’t acting like it. Subtract one play from one game and this team would be undefeated, sitting high a top the rankings. But since we can’t do that, they sit at number three. KV comes to the Inferno Friday where the home team will be a heavy favorite. If nobody gets caught looking ahead, weeks eight and/or nine could be for all the NCC marbles. 

#2.
WHITING OILERS
4-0/2-0

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LAST WEEK: #4

The Oilers keep on climbing and are now knocking on number one’s door. A trip to the Snake Pit to take on Lake Station is set for this week followed by a date with Hanover Central next Friday in the Oil City, in what is likely the conference championship. Running back Tom Davenport causes more destruction than a runaway locomotive at Kiddieland. Can anyone stop this team? 

#1.
HOBART BRICKIES
4-0

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LAST WEEK: #2

With new coach Craig Osika pushing all the right buttons in the first four weeks, the Bricks find themselves in new territory at #1. Region Sports was not yet formed when the Brickies of old dominated the local gridiron like no one before or since. And while they’re a long way from being what they used to be, they’re nonetheless undefeated, playing good football and perched at the top of this week’s poll. The question is how long will it last? Andrean travels to Hobart Friday and while the home team is ranked higher, this one’s a toss up. Should be a great game, so get to the Brickyard early – or watch it right here on regionsports.com!