FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #7

ON THE EDGE: Calumet (4-1), Morton (4-2), Wheeler (3-2)

KO’D: Boone Grove (4-2), Crown Point (2-4)

#10.
PORTAGE INDIANS
4-2/3-1

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LAST WEEK: NR

It took overtime, but the Indians survived a scare from Chesterton and find their way back into the RSN rankings after just missing out on a spot last week. Portage’s defense continues to be the strength of the team, as they have only given up 9.7 points per game in their four victories. The offense did have their highest scoring output with 20 points against the Trojans, but if Portage wants to stay in the poll and in the DAC race, the defense is going to lead the way.

9.
HIGHLAND TROJANS
3-3/1-1

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LAST WEEK: #9

Although they didn’t come away with a victory in the win-loss column, Highland has to be happy with the way the team played against a tough Lowell squad, falling 7-0. It was definitely the kind of game the Trojans can build from and they’re going to need to do just that this week as they head to Hobart to battle the Brickies – a team that Highland has NEVER beaten. Will we see Highland make history this week?

#8.
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
4-2/4-0

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LAST WEEK: NR

After the first two weeks of the season, we didn’t think we’d see Griffith in the rankings for the rest of the year, but give the black and gold credit – they responded in a big way after two ugly losses to open the campaign. The Panthers have now won four in a row and their win over Boone Grove last week was the most impressive of the bunch. With South Central, Lake Station and Hanover Central remaining on the schedule, Griffith has a chance to run the table and build some momentum as the tournament gets closer.

#7.
HOBART BRICKIES
5-1/1-1

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LAST WEEK: #7

We were curious as to how the Brickies would respond to their first loss of the season and the answer is….no problem at all, as Hobart routed KV last week. Not only did the Brickies pick up the “W” but the offense put up 31 points, their second highest total of the year. They’ll have to be as good this week with Highland and their tough defense coming to town in the last regular season home game for Hobart this year.

#6.
MERRILLVILLE PIRATES
4-2/3-1

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LAST WEEK: #6

There’s something about being on the road that’s been good for the Pirates, where in the two games away from the purple palace (@ Portage, @ LaPorte), they’ve won by a combined 74-7 score. They’ll have to find that road magic while they’re at home this week against visiting Valpo. A Merrillville win puts them tied atop the DAC standings with the Vikings (and likely others), while a loss ends their conference title dreams.

#5.
ANDREAN 59ERS
5-1/2-0

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LAST WEEK: #5

For the fourth straight week, Andrean put up more than 40 points on the scoreboard, this time racking up 52 in a shutout win over Munster. Not only is the offense on fire, but the defense has given up a grand total of seven points over the last three weeks and has three shutouts this year. The Niners hit the road for the third straight week, and final time this season, when they travel to “The Farm” to face the Kougars with K. Even though we know Andrean is focused on Friday’s opponent, the rest of us are already looking ahead to that week eight matchup with Lowell.

#4.
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
4-2/3-1

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LAST WEEK: #4

The Wolves picked up their first home victory of the season by making quick work of Lake Central, keeping pace behind Valpo in the DAC standings. City’s offense faces their toughest challenge in weeks on Friday when they head to the “Warpath” to take on a smothering Portage defense. Will the MC offense continue their hot streak or will we see something similar to the Valpo game from Week #4 when the Wolves were shutdown after the opening play?

#3.
LOWELL RED DEVILS
5-1/2-0

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LAST WEEK: #3

Run the ball….dominate on defense….control the clock. That’s Lowell’s recipe for success in 2018 and as seen by the 5-1 record, it’s working just fine. The Devils will be tested big time in the final two weeks of the season when they travel to Andrean in Week #8 and host Hobart to close out the regular season, so while they won’t overlook struggling Munster this week, the most important thing is to come out of the game healthy.

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

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LAST WEEK: #2

We thought the game against Crown Point last week would be a low-scoring close defensive battle….Valpo had other ideas. With the 38-7 win over the Bulldogs, the Vikings not only stay perfect in the DAC standings, but they proved to bw more than just a defense minded club. The running game, led by Jackson Kurth and Jesse Harper can not only consistently move the sticks, but they can break big gainers as well. They’ll need some of those big plays this week when they travel to Merrillville in what should be a great DAC showdown

#1.
WHITING OILERS
6-0/4-0

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LAST WEEK: #1

The Oilers got elevated to #1 in last week’s rankings and apparently they wanted to make sure they kept their spot with a 61-0 thumping of a pretty good Hanover Central team. Even after taking their foot off the gas against a few opponents, Whiting has outscored their conference opponents by a combined 176-20. This week, Whiting hosts upstart Calumet before closing the season at home against River Forest.