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FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #2

We heard from some Portage players last week that weren’t thrilled that they weren’t featured in the season opening rankings. Then on Friday they did more than just talk about it – they went out and proved it on the field, beating Morton 26-6, thanks in part to two touchdowns from QB Devan Howard. The Warpath will be the place to be on Friday as the Tribe welcomes former Top 10 team Lowell. The last time the Indians started a season 2-0? You have to go all the way back to 2008.

It’s only been one game, but the hype and excitement surrounding the new look Bulldog program seems to be justified, as the Dogs went down to the Inferno and won the Leather Helmet Game for the first time since 2016. The 28 points is also the most they’ve scored against the rival Devils since 2012, which was former coach Kevin Enright’s first game as head coach of the program. Can CP keep that momentum going into Week #2 when Andrean comes to the County Hub? We’ll see how it plays out on the field, but we know the stands will be rocking.

New sophomore signal-caller Matt Koontz was efficient in the Wildcats 52-6 season opening rout of EC Central. Koontz completed four of seven passes, with three of those completions for touchdowns. Gannon Howes picked up right where he left off last year, catching a 74 yard TD pass and picking off another. HC begins a set of three straight road games this week when they head to Munster to take on the ‘Stangs.

A valiant fourth quarter rally fell just short as Hobart dropped the opener against Chesterton 20-14, in a game that featured a host of new faces in the starting lineup. Getting used to varsity game speed takes time, which is something they don’t have much of, as this week as they travel to Demaree to take on top-ranked Merrillville. The Pirates picked up the win 23-7 in this matchup a season ago, so you know Hobart will be out for payback.

Late change of venue? N problem for the Cougars, who start the season 1-0 with a win over Phelan Academy, playing at Weiss Field in Merrillville. The Side got the job done up front, as offensive linemen KJ Sandidge, Sean Ambrose and LeBarron Burton II combined for 22 pancakes and paved the way for a 330 plus yard rushing performance from Camajay Griffin-Terrell. The Cougars head to Calumet on Friday to take on the undefeated Warriors. West Side hasn’t had a 2-0 record since 2004, so expect them to come out ready. This should be a fun one to attend.

Talk about holding on. It looked like Chesterton was going to win with few issues, holding on to a 20-0 lead over Hobart in the fourth quarter. But then the Brickies scored back to back touchdowns and even had the ball as time expired. Regardless, for Chesterton a win is a win, even if it got tighter than ideal. The Trojans are going to have to learn how to finish strong and put opponents away if they want to stay in the DAC race. No better time to get that experience in their final tune-up before conference play starts, as they welcome in TF South on Friday.

If only games ended after 24 minutes of play. The 59ers would be undefeated and still in the #1 spot. Unfortunately for Andrean, the second half must be played and what was a 21-20 Niner lead at the break turned into a 47-21 loss in the Battle of Broadway. With another 6A opponent on the schedule this week, there’s no time to dwell on the past, as the Niners head to the County Hub to take on Crown Point in the first ever meeting between the two programs.

No team in the state scored more points last week than Michigan City in their 62 point shutout win over SB Riley, and that’s with the Wolves taking their foot off the gas pedal after halftime. As impressive as the win was, the level of difficulty picks up big time this week as the Wolves welcome Warsaw into Ames Field. City handed Warsaw one of its three losses a season ago, and this is a good early season test for both teams.

With their impressive 35-7 win over Penn to open the season, the Vikings have now won five of the last six meetings against the Kingsmen, including the postseason. The Valpo rushing attack didn’t miss a beat from last season, with Hayden Vinyard carrying the ball for 228 yards and four touchdowns, while the team ran for 357 as a group. Gang Green hits the road this week to take on Hammond Central at Morton High School, the first of four away from home over the next five weeks.

It wasn’t exactly pretty before the break, but the Pirates eventually pulled away from previously top-ranked Andrean by scoring four touchdowns in the second half to win the Battle of Broadway and move into the #1 spot in the RSN rankings. The Bucs dominated the game in all three phases during the third and fourth quarters – a scary sight for upcoming opponents, including visiting Hobart this week.

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