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FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #4

It’s rare when a team enters the RSN Top 10 coming off two straight losses, but give credit to the Indians who accomplish the feat. The pair of L’s were by a combined 12 points and came at the hands of two ranked teams (Lowell and LC), so this team is close to being 3-0, but has fallen just short. There’s a chance they could be 1-3 and still in the rankings this week if they keep it close again. That’s easier said than done though as the Indians travel to Merrillville to take on the Pirates.

Despite a 1-2 record and a loss in Week #3, the Red Devils not only stay in the rankings, but take a minimal drop from #8 to #9. For those asking why, it’s simple. Even though Lowell took the “L” against New Prairie, the game was closer than the 24-14 final score indicated, and holding the Cougars to 24 points was an impressive feat on its own – with New Prairie’s previous low being 37. The Red Devils get the benefit of the doubt this week, but they’ll need a win to stay in the rankings as Griffith invades the “Inferno” on Friday.

The ‘Cats were so close to staying unbeaten and and rising in the RSN rankings. But a 21 point fourth quarter by the Eagles of Culver Academy handed HC their first loss of the season and a two spot drop. Despite the loss, this is still a really good Hanover team with a ton of potential, so they’ll look to get back on the right track when they head to River Forest for Week #4.

It’s not often Lake Central starts a season 3-0 with this being the first time sine 2012. It’s also been years since they’ve been ranked in the RSN Top 10, a well deserved ranking thanks to their smothering defense, which hasn’t given up a single point this season – the only score against them was a pick six in week three. The win over Portage was their first in the DAC since 2019 – they now have a chance for two straight conference wins on Friday when they welcome in the Crown Point Bulldogs to LC Stadium. The Indians haven’t won consecutive DAC contests since 2016.

We said last week that Brickies week three matchup against Griffith could be a statement game to show their 0-2 start was more about who they played (a pair of games against elite Region teams in Chesterton and Merrillville), than it was about the quality of this team. The point was made clear, as Hobart rolled 49-13. With undefeated Culver Academy in town this week, followed by games against ranked conference foes in Lowell and Andrean, the Brickies can solidify their spot in the poll and put those first two weeks long behind them.

It wasn’t an easy task for the Niners, going up to Michigan to take on an elite program in Grand Rapids Central Catholic, and while a rough first quarter put Andrean squarely behind the eight ball, they played a great team tough despite taking the loss. Make no doubt about it, this team is better than their 1-2 mark indicates and they should be considered the favorites in the rest of their games along the way, including this week when they have their first home game against EC Central.

It was an epic game at Ames Field in Week #3, but the Wolves came out on the short end, falling to the Chesterton Trojans 27-20 in a thriller. While the loss has to sting a little bit, there’s no time for the Wolves’ to lick their collective wounds as a brutal stretch of schedule has City heading to Valpo on Friday to take on a team that’s been rolling in 2021. Michigan City has to put that Chesterton loss behind them…and quick.

The Trojans are 3-0 for the first time since 2012 and the win over Michigan City last week feels like the biggest regular season win for Chesterton in a long, long time. The offense gets a lot of headlines, and deservedly so, but it’s the defense that’s getting the job done for the Trojans – giving up just 11.3 points per game, which is the third best mark in the Region. LaPorte comes to Cheese Town for a DAC matchup on Friday and with as well as this team is playing, we fully expect the stands to be packed!

In a vast majority of seasons, Valpo would sit atop the RSN rankings with the way they are playing – scoring 54 points a game and only giving up 13, but they’ll have to settle for the #2 spot for now. The Vikings romped to a 30 point win over LaPorte in the DAC opener, making their closest margin of victory 28 points this year (Week #1 over Penn). Valpo is not only winning games, they are dominating them. If the Vikings win by another four plus touchdowns this week against Michigan City, maybe they’ll leap into the top spot – but that depends on the Pirates….

The Pirates made quick work of rival Crown Point, scoring 20 points in the first quarter followed by another 30 in the second. Some quick math shows us that’s 50 points in the first half, which means it was over early. The Purple Gang has scored 41 or more points in each of their three games this season and has showed zero signs of slowing down. They’ll face a solid defense when they take on Portage this week, but don’t be surprised to see the Pirates light up the scoreboard again.

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