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FOOTBALL: Home Improvement Top 10 Week 2 8/27/24

After a crazy week one, there has been plenty of movement on our Home Improvement Top Ten list for Week Two, presented by Eenigenburg Exteriors!

10. RIVER FOREST INGOTS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK ONE: won 35-0 at East Chicago Central

THIS WEEK: Calumet (1-0)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Ayden Silver, senior, QB

The senior QB has and will continue to be the Ingots’ top playmaker whenever in uniform. Silver ran for 133 yards while finding the end zone three times in the first half against ECC. He also added 114 yards through the air with a TD pass to his trusted receiver and classmate Jeremiah Stansil.

Although the River Forest defense has some young guys playing quality snaps, a lot of them stepped up in week one. Five of the top six tacklers from last Friday’s game were non-seniors. Micheal Turner led the way with seven tackles and an eye-popping four fumble recoveries (!!!) in the win against ECC (according to MaxPreps). 

RF is expected to be in the mix for the GSSC North Division crown, as their conference play will start at home against a Calumet program that is trending upward. The conference always seems to be up in the air on a weekly basis, so it is presumed that Mark Hidalgo and his crew will not take this one lightly.

9. ANDREAN 59ERS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING:#7

WEEK ONE: lost 27-0 at #2 Merrillville

THIS WEEK: at #4 Valparaiso (0-1)

WHAT HAS TO IMPROVE?: The post-Bowen era rushing attack.

Two seasons ago, there were fewer teams better in the Region at running the ball than the Andrean 59ers. Much of that could be said because of the senior campaign current Notre Dame football player Drayk Bowen had with over 1,700 yards rushing. The ’22 state runner-up team averaged 120 rushing yards a game.

Since then, Andrean has not been able to get anything going on the ground. In 2023, although they played four less games than the year prior, the Niners ran for a total of 434 rushing yards – averaging just over 40 a game. Do not get it wrong, the quarterback and receiver play has been solid for Andrean as of late, but an effective run game makes a good offense great. 

Speaking of QB-WR play, a positive from the week one loss was the immediate connection between junior QB Brady Elish and freshman WR Tyler Vo. The two found each other ten times for 81 yards. Jimmy Finley and Ethan Reyna were the players to highlight defensively as the two combined for 21 total tackles last Friday.

If Andrean wants to string out some games, at least come the ever-so-important conference play, a stable run game will have to be in the cards. The confidence in that run game could be built up with a solid week against their next opponent, which also won’t be an easy one – Valparaiso. The Vikings are going through some turnover on their defensive unit… which could lead to a better game on the ground for the Niners. 

8. PORTAGE INDIANS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 1: 41-17 victory over Morton

NEXT WEEK: at NorthWood (1-0)

PORTAGE? WHY?: The Indians were hungry and they showed it last Friday.

There is a famous quote from James Baldwin that could very well describe the Portage Indians. “The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose.” 

In this case, after the 2023 season, the Portage football program had very little to lose going into the highly anticipated week one matchup against Morton. The Indians were hoping to get their first win of the Roy Richards era. They did just that in dominant fashion against a solid Governor football team.

The hero of last week’s Portage win was running back Daequon Fields, who ran for over 200 yards and three scores. The Indians found ways to be an effective in all three phases of the game. Ogbonna Williamson Jr. of Portage scored on a kickoff return touchdown. The defensive unit did all they could to try to neutralize Morton’s Division One receiver in LeBron Hill. Although Hill scored twice, Portage often put two or even three defenders his way to try and make Morton utilize someone else.

Portage will now be on the road for their second game against a very tough NorthWood squad. The Panthers were state runner ups in the class 4A last season and dominated Portage this same time last year. This is certainly a different Portage team, so it shall be interested to see how this version of the Portage Indians can hold up against NorthWood.

 

7. WHEELER BEARCATS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #9

WEEK 1: lost 41-21 at #3 Hanover Central

NEXT WEEK: Kankakee Valley (1-0)

WHY’D THEY MOVE UP?: The combination of the Bearcats giving Hanover Central all they had… some teams ahead of them losing… and a second chance to prove themselves with a date with another cat in week two.

Wheeler got off to an ideal start against their rival. Wheeler who at one point had a 14-7 lead, was unfortunately not able to hang on that lead for four quarters. Part of the reason of why the game trickled away from them was the four interceptions that the Hanover defense caused. The Wildcats made things quite difficult for the senior Wheeler QB Caleb Klimczak, who finished the night 15 of 34 for 211 yards.

The majority of those yards were split between Bryce Compton and Tyne Vettickal, as both had six catches each combining for 194 receiving yards. Vettickal had quite the start to his junior campaign, as he reeled in two touchdowns for 134 of that 194. Jayden Ortiz also picked up where he left off in the run game, as he logged 21 carries for 90 yards.

The Bearcats, who once again gave a valiant effort against Hanover, will now shift their focus to the KV Kougars, another ranked team on our list. One of the goals for Wheeler may be the overall protection of the football – especially against a KV team that is known for running the ball and milking the clock. Possessions could be a commodity in this one.

6. KANKAKEE VALLEY KOUGARS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 1: 23-0 win over Rensselaer Central 

NEXT WEEK: at Wheeler (0-1)

PLAYER TO NOTE?: Marco Castro, senior, RB/DB

KV head coach Kirk Kennedy has coached his fair share of talented running backs throughout his storied coaching career. After the opening week of the 2024 season, if he hasn’t already, he could add Marco Castro’s name to that list of talented tailbacks.

Castro was the workhorse in KV’s 23-0 win over rival Rensselaer Central. The senior carried the rock 34 times for an astounding 336 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a pass for ten yards and logged five tackles on the defensive side of the ball. 

That performance led the Kougars to their first win against Rensselaer Central since the 2020 season. With a big-time win against a rival alongside numerous teams ranked in front of them losing in week one, KV is one of the biggest movers on this top ten list.

They will have a real chance to keep their spot or even improve if they were to get the job done once again – this time on the road against the Wheeler Bearcats. Unlike Rensselaer, this is a team they have had success with, winning every meeting since the 2019 season. Wheeler did play Hanover Central well, so this should shape up to be a close contest.

5. MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #6

WEEK 1: lost 20-7 at Warsaw

NEXT WEEK: Lafayette Jefferson (1-0)

WHAT WAS THE DECIDING FACTOR?: Squandered opportunities in the red zone.

Over the past few seasons Warsaw head coach Bart Curtis has built quiet the program for the Tigers. They have not had less than seven wins since he took over in the 2018 season. That said, it is a quality opponent for Michigan City. 

As much as Warsaw is a good season opener for City, last Friday could have ended a lot differently for the Wolves if they converted their opportunities on numerous occasions. City had three separate red zone trips that resulted in zero points. In a game that was decided by only 13 points, even succeeding on two of the three opportunities would have been just enough.

Trinaston Hart got his first true start under center and played quite well. The junior had over 250 passing yards and a score. 

While there is some senior-level talent on this Michigan City roster, there are also some younger pieces that will only get more experienced as the season wears on. Similar to other teams that have moved up even after a loss, given how week one transpired, the five through eight range of this list could have been anyone’s. If City plans to stay on this list and build momentum leading up to DAC play, the offensive unit especially must improve on capitalizing in the red zone – as points will be needed against a talented Lafayette Jefferson squad.

4. VALPARAISO VIKINGS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #3

WEEK 1: lost 49-42 at Penn

NEXT WEEK: #9 Andrean (0-1)

WHAT HAS TO IMPROVE?: The new-look defense.

Starting the season against the Penn Kingsmen is a task easier said than done. The powerhouse in the 6A class is usually always taking a long playoff trip come November. However, with it now being a new era of Penn football with the retirement of longtime coach Cory Yeoman, Valpo may have been seen as a team going into that game with the upper hand.

But in a game that featured new-look defenses from both sides, Penn just made more plays – including the final goal-to-go stop as time expired. The game featured over 1,000 yards of total offense.

To start, Valpo’s offense looked great. Junior Kellan Hosek got his first start under center for the Vikings and performed well, throwing for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns. Julian Stokes came into the year with WR1 aspirations – and proved that last Friday. Stokes caught six passes for 150+ and four total scores. Thomas Burda also did some work on the ground with over 150 rushing yards and a score of his own.

While it was a great day for the O, it just was not enough. 

The Valpo D was gashed last Friday by the big play, as the Kingsmen scored four touchdowns from 50 yards or more. The last time Valparaiso game up more than 40 points was on October 1 of 2021. The Vikings will hope to get things back on track this week against Andrean.

3. HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #4

WEEK 1: 41-21 victory over #7 Wheeler

NEXT WEEK: at Bishop Chatard (1-0)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Tommy Bonner, senior, QB

The most recent graduating class of the Hanover Central football program was the winningest in the program’s history. One of those previous seniors was Matt Koontz, who logged 45 games under center for the Wildcats over the past three seasons. Losing a piece like Koontz is not easy to replicate. 

However, after the first week, Hanover seems to be in good shape at the QB position for the 2024 season. 

Bonner, who grew up in Cedar Lake and went to Hanover schools until the beginning of his preps career, transferred to St. Rita. Spoiler alert, but the QB came home for his senior campaign and made his presence felt in his Wildcat debut under center.

With over 300 total yards of offense and three total touchdowns, that would be the difference for the Wildcats, who had to overcome a quick deficit put on by the Bearcats.

Caiden Verrett also showed why he may be the best player in the area. After Hanover Central went down early, Verrett showed off another set of skills in the special teams department, as he took the ensuing kickoff to the house. He would later score two more times to fully put the game away.

Hanover Central has now won 25 consecutive regular season games. That impressive streak will now be put to the test in week two as they will travel to Bishop Chatard, the reigning back-to-back state champions in the 3A class.

 

2. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #2 

WEEK 1: 27-0 win over #9 Andrean

THIS WEEK: at Hobart (0-1)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Rinse and repeat for the Pirates: playmakers make plays while the defense does its job.

Merrillville opened their season with a seventh consecutive season-opening victory against Andrean in shutout fashion. The run defense in particular was stellar for Merrillville, as according to MaxPreps, the Niners only gained a total of eight yards on the ground in 21 total carries – an average of 0.4 yards per tote.

JQ Johnson was a pleasant surprise in 2023 at the RB position for the Pirates, and he wasted no time following his impressive production in 2024. The junior found paydirt twice while eclipsing the century mark on the ground. Cameron Jordan stepped up big in relief of Johnson – as the sophomore RB found the end zone in addition to his own productive day on the ground.

Jordan Sanders saw most of the action at the QB position in his first true start under center. The junior will only continue to grow as a player as the season wears on.

The Pirates will shift their focus to the Hobart Brickies, as they will travel to the Brickyard in what has historically been an intriguing matchup – at least on paper. The Pirates still have yet to fall to the Brickies since they began meeting every year in the second week in the 2019 season. Brad Seiss and his group are looking to get off to their sixth straight 2-0 start. 

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #1

WEEK 1: 44-7 win over Lowell

THIS WEEK: Arizona College Prep (0-0)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Lucas Szymborski, senior, OLB/WR

As great as the 2023 Crown Point Bulldog offense was, the defensive unit was truly special. Highlighted by a top-tier linebacker in Will Clark, a pair of ferocious rushers in Seamus Malaski and Nate Kalk, and a shutdown safety in Landen Delich, the Bulldogs were littered with senior talent in ’23. 

That said, all that can be said about those names is the memories that they have brought to this CP program. A new wave of Bulldog defenders is now called upon to make some more memorable moments. While names like Trevor Gibbs, Dom Fantin, Mark Gonzalez, and Griffin Van Tichelt may be the guys next year in their true senior seasons – the question arose: who was going to be the main senior leader on this defensive unit in 2024?

Enter Lucas Szymborski, the transfer from Cleveland High School in Tennessee. On the first offensive play of the season for CP, the Ball State made sure to get involved early after Noah Ehrlich connected with Szymborski on a quick hitch route. The future Cardinal finished his quick night with a few catches, while most importantly stepping up as one of the senior leaders on the defensive side. 

Next up for Crown Point will be playing host to Arizona College Prep, a matchup organized by CP coach Craig Buzea and the current head coach of Arizona College Prep, Steve Vaught. Vaught, an ’04 grad from Portage, played and later coached under Buzea at Homewood-Flossmoor.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

WEST SIDE COUGARS

BOONE GROVE WOLVES

MORTON GOVERNORS

HAMMOND CENTRAL WOLVES

GRIFFITH PANTHERS

CHESTERTON TROJANS

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