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FOOTBALL: Home Improvement Top 10 Week 3 9/3/24

Some teams are starting to make themselves a regular on this list… while the bottom of the top ten is beginning to feature some new faces!

10. ANDREAN 59ERS (0-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #9

WEEK ONE: lost 28-21 at #4 Valparaiso

THIS WEEK: at #5 Kankakee Valley (2-0)

AFTER GOING 0-2, HOW IS THEY STILL IN?: The toughest non-conference schedule in the area, with a near-upset against one of 5A’s best.

In the first half of their game against Valparaiso last week, we saw the potential of what this Andrean roster could do. The Niners were both able to drive the ball offensively while holding Valpo scoreless and turning takeaways into touchdowns for almost the entire first half. 

That said, things went off the rails for Andrean in half number two. With multiple Andrean players rarely getting a chance to get off the field in comparison to the depth of Valparaiso, the Vikings, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown just before the first half’s conclusion to cut the halftime lead to 21-7 would end up riding that newfound momentum into a great comeback.

Nonetheless, we still have decided to keep Andrean on our list due to the difficult first two games, how they competed in them, and what is to come next. Although last week was a heartbreaker, the Niners were still a few plays away from pulling that one out. Jimmy Finley was all over the field for Andrean, as his productivity alone can lead the Niners to a better finish on the season. From here on out, the only uber-challenging matchup on their schedule could arguably be a late-season bout with Bishop Chatard. Outside of that, Andrean could surely be competitive in every game, as next week begins conference play for the Niners.

Andrean will be back on the road again for the third straight week, which also is not easy. This time, they will face a solid Kankakee Valley team. However, Andrean has been quite successful against the Kougars. This game on paper will still look to be a competitive one, but this could be a great chance for the Niners to get their first win of the season and shoot back up this list.

 

9. CHESTERTON TROJANS (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 2: won 36-23 at Morton

NEXT WEEK: Michigan City (0-2)

WHAT IS TO CREDIT FOR CHESTERTON’S HOT START?: One of the top rushing attacks through the first two weeks.

Two weeks ago, in Chesterton’s “surprising” beatdown of the Hobart Brickies, the Trojans ran for over 300 yards which was highlighted by Brady McCormack. Fast forward to this previous week, and Chesterton has continued to show their dominance in the trenches. 

The Trojans once again outmuscled their opposition, this time with junior running back Andrew Goveia as the game’s main beneficiary. He scampered for almost 200 rushing yards and carried the ball 30 times, while also reeling in a touchdown pass. McCormack, whose name seemed to always be called at Chesterton High School in week one, still made an impact in his own right. The senior signal caller accounted for five total scores, with four of them on the ground. The Trojans did not have nearly the rushing performance like week one but still flirted with the 300-yard mark with their performance against the Governors.

The Trojan defense has been playing well too, as they forced Morton into some errors, leading to playing complimentary football. 

With a running game that has dominated through two weeks, a defense that can ruffle some feathers, and a quarterback that has stepped up in his senior season, Chesterton could be in the mix to make some noise in the Duneland. Their conference schedule starts with Michigan City, a team whose record could also look different, but has fallen in their first two games by slim margins. They will certainly look to get in the win column, making this a great first test in the conference play for the Trojans.

8. GRIFFITH PANTHERS (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 2: won 49-0 at Munster

NEXT WEEK: Hammond Central (1-1)

WHY’D THEY MOVE UP?: Two wins, 105 points scored, zero given up.

It has been nothing short of an ideal start for the Griffith Panthers and second-year head coach Phil Mason. A team that was seen as young and inexperienced, but promisingly talented a season ago has grown up and performed at or even above expectations.

Ryan Bullion has been the guy under center for the Panthers and has done quite well in his first year as a Varsity starter. Colton Strezo, who was the main man in that spot last year, has now taken his talents to both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and defensive back. Jaxon Lawson, who was known last year to be one of the top RBs in the conference and potentially the area, is back in action and also performing at his usual high level. Ventris Tetter, a junior, also is a name to watch in the Panther backfield.

The top performers do not end there, but long story short, things are trending in the right direction for the Griffith Panthers – at least so far in 2024. The only reason the Panthers may not be higher is that they have beaten two teams in Highland and Munster that may be in the earlier stages of a rebuild. Nonetheless, the Panthers have looked good. 

Next up for them will arguably be their best test up to this point, as they will be back at the Boneyard against the Wolves of Hammond Central. 

7. RIVER FOREST INGOTS (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #10

WEEK ONE: won 35-0 over Calumet

THIS WEEK: Wheeler (0-2)

TWO WEEKS IN, WHAT’S TO SAY?: After two dominating performances, leading to the Ingots’ third straight 2-0 start, expect them to be in the mix for a GSSC North title.

Ayden Silver once again shined in the Ingots’ victory, as he found the end zone twice while adding nearly 150 rushing yards to his season total.

RF has scored 35 in each of their first two games while giving up zero on the defensive side. The Ingots, who are in a division with Boone Grove, Bishop Noll, and Lake Station, may have etched themselves as the early favorite to walk away with a division title.

Although River Forest will not play anyone in their respective division until week 6, winning the conference outright is always the top priority and this next game against Wheeler could decide that.

The past two matchups between the Bearcats and the Ingots have been decided by single digits – and all things are pointing to it potentially happening for a third straight season.

 

6. PORTAGE INDIANS (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #8

WEEK 2: 19-16 victory at NorthWood

NEXT WEEK: Lake Central (1-1)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: This is the Indians’ first 2-0 start since the 2008 season.

After week one’s victory against Morton, there was certainly a lot to be excited about in regards to Portage football. However, it is a long season, as the Indians now had to shift their focus to arguably a greater test in NorthWood – a quality team that competed for a state championship last year.

Portage, who arguably came into the game as the underdog, showed that claim to be true after facing a 16-0 deficit after a half of play. But similar to what was said about the Andrean-Valpo game, football can be a tale of two halves, and this time it benefited the Indians. 

Behind a pair of touchdowns from Kodie Young to Ogbanna Williamson, and a late game goal line plunge from Jamari Duff led Portage to a come-from-behind victory over a talented NorthWood squad – a team they lost to by 42 last year.

Richards, who is a defensive-minded coach, must have been quite pleased with the Portage defense, as they forced NorthWood to settle for three field goals after their first drive touchdown. Portage held NorthWood to under 25 yards rushing on the night. Williamson was the star on offense, as the junior reeled in ten passes for nearly 100 yards.

Portage will now do battle with Lake Central this Friday to open up DAC play. LC defeated Portage twice last year, including once in the sectional opener. Portage has not beaten LC since 2020. But as we have seen through two weeks from this Portage squad, this is a brand new team that has been turning on all cylinders so far.

 

5. KANKAKEE VALLEY KOUGARS (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #6

WEEK 2: won 35-21 at Wheeler

NEXT WEEK: #10 Andrean (0-2)

KV? TOP FIVE? HOW?: First 2-0 start since 2020 and an absolute battering ram in the backfield.

It took a lot out of the KV Kougars to go into Wheeler and pull off a come-from-behind victory. For Marco Castro, it seemed to be another day at the office, as the senior once again ran for over 300 yards and three scores, including an 88-yard touchdown run that featured numerous broken tackles.

The senior has had an astounding first two games to his final year as a Kougar, as he is almost at 700 rushing yards for the season, along with six scores. Senior receiver and defensive back, Adrian Uchman, stepped up tremendously as well against the Bearcats. Uchman reeled in four catches for 114 yards and a score to go with his eight tackles and two interceptions.

KV will open up their conference schedule at home against Andrean, a team that is much better than their record. Although the Kougars are heading into this game as the higher-ranked team on our list, they have not beaten the 59ers since the 2008 season. Expect much more of the Marco Castro show, especially if the Kougars want to get off to their third 3-0 start since 2012.

4. VALPARAISO VIKINGS (1-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #3

WEEK 2: won 28-21 over #10 Andrean

NEXT WEEK: LaPorte (0-2)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: A game that was a tale of two halves now provides a much-needed spark for the ‘Vikes heading into Duneland play.

As the scoreboard read 21-0 in favor of Andrean late in the first half last Friday, many questions arose about this year’s Valparaiso team. After a tough loss to a Penn team that is solid but may be in a rebuilding phase, many expected a bounce-back game from Valpo against the smaller Andrean. 

But after Julian Stokes’ kick return touchdown to finish out the first half, it put a halt to those questions. 

It may not have been pretty, but Valparaiso would ultimately claw their way back, scoring 28 unanswered to escape the 59ers. Thomas Burda did just about everything for the Vikings to knot the game up before senior DB Tyse Morris put his stamp on the comeback with a game-winning pick-six late in the final frame.

Valpo will now begin their quest to get back to the top of the conference, as they will play at home once again, this time against the LaPorte Slicers.

One of the main concerns going into Andrean week was the performance of the Viking defense. They stepped up big time in their comeback victory, as the aforementioned defensive touchdown won them the game. We shall see how they ride that jumpstart in momentum against the Slicers. 

 

3. HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS (1-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #3

WEEK 2: lost 28-7 at Bishop Chatard (game called due to weather)

NEXT WEEK: Highland (1-1)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: After the Wildcats’ loss to Bishop Chatard, that would snap Hanover Central’s 25-game regular season winning streak, which dated back to the 2021 season.

It was an impressive stretch of dominance for the Wildcats to say the least. Scheduling and competing with one of the top teams in the state was merely a pipe dream a few seasons ago. The standard and overall culture of Hanover Central football has taken leaps and bounds since the program’s inception, and we must tip our cap. Therefore it was decided that Hanover can stay put at the three spot, as they are now shifting their focus to potentially repeating as NCC champs.

That quest for an NCC crown begins with the Highland Trojans. As great as Hanover Central has been in the regular season – they seem to be even better once conference play rolls around. The Wildcats have not lost to a conference opponent (NCC, GSSC South Division), in three seasons. When the lights get bright, Hanover Central always comes to play.

 

2. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #2 

WEEK 2: 36-0 win at Hobart

THIS WEEK: #1 Crown Point (2-0)

TWO WEEKS IN, WHAT’S TO SAY?: How about two shutouts and arguably the top running back tandem in the Region?

While Pirate junior running back JQ Johnson was expected to have a jump in production in his second season in the Merrillville backfield, Cameron Jordan may have flown more under the radar.

After Johnson’s day ended prematurely against the Brickies, Jordan, who played very well in the season opener, took things a step further in Merrillville’s 36-0 beatdown of the Brickies. The sophomore ran for over 140 yards and found paydirt twice.

The Pirates will ride their two shutouts and dominant rushing attack back home leading into the first week of Duneland play – as they will meet with the reigning conference champs with a date with Crown Point on Friday.

The thing to look out for the Pirates leading into next week’s highly anticipated matchup is the quarterback situation. Both Jordan Sanders and Darnell Bowles alternated series last Friday. Although Sanders missed a few days of practice leading up to the battle at the Brickyard, it will certainly be interesting to see how Brad Seiss approaches this heading into Friday.

Also, although Merrillville has proven their depth at the RB position, it would be ideal to have Johnson ready to go come Crown Point.

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS (2-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #1

WEEK 2: 42-7 win over Arizona College Prep

THIS WEEK: at #2 Merrillville (2-0)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Joshua Miller, senior, DL/DE

Going into the 2024 season, it was known that although the stout CP defense from ’23 lost some solid pieces like Will Clark, Landen Delich, Seamus Malaski, and others, they still had plenty of returners to keep the unit afloat.

And while we are well aware of those returners (Gibbs, Gonzalez, Fantin, Van Tichelt, Pavlou), Joshua Miller was one of who we were quite unfamiliar with going into this campaign.

The senior defensive lineman has had quite the first two games in his final preps season. Miller played his part in Crown Point’s dominant victory over a solid Arizona College Prep team. With two sacks last Friday, that brings Miller’s total up to three on the year. 

After Hanover Central’s loss to Bishop Chatard last Friday, the Bulldogs now have the longest active regular-season winning streak in the area at 20 games. That impressive mark will be put to the test this Friday against the Merrillville Pirates. 

Although last year’s matchup between the two Region powerhouses was all Crown Point – playing at Demaree Stadium is easier said than done. It is one of the better home-field advantages in the area. But the last time the Pirates have lost at home was when the Bulldogs last took a trip up there in 2022.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

WEST SIDE COUGARS

BOONE GROVE WOLVES

LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS

WHEELER BEARCATS

MORTON GOVERNORS

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