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FOOTBALL: Home Improvement Top 10 Week 6 9/24/24

Check out the top teams in the area through five weeks of play!

10. LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS (3-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 5: won 24-13 over LaPorte

THIS WEEK: at Michigan City (1-4)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Slow start, strong finish.

The bus ride between Kiwanis Field and the Burial Grounds is not an easy one. It is the longest distance between two Duneland schools – which puts the home team in this matchup at an instant advantage. In this case, it was Lake Central who should have come out firing.

That was not completely the case as LaPorte got the upper hand early, squashing the narrative of coming out flat from the long bus ride. The Slicers got out to a relatively surprising 13-10 halftime lead. A trap game was something we may not have been expecting for the Tribe.

Things went a bit differently in the second half, as LC used a 14-0 third quarter capped off from a 60-yard touchdown run from Cam Reddick to walk away with the victory. It was not the type of win we may have expected from LC, but it was still a nice bounce back from two weeks ago against Crown Point.

Next up for the Indians will be a team that could very well be in this top ten list if a few games went the other way. The Tribe will have to travel to Michigan City, another fairly long bus ride to do battle with a team that is much better than their 1-4 record. LC must hope to start out strong similar to how LaPorte did last Friday.

 

9. RIVER FOREST INGOTS (3-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #8

WEEK 5: lost 34-31 against #5 Griffith

THIS WEEK: Boone Grove (2-3) 

HOW IS RF STILL RANKED?: Gave a solid Griffith team all they had, as they are looking to be the favorites in their respective GSSC division.

River Forest against Griffith last week was one of the more entertaining games we may see all season. With both teams coming in with solid defenses, many thought that this game would not be as high scoring. It was just unfortunate that only one team walked away victorious, and in this case, it was not the Ingots.

Looking at the bright spots from this slugfest, Ayden Silver did just about everything in his power for RF. To start offensively, he had 262 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns. He led the Ingots to score 31 points against the Panthers. Griffith has only allowed 14 all year up until the start of that game. If that was not enough for Silver, he had 13 tackles and a fumble recovery. Carlos Villagomez ran for 107 yards and a score of his own.

Michael Turner led the defense with 21 tackles and two interceptions to go along with his lone catch for a 60-yard touchdown. Logan Hawkins had ten tackles of his own. Both of these Ingots are only juniors.

River Forest does not fall too far on our list due to how they performed against a talented Griffith team. Now, as they get ready for division play, they have the two-way talent that can compete with anyone on that side of the GSSC. The division may come down to the Ingots’ next matchup against Boone Grove – a team that they lost to by 22 a season ago. 

 

8. ANDREAN 59ERS (2-3)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #5

WEEK 5: lost 27-24 at #7 Hobart (OT)

THIS WEEK: Highland (1-4)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Another heartbreaker for the Niners.

Through five games, there is a lot of promise in this Andrean program. They have been competitive in almost every game, playing teams above their class size. Although some solid pieces have been lost due to graduation, new faces have stepped up and have played quite well.

That said, Andrean’s 2-3 record could look a bit different if things went another way in the final frame. Many may already know about week two’s loss against Valparaiso, but this week looked like Andrean was going to be the team to pull off the comeback and steal the game. After falling behind 14-0, the Niners stormed back late in the second half to take a seven-point lead with just under six minutes to go. With just about all the momentum on the Andrean side, they were in a prime position to steal this big conference matchup.

The Brickies orchestrated a drive that nearly took the rest of the quarter, knotting the game up at 21-a-side. Andrean got the ball first in overtime but had to settle for a field goal. Hobart did not follow suit as they wound up scoring the game-winning touchdown. It once again was a tough pill to swallow for the Niners. A game that may have decided who would be playing for a conference championship down the road was just a few plays out of the Niners’ grasp. 

Brady Elish played solid under center, throwing for 256 yards and two scores, but he also threw three interceptions. Part of the reason Andrean was so pass happy was the non-existent rushing game, as they ran for 22 yards as a team. The Andrean defense played well – forcing turnovers that sparked their comeback. Vinny Zsuppon had a scoop and score while Ethan Reyna and Jimmy Finley had double-digit tackles.

It will be another game that Andrean wants back, but they must move forward to now try and gain some momentum come the ever-approaching playoffs.

 

7. HOBART BRICKIES (3-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #9

WEEK 5: won 27-24 over #8 Andrean (OT)

THIS WEEK: at Lowell (2-3)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Willy Shearer, senior, RB/DB

After two weeks against two tough Duneland opponents, a spark was desperately needed offensively. Through their first two games, Hobart scored nine points. Although it was not an easy start opponent-wise, something needed to change.

For Hobart, that change was in the form of one of their top offensive weapons returning from injury, Willy Shearer. Since his first start in week three against Munster, the Brickies have scored 38, 41, and 27 points. Granted, this is against lesser competition than the two Duneland schools Hobart began the season with, but to say his availability does not have an effect is most likely far-fetched.

Another reason why Hobart’s offense has played better come conference play is the growth of sophomore QB Aleks Tatum. In a game where he was needed most, especially against a talented Andrean defense with big NCC implications, Tatum had his most efficient day as a passer while also doing some damage on the ground.

If this game had been played a few weeks earlier, who knows how Hobart would have fared against the Niners. It was a rollercoaster of emotions – often typical of a Hobart vs Andrean matchup. The Brickies just made more plays, and now sit at the top of the conference with Hanover Central.

Before worrying about that potential matchup with the Wildcats, Hobart must first take care of Lowell at the Inferno. For a team that was not even in our bubble three weeks ago, the Brickies have shown quite the improvement under first-year head coach Erich Schreiber Jr. 

 

6. WHEELER BEARCATS (3-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #7

WEEK 5: 38-20 win at Boone Grove

THIS WEEK: West Side (4-1)

UNIT TO NOTE: The Wheeler offense.

It is hard to find a group in the area, pound-for-pound, that has the amount of star power that this Wheeler offense has. Yes, there may be some larger schools that have some big names, but what Nick Testa and his crew are doing at Wheeler, who is only 2A, it is surely fun to watch.

Things offensively start with Bearcat QB, Caleb Klimczak, who initially struggled to protect the ball to begin his senior season. However, he has gotten better, throwing for four touchdowns and zero interceptions over his last two games. Klimczak’s connection with classmate Bryce Compton has grown – a duo that also was not quite clicking to begin the year. Compton caught eight passes for north of 200 receiving yards and a score against Boone Grove. If that wasn’t enough, Compton was tied for the team lead in tackles with nine, matching Conner Welch, who also serves in the H-Back role for the Bearcats.

Jayden Ortiz added insult to injury with his play on the ground, rushing for over 100 yards for the second time in three weeks (98 yards last week) and adding three more touchdowns to his already impressive season total. 

As mentioned before, this is the time when Wheeler heats up. We saw this last year and have seen flashes of it potentially happening again. The Bearcats now must focus on West Side, who is a talented team but may not be able to hang with a scorching Bearcat offense that has averaged over 35 points per game during this three-game winning streak.

5. GRIFFITH PANTHERS (5-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #6

WEEK 5: won 34-31 at River Forest

THIS WEEK: at East Chicago Central (1-4)

WHAT DID GRIFFITH SHOW US LAST WEEK?: They can win the close ones, too.

Outside of maybe the top-ranked team on this list, no team has been more dominant throughout the first few weeks of the season than the Griffith Panthers. Many, at least us, were wondering when a team would test the Panthers for four quarters. Well, River Forest did just that, as Griffith won an absolute thriller.

In a back-and-forth game between the two, River Forest scored with under two minutes to play, putting the Panthers behind by four. Griffith needed to orchestrate a game-winning touchdown drive to keep their unblemished season alive.

But this has become a team that knows how to win. Even though a close victory has not been in the cards up to this point, this is a team that has grown together and can do what it takes to come out on top – and they did just that.

With under forty seconds to go, sophomore QB Ryan Buillon found the junior receiver Jalen Wilson for the go-ahead score from forty yards out. With a team that still has some young pieces, the poise that was shown by this group can not go unnoticed – which has led to the program’s best start since 2006. They will move on to ECC before getting into divisional play in week seven.

 

4. VALPARAISO VIKINGS (4-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #4

WEEK 5: won 22-21 (OT) over Chesterton

THIS WEEK: #1 Crown Point (5-0)

PEOPLE TO NOTE?: The Valparaiso coach staff.

Philly Philly to win the game in overtime? Are you kidding me?

The amount of guts that takes to call the play and run it to perfection, especially at this level – it is certainly easier said than done which is why we must give kudos to those on the sidelines. This is something that is built into the week’s practice plan, as the overtime period is something that teams hope to avoid, but must be ready for if that ever comes about.

Although that was quite the thriller, this was a game coming in that Valparaiso may have been seen as the favorite. Chesterton, who still may be getting over the loss of their starting QB, may have been seen as a squad to experience some growing pains against a Valparaiso defense that has been playing well as of late. The Trojans had quite the effort, testing the Vikings to their absolute limit. 

The Vikings only had 177 yards of offense, which was the team’s lowest all season by a wide margin. Chesterton’s Andrew Goveia outgained the Vikings by his lonesome with 251 rushing yards. However, Valpo’s defensive side forced the Trojans into three turnovers. Brendan Gaghan, Benjamin Fedorchak, Adam Seay, and Omar Delgado all had double-digit tackles.

It may not have been the best performance for Valparaiso, but as they have done throughout Bill Marshall’s tenure, they have found ways to win. The next opponent of Valpo’s will be no slouch, however, as Crown Point will come into town for a matchup that could decide the conference champion.

 

3. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (4-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #3

WEEK 5: 14-12 win over Michigan City

THIS WEEK: at LaPorte (0-5)

WHAT HAPPENED AGAINST CITY?: Promising first half, not so much in the second half.

Through 24 minutes of play, the Pirates looked to be in a good position after showing that they could run the football with JQ Johnson and Cameron Jordan while continuing to play complimentary football with the help of their solid defense. It was certainly their game to lose.

And it certainly almost became that way after Michigan City took a page from Merrillville’s book and played a bit of complimentary football themselves – forcing the Pirates to turn the ball over a few times and set up shop for their young offense. City found some more success against the Pirate defense – but Merrillville stepped up when it mattered – ultimately giving them the close win.

It was a “bend don’t break” approach for this Pirate defense – which is sometimes all you need in close games like this one. Adam Camphor was one to stick out of that bunch, who was an absolute game wrecker against the City offense, as the senior finished the night with four tackles for loss. NIU commit Trenton Nixon had a sack and four tackles on his behalf.

City’s defense is certainly solid, but the plan is for the Merrillville offense to first walk out of games with the victory – in addition to growing their offense come playoff time. That side of the ball may be the lesser between the two – which is okay now… but when the games matter a bit more, the hope is for that margin to shorten.

 

2. HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS (4-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #2

WEEK 5: 34-20 win at Kankakee Valley

THIS WEEK: Munster (1-4)

X-FACOR LAST WEEK?: The Wildcats’ offense.

Although last Friday’s 34-20 score was relatively surprising – the game was completely controlled by Hanover Central’s offense. The Wildcats ran nearly 40 fewer plays than KV but made big play after big play which ultimately was the difference.

Caiden Verrett once again was an absolute battering ram for the ‘Cats, as the senior scored four times, including a 52-yard scamper. Hanover averaged 11 yards a carry, with Verrett averaging 12.1 yards per one of his 14 carries last Friday. Tommy Bonner was efficient once again, completing 10 of his 12 passes, racking up 176 yards of total offense and a score. He averaged nearly 12 yards a completion.

The defense did a respectable job of containing KV’s Marco Castro – who carried the ball 41 (!) times for the Kougars. While Castro did run for 147 and two scores – he did it on a 3.6 yards per carry average. The star for the defensive side was Dylan Bowen, who wound up with 21 (!!!) tackles on the night. Lincoln Zerby was in second with 12. Luckily for the Wildcats, both are only juniors.

Hanover Central’s journey to repeat as conference champs now moves to Munster, as the Wildcats are now one of two teams (Hobart) that are unbeaten in the NCC.

 

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS (5-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #1

WEEK 5: won 58-20 over Portage 

THIS WEEK: at  #4 Valparaiso (4-1)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Jacob Soley, senior, H/TE

The dominance continues for Crown Point – that’s no surprise. But what may be more on the surprising side is how deep specifically this Bulldog offense is. There is a plethora of playmakers, many of whom go unnoticed. That would be the case of Jacob Soley, who had his best game of the season this past Friday.

The Indiana State commit showed out in CP’s victory over Portage with five catches for 175 yards and two scores. His night was highlighted by an over-the-shoulder touchdown catch, that was mainly brought in with only one hand. Soley, who may not be the first name that comes to mind when talking about the CP offense, is certainly becoming one to take note of. Noah Ehrlich once again shined efficiently, completing 10 of 14 passes for 251 yards and two scores.

There has been no team so far that has given the Bulldogs a run for their money. It has been as dominant as it can be through five weeks. But if there was one team that could require the Bulldogs to win close, it would have to be Valparaiso.

Although this Viking team has gone through some roster turnover in 2024 – Bill Marshall’s squad has played some good ball since their week one loss to Penn. With both teams coming in this match undefeated in the conference – this game could be for the outright Duneland crown. CP, who most likely does not plan to do so, may have to play a game close for once in 2024. 

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

WEST SIDE COUGARS

MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES

CHESTERTON TROJANS

MORTON GOVERNORS

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