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FOOTBALL: Home Improvement Top 10 Week 9 10/15/24

One week to go in the regular season, here is how the teams are shaping out in our Eenigenburg Home Improvement top ten!

10. CHESTERTON TROJANS (5-3)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #7

WEEK 8: lost 41-7 at #1 Crown Point

THIS WEEK: #2 Merrillville (7-1)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: We swear we have seen this before. 

Playing Crown Point during this season has not been fun for the opposition. So, therefore, teams will drop in these rankings after a game against CP, but not by much. This is still a talented Chesterton roster with what is both a very intriguing and relatively open sectional.

The season will not end much easier for the Trojans as now they will have to focus on Merrillville, another great defensive team that can cause headaches to a run-heavy team like Chesterton. Looking at the positives, this strong end to the season competition-wise, specifically going against some tough defenses can potentially open up a “backup plan” if you will in case the Andrew Goveia-led rushing attack is not working.

Looking more at Chesterton’s sectional, their first opponent will be Michigan City, a team they could not do anything against offensively. The Trojans had much more success against Valparaiso – who may be seen as the sectional favorite despite a younger defense.

One of the goals for Chesterton may be to find other ways to move the football – as they may have no choice against this strong Merrillville defense. Worse comes to worse, it becomes a learning experience for that matchup against City two weeks from then.

 

9. BOONE GROVE WOLVES (5-3)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #10

WEEK 8: 46-8 win over Lake Station

THIS WEEK: at Bishop Noll (3-5)

EIGHT WEEKS IN, WHAT IS TO SAY?: BG is following a good trend to follow: playing winning football leading into the playoffs.

It was a 2-3 start to the season for the Wolves until they have rattled off three straight wins, as Boone Grove now controls their fate for a GSSC North Division outright title.

On the offensive side, Mark Rowland has ignited that winning streak, as he most recently threw for five touchdown passes against Lake Station. The senior QB did that by spreading the ball around to five different receivers, with four of them having three or more catches. The defense is led by both budding and experienced talents like Bradley Aguayo (SO), Khaled Alzeer (SR), and Nick Ratkovich (SR).

 

8. MORTON GOVERNORS (3-4)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 8: won 61-58 over Hobart (3 OT)

THIS WEEK: at East Chicago Central (1-7)

SEVEN GAMES IN, WHAT’S TO SAY?: It has been an interesting ride but we are starting to see the potential of this talented roster.

Believe it or not, Morton came into the season ranked five on our Eenigenburg Home Improvement Top Ten. The talent is just too good to pass up. There are pieces on all levels with high-level college scouts knocking on their door, and that is if those players have not committed yet. 

But we were left scratching our heads after a 0-4 start. Granted, the Govs faced two DAC opponents and two non-Region teams with at least six wins. However, Morton has righted the ship to a three-game winning streak, including a multi-overtime thriller against Hobart.

In a game where the stars needed to shine for Morton – they did. Starting with Hammond Central transfer Dashawn Woods, who had his best game of the season with 385 (!!!) total yards of offense. Holland Harris was once again dynamic under center completing 22 of 32 for 350 passing yards and five scores. If that was not enough, LeBron Hill reeled in eight of those passes for 103. 

Morton has a chance to clinch the GLAC title for themselves with a win at East Chicago Central this Friday. In a game that is certainly favorable, Morton will look to continue to ride that newfound momentum into the 5A playoffs.

7. VALPARAISO VIKINGS (5-3)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #6

WEEK 8: won 42-32 over Portage

THIS WEEK: at Lake Central (3-5)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Another early scare followed by a much-needed response.

After dropping the last two games to Crown Point and Merrillville, the Vikings’ goal was to get back in the win column against Portage. And yes, that was the case, but maybe not in the desired fashion. 

Portage struck quickly against Valpo – taking an errant kickoff recovery by the Vikings into the first of two consecutive scores – jumping out a 10-0 lead. 

Valparaiso responded with a flurry of scores before the first quarter’s end, ultimately taking care of that read for the rest of the game. It was nice to see Kellan Hosek step up big time, as the junior QB played his best game of the season with four total touchdowns (two on the ground and two through the air).

Valparaiso does drop a spot due to some movement near the top of the list. Although they won last Friday, a bit was arguably left on the table. The Vikings however do have a chance to create some much-needed momentum for their DAC-filled sectional with Chesterton, LaPorte, and City. If the Vikings can put together a full four-quarter effort at LC this Friday, they can easily move back up the list. 

6. HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS (6-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #2

WEEK 8: lost 3-0 to Andrean

THIS WEEK: at Hammond Central (3-5)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: The first shutout loss for Hanover Central since the 2018 season.

First off to address any potential discourse, yes, we know that Hanover Central defeated Wheeler in week one. Yes, head to head certainly matters, but to an extent. Wheeler is at the 2A level to Hanover’s 4A. How a team is playing now matters as well, which is why we must talk about last week’s game against Andrean.

As seen in the “Statistic To Note”, it has been quite the offensive stretch for Hanover Central over the past few seasons. To not get shutout for that long is very impressive. However, there are certainly better games to have that streak come to an end.

In a game of which a win would have clinched the NCC title outright, this will be a tough pill to swallow for the Wildcats. It also was a bit of a surprise offensively – as the unit in their completed games this year did not have below 341 yards of total offense. Against Andrean, they only had 112.

It will be a sour accomplishment, but Hanover Central still has clinched a share of the NCC title. It still has been a thrilling ride for Wildcats in the NCC – as they find themselves at the pinnacle once again in year two. The Cats are hoping to finish the regular season back on the right foot as they will travel to Hammond Central before their first season in Class 4A. 

 

5. WHEELER BEARCATS (6-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #6

WEEK 8: 49-6 victory against Whiting

THIS WEEK: at #3 Griffith (8-0)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Caleb Klimczak, senior, quarterback

At the smaller class sizes like 1A or 2A, at least in previous years, the marquee position offensively has often been a running back. A strong passing game for team’s at this level is possible, but often a much more difficult task than a bigger school.

That has not been the case for Wheeler – as their marquee player is arguably the signal caller.

Caleb Klimczak had a rough start to his senior year. Coming off a solid junior campaign, the expectation was to only get better. But after struggling to protect the football with four touchdowns to eight interceptions, many were waiting for that jump in production.

The senior however has patched up that problem, as over the last five games Klimczak has thrown for 10 scores and only one interception – bringing his season totals to 14 passing touchdowns to only nine interceptions. His running back and receivers – Jayden Ortiz, Bryce Compton, Tyne Vettickal, are certainly some names to credit for what has been this offensive explosion in 2024. The Bearcats have scored 40+ in four of their last five games (38 in other one). 

As the same can be said about Griffith, Wheeler’s toughest test is this Friday at the Boneyard. Win, they repeat as division champs. Lose, well, you get the idea.

4. ANDREAN 59ERS (4-4)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #8

WEEK 8: 3-0 win at #6 Hanover Central

THIS WEEK: Lowell (4-4)

X-FACTOR LAST WEEK?: Ethan Reyna, sophomore, running back

In a game where Hanover may have been seen going into with the upper hand, especially playing the game in Cedar Lake, the Niners had to play their best ball yet.

They did. 

The defense did something no team has done in a while – shut out the Hanover Central offense. As mentioned before, 2018 was the last time the Wildcats were held scoreless. Holding All-State RB Caiden Verrett to 66 yards on 16 carries was a win. Keeping the Wildcat offense to only 112 total offensive yards is even a bigger win.

Moving on the other side of the ball, although three points isn’t much – it was enough. However, Hanover’s opportunities to score were limited due to the play of Ethan Reyna, who is a two-way force at linebacker and now running back. Reyna killed the clock with some powerful runs. For a team that has partially struggled to run the football, it was what was needed.

Again, it is why Andrean schedules non-conference opponents like Bishop Chatard and Merrillville and Valparaiso, for games and moments like this. 

Andrean now controls their fate at a chance at a conference title. With a win against Lowell, who has been playing well as of late, Andrean will clinch a share of the NCC crown.

 

3. GRIFFITH PANTHERS (8-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #4

WEEK 8: won 56-6 over Calumet

THIS WEEK: #5 Wheeler (6-2)

8-0 NOW, WHAT IS THE WEAKNESS?: That is a good question. We have not found one quite yet.

After Calumet struck first in Griffith’s week eight game, the Panthers rattled off 56 straight points en route to their now 8-0 start.

The defense is giving up less than a touchdown a game while the offense is averaging well over 45 points a contest. That opening score that Calumet put up? It was only the third time this season a team has been able to put points on the board against the Panthers.

Back to that offense, they are led by a sophomore quarterback, Ryan Bullion, with a classmate, Jason Quillin, as his number one option on the outside. Then flipping things over, the Panther defense has some older leaders like Colton Strezo and Nolan Davenport that have helped set the new standard of Panther football.

However, what we know about this year’s Panther squad will be put to the test this Friday – in what arguably would be their toughest opponent in Wheeler. While we have mentioned other matchups featuring teams on this list with “Game of the Year” aspirations, this may certainly live up to that billing. The winner of that game will win the GSSC South Division crown. Better yet, it will be at the Boneyard. 

You cannot ask for more as a fan of Northwest Indiana footballW.

 

2. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (7-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #3

WEEK 8: 43-10 win over Lake Central

THIS WEEK: at #10 Chesterton (5-3)

ONE GAME LEFT OF THE REGULAR SEASON, WHAT IS TO SAY?: Now is not a bad time to be playing your best football of the season.

Since the week three lost to Crown Point – the Pirates have been on an absolute tear. Besides a week five two-point scare against Michigan City, Merrillville has certainly been turning some heads in this latter half of the season.

Looking at the last three weeks for the Pirates, they have scored 35+ in all three games while giving up less than 10 (one shutout) during that same span. With an offense that partially struggled to begin the DAC season, to have three of your four biggest scoring outbursts in the final half of the season is a great sign for the playoffs. Plus, we know the defense is for real – which is why Merrillville is so dangerous come playoffs.

Merrillville has an opportunity to end their regular season with a bang against an improving Chesterton team. The Trojans, who are quite run-heavy, may play into that stifling Merrillville defense – which may be highlighted by a ferocious front seven. Nonetheless, the Pirates have now reached seven wins or more every year since the 2019 season… and something tells us they are not finished.

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS (8-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #1

WEEK 8: won 41-7 over Chesterton

THIS WEEK: at Michigan City (3-5)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: 26th consecutive Duneland win, 3rd consecutive season with at least a piece of the Duneland title.

You begin to run out of things to say when talking about Crown Point. They once again got out to a 35-point lead before the break, this time against a solid Chesterton team, and coasted their way to a victory. It has not only been a successful season – but a consistent one. The Bulldogs are on a level of their own. 

The Bulldogs will now travel to Ames Field for a chance at an outright Duneland title against Michigan City. City, who is coming off of a respectable win against LaPorte, may very well be the team that stands alone between the Bulldogs and the outright conference championship. It has been rinse and repeat for CP – but it is doubtful that Coach Buzea and his crew are satisfied just yet.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

HOBART BRICKIES

RIVER FOREST INGOTS

LOWELL RED DEVILS

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