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FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #4

The Warriors enter the rankings for the first time in quite awhile, thanks to a 2-1 start, with the only loss coming to Chicago Catholic League power Mt. Carmel. This team came into the 2019 campaign with expectations higher than they’ve been in quite awhile, and so far they are living up to them. They get a big test Friday night as they host the Whiting Oilers – Calumet hasn’t beaten Whiting since 2009, so a win could prove the Warriors have really arrived.

Speaking of teams that haven’t appeared in the RSN Top 10 for some time, Lake Central enters the poll at #9 thanks to a dynamic running game that’s gotten the Indians off to a 2-1 start. With a running back duo of Sir Felix Garcia (118.3 yards per game) and Max Creasbaum (6.1 yards per carry), the LC rushing attack is as good as it’s been in years. the Blue Indians haven’t won multiple DAC games in a season since 2016, but if their running game is strong again this week, that could change with rival Crown Point coming to town on Friday.

We know the Wolves would have an outstanding offense this season, and with a Region-leading average of 44.3 points per game, that has proven to be right. What we didn’t exactly see was the BG defense being equally as impressive as they are giving up just nine points per ballgame – the second best mark in the area. The Wolves get their chance to be in the spotlight this week, with a rare Thursday game as they head to East Chicago – if you haven’t seen them play, this is your chance. You’ll come away impressed.

As the old saying goes, “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” so while Crown Point came from behind to take DAC rival Merrillville to overtime last week, they still dropped the ballgame and fall three spots in the rankings. If the Bulldogs can put together a full game that was as impressive as the second half last week, they’ll find their way back up the rankings, but it’ll be tough sledding with back to back road games the next two weeks.

It’s not often that a team wins a road game 42-0 and still doesn’t move up in the rankings, but that’s the fate of the Brickies this week, mainly due to the performances of other teams in the Region. After struggling through the first two weeks of the season, Hobart’s offense got back on track against rival Griffith – they’ll need that momentum to continue this week as they face a Culver Academy team that gives up just 12.7 points per game. Was the Griffith game a turning point or was it an excellent performance against an overmatched opponent? We’ll find out Friday.

While Crown Point gets dinged a bit for their narrow conference loss at home, Chesterton stays at #5 after their narrow conference loss on the road. The Trojans played really well in the loss to Michigan City and showed that the first two weeks of the season were no fluke – this team is for real. With 0-3 LaPorte visiting Banary Field, Chesterton has a chance to move on from last week’s loss and stay in the conference race.

How big was that Morton win over Lowell last week? It was 12 points on the scoreboard, but considering the Governors haven’t defeated the Red Devils since 2014 and that Lowell has eliminated Morton from the playoffs in four of the last five years, we would say it was huge. The Governor offense has seemingly found their groove again, and with a favorable schedule the rest of the way, don’t be surprised if Morton takes the momentum gained from last week and they run the table.

Since Phil Mason took over the Michigan City program in 2016, the Wolves have only lost back to back games once, and that was in his first season. That nearly changed last week as visiting Chesterton put a scare into City, but the defense, particularly Marquan Hurt and his three interceptions, stepped up huge to get the Wolves back into the win column. There’s not time to read the press clippings however, as City travels to Valpo for a huge game. These two will likely square off again in the post-season, so how much will either coach be willing to open up the playbook? Tune in Friday night to find out!

The Broadway Buccaneers are off to their first 3-0 start since the 2001 campaign thanks to an overtime victory over DAC rival Crown Point. While it wasn’t the prettiest of wins, there are no style points in the conference standings and Merrillville proved once again they belong with the elites of the DAC and the Region. The Pirates head to Michigan City in Week #5, but a potentially dangerous Portage team invades Demaree this week, so Merrillville can’t get caught looking ahead.

It may have been a slower start than we expected against LaPorte, with the Vikings leading 14-0 at halftime, but to no surprise Valpo pulled away to a 35-0 win, giving them a shutout for the second straight week. They’ll face their biggest test to date on Friday with Michigan City coming to Viking Field – that’s the place to be on Friday night for the first of two likely meetings between these two powerhouse programs.

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