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FOOTBALL: Home Improvement Top 10 Week 5 9/17/24

10. MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES (1-3)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 4: lost 20-14 to Valparaiso

THIS WEEK: at #3 Merrillville (3-1)

WHY DID CITY MOVE UP?: After three relatively close losses to start the season, including a valiant effort against Valparaiso, City has shown that they will remain competitive in the Duneland.

This tenth spot in the Home Improvement Top Ten has been up for grabs for just about the whole season, but given the fashion that Michigan City has competed against other Duneland bubble teams (LC, Chesterton), we felt that they are still the most deserving, even with moving up after a loss.

Through four games Michigan City has given up 57 points, an average of 14.3 points allowed a contest – a very respectable mark. The problem? City has averaged offensively 13.5 points per game. This is still an offense that is young at some positions. Trinaston Hart, who has played quite well, is only a junior at the QB spot. Jamin Harvell and Kyron Hart, who are two quality offensive weapons, are only sophomores. On our end, there is optimism that things will get better over time.

City will have to flush last week’s loss against the Vikings and move on to Merrillville. As most games are in the Duneland, these two teams play each other close. Last year, City lost to the Pirates 17-0, with some of those Pirate points coming from their defense. If the Wolves want to bounce back with a win, a zero won’t cut it.

 

9. HOBART BRICKIES (2-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 4: won 41-23 over Kankakee Valley

THIS WEEK: #5 Andrean (2-2)

HOBART? WHY?: Things are starting to click – specifically on the offensive side since conference play has begun. 

Through the first two weeks of the season, the Brickies put up a combined nine points – which was the program’s lowest for the first two games of a season for as long as our research was able to reach back. Granted, those first two games were against Duneland opponents, but there was certainly room to improve in that area especially come the ever-important NCC play.

But since Hobart kicked off the conference part of their schedule, the Brickies have scored 38 and 41 points. Similar to Michigan City, this is a unit that is facing some turnover, in addition to a new coach at the helm.

The Brickie rushing attack has stepped up tremendously since NCC play got going. The hero of last week’s conference win was Max Pickett, the junior RB who ran for over 200 yards and two scores against the Kougars. Aleks Tatum, the sophomore QB for Hobart accounted for four scores – two through the air, two on the ground. Andres Castillo, who is the one to look out defensively, also stepped up big against KV with nine tackles (four for a loss), two sacks, and a forced fumble.

After a rocky start, we have seen some good things from the Brickies to not count them out just yet. They are still gunning for the NCC title – as any type of hardware seems to be the standard of Hobart football. They will face their toughest test yet in the NCC against Andrean this Friday. We can only hope that this game emulates last year’s thriller, where Hobart had quite the fourth quarter comeback against the Niners.

8. RIVER FOREST INGOTS (3-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: Outside looking in

WEEK 4: 35-0 win at West Side

THIS WEEK: #6 Griffith (4-0)

WHAT LED TO THIS JUMP?: The defense.

Going into last week’s game against West Side coming off of a tough loss to Wheeler, the overall response of River Forest was certainly in question. They were facing a 3-0 West Side team who has been able to run over everyone.

That was until River Forest met them, as the Ingots kept the Cougars in check en route to a shutout victory. West Side, who ran over 200 yards in each of their first three games were not able to break the 150-yard mark against River Forest. Guiseppe Moore, the West Side QB, was held to a season-low in rushing yards and yards-per-carry.

In that game, four Ingots had double-digit tackles, with three of them being juniors. Michael Turner, who will be back for the Ingots next year as well, led the way with 15. The run defense for River Forest is for real.

Come this Friday, it may be the pass defense of River Forest that can win or lose them the game, as they will take on the high-flying Griffith Panthers who have proven they can put points up in a hurry – specifically through the air. These two teams always put on a show when meeting one another and signs show that just may be the case again.

 

7. WHEELER BEARCATS (2-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #8

WEEK 4: 44-13 win over Bishop Noll

THIS WEEK: at Boone Grove (2-2)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Bryce Compton, senior, wide receiver/defensive back

The expectation of the Wheeler team coming into the year was highlighted by some solid returners who made an impact on the offensive side. While the Bearcats dropped their first two games to start the year, the offense looked respectable. However, one star was not shining as much as we expected. That was until week three.

Bryce Compton did not have the start he wanted to his senior campaign, at least on the offensive side. Through those first two weeks, Compton put up stats that were respective but below his standards, as he caught eight passes for 121 yards through two weeks. But since conference play has started, that is nearly his average marks per game over the previous two contests. 

In week three against River Forest, Compton caught eight for 131. Then, last week against Noll, he followed it up with five catches for 126 yards and his first score of the year. Nights like that makes things easier for his QB, Caleb Klimczak, who has also looked great since conference play has started. Klimczak completed 11 of 14 passes for 205 yards and three scores.

The “swagger” that was prevalent in the 2023 Wheeler team seems to be back once again, as they may need it come next week as they will take on Boone Grove.

6. GRIFFITH PANTHERS (4-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #6

WEEK 4: 55-0 win over Whiting

THIS WEEK: at #8 River Forest (3-1)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Another week of domination for this Griffith squad.

It has been rinse and repeat so far for this Griffith team, which has truly done nothing but put up points and not allow any. The offense is high-flying, the defense is ferocious, and the coaching staff led by Region great Phil Mason is leading the charge and starting to accomplish the goal of bringing back the fun surrounding Griffith football.

There are very few teams that can say they have played as quality of complimentary football as the Griffith Panthers through the first four weeks. Through this part of the season, the offense has scored an average of 47.5 points per game, while giving up an average of 3.5. While there are plenty of returners from last year’s squad, there are still some more pieces that will be around for the next season and even the one after that. Things are changing within the program and it is only deserving to give the Panthers their flowers.

While it has been nothing but smooth sailing through four weeks, the Panthers’ next matchup against River Forest could call for a different game script. These are two teams that have grown familiar with each other, as this matchup last year was a one-point win in favor of the Panthers. The year before, the Ingots sent Griffith home in the sectional opener. The Panthers have shown that they can win games convincingly, but this may a matchup where they have to show us that they can win the close ones as well.

 

5. ANDREAN 59ERS (2-2)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #5

WEEK 4: 28-0 win vs Munster

THIS WEEK: at #9 Hobart (2-2)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Jimmy Finley, senior, wide receiver/defensive back

It is something about these two-way players that play WR and DB (he will not be the last one we discuss on this list). But while there are many great two-way players that fulfill both of these roles on a given night, Finley might be in a class of his own in terms of production.

Andrean did it all against Munster – as the offense once again looked solid while the defense pitched a shutout. There was one common theme between the two units: Jimmy Finley making the big time plays. The Northern Illinois commit scored twice on offense with seven catches for 55 yards. Defensively, his night ended with six tackles (two for loss), two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. In case that was not enough, he also returned a punt for a touchdown – making his impact known at all three levels of the game. He just seems to have a nose for the football, which has led Andrean to a solid start in 2024.

Momentum has rode high for the Niners after their heartbreaking loss to Valparaiso in week two. Many may wonder how different this list could look if they were to pull that one off. Nonetheless, Andrean is certainly a threat in the NCC and further has a chance to prove that this Friday at Hobart. 

Last year’s game between the two was a nail-biter, as it was a contest where Andrean very well could have walked away victorious from – as Hobart came back to win 27-24 in a thriller at Broadway.

 

4. VALPARAISO VIKINGS (3-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #4

WEEK 4: won 20-14 at Michigan City

THIS WEEK: Chesterton (3-1)

FOUR WEEKS IN, WHAT’S TO SAY?: This is a team that has shown tremendous growth since the opening week.

We can cut to the chase, but the defense was the main concern for the Valparaiso team. Arguably the second concern was the quarterback play, as someone had to fill in for longtime starter Justin Clark. Both of those “concerns” may be no more.

The defense of Valparaiso has been playing quite well since the second half of the Andrean game in week two. The unit has been able to force turnovers and has simply been stout since the start of conference play. In a game against Michigan City where the offense may not have been able to put up the amount of points they have in the past, the defense did their job. Jacob Moore, a senior DB, had two interceptions against City. 

Although the offense may have had a slower day than usual, Valpo QB Kellan Hosek still played quite well – continuing his solid play to begin his junior season. Hosek completed 10 of his 18 passes for 173 yards and two scores – one to Julian Stokes and the other to Austen Mackenzie. That City defense may have been the best defensive unit they have faced up to this point… and the O led by Hosek once again did enough to come out with the win.

Valpo will now turn to Chesterton, a team that can also run the football quite well. These two teams tend to matchup nicely, while although the Vikings have had the upper hand as of late, the games tend to always be close.

 

3. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (3-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #3

WEEK 4: 27-13 win at Portage

THIS WEEK: #10 Michigan City (1-3)

X-FACTOR LAST WEEK?: A defense that got back to forcing turnovers.

Heading into this game, both teams were coming off tough losses and were looking for ways to get back into the win column. For Merrillville’s sake, with an offense that is looking to get back on track in comparison to the defensive side, one unit may needed to step up in assistance of the other. News flash, that happened last week.

Highlighted by a John Peters pick-six that spanned the length of the field, the Pirate defense forced Portage QB Kodie Young to throw three interceptions – which ultimately was the difference in this one. The offense will only hope to improve, but this Merrillville defense is solid and has shown that they are fully capable of taking over a game. It is what we have seen from previous Pirate teams, which has led to their constant success come playoff time.

Merrillville will head back home to face Michigan City, a team with a very similar outlook through the first four weeks. Although the records certainly differ, City’s offense is still trying to find their groove as well but does have a talented defense. This game may come down to what defense can make some more plays. After seeing last week, Merrillville is certainly capable of winning that battle.

 

2. HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS (3-1)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #2

WEEK 4: 48-21 win at Lowell

THIS WEEK: at Kankakee Valley (2-2)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Rocco Bartolomeo, senior, wide receiver/defensive back

Last week’s Hanover Central victory in the first game of the new-look Inferno was an offensive clinic. While there are certainly many names to shoutout from last Friday’s victory, we have to start with Bartolomeo.

The senior caught seven passes for 181 yards and three scores. Bartolomeo has had quite the start to his senior campaign, as he has already matched his season total from last year in receiving touchdowns. Rocco has also doubled his yards per catch average from his junior to senior seasons. His QB, Tommy Bonner, has been fantastic through four weeks. Bonner set a school record with six touchdown passes against Lowell – as he also completed 18 of his 23 passes for nearly 300 yards.

Caiden Verrett also continued to do what he usually does in the backfield for the Wildcats. The senior found pay dirt four different times, three through the air and one on the ground. As mentioned, Verrett has just about all the tools at the position, as all three of his catches last Friday were for scores. He also ran for 175 yards and that additional touchdown.

The Wildcats goal is set on repeating as NCC champs… as they will await arguably their toughest conference opponent yet as they will travel to Kankakee Valley.

 

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS (4-0)

LAST WEEK’S RANKING: #1

WEEK 4: 42-7 win over Lake Central

THIS WEEK: Portage (2-2)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: 148 to 21.

It has been four weeks of pure dominance for the Crown Point Bulldogs. The Bulldogs hit you quick and hard, before you even know it. The statistic listed above is Crown Point’s points for and against in the first half of all of their games combined. Their starting units on both sides of the ball has been sweltering and have shown all the signs of a team that can win a few more trophies come playoff time.

One of the many players to highlight from Crown Point’s victory over rival Lake Central was the Bulldog QB, Noah Ehrlich. The senior once again had a quick but efficient day at the office, as he accounted for four touchdowns and over 275 passing yards, while only having six of his 25 passes fall incomplete. He did this in under a half of action.

There really is not much more than can be said about Crown Point. Many believed that the Bulldogs were the top team in the area. But in this fashion? That may be a different story. It has truly been a task to find a weakness in this team up to this point. The Bulldogs will do battle with Portage this week, a team that is much more competitive than what we have seen from the Indians in previous years. CP must remained focus for Portage, as arguably the Bulldogs’ toughest test of the season is looming a week after as they will be on the road against Valparaiso.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

CHESTERTON TROJANS

LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS

WEST SIDE COUGARS

HAMMOND CENTRAL WOLVES

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