10. Morton Governors (5-3)
LAST WEEK: 29-18 loss at #8 Hobart
PREVIOUS RANKING: 10
NEXT WEEK: at East Chicago Central (3-5)
PLAYER TO NOTE: Davion Terry, senior, running back
The Morton Governors fell behind early and were never able to recover against the Hobart Brickies. The Governors gave up its first score on a touchdown where a receiver was not accounted for in coverage – potentially something the Govs’ could have gotten away with in one of their last three games where they outscored opponents 190 to nothing.
Morton, despite the major jump in competition, played the Brickies close and responded valiantly in the second half, outscoring the hosts 18-9. Part of the reason Morton hung in the game was the play of Davion Terry, who logged 16 carries for 130 yards and two scores. Terry, the Hammond Central transfer, has carved his way out as the lead back for the Governors.
Terry and company will now head out to East Chicago Central, as a win there would give them the outright GLAC title. After that, all focus goes to the Merrillville Pirates – the Govs’ first sectional opponent on 10/31.
9. Chesterton Trojans (5-3)
LAST WEEK: 48-10 loss vs. Crown Point
PREVIOUS RANKING: 9
NEXT WEEK: at #2 Merrillville (6-2)
STATISTIC TO NOTE: Chesterton was held to negative rushing yards against Crown Point.
While the offense has vastly improved over the course of the season, one thing has been common all year – some ability to run the football. That was not the case against Crown Point, as Chesterton netted -23 yards on the ground against a defense that, granted, is one of the best in the state.
Long story short, when you are forced to be one-dimensional, things will not go well. Hunter Boyd, who has done a great job all year at protecting the ball, was forced into two interceptions, raising his season total to just three. Despite that, Boyd finished his night with over 200 passing yards on an efficient clip.
The Trojans remain at the nine spot, as the penalty for losing to the top-ranked Crown Point Bulldogs is not a massive one. The Trojans will now focus on a trip to Merrillville, another state championship-caliber team.
8. Hobart Brickies (6-2)
LAST WEEK: 29-18 win over #10 Morton
PREVIOUS RANKING: 8
NEXT WEEK: at Highland
PLAYER TO NOTE: Aleks Tatum, junior, quarterback
It was all Aleks Tatum in Hobart’s recent top ten win at home against the Morton Governors. The junior signal caller completed 9 of 12 passes for 151 yards and two scores. Out of Hobart’s 119 rushing yards as a team, Tatum had 114 of them, while adding two more touchdowns on the evening.
The Brickies, most importantly, beat a Morton team that was riding high on a three-game win streak. Hobart has now begun a streak of their own, building up some momentum in what has shaped up to be a favorable Sectional path.
Hobart will close things out on the road against the Highland Trojans before welcoming in a familiar foe in New Prairie at the Brickyard.
7. Michigan City Wolves (6-2)
LAST WEEK: 20-7 win at LaPorte
PREVIOUS RANKING: 7
NEXT WEEK: at #1 Crown Point (8-0)
PLAYER TO NOTE: Jeremy Thurman, senior, running back
A lot can be said about the top offensive pieces like Trinaston Hart and Zaire McKinney. However, last Friday’s win against LaPorte was a result thanks to Thurman, who logged 17 carries for 116 yards and a late score to put Michigan City in front. Thurman is the team’s leading rusher and offers a balance to what is a potent passing attack.
A second unsung hero can be Ethan Buskirk, a senior linebacker who had his second straight 17-tackle game. Alongside that total, he had three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Daequon Fields added two sacks, while classmate Isaiah Smooth had 10 tackles of his own.
The Wolves have a chance to shake up the DAC, as a win at Crown Point would give them a share of the Duneland title.
6. Wheeler Bearcats (7-0)
LAST WEEK: 52-0 win at Whiting
PREVIOUS RANKING: 5
NEXT WEEK: #5 Griffith (7-1)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: A much-needed tune-up in preparation for a winner-take-all in the GSSC.
Last Friday, we saw shades of a Wheeler offense that often threw punches in bunches, in addition to a defense that forced three turnovers and shut out the Oilers.
The passing attack that has struggled over the past few Fridays was much more effective, as Logan Fox and freshman Ty Schafer combined for 211 yards and two scores. Levi Murray and freshman tailback Andrew Bizzieri added 300 yards together and three more scores.
Most importantly, the confidence and swagger that goes with Nick Testa and the Wheeler Bearcats remain as they now enter the final week with an unblemished record. Despite swapping spots on this list with their upcoming opponent, the Bearcats hope to three-peat in the GSSC South with a date against the Griffith Panthers this Friday.
5. Griffith Panthers (7-1)
LAST WEEK: 63-14 win at Calumet
PREVIOUS RANKING: 6
NEXT WEEK: at #6 Wheeler (7-0)
TOP FIVE, WHY?: The Panthers put together the performance of the week and are on a collision course to win the GSSC.
Griffith went into enemy territory and took care of business against the rival Calumet Warriors in a game that was all Panthers from the beginning. The Panthers lit up the scoreboard all night with efficient offensive drives led by Ryan Bullion, who threw for four touchdowns. Davon Thomaston had his fingerprints all over the game, scoring on the ground, through the air, and with a pick-six.
The Panthers jumped ahead of week nine opponent Wheeler to return to the top five for the first time since the week three loss to Lowell. Given their dominant performance against a common division opponent, a chance at a GSSC South Championship is a real possibility. It will all be on the line this Friday as the Panthers hope to avenge last season’s week nine loss to Wheeler, as they will be on the road to take on the Bearcats.
4. Lowell Red Devils (7-1)
LAST WEEK: 49-14 win over Munster
PREVIOUS RANKING: 4
NEXT WEEK: #3 Andrean (7-1)
PLAYER TO NOTE: Tymothy James, sophomore, running back
The next Lowell superstar at the running back position is Tymothy James, who had his best game of his sophomore season against Munster. Tymothy, who is notably the younger brother of Ike, a Lowell great at the same position, is already putting up similar numbers to his eldest brother.
The sophomore, on just 16 carries, had a career-high 272 rushing yards and four scores. Those numbers raised his season totals to 1,088 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Much can be said about Lowell’s rapid ascension in year one with new head coach Casey McKim. However, a lot of credit deserves to go to James and the supporting cast offensively.
Lowell, a team that may have been seen as a dark horse in the conference, has now played their way into a crucial week nine matchup against the Andrean 59ers. The goal is simple: win, and you take home the NCC title. Expect the Inferno to be packed to the fullest with Red Devil faithful.
3. Andrean 59ers (7-1)
LAST WEEK: 21-0 win over Hanover Central
PREVIOUS RANKING: 3
NEXT WEEK: at #4 Lowell (7-1)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Another showing from a State Championship defense.
The bar is always high for Andrean. That said, much can be said about this current defensive unit that simply does not require its offense to do much to come out with a win. The unit has lowered its points allowed per-game totals to 10.4.
Once again, it must be noted that the 59ers gave up 41 points in the opening week loss to Merrillville. In the seven games since then, they have given up an average of six points per evening.
As mentioned before, Andrean has played its way into a winner-take-all in the conference, as they will head to the Inferno to take on Lowell. If Andrean wants to take the title for themselves, this defense may be leaned on once again.
2. Merrillville Pirates (6-2)
LAST WEEK: 42-18 win at Lake Central
PREVIOUS RANKING: 2
NEXT WEEK: #9 Chesterton (5-3)
STATISTIC TO NOTE: In Merrillville’s six victories, they have averaged nearly 43 points a game.
The Pirates’ two losses and 1-2 start was one that many glossed over, as they ran into two state-ranked opponents in Loyola Academy (IL) and Crown Point. Since then, the offense especially has been clicking.
Plenty can be said about the first-year starter Michael Hill Jr., who is on his way to finding his name on a lot of lists among the best juniors, if not players, in the area and beyond. His receiving core of Mikel Smoot, Cameron Jordan, and Rynell Lewis can all hurt you. If that is not enough, you would hate to forget about multiple-year starter JQ Johnson at the tailback position.
Merrillville will hope to enter the sectional “bye” week in style, as they will welcome in the ninth-ranked Chesterton Trojans. After that, the Pirates will set sail on a quest to win its seventh consecutive sectional championship.
1. Crown Point Bulldogs (8-0)
LAST WEEK: 48-10 win at #9 Chesterton
PREVIOUS RANKING: 1
NEXT WEEK: at #7 Michigan City (6-2)
STATISTIC TO NOTE: Crown Point has not lost a regular-season road game since October of 2020.
The Crown Point Bulldogs once again showed why they are and have been the top dog in the area with a convincing road victory at Chesterton. The keyword in the last sentence is road, as the Bulldogs have strung together another impressive streak that is worth nothing.
After last Friday’s victory over the Trojans, it now marks the fifth consecutive regular season that the Bulldogs have gone unbeaten on the road. Winning games on the road is no easy task, but it has become the norm for the Bulldogs over the past half-decade. Last week’s win also meant that Crown Point would at least win a share of their fourth straight Duneland title. If they were to beat Michigan City this week, CP would clinch the outright title and head into the 6A S1 with an unblemished record and all of the momentum they could ask for.
Outside Looking In
Lake Stations Eagles (6 – 2)
Bowman Academy Eagles (5-3)
