10. Chesterton Trojans (5-4)
LAST WEEK: lost 42-7 at #2 Merrillville
PREVIOUS RANKING: 9
NEXT WEEK: Idle (vs. LaPorte on 10/31)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: The second of two straight rough challenges for Chesterton.
Chesterton’s end-of-the-year schedule is less than friendly, as they go back-to-back with Crown Point and Merrillville. After what was a lax performance against Crown Point, the same could have been said last Friday at Merrillville.
The rushing attack was nonexistent for the second straight week, as Chesterton averaged a measly 1.2 yards per carry and an overall total of 38 yards. The offense turned it over four times, while defensively, things were a challenge against Merrillville’s potent offense.
It is tough to punish Chesterton for that two-game stretch. However, some things certainly need to be cleaned up in the week off before opening up at home against LaPorte in a sectional that is for the taking. The Trojans have a favorable start on their quest for the first sectional title in program history.
9. Morton Governors (6-3)
LAST WEEK: 58-6 win at East Chicago Central
PREVIOUS RANKING: 10
NEXT WEEK: Idle (vs. #2 Merrillville on 10/31)
STATISTIC TO NOTE: Morton’s six wins in the regular season are the program’s most since 2019.
It is a three-peat for the Morton Governors in the GLAC after a dominant victory over the East Chicago Central Cardinals. One of the unsung pieces of the puzzle has been the play of Corderro Bennett Jr., a sophomore wideout who found the end zone three times in Morton’s conference-winning victory. When you graduate multiple college signees, you need players to step up. Bennett, freshman QB Amari Price, and others have done so in what has been a solid 2025 for Morton.
The Governors will be off this Friday before meeting up against the Merrillville Pirates. Morton will host the Pirates, a team that sent the Governors home the past two seasons. While it is a tall test, the overall talent of Morton is always one to look out for to potentially keep games close.
8. Wheeler Bearcats (7-1)
LAST WEEK: lost 34-10 vs. #4 Griffith
PREVIOUS RANKING: 6
NEXT WEEK: at Lake Station (6-3)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Despite a respectable showing, not much to show for it.
The Bearcats needed to play up to par against what has been a dominant Griffith team. For a chunk of the game, the Bearcats did, leading after the first frame. After the 7-0 lead, however, Wheeler would not find the end zone again and got outscored 34-3 in the final three quarters of the game.
Offensively, things were mostly where they wanted to be. Logan Fox completed 10 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a score. 152 of those went to Tyne Vettickal, who also had eight catches and a touchdown. Wheeler even nearly ran for 200 yards as a team with a 6.3 yards-per-carry average. That said, the offense could not keep up with Griffith’s offense and, more specifically, its run game.
Wheeler can only hope to shake it off, as they will be on the road this Friday against Lake Station.
7. Michigan City Wolves (6-3)
LAST WEEK: lost 42-28 at #1 Crown Point
PREVIOUS RANKING: 7
NEXT WEEK: Idle (at Valparaiso on 10/31)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Despite missing out on a share of the conference title, Michigan City certainly does not deserve to drop in the list.
Many have tried and many have failed against Crown Point. However, in last week’s game against the Bulldogs, the Wolves struck first, giving Crown Point its first deficit of the season. Yes, things did not go the Wolves’ way since that score. However, it is hard not to leave a little bit impressed with Michigan City despite the loss.
Zaire McKinney had a career game, bringing in 13 passes for a whopping 238 yards and two scores. Trin Hart, against a stout CP defense, was 20-30 for 357 yards and four total TDs. Hart was the team’s leading rusher as well with 111 yards on 14 carries.
The focus is now a sectional that is certainly up for grabs. The Wolves are unbeaten against the other three potential opponents. First up are the Valparaiso Vikings, in what was deemed a statement 27-21 win in week four of this season. That said, beating a team twice is easier said than done.
6. Hobart Brickies (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 74-0 win over Highland
PREVIOUS RANKING: 8
NEXT WEEK: New Prairie (3-6)
STATISTIC TO NOTE: Hobart’s defense is only allowing 12.9 points a game.
Despite its two midseason losses, Hobart has put together an overall impressive season. Yes, the conference title goal was not met, but Hobart’s seven victories are an improvement over last year’s 5-4 record in the same stretch.
Defensively, Hobart has not allowed a team to score over 23 points in a game, which may serve them well in the tournament. The offense, given its recent outburst, is also averaging a respectable clip of 35.8 points an evening. Against Highland, the Brickies ran for 372 yards and seven touchdowns with an average of 13.3 yards per carry.
Next up is a team that has been a thorn in the side of the Hobart Brickies, as New Prairie once again will come rolling into the Brickyard in hopes of spoiling another season. Hobart’s last three tournament losses have been to the Cougars. However, New Prairie is in year one of a new coaching regime and currently holds a record of 3-6, their fewest wins in a regular season since 2011.
5. Lowell Red Devils (7-2)
LAST WEEK: lost 19-3 vs. #3 Andrean
PREVIOUS RANKING: 4
NEXT WEEK: Hanover Central (4-5)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Arguably the roughest overall showing of 2025.
A week nine winner-take-all conference championship is less than an ideal time to have things not go according to plan. Lowell, a team that is known for running the ball, averaged 2.8 yards per carry with only 58 yards as a team. Offensively, the team had 69 total yards, thanks to its one completed pass in 11 attempts. Sometimes it is not your night.
The hope is that no more of these showings are to come, as Lowell starts with a conference opponent at home. Sectional 17 in 4A is wide open for the taking, as RDP has faced and beaten three potential opponents in this group (KV, Hanover Central, Hobart).
4. Griffith Panthers (8-1)
LAST WEEK: 34-10 win at #8 Wheeler
PREVIOUS RANKING: 5
NEXT WEEK: at Bishop Noll (2-7)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: The Panthers were crowned the GSSC South Division Champions after avenging last year’s week nine loss to Wheeler.
This team has been on a mission heading into 2025, with a conference title as one of the team’s top goals. After what was a wakeup call against #5 Lowell in week three, Griffith showed its true colors in conference play, winning each of its last six games by no less than 24 points. This time is special, as Griffith has not had back-to-back seasons with one or fewer losses since 2005 and 2006.
The running back tandem of Ventris Tetter and Desmond Neylon may be one of the top in the area, as the two combined for five touchdowns in Griffith’s victory. It will soon be a passing of the torch, as Tetter (senior) is complemented by Neylon (sophomore). But for now, these two are real problems for opposing defenses entering the tournament.
Phil Mason and his squad hope to cross off another goal on their list – playoff success. They open up at Bishop Noll in what is a top-heavy 3A Sectional 25.
3. Andrean 59ers (8-1)
LAST WEEK: 19-3 win at #5 Lowell
PREVIOUS RANKING: 3
NEXT WEEK: Idle (vs. Wheeler/Lake Station on 10/31)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: The Andrean 59ers took home the outright NCC title, two years removed from a 3-7 overall record.
After a three-way split for the conference crown in 2024, many would wonder who would take it all for themselves next. While Andrean’s last opponent, Lowell, may have put together a magical season to give themselves a chance, this Andrean team is for real.
Sophomore receiver Tyler Vo was incredible in the Conference Championship, reeling in 10 passes for 156 yards and two scores. Dylan Gore and Brady Elish, Andrean’s quarterbacks, each connected with the aforementioned receiver for a score. Andrean’s renowned defense only allowed one completed pass and 58 yards on the ground.
Andrean, although this is a team that may want to continue its hot streak, has been given a bye in its 2A sectional. The Niners, who have not lost since week one against Merrillville, are in line to add a few more trophies to the already-congested trophy case.
2. Merrillville Pirates (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 42-7 win over Chesterton
PREVIOUS RANKING: 2
NEXT WEEK: Idle (at #9 Morton on 10/31)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Another showing of the top-notch complementary football of Merrillville.
The Pirates always seem to play their best football in the last few weeks of the regular season. Historically, the most challenging part of the schedule has been in the first third of the season. After that, it is usually all gas and no brakes after those early-season lessons are learned.
Cameron Jordan was the name to call offensively, as he found the end zone numerous times and had the bulk of the touches. Warren Brown led the defense, logging a pick-six. Merrillville forced Chesterton into four turnovers.
The Pirates will rest up before their date against Morton on Halloween night. Merrillville, which typically has all of the momentum heading into the sectionals, will be gunning for its seventh consecutive sectional championship.
1. Crown Point Bulldogs (9-0)
LAST WEEK: 42-28 win over #6 Michigan City
PREVIOUS RANKING: 1
NEXT WEEK: Idle (vs. Lake Central on 10/31)
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Crown Point won their fourth consecutive Duneland Conference title in outright fashion.
The Bulldogs completed the four-peat in the area’s most competitive conference, despite doing so in “unusual” fashion. Michigan City did something that no other team has done in 2025 – take a lead over Crown Point. However, the Bulldogs poured it on not long after and cruised to another Duneland crown.
Max Gurnic continues to be one of the top sophomore backs in his first season of full varsity action, rushing for over 200 yards and two scores. The rushing attack was dominant as it has been all year long.
For those interested in the sustainability of this success, the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman football teams combined for a record of 27-0. This team simply may not go away for a while. The Bulldogs will be off this Friday before opening things up at the Dog Pound against Lake Central. The goal remains clear for the Bulldogs – to compete for a State Championship.
Outside Looking In
West Side Cougars (4-4)
Hanover Central Wildcats (4-5)
