The RENEGADE

2006 Week-1: NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

8-22-2006

CROWN POINT (8-22-2006) Week one was played is miserable super humid conditions that were so bad that mosquitoes led several contests in total yards. Most games were more mind-numbing than a 'Gilmore Girls' marathon, and that's saying something.

If there was a major upset in NW Indiana, I missed it. Some called Andrean (8-2 in 2005) beating Chesterton (3-8 in 2005) an upset, but they had to be unaware of those 2005 records. New Prairie has always given neighbor LaPorte trouble, so the 39-33 win by the little team on the Prairie is not a shock.

Opening week games are very deceiving. Let me give you the list of teams that lost last week. Forget Valpo for a minute. What about eight-time state champ Roncalli, a 13-3 loser to 5A Castle? 3A Northwood lost 21-14 to 2A Jimtown. Fort Wayne Snider, one of the true monsters in Indiana high school football, lost 21-17 to crosstown rival Concordia. 1A power Pioneer, which is 54-8 over the past five years, got beat 27-14 by Lafayette Catholic.

But this simply shows you how quickly a 1A team can fall off due to graduation. West Central, 30-9 over the last three years, faced tiny 1A Culver, which has gone 3-37 in the last four years. In a vivid reversal of fortune, Culver, which had lost 14 straight games, flat out blasted West Central 32-0 in what was probably the state's biggest upset.

And from the 'We never forgot what you did' department... Knox, a 73-6 loser to bitter God's Country rival Winamac on August 18, 2000, took exactly six years to get even. The final score on August 18, 2006 was Knox 40, Winamac 0.

The lesson coaches and players, is... When you're ahead 52-6, think hard about how bad you really need to pile on those last two or three extra touchdowns. There is always a judgment day.

The first week wasn't great, but you can bet your little brother it's never going to be in the middle of August. Most schools have not started classes when the first game is played and that hurts attendance and spirit. There is a readjustment of the state tournament coming. It is inevitable. I would hope coaches speak up and suggest that all schools do not make the playoffs, thereby allowing the season to start a week or two later than it does now. High schools play three games before the NFL plays one. It's morally wrong for kids to play varsity football before they ever go to even one class and every teacher and coach knows it.

What's up this week? More heat. High temperatures are set to soar into the low 90s Friday and we will find out who is in shape. The heat also affects those who have to travel long distances. Look what happened to Valpo on a two hour ride on the miserable non-air conditioned (I'm fairly sure) big yellow bus to Penn. Lake Station rode the old Monon Line' and got smoked out at North White 36-8. Calumet rode the longest mile out to Mishawaka and got snuffed 28-0. Some of these games would have turned out the way they did no mater where they played. But a two hour drive in 90% humidity sealed the fate of the losers.

The state's biggest game brings 5A killer Penn down to Indianapolis (I'll bet their bus is air-conditioned!) to take on Indy powerhouse Ben Davis. One game of national importance. Illinois Class 8A Godzilla Maine South welcomes in three-time defending Indiana big school Big Foot Warren Central. Godzilla vs. Big Foot. I wish I could see it.

1.) 5A CROWN POINT (1-0)
2005 (11-1), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-5)

RB Jon Sertich #27 ran for 100+ yards against Lowell, but the Crown Point passing attack behind QB Blake Mascarello #6 only went 8-of-15 for 83 yards and 2 TDs. (Photo by Mark Smith)

CROWN POINT - The Bulldogs were not very good offensively in the season-opening 17-0 win over Lowell. Halfback Jon Sertich ran for 100+ yards, but Division I wide receiver Matt Ernest only caught one pass. QB Blake Mascarello had some trouble throwing in the heat and humidity.

CP did look good defensively, although some of Lowell's six turnovers may not have been forced. I still think this is potentially one of the best offenses in NW Indiana in this decade, but they're going to have to show some of that to Hobart when the Bulldogs take what may be their final trip to the Brickie Bowl Friday (8-25-2006) for a high profile non conference game.

CP's rebuilt defense posted the Bulldogs' fifth shutout in the team's last 12 games. The new place-kicker, soccer regular Michael Lipton, was perfect on three kicks for five points against Lowell.

This team has great potential, but they did not approach it in week one and there won't be any easy confidence-building games, because Lowell and Hobart are the only non-5A schools CP plays.

2.) 3A Griffith (1-0)
2005 (12-1), 2004 (9-3), 2003 (7-5)

GRIFFITH - Griffith scored all they wanted over an out manned Lew Wallace team in a 61-8 win over the Hornets. This was an emergency schedule after South Bend Riley dropped Griffith last spring. The Panthers scored 38 points in the first quarter. Keep it in mind. Griffith plays Merrillville in 2007. You can't accuse them of ducking anybody. But they'll miss having a relatively easy season opener. For now, the Panthers get a pass defense test against Chesterton and junior QB Alex Beierwalter (17-38, 157 yards). But Griffith will surely cause problems with their option running game against a Chesterton team that throws a lot and gives the opposition a lot of possessions. Truthfully, this is the season opener for Griffith. They were certainly not tested in week one. I'll say it again though. This is a worrisome game for Griffith. The Panthers do not match up well with Chesterton. Griffith could score 35-40 Friday and find that it isn't enough.

3.) 5A Valparaiso (0-1)
2005 (5-5), 2004 (6-5), 2003 (5-6)

VALPARAISO - Let's not jump to any conclusions about Valparaiso, a team that got blown out 61-14 at Penn last week. Penn beats teams by scores like this all the time, but this is Valpo's worst loss in maybe 30 years. Valpo gave up 455 yards and turned the ball over four times. What we don't know is, how good is Penn? This still should be a very solid Valpo team and I'll wait until week two (probably week three, VHS will be a prohibitive favorite over Roosevelt this week (8-25-2006) before we make any drastic readjustment of their status. Plus, let's tell the truth. You can either schedule a 'win' in week one to build your team's confidence or you can schedule a monster and go for the upset.

Remember, the White Sox get beat like a government mule against Minnesota and they're still good enough to take out first place Detroit. I know that giving up 61 points is as embarrassing as being Mel Gibson's agent. But sometimes you fold up like a house of cards on opening day and you can then put it back together. Barring injuries that may not be public, there's no way this isn't a quality team.

There is a teacher's strike in Gary and as of Wednesday, the Valpo-Roosevelt and Munster-Wirt games are off. You cannot play athletic events unless teachers cross pickets lines to practice and that's a good way to get shot. There is word Munster will play Valparaiso instead, but that is tentative. If the strike is settled Thursday, the games would be played Friday.

4.) 5A Merrillville (1-0)
2005 (11-3), 2003 (5-6), 2004 (6-5)

MERRILLVILLE - Merrillville moves up here because of what happened to Andrean last week, not so much the Pirates' 39-3 romp over an overmatched East Chicago. That's not a big win. The Pirates held EC to just 36 total yards and only three first downs. What you can't see on paper is team defensive speed and that's what opponents won't know about Merrillville until they face them.

New QB Josh Raspopovich completed just two passes, but little more was needed. HB Eric Williams ran for two TDS and Ryan Stokes kicked a 40-yard field goal. The Pirates turned the ball over four times, which has been a big problem for them in recent years. Merrillville, which badly needs these two non conference wins, gets a tougher test against Highland this week. What is ominous about the Pirates is that they played Friday without all-area lineman Cordero Arce (6-3, 265) and starting defensive back Steve Burney (6-1, 165), both of whom also sat out the scrimmage. Burney will be back against the passing attack of Highland.

Remember what I said about scheduling? This year, Merrillville schedules East Chicago and Highland and they'll go 2-0. In 2007, Merrillville will be better on the field than they are now, but they'll also schedule Griffith and Warren Central and they'll probably go 0-2. And it won't have anything to do with the quality of the team.

5.) 3A ANDREAN (1-0)
2005 (8-2), 2004 (13-2), 2003 (12-1)

MERRILLVILLE - The 59ers rallied to take down 5A Chesterton 22-16 in one of the opening night's top games. Andrean scored 14 first quarter points and truthfully stopped the Trojans, giving up six points on a punt return. Senior HB Chandler Bowens' 2-yard fourth quarter run with 8:46 left gave the Niners the victory and established them as a Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) title contender again. Andrean let go 10 players earlier in the week as some internal unrest had to be put down. The team depth will obviously be hurt. The pass defense wasn't hurt though, as the 59ers held all-area QB Alex Beierwalter to just 12 of 38 passing and only 5-of-21 in the second half.

The reason the Niners dropped a spot here is Andrean did not have a large roster to begin with, and they will have to rely on the top players and ask some to go both ways now. It can be done. Lowell rode a half dozen two-way players to the state title last year. Andrean might be a better team later for the subtractions. But they are almost certainly a lesser team right now. When you compare them to 5A teams like Merrillville with endless depth, the judgment changes. They probably could not beat Merrillville right now.

6.) 4A Hobart (1-0)
2005 (6-6), 2004 (9-2), 2003 (5-7)

HOBART - The Brickies showed power and skill in a 45-7 win over outmatched Gary West Side. Power running junior Andrew Jackson (6-2, 225) gained 12 yards on 12 carries in the first half as the Brickies led 45-0 at the half. The Brickies got two TD passes from QB Josh Miracle, one a 40-yard pass to top WR Bobby James. It was a good warm up. Would they beat Andrean right now? It would be very close. Maybe in a week or two.

The Brickies have a lot more on the line Friday against Crown Point than the Bulldogs do. Hobart got shut out 26-0 last year and they were down two TDs before the knew what hit them. Hobart is short two starting players due to suspension in the early going and that could affect them this week. The Brickies coaching staff got a double look this week. The tape they're studying is CP-Lowell. The team they face this week against the team they must beat to win the sectional title. It's a movie Hobart will watch many times. Hobart needs a buzz. Let's see how many people show up for a home game against the defending DAC champs. The Brickies need a capacity crowd to shake down some thunder on Crown Point.

7.) 5A Portage (1-0)
2005 (2-8), 2004 (8-4), 2003 (11-2)

PORTAGE - This was an impressive win for Portage, a 28-0 victory over South Bend Washington, a team with good athletes. Senior Portage running back Albert Evans (6-1, 165) was injured most of last season, gained 121 yards on 22 carries. But it was the Indians' defense that disrupted everything Washington tried. Portage held Washington to just 56 total yards.

QB Vance Johnston completed just six passes and had two intercepted, but more was not needed on this night. Here's another team where you'll have to see them to judge the team speed of the defense, typically a Portage strength. A significant test is coming Friday (8-25-2006) against a South Bend St. Joseph's team that beat Portage in 2005. Not that Washington and St. Joe are bad foes, but I've got to believe that Portage is looking for another team to play in the first two weeks that would bring some more fans every other year. Would Portage beat Chesterton right now? Maybe.

8.) 5A Chesterton (0-1)
2005 (3-8), 2004 (5-5), 2003 (7-4)

CHESTERTON - This team shouldn't drop after last week's 22-16 loss to Andrean but there are some realities here.   They were 3-8 last season and were projected to do much better. It has to happen now. Give Alex Beierwalter another week. The junior who tossed for 2,000 yards in 2005, was 17-for-38 in week one of 2006 but it was a tough night to throw the football. One bad sign is that the Trojans, in a game they led half the time, ran for only 35 yards.   Chesterton must run the ball to set up the pass or they become easier to defend. No 'pass-and-run', 'basketball on grass', run-and-shoot 'shuck and jive' team has ever come out of northern Indiana in the 5A bracket. It has never happened and never is a long, long time.
            You have to be able to run for 150-200 yards a game.
But wins and losses in August mean about as much in Indiana high school football as they do in the NFL.   Chesterton held Andrean to just 97 yards rushing and run defense will be the key this week against Griffith.       Andrean is usually good against the pass and maybe Chesterton should have lost to them but Griffith must beware of a bounce back this week by the Trojans who match up a little better against the Panthers than they do against the 59ers.
With that said, Chesterton fell victim to the hype masters.   When the newspapers come to you and want to do full page features on you, if you are 3-8, just say no. It can only make you a target. And a target with a defense that gave up 30 points a game last year.

9.) 4A Lowell (0-1)
2005 (11-4), 2004 (9-4), 2003 (11-2)

RB Steffan Peck #13 runs behind the block of Mark Myers #42 against the CP defense, 8-18-2006. But six turnovers limited the Lowell offense to only 122 yards. (Photo by Mark Smith)

LOWELL - Lowell's defense is pretty good. Ends Jeff Barker (6-5, 187) and Joe Carlson (6-2, 185) combined for 15 tackles in the season opener against Crown Point. The secondary of Lukas Palmer, TJ Lukasik, Steffan Peck and Josh Kuiper was good on this day. Kicking and punting was also solid.

But the offense was awful. Six turnovers and only 122 total yards, embarrassing even against a good defense. But you can correct fumbling. That's a solvable problem. The Devils will rebound against Calumet (8-25-2006) this Friday but that won't tell anybody anything. The results of August games have as much value as a George Bush news conference.

The overall exodus from the season-opening 17-0 loss to Crown Point came with the thought, 'that's not as much as I thought they'd get beat by.' There is some uncertainty about Lowell's offense. They have few proven performers and some speedy threats need to emerge. But like I said last year about Lowell when they were going through a 1-4 start. Keep watching this team. Hobart is.

10.) 5A LaPorte (0-1)
2005 (9-2), 2004 (7-4), 2003 (6-4)

LaPORTE - Okay, who's the 10th team this week? Munster? Highland? Morton? Not yet. LaPorte slept through the first half last week, trailing 39-6 and then ran off 27 consecutive points on New Prairie, which has a solid team. The 39-33 final was a minor surprise. But I'll choose to believe that the real Slicers played the second half where they shut out NP 27-0. QB Adam 'Apollo' Creed was down for the count early, but he got up swinging and finished with 14 of 37 passes completed for 269 yards and two interceptions even though everyone knew he had to throw.

The dark side it that the Slicers gave up TDs on every New Prairie possession of the first half. But New Prairie runs an option that is baffling if you are new and LaPorte had a lot of new defensive starters. Senior halfback Airrence Shark ran for two TDs, but he gained just 88 yards on 20 carries as the Slicers were down 30 at the half and had to throw to get back in the game. Let's lean on tradition here for at least one more week. Over the last five years, LaPorte has the most wins in the Duneland Conference. That's right. I said it. LaPorte. Look it up. So they took a half off last week. So what? LaPorte hosts a quality Elkhart Central team in week two, so we'll know much more Friday.

On the outside looking in...

11.) 4A Munster (1-0)

2005 (3-7), 2004 (4-6), 2003 (8-3)

MUNSTER - Munster whipped up on Kankakee Valley 38-9 Friday as Touchdown 'Tommy' Mambourg scored on a 5-yard run and a 70-yard punt return. Soph QB Bubba Gill (6-4, 205) fired a 30-yard TD pass to Cam Selent, but he was just 6-of-13 for 64 yards. It sounds like the traditionally-conservative Mustangs have a balanced offense in the making.

Permission to speak freely? Munster needs for there to be a teacher's strike in Gary so they don't have to play Wirt. The Mustangs need a serious game and the rumor is they would play Valparaiso, which is scheduled to play Roosevelt. That would be the quality competition an improving squad needs. The Mustangs need to play Valparaiso and drop Wirt like a bad habit. They are not helping the Troopers by schooling them 50-0 every year. The last three meetings have been 114-14, all for the wild horses.

Munster, I'm sure in their mind, plays Wirt as a favor to Wirt. But they need a tougher non conference slate to help themselves. Munster may soon be a 5A school and they've got to get a schedule that will allow them to go more than one-and-out in the sectional. For 2006, the jury is still out on Munster and unless the Gary Teachers Union stays out, so will that jury.

12.) 3A Morton (1-0)

2005 (8-4), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-6)

HAMMOND - Morton swamped Clark 40-0 Friday (8-18-2006), an impressive win because Clark was thought to have improved. The Governors appear to have another exciting, athletic team. Morton gets a chance to stomp Gavit this week. For the last three seasons, Morton has opened with Clark and Gavit and they've killed them both, even in losing seasons. New QB David Wallace (6-0, 190) ran for touchdowns of 37 and 56 yards and also tossed two TD passes. Is he a top player? We won't know for awhile. Permission to speak freely again?

To go to the level of being a top program, Morton has to stop scheduling a 2-0 start every year. I appreciate the solidarity with the other Hammond schools, but the last seven games matching Morton against Clark and Gavit have all gone to Morton by a combined score of 308-95. Schools that need football income would be committing financial suicide to schedule Morton, because the Governors just don't bring many fans with them, something they cannot seem to change. But if Lowell can play Crown Point and Griffith, East Chicago and Highland can all play Merrillville, and 1A Whiting can play Highland and 5A South Bend Riley, Morton has to find one quality pre-season foe.