Renegade 2008 Week-15 (Final) NW Indiana High School Football Poll

Week 15 (FINAL): NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

12-10-2008

MERRILLVILLE (12-10-2008) I thought Lowell gave it all they had in the semistate game against Bishop Dwenger, but it's asking a lot to drive two hours to face a team you eliminated the previous year. I'm sure Dwenger, which had been eliminated at the semistate level in 2006 by Concord, was motivated to play the game of their lives. Lowell has been spoiled the last four seasons when they've won three regional championships and reached the state title game twice. There's a lot of talent and effort and a lot of luck involved. But I do not believe that the ONLY goal of a team is to reach the state finals. You always want to win and the end result of that success is the title game.

But, to me, when a team wins its sectional, they have had a successful season. That means, in NW Indiana, Andrean, Griffith, Merrillville, Rensselaer and Lowell (Lowell has won six in a row, Griffith has won four straight) automatically had successful seasons, no matter what barometer you might want to use.

I would also say that Chesterton (8-3), the DAC champion and Wheeler (9-1), the Greater South Shore champ, both had successful seasons, despite no sectional crown. Some might disagree, but I would add Munster (7-4), which lost to sectional champ Merrillville. That was a return-to-glory story for the Mustangs.

Because a team is not a success, does not necessarily mean it is a failure. LaPorte (4-8), for example, reached the season championship game. There was success there in the end. I don't see how Morton (7-5) can be called a failure either. They lost to five winning teams including Griffith twice. Calumet had their first winning season in seven years. I want to give Bowman Academy (0-8) credit for playing the toughest schedule they could find. Down the line, this will benefit the underclassmen and it is in the spirit of the game. You don't look for the lamest teams you can play. You want tough fights. You want to earn your wins. Here's hoping they can come to power as quickly (6 years) as Wheeler did.

In 2009, I promise you that the Tribune Corporation will still be bankrupt, Rod Blagoyovich and OJ will still be in jail, and you still won't be able to buy an electric car.

But as far as Indiana high school football is concerned, I just don't know. There will be many changes before we talk again.

1.) 5A Merrillville (8-5)
2007 (12-2), 2006 (7-5), 2005 (11-3), 2003 (5-6), 2004 (6-5)

MERRILLVILLE: Merrillville was shut out at home by Penn (9-5) in the regional championship game and they graduate some of the school's biggest football stars in Dionte Day (127 tackles), Keith Dockery, Aaron Kaczmarski (58 tackles), Ryan Stokes (28 career field goals) and Dolapo Macarthy (90 of 201, 1132 yards). The Pirates have a lot coming back including 1,000-yard rusher Denzell Pierce, tackle James Travis (75 tackles) linebacker Marcus Howard and backup QB Zach Raspopovich got valuable experience in 2008. I think you play with your top three classes in football while the freshmen get adjusted to high school. Some are very high on the 2008 Merrillville freshman, the Pirate class of 2012. Watch for a half dozen sophomores to play significant roles on the 2009 Pirates' varsity. 2009 should be exciting. Merrillville begins with Warren Central on a Saturday night and crosstown rival Andrean for the first time in this decade. You cannot realistically rank Lowell ahead of Merrillville for 2008. They just play at two different levels.

2.) 4A Lowell (13-1)
2007 (13-2), 2006 (7-6), 2005 (11-4), 2004 (9-4), 2003 (11-2)

LOWELL: The Devils ran off 13 consecutive wins before a 38-22 road loss at Bishop Dwenger (14-1). It was Lowell's first undefeated season since 1993 and their first undefeated home season since 1993. The record of 53-17 in the last five years is the second best in NW Indiana. The Devils graduate QB Kurt Monix, key linebackers Justin Juarez and David Eastling plus all-purpose player Cody Midgett. The hidden problem is that the Devils graduate the entire offensive line, which puts any future success in doubt.

Obviously Brandon Grubbe (6-1, 175), who has rushed for almost 3,500 yards plus two-way players Joe Bell (6-4, 195) and Nate Cleveland (6-4, 200) are a good foundation for 2009 and the Devils have some big underclassmen and WR Ray Skamay could be the new QB. Grubbe may become a major local media focus in 2009 as he chases the 5,000-yard barrier (he has 597 carries, 3,552 yards and 43 TDs) and NW Indiana's all-time career rushing leaders, Whiting legends, 1994-graduate Mike Barsich (5,062 career yards) and 1999 grad Paul Strabavy (5,024 career yards).

But a seventh consecutive sectional title will be tall order, especially if Lowell remains in Sectional 10 with Plymouth and Concord. I read where the last team standing is automatically the best team in the region, but that's far too simple a thought. Lowell beat Crown Point 7-0 but Merrillville dominated CP. Griffith lost to Merrillville once and to Lowell twice. None of the other teams Lowell played in the entire season, with the possible exception of Plymouth, could have defeated Merrillville. The biggest difference in the five classes of Indiana prep football teams sits between 4A and 5A. Lowell was the top Non-5A team. The key to Lowell success has been the ability to turn athletes who play other positions into offensive linemen. The question they will ask all winter and spring is: Who wants to be on the field blocking when Brandon Grubbe goes over 5,000 yards?

3.) 5A Valparaiso (9-2)
2007 (6-5), 2006 (3-6), 2005 (5-5), 2004 (6-5), 2003 (5-6)

VALPARAISO: Valparaiso's win over Merrillville and Penn look pretty good now that one of those latter two teams is guaranteed of reaching the 5A Semistate. Again, what's going to hurt Valpo all winter is the fact that they allowed 9.9 points per game over the 25th toughest schedule (among 317) state wide and didn't even get to the sectional title game. The good news is that big QB Zack Livovich (6-6, 195) is eligible to come back in 2009 after completing 84-of-130 for 1,216 yards, 10 TDs in 9 games. So is track star Michael Perkins. They'll be back. Even though they open the 2009 season with Penn and Griffith. They'll be back. It's very hard to look at any week this season and argue that Lowell would beat Valparaiso. Not yet, anyway. Valpo begins the 2009 season against Penn and Griffith but they'll be ready.

4.) 4A Griffith (8-5)
2007 (9-4), 2006 (12-2), 2005 (12-1), 2004 (9-3), 2003 (7-5)

GRIFFITH: Griffith lost the regional title game to Lowell on a final minute pass play, but they had a strong season. Here's another school that's spoiled with success. They really don't have any right to be disappointed in a sectional championship. That shows an ignorance of the game and how tough it is to win a sectional. I would never count them out for 2009, especially with halfback Ed Johnson (182 carries, 1,355 yards, 17 TDs), but the Panthers do lose at least 12 starters and kicker Jeff Melton. They figure to start slowly again in 2009. Especially since the Panthers open against Valparaiso. The Panthers are 50-15 in the last five years, the best record in NW Indiana. They jump ahead of Chesterton in the final poll because two of the losses were to Lowell (13-1) and another was to Merrillville, a 5A sectional champ.

5.) 5A Chesterton (9-3)
2007 (6-4), 2006 (5-6), 2005 (3-8), 2004 (5-5), 2003 (7-4)

CHESTERTON: Chesterton did well, falling 14-7 to Merrillville to end the season in the Class 4A Sectional One championship game. The Trojans' record of 9-3 is all they could expect and the co-DAC championship is an honor. Chesterton's option offense didn't dominate in bad weather the way it might in future years. There could be a drop off here as Chesterton graduates both QBs and several linemen. But QB is an easier position to fill on an option team than it is on a pro-set or spread offense team.
You don't know what they might have done had not QB Aaron Knight (176 rushes, 988 yards) broke his hand in the seventh game of the year, but Andy Miller was more than adequate as a fill-in. I like the pickup of Class 3A New Prairie as a second week opponent in 2009. Two option teams and a nearby opponent. NP now begins the season with LaPorte and Chesterton. But next year: Please. No more of this 'Everybody picked us to finish last'. Winning programs don't say things like that. The Trojans return defensive end Frank Raudry (73 tackles), their team MVP, and two way lineman David Raffin so they have a start towards 2009.

6.) 4A Hobart (9-2)
2007 (8-4), 2006 (10-2), 2005 (6-6), 2004 (9-2), 2003 (5-7)

HOBART: I still do not have a good explanation of what happened to the Brickies after they lead 14-7 at Griffith in the 4A Sectional 9 semifinal (against a team they shut out 19-0 earlier) and ended up losing. In the first half, QB Matt Barras smoked the Panther defense for 8-of-11 and 218 yards. Barras was sacked nine times after not being sacked all year. Hobart gave up a season-high 390 rushing yards. Bobby James (44 catches, 776 yards) ends his four-year career as Hobart's all-time leading receiver (173 catches, 2,904 yards) and the almost certain NW Indiana MVP. So the Brickies are 41-16 in the last five years. New school. New weight room. New stadium in 2009. Maybe a couple of new students from a nearby school closing (I'm not saying. I'm just saying). No chance of being slotted into the inevitable new Class 6A that is coming in 2009 or 2010. No NW Indiana school has a football future brighter than Hobart's. I do not know who the first team to play at Hobart's new stadium will be, but Lowell travels to Hobart on Sept. 25 and that may be the Brickies' first sellout.

7.) 5A Portage (6-4)
2007 (5-5), 2006 (6-5), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (8-4), 2003 (11-2)

PORTAGE: The Indians were crushed twice by Valparaiso, including a 42-19 loss in the 5A Sectional One quarterfinals and a decent season is over for them. The future is bright here with all-purpose back Jake Dixon (5 interceptions) and promising Jake Huston, who missed the entire year with injury. QB Eric Melcic (41 of 92, 698 yards, 5 TDs) was inexperienced in 2008, but he won't be if he returns in 2009 and 2010. Portage won't get much credit (and they should get little for a 6-4 season, everybody's supposed to be at least 5-5), but they played through a lot of problems this year in a tough league and they came out on the sunny side of .500. I think their program is on the rise to 1990s glory. But they need to be. Portage will certainly be Class 6A when it comes. The Portages, Crown Points and Lake Centrals are going to have to get stronger to ride in a limousine with just the state's elite. Some years you are not meant to win and finishing above the .500 mark is a major success. With who they had on the field at times, this is a very good record.

8.) 5A LaPorte (4-8)
2007 (8-3), 2006 (12-1), 2005 (11-1), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-5)

LaPORTE: Penn ended the season of LaPorte 33-18, but not until after the Slicers led 6-0 and trailed just 20-18 at the half. Halfback Carlton Austin (1,800 yards rushing, 22 TDs), the DAC's certain offensive MVP, carried 26 times for 156 yards against the Northern Indiana Conference champions. LaPorte gave up more points than they scored in 2008 and that's not what any player or coach wants. But they have QB Dustin DeMuth back in 2008, which means they're going to have an offense. Word also is that when the IHSAA goes to six classes (which is inevitable), LaPorte will be high in the 5A Class, instead of one of the smallest 6A schools. That's something the Slicers will give a 'high 5' to.

9.) 5A Michigan City (4-6)
2007 (2-8), 2006 (1-9), 2005 (6-5), 2004 (4-6), 2003 (3-7)

MICHIGAN CITY: The Wolves had an improving year end with a 28-19 loss at Chesterton on Oct. 24. The future seems bright with Adam Harmon (15 TDs) eligible for one more year. The Wolves' passing game was inconsistent this year and you need a balanced attack in the DAC. But 2008 was a positive. The Wolves had not won a DAC game since 2005, but they won three this season. MC lost three games by less than a touchdown. They need to upgrade the schedule and that may happen naturally. With the consolidation in Gary, second week foe Gary Roosevelt may not be playing varsity football in 2009. I would like to see the Wolves get bold and pursue someone like Plymouth or Northwood to play in August. Smaller schools, but tradition-rich teams with state playoff histories. Michigan City missed some opportunities in 2008 and the league will be stronger overall in 2009.

10.) 5A Munster (7-4)
2007 (3-7), 2006 (5-5), 2005 (3-7), 2004 (4-6), 2003 (8-3)

MUNSTER: Munster did validate their season with a 23-0 win over Lake Central. Even though LC was last in the DAC, the Mustangs should welcome any win over any team from the bigger, better league and they beat their arch rival. This was a successful season. The blowout 37-7 sectional semifinal loss to Merrillville was not a major surprise and the further Merrillville goes, the better that loss looks. Again, this (7-4 or maybe 8-3) is as good as Munster is going to do under the present set of circumstances. They can't win Sectional One as it's set up now because they play 3A and 4A schools during the regular season. They can't play Griffith and Lowell and then expect to beat Merrillville and Valparaiso. That dog won't hunt. The Mustangs must totally revamp roster-wise for 2009 and it could be a little painful. Wirt closing means Munster will also have a new week two foe in 2009 and it will be Bishop Noll. Not good. Noll may be Class 1A soon. Munster needs to be 5A in a six class system and here's hoping that happens for them.

On the outside looking in...

5A CROWN POINT (3-7)
2007 (8-3), 2006 (12-1), 2005 (11-1), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-5)

CROWN POINT: Crown Point hasn't been out of the Top-10 for a while, but they were bombed 42-6 by Merrillville to start the post-season. To be fair, Merrillville was simply the better team and the amazing thing is that CP split with them in 2008. This Bulldog team averaged 11 points a game, but CP lost four games by seven points or less. It wasn't luck. It was lack of offensive production. The Bulldogs will again have a lot of new faces on offense and defense in 2009, so a quick rebound is unlikely considering the schedule they play. The new QB will be a sophomore or junior and much of the offensive line, which was new in 2008, will be gone in 2009. New kicker. Almost an all new secondary. And they open with Lowell, Hobart and Merrillville. Good luck. The saving grace for 2009 CP is that Lowell, Merrillville and Hobart won't be as good in 2009 as they were in 2008. But I can't tell you who will be at the vast majority of positions.

The RENEGADE 2008 Poll

Week 15 (FINAL): NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll