USA-365's

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

A USA-365.com Special Report

8-23-2005

MERRILLVILLE (8-23-2005) There isn't much doubt about who's number one in Northwest Indiana after Merrillville's 82-0 win over East Chicago.

All the other positions are up in the air. With Merrillville, Griffith and Whiting playing such widely varying schedules, it's very hard to compare the three of them.

Outside the region, Andrean folks might be interested in knowing that Heritage Hills, the school they beat for there 3A state title, was shut out by Vincennes Lincoln 7-0 but superpower Bishop Chatard, the team they should have played, rolled over 5A Indianapolis Broad Ripple 37-20. Eventually, someone from NW Indiana (read: Andrean, Merrillville or Griffith) has to schedule Bishop Chatard, the 3A independent school that has won six state crowns or Roncalli, the 4A independent school that has won seven state titles.

The nation's No. 4 team. Warren Central opened pursuit of a third consecutive 5A state title with a 63-13 massacre of Franklin Central. Roncalli began their chase of a fourth consecutive 4A title with a 26-0 shutout of 5A Carmel.

The unknown factor in week one was injuries to Portage QB Erik Rhein, LaPorte tailback Airrence Shark and CP's pass-catch duo of QB Matt Jansen and Matt Ernest. CP's duo are out six weeks at least but the other two are not clear.

One oddity was that North Newton quarterback Rich Scheidt threw three touchdown passes to his twin brother Reid Scheidt in the loss to Rensselaer. They are triplets and the third brother Ryan is also a wide receiver. Somebody's going to have to look it up but I sincerely doubt that anyone in the history of Indiana high school football has every thrown a TD pass to his two twin brothers in the same game and it's going to happen.

As always this poll is rather blunt. If you're sensitive, there's always Disney.com. With no allegiance or bias to or for anyone, there is no need to be a cheerleader here. This is one man's opinion, but there are less holds barred than in the WWE. And lately, a lot less drama.

1.) 5A MERRILLVILLE (1-0)

2003 (7-5), 2004 (11-2)

MERRILLVILLE - Clearly, with a final score of 82-0, Merrillville was not tested in Week One. Note to East Chicago. If the score is 50-0 at the half, its 80 degrees and you're playing Merrillville which has 100 players. If they come to you and half time and offer you a 'running clock' for the second half, the correct answer is 'yes' and 'God Bless You'

All-state halfback James Aldridge carried just eight times for 103 yards and three touchdowns. QB Evan Parker ran for two scores.

Any further comments should wait until the Pirates will face a more substantial test this week (Aug. 26) at Highland (1-0).

2.) 5A Portage (1-0)

2003 (11-2), 2004 (8-4)

PORTAGE - Hopefully the injury to Portage QB Erik Rhein is not serious but the Indians were very strong in the season opener a 34-0 rout at South Bend Washington. Halfback Justin Smith ran for three TDs and Washington was held to just 120 yards. Now Washington is a 4A team that's only won eight games in three years so Portage should have blanked them but the Indians were turnover-free and had great running (155 yards) and passing (168 yards) balance. The Indians have

changed the front end of their schedule this year and they'll take on South Bend St. Joseph's this Friday before the DAC season begins. Washington and St. Joseph's aren't in Portage's class so these are clearly warm ups. The focus will be on Portage this week as the Indians dedicate their new artificial turf, but it's all a warm up for the showdown with Merrillville on Sept. 9.

3.) 3A GRIFFITH (1-0)

2003 (4-8), 2004 (9-3)

GRIFFITH - Truthfully, the Panthers were the top 3A team in NW Indiana last year if you judge by the two games with eventual state champ Andrean, a 48-14 win and a 36-35 loss. Griffith blasted South Bend Riley 50-13, but Riley is 6-35 over the last four years so that was not a big win. New QB Matt Nelleman threw three TD passes, but the big numbers against Riley were 250 yards rushing and only one fumble. The Panthers will have their hands full with Chesterton (0-1), a team that was held to just 33 yards rushing by Andrean. That's unlikely to happen again. This ranking is largely based on hope and 14 returning starters. Remember, the OB is new and game one was still a penalty-fest. I doubt Griffith could beat LaPorte or Crown Point at full strength right now. The Panthers have to decide just how much they want to throw the ball, too because this team could roll on the ground. I guarantee you that teams like Andrean, Lowell and Hobart are secretly hoping Griffith throws the ball on 3^rd-and-5. The option is what makes Griffith hard to defend. But we don't know much about anybody after one week. And we may not know much about Griffith until they travel to Lowell on Sept. 2.

4.) 5A LaPorte (1-0)

2003 (4-8), 2004 (9-3)

LaPORTE - Senior quarterback Lance Juergensen was 93 of 189 for 1,500 yards as a sophomore two years ago before he missed most of 2004. Junior halfback Airrence Shark gained 923 yards and 12 TDs on 183 carries in an injury-shortened 2004. If they stay healthy (and that is a major question), this will be an offensive force. The Slicers also have big wide receiver Kris Staats (35 catches – 620 yards last year) and all-state kicker Nick Ford who booted a 24-yarder with nine seconds left to give LaPorte a 27-26 lead in last week's 33-26 win over defending 3A regional champ New Prairie. Ford also kicked a 41-yard field goal and had a successful 24-yarder called back by penalty earlier in the game. Beating New Prairie (50-19 in the last six years) is a bigger deal every year. If the offensive line holds up, this team has more weapons than anybody except Merrillville. But a late game injury to Shark (6-0, 220) last Friday (Aug. 19) leaves his availability in some question.

5.) 4A HOBART (1-0)

2003 (5-7), 2004 (9-2)

HOBART - A big powerful team that will benefit by not opening the season with Portage as they have for the last few years. The Brickies crushed Gary West Side 50-6, but it was not the power running game. Hobart wheeled out a new weapon with junior quarterback Josh Miracle who completed 11 of 21 for 173 yards and four TDs. Tailback Ryan Vaclavik (5-9, 165) scooted for 108 yards on 21 carries, but Hobart reportedly didn't run as well as they'd hoped. That's odd because Hobart is a big physical squad including tackle Adam Bailey (6-4, 340) and running back-linebacker Richard Mitchell (6-2, 215). The Brickies also have a junior receiving prospect in basketball guard Michael Brown and a freshman named Bobby James (6-1, 180), a future multi-sports star who will be difficult to keep off the field. This team may be underrated at No. 5. Once they get past a difficult non conference match at 5A Crown Point this Friday (Aug. 26), the Brickies have a shot at going 7-0 in a “ down' LAC Black Division.

6.) 5A VALPARAISO (0-1)

2003 (5-6), 2004 (6-5)

VALPARAISO - You should know that a Valpo 10-0 season-opening loss to Penn (127-13 in the last 10 years) is more telling than every other team's season-opening victory. QB Carl Hoefler (6-2, 210) has waited until his senior year, but he's highly touted and halfback Gilbert Allen (6-0, 178) gained 757 yards on 135 carries last year. Valpo gained 200 yards on Penn's defense which means they can gain 600 on Gary Roosevelt this week (Aug. 26). This is a very big team, but the question is how physical will they be when the time comes? Junior wide receivers Travis Allen (6-5, 180) and Brent Sever (6-2, 172) and junior running back Hollis Ballard (5-11, 160) have potential, but some of the names on the roster are familiar. Chooch Sizemore, a top baseball pitcher, is a wide receiver. Tim Handlon (6-2, 200) is a top linebacker and Aaron Biggs is a quality wrestler. But to beat LaPorte AND Portage AND Merrillville? I don't know if this squad is up to all that.

Judgment day comes back-to-back against Merrillville on Sept. 30 and Portage on Nov. 7.

7.) 5A CROWN POINT (1-0)

2003 (5-5), 2004 (4-7)

CROWN POINT - A major victory for CP, 16-6 over Lowell in week one. Kicker Donny Keiser booted three field goals and displayed range of up to 50 yards. The defense, led by linebackers Chris Schillo, Nick Ciochina, Vince Lewis and Jordan Rhye plus converted linebacker Jon Sertich dominated a team that had beaten CP in five of the last six years. CP held Lowell powerful running game to 83 yards, the first time they'd been held under 100 as a team in three years.

Sertich and Keiser gained 170 yards rushing behind a rebuilt offensive line led by big Marcus Robinson (6-2, 280). The Bulldogs showed a physical nature that they have lacked in past seasons and which they'll need for the DAC.

Why aren't they higher than seventh in the poll? They would be if senior QB Matt Jansen and junior wide receiver Matt Ernest were not injured and out until late October (at least). This is the problem with polls. CP was highly touted coming in and had the best opening night victory of anyone in NW Indiana. With Jansen and Ernest, 8-1 was possible. But reality tells you that, without Jansen and Ernest, two all-state caliber skill players, that a 5-4 record will be a major achievement. This is a big week for sub QB Blake Mascarello, because Hobart now has tape on him and can work against CP's offensive strengths. How long can CP play on emotion?

8.) 3A ANDREAN (1-0)

2003 (12-1), 2004 (13-2)

MERRILLVILLE - A semi-impressive 17-14 win over Chesterton in week one saw the 59ers take advantage of repeated errors (5 turnovers) by the bigger, 5A team. There are a lot of ways they could go after an opener where they gained only 180 yards on offense. But the 59ers defense, led by Garret Klein (6-2, 220) and Chris Skinner (5-9, 175), got the job done. Kicker Dal Klobucar's 24-yard second half field goal was the margin of victory for the 3A 59ers, who have not lost to Chesterton since 1996. The 59ers' offensive line, led by Breandan Carragher (6-2, 255) is projected to be another strength and that will probably show up now that the 59ers stop playing 5A schools. Andrean is likely to improve dramatically between the first week and the second because defeating a 5A school had to be a major confidence-builder. They need to get better because 180 total yards will not win any more games.

9.) 4A LOWELL (0-1)

2003 (11-2), 2004 (9-4)

LOWELL - Lowell was not ready to face a fired up Crown Point team in the season opener and they lost 16-6. It could have been worse as CP kicked two field goals on 4^th-and-1 plays early on. Those could have been TDs and the score could have been 24-6. WR Jeff Clemens caught a career high seven passes and new QB Jimmy Ritter was 9-of-16 through the air. But Lowell isn't a passing team and the 82 yards rushing was a major shocker. The Devils seemed nervous on opening night with four turnovers (three fumbles) in the first three quarters. Lowell's defense was average against a team without its regular starting QB. But you don't put too much stock in the season opener. Andrean got beat 48-14 in September last year and went on to win the state title. Lowell gets an easier game with Calumet (0-1) this week but state-ranked Griffith comes into Lowell on Sept 2. The Devils have to find out what stopped their running attack, which has been a strength for years. Lowell has 14 returning starters and the season will still come down to two games against Hobart in September and October. But they have to get serious very quickly or they are going to start out 2-3 after five games.

10.) 5A CHESTERTON (0-1)

2003 (7-4), 2004 (5-5)

CHESTERTON - The Trojans made five turnovers and still should have beaten Andrean in a 17-14 season opening loss. the Trojans went overland, attempting 38 passes with 14 completions for 140 yards. I believe this was a product of an early 14-0 deficit and not that they can't run. Chesterton has to settle on a quarterback and that's what nonconference games with Andrean and Griffith are for. I don't think anybody's going to shut them out and soph QB Adam Breirwaiter (6-1, 175) apparently is a solid prospect. Senior kicker Kyle Yelton is also in the QB mix and he's a state class punter.

The lines are big and inexperienced, but 'big' is reportedly an understatement. The Trojans' home opener with 3A power Griffith is not a must-win, but the Panthers secondary will have to take them very seriously. This team will be much better by the time they face Merrillville on Oct. 14.

On the outside looking in...

11.) 3A New Prairie (0-1)

2003 (4-8), 2004 (9-3)

NEW CARLISLE - Everybody forgets this team, but they were in the 3A semistate last year and they led 5A power LaPorte 24-23 in the final minute last week before losing the 2005 season opener 31-24. The Cougars gained 250 yards rushing on LaPorte and few DAC teams will do that. QB Ryan Van Waardenburg ran for 100 yards and two TDs in a game New Prairie easily could have won on the road. The Cougars are a difficult option team to defense and they will have a big winning season. To be totally accurate, after facing 5A LaPorte and 4A South Bend Washington, New Prairie faces 1A and 2A teams the rest of the way in the Northern State Conference. But two of those 2A schools are top-10s Jimtown and John Glenn. Could they beat Lowell or Lake Central? Probably not. And you can't play Culver, Triton and Knox and then beat Andrean in the semistate. It doesn't work like that. The schedule they play during the league season doesn't always help them. Still, when they play big-name teams, they tend to do well. NP could again be a factor in the post-season because they are always a ground-based, bad weather team. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

12.) 2A RENSSELAER (1-0)

2003 (8-5), 2004 (11-1)

RENSSELAER - With the possible exception of Lowell's Jeff Clemens, nobody did as much for their team in 2004 as Rensselaer's

Jacob Kiger (5-11, 180), who kicked seven field goals, 49 extra points, plus running and passing for over 1,500 yards each last fall while scoring 30 TDs. He is a first-team 2A all-stater and a Division I prospect at defensive back. Kiger passed for three TDs, ran for a fourth one, kicked a 34-yard field goal and was 7-of-8 on extra points in last week's season opening 58-20 rout at North Newton. No one totally stops their spread attack with receivers Addrian Frederick and Eli Albrecht. The Bombers' defense is small but quick, led by linebacker Ryan Kauffman (6-0, 165), who scored on a 70-yard run in his first game at fullback last week. The Bombers, a 2A school, play four 3A teams and 4A Kankakee Valley this Friday. Why aren't they in the top-10? This team is smaller than the Cubs' playoff chances. They are very small physically and reality tells you they could not beat 5A schools. Especially after graduating 13 seniors. But the only team they HAVE to beat is 2A and sectional rival North Judson Sept. 2 at Judson. Still, Kiger is described as a once-in-a-lifetime player and this is obviously (after last week's opener) a team to watch again in 2005.

13.) 2A NORTH JUDSON (0-1)

2003 (7-5), 2004 (11-2)

NORTH JUDSON - Judson was jolted 21-14 Friday by rival John Glenn last week, the same team that eliminate them 28-20 at the regional level in 2004. When a team beats you once. it could be a fluke. When they beat you twice in consecutive games, you have to ask if you're the fluke. I don't think so. Judson returned eight starters on defense, including big DeCameron Stalbaum (6-3, 240) and Nick Lapacek (6-3, 260) plus large and in charge Darryl Profit (6-2, 255) and Mike Marquez (5-11, 230) in the offensive line. Judson is more physical than most 2A schools although Glenn apparently is not one of them.

Why aren't they in the top-10? Because of the loss of Adam Richie (6-4, 170), a crucial player who was involved in an auto accident in August and is probably out for the year. Also, the Jays power running game would not work against 5A schools. But it doesn't have to.

Judson is looking for rival Rensselaer on Sept. 2 after they should pound arch-rival Knox this week.

14.) 1A WHITING (1-0)

2003 (4-7), 2004 (11-1)

WHITING - Whiting bombed River Forest 57-0 last week to start the year and it wasn't a surprise. A lot of Whiting's games may resemble that episode of 'SmallVille' where Clark Kent goes in at quarterback and throws passes over kids without super powers to win the game. QB Matt Kobli (6-3, 180) threw for 2,500 yards in 2004 and he has senior Hugo Torres (5-9, 180) who carried 118 times for 714 yards last year. If the offensive line can protect him, Kobli could lead the Oilers to a second consecutive 9-0 mark. Kobli was just 6-of-8 for 160 yards and three TDs in the opener but he didn't need to play much. Whiting returned nine starters on offense including four of five offensive linemen. Depth is always a problem at a 1A school and Kobli is also a regular defender so the injury question is always there. The Oilers also benefit because 1A and 2A teams don't have a lot of quality defensive backs and the LAC Blue is one of the state's weakest leagues.

Why aren't they in the top-10? They just don't play anybody. Whiting faces 5A South Bend Riley this week. But Riley, which is 6-36 over the last 42 games, was smoked out 50-6 by Griffith last week and gave up 439 points in 10 games last year. Whiting will face only one school (Noll (6-4) which had a winning record in 2004 and they wont get tested like other 1A powers Pioneer, West Central and Lafayette Catholic will. Plus, the pass-heavy Oilers (271 attempts in 12 games last year) are a warm weather team in a cold weather area.

If they could get to the RCA Dome, they'd have a field day. Look at what pass-prolific Tri-West has done indoors the last two years.

But last fall, they got beat 14-13 by a West Central team that wasn't as good as Whiting in the sectional title game. If the Oil boys avoid injury, they'll have a chance to remember this November.