USA-365's

Week 2: NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report

8-30-2005

MERRILLVILLE (8-30-2005) If there is any illusion that Northwest Indiana is "up" against others in Class 5A in 2005, I submit two scores.

Penn was shut out at home by Ben Davis 20-0, a week after Penn beat Valparaiso 10-0. The other score seems like a misprint. In a 4-game showcase in Indianapolis, Class 5A No., 1 Warren Central beat Illinois multiple big school state champion East St. Louis 70-50.

That score is correct.

There does appear to be a light power shift in the DAC. Chesterton is 0-2, albeit against state-rated Andrean and Griffith. That's not a good sign. There are significantly stronger teams than Andrean and Griffith in the Duneland Athletic Conference and Chesterton now starts the seven-game DAC schedule.

It should be remembered that teams do not prepare for non-league foes the way they do for league teams. LAC and DAC teams probably spend the first three weeks gearing for their first league foe (which they face in week three). I can almost guarantee you that Lowell and Griffith, who meet Friday night (9-2-2005) have spent parts of three weeks preparing for each other.

Another thing to remember about season opening games is that, if a player is serving a suspension from last season or the off-season, only observers familiar with every member of the team will notice and the coaches will not announce it. Some small school teams also do not have all their players in the first two weeks because of late summer activities and the required amount of practices.

Bottom line, the first two weeks, win or lose, can be very deceptive.

It's rivalry week. Unbeatens Plymouth and Warsaw renew an 80-year-old rivalry at Plymouth. Griffith and Lowell rekindle a 70-year-old feud at Lowell. North Judson and Rensselaer meet for the 15^th time in 10 years. The big game in the state? Superpowers Roncalli (2-0) and Bishop Chatard (2-0) get it on at a neutral site, Broad Ripple high in Indianapolis.

1.) 5A MERRILLVILLE (2-0)

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

MERRILLVILLE - Merrillville put some serious hurt on Highland in a 47-0 rout. The combined score of 129-0 in the wins over East Chicago and Highland is impressive, but let's allow them to face a top-caliber 5A squad before we get carried away. The scores from downstate remind you (and hopefully them) that there are better teams than Merrillville.

With that said, the Pirates, who have led by a combined score of 87-0 at halftime, need a close game because they can't reach their potential by playing only blowouts. The eight shutout quarters are impressive and senior halfback James Aldridge (6-2, 220) has scored six TDs in two games, but Merrillville needs a tougher preseason schedule than this.

The Pirates are presented with a challenge here in rival Crown Point, a team that has defeated them three years in a row. Merrillville must handle CP's 3-5 defense which is very difficult to read.

But after two warm-ups, the Pirates should welcome a game against an undefeated team and a sellout crowd.

2.) 5A Portage (1-1)

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

PORTAGE - I can't explain to you why Portage, leading 12-0 at home against a team they should beat, ended up losing 21-12 to South Bend St. Joseph's.

New QB Erik Rhein (11-23, 129) was intercepted three times and St. Joe won despite just nine first downs and 200 total yards. Portage halfback Nate Milligan ran for two TDs, giving him three scores in two games.

With that said, I've got the feeling that Portage players may have overlooked an out-of-the-region foe they didn't know. Especially after jumping ahead 12-0. I think it was somewhat of a fluke but we'll know Friday night. No team is defined by one non conference game.

The Indians should respond in a big way Friday night in the DAC opener against Lake Central (2-0). This loss may eventually be good for them.

3.) 3A GRIFFITH (2-0)

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

GRIFFITH - Griffith bombed Chesterton 56-7 Friday, their second straight blowout. The Panthers have gained over 800 yards in two games. Keep in mind, they also have faced two teams that are now 0-2. Remember how misleading the first two games of the year can be.

Halfback Drew Rogowski scored three TDs against Chesterton as the Panthers went to 2-0 for the first time in five years and climbed to No. 1 state wide in the computer rankings due to wins over two 5A schools. But they aren't No. 1. Chesterton hit 23 of 30 passes last week for 210 yards, an alarming total.

Griffith needs a big defensive game this week down at Lowell (1-1) where the Devils are always tough. Panther QB Matt Nelleman (13-20, 280 yards) has tossed four TDs and two interceptions.

The worry here is that Griffith has had two laughers while Lowell considers the Panthers their No. 1 rival. Remember, the Riley team Griffith beat has won six games in five years. They are the Kansas City Royals of high school football.

Griffith has to beat somebody good and they'll get the chance Friday.

4.) 5A LaPorte (2-0)

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

LaPORTE - Injury fears to HB Airrence Shark proved untrue and the Slicers smoked out Elkhart Central 49-14 with Shark (6-0, 210) running for two scores. QB Lance (Sonny) Juergensen was 8-of-8 for 186 yards as the Slicers led 49-0 after three quarters.

Here's another instance though, where a team is 2-0 against lesser foes. You can't get to the 5A state finals beating New Prairie and Elkhart Central. Now, LaPorte has to deal with Valparaiso, a physically strong team that won't be run over.

The Slicers appear to be ready for a big team in a big game but we'll know late Friday night.

5.) 4A HOBART (1-1)

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

HOBART - Hobart was totally shut down losing 26-0 at Crown Point, but they probably won't see a defense like Crown Point's again this year.

In the Brickie's defense, this game was 13-0 one minute into the game after CP hit Hobart with a trick play and a pass interception. The Brickies don't give the ball to Richard Mitchell (6-2, 205) enough to compliment halfback Rob Vaclavik. Remember that QB Josh Miracle (four interceptions last week) is young and receivers Michael Brown and Bobby James are inexperienced, The 26-0 score was somewhat of a fluke. I'll repeat what I said last week. The Brickies have a 50-50 shot at going 7-0 in the LAC with that offensive line.

6.) 5A VALPARAISO (1-1)

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

VALPARAISO - Valpo took advantage of Gary Roosevelt, gaining 400 yards and 20 first downs in a 48-6 victory. Valparaiso played Roosevelt after Penn in the pre-season every year and always ends up 1-1. So, Week 3 is when the real Valparaiso season begins.

I'd like to tell you that it's obvious how they'll do in the upcoming DAC season, but it isn't. The Vikes appear to have quality players on the perimeter on offense and defense, but I can't tell how their lines will match up against teams like LaPorte, who they see on Friday night.

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

7.) 5A CROWN POINT (2-0)

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

CROWN POINT - The Bulldogs have rarely looked better than they did in the first quarter of last week's 26-0 win over Class 4A No. 8 Hobart.

The '35' defense with linebackers Chris Schillo, Nick Ciochina, Vince Lewis, Chris Wilson and Jordan Rhye held the Brickies to 78 total yards and Hobart averages 250 pounds a man on the offensive line. Lowell and Hobart, two teams that will combine for about 5,000 yards rushing this year, were held to a total of 122 yards by the senior-dominated Bulldog defense.

Senior Donny Keiser scored on a 58-yard run and kicked two more field goals to give him five on the season. Cornerback Jeremy Plummer grabbed three interceptions. CP's plus-minus (takeaways versus turnovers) is 10-3 on the plus side after two games.

Same question as last week: Why aren't they higher than seventh in the poll? Same answer. They would be if senior QB Matt Jansen and junior wide receiver Matt Ernest were not injured and out indefinitely.

CP needs a peak effort every week. They are limited in what they can do offensively. They are a passing team that has thrown just 14 passes all year. No matter how well they play and the quality teams they stuff, the Bulldogs are still without two potential all-staters and they need an all-out effort every week to make up for being a little short on talent, especially on offense.

Let's withhold judgment on CP until they host 5A No. 3 Merrillville this Friday.

8.) 3A ANDREAN (1-0)

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

MERRILLVILLE - The 59ers crushed Bishop Noll 47-7 to go to 2-0 on the season and they looked a lot better with 300 yards rushing. Back-up QB Jesse Repay hit 6-of-8 for 114 yards. Fullback Alex Kadish (6-0, 200) gained 71 yards on 10 carries.

But it was against 2A Bishop Noll, a team Andrean hasn't lost to since the Reagan administration. Andrean's defense, which has allowed just 276 yards in two games, faces Morton (2-0), which has rolled up over 700 yards.

The 59ers are like a lot of teams. We just don't know about them yet. A lot of new players and two questionable opponents in the first two games, with all due respect to Chesterton (0-2).

The speed of junior Chandler Bowens (17 carries, 116 yards, 2 TDs in 2 games) adds a different dimension to the 59ers.

9.) 4A LOWELL (1-1)

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

LOWELL - Calumet was clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time as Lowell rebounded from a 10-point home loss to Crown Point with a 61-14 rout of the Warriors.

Senior sprinter Scott Gray scored three TDs and fullback Ethan Winel ran for two more as the Devils totaled over 500 yards. The Devils' passing attack appears improved as Jeff Clemens has nine receptions in two games.

But smoking up Calumet does not erase doubts that losing the opener sparked. The Devils' defense has the speed to stop most teams and the Lowell special teams should be well above-par.

But the Devils are hearing questions this week of whether they can control the ball on Griffith Friday night down on Route 2. Try and find a championship team that has lost back-to-back home games.

On paper, Lowell is as good or better than every team remaining on their schedule. But they need to prove that this Friday night.

10.) 5A MICHIGAN CITY (2-0)

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

MICHIGAN CITY - The Wolves have been building for a couple of years and there are indications they are ready to move up in the DAC. Halfback Ryan Fics scored five times in last week's 42-21 win over South Bend Clay. Fics gained an outrageous 278 yards on 18 carries and he has eight TDs in two weeks. MC is a little one-dimensional with a new QB, but the Wolves have a big offensive line led by center Jason Bendix (6-0, 220) and Fics (5-7, 170) is very hard to tackle.

Michigan City has issues in pass coverage, to be kind. Clay gained 225 yards passing on MC and that's way too many. But there will be nights when some of the teams ahead of them in this poll cannot beat them. And some of those nights may be this year.

On the outside looking in...

11.) 2A RENSSELAER (2-0)

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

RENSSELAER - The Bombers played an odd game with Kankakee Valley. Rensselaer gave up 243 yards rushing and 18 first downs and still won 37-2. Don't ask me. I don't know. I wasn't there. Jacob Kiger fired two more TD passes to Addrian Albrecht, that's four in two weeks.

The Bombers have so much offense (95 points), their punter is applying for unemployment. Jacob Kiger has two TD runs, five TD passes and he's kicked two field goals, all in 2 games.

You worry about their inability to stop the run going in to this Friday's game with North Judson.

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

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

NORTH JUDSON - Judson had some trouble beating Knox 31-18. The Jays had 17 first downs and 344 yards rushing. HB Cliff Weber (5-11, 185) gained 179 yards on 20 carries.

Rensselaer should be worried about how well Judson runs the ball. On the other hand, Judson gave up 265 yards passing to Knox. They have to be concerned about Rensselaer's passing attack.

Either way, Judson and Rensselaer will play to a sellout crowd Friday night in North Judson.

14.) 1A WHITING (2-0)

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

WHITING - Whiting rolled up 235 yards rushing and coasted by Riley 35-7. Hugo Torres ran for three TDs as the Oilers slowly built the lead all night.

Much was made of beating a 5A school but Riley is not a quality opponent, as their 6-36 record in the last five years suggests. The Oilers have not faced a quality opponent yet and there is doubt of when they will.

Whiting plays Calumet (0-2) this Friday and Calumet is allowing almost 55 points a game. Five of the nine teams on Whiting's schedule are 0-2 and the rest are 1-1.

With Pioneer (2-0), South Newton (2-0) and West Central (2-0) out there in Class 1A and all rolling up huge scores in the northern part of the state, you wonder which one of them is for real.