"The Renegade"

Week 2: High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report

8-24-2004

CROWN POINT (8-24-2004) Virtually nothing changed in week one where the Top-10 was concerned. No surprises. Games involving Lowell vs. Crown Point and Chesterton vs. Andrean were very dramatic but the higher rated team won. The same occurred in the Valpo-Penn game. Around the state, defending 5A state champ Warren Central won 53-0, two-time defending 4A champ Roncalli won 24-2 and three-time defending 3A champ Bishop Chatard won 49-0. But long range fun appears to be on the horizon for the trio of Merrillville, Portage and Valparaiso in 5A, Lowell and Munster in 4A and the inevitable matchup of Griffith and Andrean in 3A.

As always, 'The Renegade', with no allegiance to any school or any sponsors (not yet, anyway) can tell it like it is about local prep football. All schools in the six county Northwest Indiana region count and records are irrelevant. These are the BEST teams.

1.) Valparaiso (0-1)

Head Coach: Mark Hoffman (185-122, 27 years at Valpo)

VALPARAISO - Valpo lost 17-14 in overtime in front of 5,000 fans at Penn and they stay number one because, well, nobody else in northwest Indiana could take Penn to overtime. Valpo outgained Penn 224-178 and led 6-0 going to the fourth quarter. Here's where most polls are simple-minded. They are locked into the wins and losses. This was a season-opening triumph for Valparaiso, although they probably won't say it publicly.

Valpo had a game-winning TD called back on a penalty and remember, an overtime game is truly a tie anyway.

Senior defensive back Scott Osburn intercepted three passes and Valpo committed no turnovers. Coach Mark Hoffman's scheduling strategy of playing superpower Penn in the season opener (something few coaches would even consider) has paid off in recent years. I'm betting it will pay off again with a big winning season.

2.) Portage (1-0)

Head Coach: Craig Buzea (91-28, 10 years)

PORTAGE - The question was the offensive and defensive lines of Portage, which had to be rebuilt after their sectional championship season in 2003. Without seeing the game film, it looked like a split decision in the Indians' season-opening 24-7 win at Hobart last week. Portage gained a solid 323 yards but only 187 yards rushing. In theory, a new defensive line can play well immediately while a new offensive line needs time. Senior sprinter Antoine Brown carried 20 times for 149 yards while QB Mark Huston hit 7-of-14 passes with no interceptions.

Incidentally, has any region runner ever gained 2,000 yards (Antoine Brown was 273 for 2,039 in 2003) two years in a row? I'm almost certain that no one has ever done it in the Duneland Conference.

Portage's early schedule changes next season when South Bend St. Joseph's replaces Hobart in the season opener. This week's game against East Chicago's speed is a total contrast from Hobart's power but good preparation for the heavy-hitters down the line. How much time do the Indians have? Truthfully? About 3 weeks. Portage vs. Merrillville on Sept. 10 is the first truly big game of the season.

3.) MERRILLVILLE (1-0)

Head Coach: Jeff Yelton (46-29, 9 years)

MERRILLVILLE - Merrillvile was semi-tough in the season-opening 42-13 victory over East Chicago. This was only a 14-7 game at the half and the Pirates ended up allowing 319 yards, an uncomfortable total even considering EC's speed.

The defense did get four turnovers, but the Pirates committed 10 penalties for 110 yards, another uncomfortable total. There were comfortable numbers. Merrillville gained 308 rushing yards and did not lose any fumbles.

The player everybody wants to see (everybody other than DAC defensive coordinators) is junior tailback James Aldridge (6-1, 215) a transfer from the St. Louis area. In his Hoosier debut, Aldridge gained 172 yards and two TDs on 25 carries.

QB Even Parker would probably like to see more than 5-of-17 passes completed for 49 yards. Merrillville battling the 'Mighty Men' of Chicago's Dunbar high school this week is not a prime-time matchup, but the Pirates are getting ready for that Sept. 11 date with Portage and this will be another chance to work on their game.

4.) LOWELL (1-0)

Head Coach: Kirk Kennedy (95-51, 13 years)

LOWELL - Jeff Clemens' 62-yard run with a fourth quarter interception put Lowell ahead 19-15 in what turned out to be a 25-15 season-opening win at Crown Point. Lowell certainly didn't dominate this game but 268 yards rushing was very impressive. That's the heart of the Red Devils game and tailback Toby Goetz (5-11, 216) carried 24 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

This opener means so much to Lowell. This was the Devils' fifth win in six years over their neighboring school twice their size. Expectations and spirits are at a high level.

But the passing game (only 8 yards gained) isn't there and Lowell isn't strong on the corners with all-area passer Tommy Finn looming in week five. The Devils' defense is as quick and hard hitting as it's ever been but they need work on special teams. The Devils missed an extra point and let a punt be run back all the way for a TD. That should never happen with Lowell's speed.

But this is a better team than the squad that went 11-2 last year. They have offensive weapons they have not shown yet. A warm-up game this week against Calumet and then one of the feature games of the season with No. 1 league rival Griffith. No two teams in northwest Indiana are traditionally so similar.

5.) ANDREAN (1-0)

Head Coach: Brett St Germain (1 year, 12-1)

MERRILLVILLE - A miracle comeback by Andrean, a 99-yard, 22 play drive in five minutes gave Andrean an 18-13 win at Chesterton on a 10-yard pass from Tommy Finn to Jake Kocal. Here's another victory that means a ton to the winner. Class 3A Andrean has beaten 5A Chesterton now, for two seasons in a row. It wasn't always that way. Andrean lost five consecutive season openers in the 90s. Tommy Finn is off to a great start after hitting 20 of 32 for 235 yards and carrying 24 times for 116 yards.

The 59ers out gained Chesterton 404-243 and rolled up 20 first downs. The downside is, the 59ers averaged 29 yards a punt and were 0-for-3 on conversions. This game was more confusing than telling because we really don't know how good either team is. The 59ers need to develop more of a running game than they showed in week one.

Like Valpo, Portage, Lowell and Merrillville, Andrean comes off a tough opener with a relatively easy game two against undermanned Bishop Noll.

It sounds ridiculous but Andrean might have been better off losing the Chesterton game. It was nonconference. It didn't mean anything. They have a 27-game regular season winning streak and a four-year Lake Athletic Conference win streak that local media will pick up on soon. Streaks are of no value to a team that wants to go back to the state finals. You can wonder if Andrean's schedule is tough enough to be a state champion. The 59ers can't get to the promised land playing Bishop Noll, Hammond and Morton. Three-time 3A champ Bishop Chatard is playing superpower Reitz in Evansville Friday night and they have nationally-renowned Elder high of Cincinnati later this season. It would be bold but isn't it about time for Andrean to call Chatard and ask for a game? Who's the region team with the best record over the last four years? Its not close. Andrean. They've won 40 of their last 44 games.

6.) Chesterton (0-1)

Head Coach: John Snyder (19-14 - 3 years)

CHESTERTON - The Trojans should have beaten Andrean, but the 59ers took it away 18-13 with that 99-yard drive in the final minutes. Worse than the loss was being outgained 404-243 and giving up 20 first downs. Chesterton has to face top very talented passers at Crown point, LaPorte and Portage. You can't give up 200 yards passing.

The Trojans are redoing the lines and you have to give them some time, like Portage. Chesterton does not have an easy second week game. They travel to Griffith to face the hard-running Panthers. The Trojans cannot go 0-2 against the LAC and then do better against bigger, more physical DAC. It doesn't work that way. Chesterton plays Portage, Valparaiso and LaPorte in a three-week span in September. They get no breaks. But give them another week for analysis. The truth is, they should have beaten Andrean.

7.) Griffith (1-0)

Head Coach: Russ Radtke (100-37, 11 years)

GRIFFITH - Let's not put too much heat on Griffith's 57-3 win over Bishop Noll. I know that Drew Rogowski scored six touchdowns in the win over Noll and the Panthers never punted. But again. Noll, with a new coach and offensive system is, shall we say, under renovation. If one player runs back three kicks for touchdowns against the same team, it says a lot more about the team they beat than it does about the player. It will be much tougher for Griffith this week (Aug. 27) against a skilled Chesterton squad.

The Panthers drew 20 penalties, losing 190 yards. Obviously, that's got to be cleared up. Rich Lehman hit 9-of-14 passes for 130 yards but, please. If you think that coach Russ Radtke is going to let Lehman throw 14 passes against Lowell in two weeks, I've got some weapons of mass destruction I'd like to sell you. Fresh from Iraq.

The Panthers have a real chance to be the region champions. This is no year to test a crazy new-fangled offensive weapon like the forward pass.

8.) LaPorte (1-0)

Head Coach: Bob Schellinger (55-54, 6 years)

LaPORTE - I'm not sure about LaPorte. Tailback Derrick Sims has been suspended for four games but a move-in, Josh Salary (5-9, 165) gained 121 yards on 20 carries. He looks like he'll be a big threat with good blocking.

The Slicers' rebuilt defense gave up 272 yards to New Prairie and the game was tied going to the fourth quarter. I know New Prairie is underrated, but LaPorte was down by 10 points in the second period. Highly-regarded soph tailback Airrence Shark carried 10 times for 29 yards but Salary, a senior, may keep Shark in a backup role.

The Slicers offensive line will be the key and all hands have to be on deck this Friday against high-scoring Elkhart Central (1-0). These first two are just practice games and the Slicers need them.

9.) CROWN POINT (0-1)

Head Coach: Chip Pettit (14-17, 3 Years)

CROWN POINT - Crown Point lost a very tough one, 25-15 to Lowell after leading 15-12 with five minutes to go. New QB Matt Jansen (16 of 30, 160 yards) was excellent until an overthrow turned into a game winning Lowell TD.

The Bulldogs gave up 250 rushing yards and that's a big concern heading to hard-running Hobart in week two. CP was short at least three linebackers against Lowell so it's hard to evaluate them just yet.

Jansen has excellent receivers in 6-2 Matt Ernest, 5-10 Mike Smith and even 6-5 basketball player Brian Maloney. The running game will get better behind 6-2, 280 pound Steve Ellingsen.

The Bulldogs have a DAC offense. Do they have a DAC defense? We need to know in 3 weeks when they start a brutal four week slate against Portage, Valparaiso, LaPorte and Chesterton. Truthfully, CP needs to know the next two weeks against Hobart and Merrillville.

10.) Hobart (1-0)

Head Coach: Wally McCormack (5-7, 1 year)

HOBART - Hobart lost 24-7 to Portage, but they apparently didn't get beat up and should be very ready for Crown Point. For Hobart's sake, I'm glad this was the final Hobart-Portage game. The Brickies left the big school Duneland Conference two years ago and they didn't make that change so they could open the season against two DAC teams. Get real. Portage has 2,500 students and Crown Point eventually will, too.

Hobart doesn't have 1,000 kids if everybody shows up. Here's another team I'd love to see play North Judson.

But Hobart playing Gary West Side helps both schools. West Side needs a shot against 'suburban' Gary teams and they'll get a good gate every other year. Hobart will start most years 1-0 and will be almost never be 0-2 going into league play.

Anything that hinders your effort to win your league title and develop your team should be changed. This is a good schedule move.

Hobart played Portage as well as they can considering the Indians have more depth and speed. The Brickies gained just 97 yards rushing and that is their strength. Hobart must get a pass rush on CP's Matt Jansen this week or they will not be able to defend the Bulldogs' 4 and 5 wide receiver sets.

11.) Munster (1-0)

Leroy Marsh (163-97, 21 years)

MUNSTER - You don't prove you belong in the Top-10 by beating Kankakee Valley 56-7. But they're close. KV was supposed to be improved this season. If they are, Munster's lines didn't let them show it. But the ponies did gallop for 376 yards rushing with fullback Prince Kwateng gaining 234 yards on 10 carries. Again, that yards-per-carry average may say more about KV than it does about Prince. New Mustang QB Jake Ernd completed 9-of-12 passes for 140 yards. KV self-destructed with five turnovers and a 21-yard average on punts. Munster is looking at Wirt and Highland the next two weeks so the chance is there to be a very strong 3-0 before reality sets in against Griffith on Sept. 11. With Wirt getting smaller and smaller, the time will soon come where Munster will be looking for a week 2 foe. It's a good question. Why don't they play neighbor Lake Central, who opens with Loyola Academy and South Bend Riley.

Out of town scoreboard...

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Pioneer (1-0)	14	8	8	22	52
Lafayette Catholic (0-1)	14	14	0	13	41

Lafayette - I don't have a good answer on what happened here. Pioneer, the small school country powerhouse from Royal Central, staked their claim with 410 yards rushing on 60 carries. The Panthers tried one pass all night. Lafayette Catholic left-handed quarterback Thomas Haan completed an outrageous 30 of 59 passes for 440 yards and five touchdowns. Junior Pioneer tailback Matt Vianco carried 17 times for 147 yards and five TDs. Senior Evan Dorton carried 26 times for 182 yards.

Quote of the week comes from Lafayette coach Ryan Gallogly.

“My feelings are pretty down,” he said. “ Pioneer is a well-coached team, but they use probably only four different plays. Our weight room dedication was horrible this year. believe it or not, we spend three times as much time in practice on defense than we do on offense.'”

Pioneer, a potential state tournament foe for Whiting or River Forest, has won 22 consecutive regular season games.