"The Renegade"

Week 6: High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report

9-22-2004

CROWN POINT (9-22-2004) - You can make a case for Portage, Valparaiso or Merrillville to be the top team in northwest Indiana but it's hard to continue to make a case for Andrean. The 59ers were overwhelmed on the ground by Lowell, which makes you wonder what would happen if they ever played the top 3 teams in the DAC. Andrean has such a come-from-behind capability though, that 14-0 and a berth in the state finals is still a possibility. 59er folks might note that Bishop Chatard is 3-2 this season but they don't want to know the whole truth. Chatard lost 24-21 to two-time 4A state champ Roncalli (5-0) and 21-15 to to two-time defending Ohio 6A champion Elder high of Cincinnati. Chatard, which would likely be the foe for the best 3A team in the north, is reportedly still one of the top-10 teams in the state in any class.

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 (3-2)

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

VALPARAISO - Realistically, it was a mistake to drop Valpo out of the top spot two weeks ago. The pre-season No. 1 team in this poll is again at the top after a strong 31-14 win over neighbor and rival Chesterton. It has been said many times that both of Valpo's losses (LaPorte, Penn) are in overtime which makes Valparaiso's true record 3-0-2. The VHS boys held Chesterton to 198 total yards. Trojan QB Casey Martin was held to 8 of 28 passing. Valpo did not dominate but both sides left aware of who the better team is. The moment of truth is ahead for Valparaiso when they face DAC powers Merrillville (4-1) and Portage (4-1) back-to-back on Oct 1 & 8.

STATUS: Steady. In the hunt for a big victim.

2.) Portage (4-1)

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

PORTAGE - Portage broke a 17-17 tie in the fourth quarter to win at Crown Point 24-17 but QB John Huston was intercepted four times, averaged 26 yards a punt and made six penalties. Antoine Brown ran 29 times for 175 yards and he will break the 1,000-yard barrier this week at Chesterton. Portage got out of town alive is what they did. No doubt the Indians are an elite team but they appear to have lost some confidence. In their defense, three of the teams they have played...East Chicago (3-2), Hobart (4-1), Merrillville (4-1), are having big years. There is a worry that Portage isn't physical enough defensively to handle Valparaiso in 3 weeks.

STATUS: DRIFTING...They need a big win.

3.) MERRILLVILLE (4-1)

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

MERRILLVILLE - Junior QB Evan Parker completed 7 of 13 passes for 167 yards and 4 TDs in last week's 48-17 win over Michigan City and James Aldridge carried 16 times for 127 yards. Aldridge (113 carries, 899 yards) and Antoine Brown (110 carries, 798 yards) are the kind of elite running back that separates these two teams from most. The Pirates' defense fueled a 21-0 first quarter lead and MC was never in the game. Merrillville has yet to get into the eye of the DAC hurricane with LaPorte (3-2), Chesterton (3-2) and Valparaiso (3-2) still to play.

Nobody's moving the ball on the star-studded Pirate defense (10.2 points per game) but Merrillville's teleconference schedule was not strong. They haven't run into three and four tough teams consecutively. They will now.

STATUS:  Powerful... but there are tests ahead.

4.) Chesterton (3-2)

5.) ANDREAN (5-0)

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

MERRILLVILLE - Andrean almost was excellent in a 35-28 win over Lowell but the defense gave up 300 yards rushing and looked helpless at times. Senior QB Tommy Finn has a rare 400-yard passing day (20-30, 411 yards) and Ty Harangody caught 10 passes, Jake Kocal gained 221 yards in receptions. The 59ers drove down the field with the game tied to win the game in the fourth quarter. They have more confidence on offense than any other team in this region. About that defensive line. I don't know what happened. The 59ers outweighed Lowell's blockers by 30 pounds a man but they were run over like a dead skunk in the middle of the road. I don't believe it. Look for a defensive revival this week against Hobart (4-1).

STATUS: SHAKY. Looking for a second wind.

6.) LOWELL (3-2)

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

LOWELL - Lowell got 262 more rushing yards from Toby Goetz (80 carries, 1010 yards) but the pass defense allowed 400 yards in a 35-28 loss at 3A No.2 Andrean. As well as they've played offensively (36.4 points per game), the Devils have not been hard to pass against, allowing 964 yards in five games. Only three fumbles all season and no injuries on the lines bodes well. Matt Seidel (4 of 4 vs Andrean) has cleared up the place-kicking problems. But personnel changes are probably coming in the secondary. Lowell faces a must game Friday on the road at Hammond high and the Cats, like everybody else now, are going to throw the ball.

STATUS: WOUNDED. They have something to prove this week.

7.) Griffith (4-1)

GRIFFITH - Griffith's high-powered offense (193 points - 38.6 per game) rolled over Morton 50-20 with another 447 yards rushing. The Panthers dumped their new found passing attack on a night when they hit 2-of-9.

The Panthers also have an unofficial 412 yards in penalties and they keep coming. Senior HB Justin Culp has four TDs in the last three games. Griffith gave up 260 yards passing last week and they need to address that with Andrean coming next month. This stretch is softer than the Cubs' last two weeks. Highland this week, Hammond next week. And neither can stop the run? They'll go down faster than Oscar DeLa Hoya. The Panthers should roll up good numbers. Please. Put those pass plays away until later on.

STATUS: STEADY... Easy like Sunday morning.

8.) CROWN POINT (2-3)

CROWN POINT – Again CP went to the fourth quarter with a chance to win. But Portage and Antoine Brown (170 rushing yards, 2 TDs) has too much. CP found a kicker in walk-on (he didn't start the year as a football player) Brad Mallers to replace injured Donny Keiser. Soph Matt Ernest has four interceptions in five games. CP's defense (15.8 points allowed per game) has been a major surprise. They are still without 2003 starting LB Jordan Rhye, who will be back next month and Keiser, a multi-position player. The Bulldogs have played Merrillville (4-1), Hobart (4-1), Portage (4-1) and Lowell (3-2) but there is more to come.

STATUS: STILL IN THE FIGHT... Better keep swinging.

9.) Hobart (4-1)

HOBART - The Brickies laid some serious smack on injury-weakened Munster 33-0. You can't feel sorry for anybody and Hobart didn't, rushing for 230 yards against the Ponies. Marc Drobac carried the ball six times for 135 yards. Junior Richard Mitchell (6-1, 220) is a game-breaker at linebacker. Hobart has only three fumbles and that's a key for a running team. The Brickies have allowed only seven points in league play and only 48 points (9.6 points per game) overall. Can their ball control game keep Andrean's 21^st century attack on the bench enough for a Lake Athletic Conference upset Friday? We're about to find out.

STATUS: JUDGMENT DAY... Are they movin' on up?

10.) LaPorte (3-2)

LaPORTE – Pulled away in the second half for a must-win at Lake Central 41-18. Here comes Airrence Shark (5-9, 200), the DAC's next big-time RB. Shark carried 20 times for 142 yards and 3 TDs at LC. Shark has six TDs in the last three weeks. The defense held LC to 74 yards rushing. La Porte has gained 1,000 yards in the last three weeks and they are overcoming a inexperienced defense. Kicker Nick Ford had two FG's last week and 5-of-5 kicking the extra point. But the Slicers have allowed at least 17 points in every game this year. They may not be ready for Merrillville (4-1) Friday.

STATUS: HIGH HOPES... But the winds of change are blowing.

11.) East Chicago (3-2)
Head Coach: Mark Hidalgo (28-29, 4 years)

EAST CHICAGO - Yes, they are better than Rensselaer, Lake Central and Highland. Yes, the defense is weak. But, yes they did score 61 points last week. Consecutive wins 53-8 over Roosevelt, 59-6 over Riley and 61-34 over Leo. Roosevelt and Riley aren't much good but Leo supposedly was a decent team. St. Joseph's and Chicago St. Laurence are the toughest teams left on the schedule but the Cardinals are looking down the barrel of 7-2.

STATUS: COASTING... They need a winning streak and it looks good for them.