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Lowell (0-0) atCrown Point (0-0) |
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Week
1 - Football Game of the Week Preview |
Lowell (0-0) atCrown Point (0-0) |
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8-16-2006
When:
7:00 p.m., CDT on Friday, August 18, 2006
Where: 1500 S. Main, Crown Point
Tickets: $5 (for everybody)
TV/Radio/Internet: WTMK (89.5) FM will carry this game live and WWCA (1270) AM will replay it Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Live Internet coverage on www.RRSN.com and www.USA-365.com.
Weather: Too hot for football but as cool as you can expect in the middle of the summer. Low 80s or high 70s during the day and about 75 by kickoff. Hopefully, a cloud or two. On Aug. 18, it could just as easily be 90 degrees at 7 p.m.
Parking: There is a lot of parking at CP but be patient, it all extends from only one entrance and exit. I've noticed last year that folks are happily parking in the lot at St. Matthias church just west of the high school. I was told that they'd prefer it that you didn't do that. Either a lot of folks have a special dispensation from the 'Big Guy' or St, Matthias has simply decided to hold no services on home game nights. Understand that almost wherever you park at the new Crown Point high school, it is a healthy walk to the field.
RIVALRY: 'The Leather Helmet' game is what Lowell and Crown Point have begun to call this rivalry that dates back to 1903. The numbers of meetings differ, but several sources recognize this as the longest standing matchup of two high school football teams in Northern Indiana. Crown Point leads the series 60-39-2. Lowell has won five of the last seven, but CP won 16-6 in 2005.
The helmet speaks to the fact that these teams met when football players wore leather helmets in the middle of the last century. Truthfully, this rivalry dates back to the time when football players probably didn't wear helmets at all.
Neither of these schools have a great history in football, but Lowell had a dark period when they did not have a winning season from 1969 to 1992, an entire generation. CP dominated this matchup during that time and built up the advantage they now carry in the all-time series. It's hard to dig up hate between these two schools. Lowell's assistant principal Mike Chelap is CP's former athletic director and he sent his kids through Crown Point. CP principal Ryan Pitcock's wife is Lowell volleyball coach Wendy Pitcock. Lowell grad Ginger Keithley is a second year coach of three sports for CP. It's no secret that Lowell would rather beat Griffith than CP and Crown Point would much rather beat Merrillville than Lowell. It may not be accurate to say that these teams root for each other after week one, but they definitely follow the other and there was no more than the minimum jealousy and resentment from CP when Lowell won the state title last November. Not nearly as much as there would have been if Merrillville had won state.
In 15-20 years, if Hanover Central (the school that sits between CP and Lowell) can resurrect its football program and if Crown Point keeps growing as a school, Lowell may choose to play HC in football instead of CP. There's always a couple of dozen Hanover Central students and parents in the stands at the Lowell-Crown Point game. But the crowds the Devils and Bulldogs attract (a guess would be that 3,500 to 4,000 will show up Friday) will always make it very difficult to give this game up, especially as long as Indiana insists on playing a football game before fall classes start, when it's tough to fill any stadium.
The
loose parallel games here are Gavit and Hammond high, next door south Hammond
season-opening neighbors or Elkhart Memorial and Elkhart Central, neighbors and
sister schools who begin the year against each other in Elkhart County.
But those schools could meet again in the playoffs. Lowell and CP is a big
social gathering in the stands to mark the end of summer for students, teachers,
neighboring friends, enemies, families and cousins in the south Lake County area
much like I would suspect LaPorte-New Prairie is in western LaPorte
County. The Bulldogs and Red Devils, though less than 10 miles apart, have
never played in the post-season and cannot possibly meet again or compete in
football in any way for another 365 days. So, no matter how intense it
gets on the field and no matter what the outcome is Friday, it has to be
forgotten in two weeks, because Lowell and Crown Point both have bigger fish
they very much want to fry.
Class
4A Lowell
Enrollment:
1,150 - Class 4A
Coach: Kirk Kennedy (113-59, 15 years)
Sectional titles: (5) 1992, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005
Regional titles: (3) 1994, 1999, 2005
2005 record: 11-4
Won first state title with a 28-27 win over eight-time champ Roncalli.
2006
LOWELL Red Devils
Coach: Kirk Kennedy, 115-59 in 16th year at school
Aug. 18 (F) at Crown Point {5A}
Aug. 25 (F) Calumet {3A}
Sep. 1 (F) at Griffith {3A}
Sep. 8 (F) Morton {3A}
Sep. 15 (F) at Andrean {3A}
Sep. 22 (F) at Hammond {3A}
Sep. 29 (F) Munster {4A}
Oct. 6 (F) Hobart {4A}
Oct. 13 (F) at Highland {4A}
Returnees
Sr - Josh Kuiper (S-LB) 73 tackles, 2 sacks
Jr - Jeff Barker (DE) 66 tackles, 5 sacks
Jr - Kaleb Layman (DE) 18 tackles
Sr - Mike Staniewicz (DT) 41 tackles
Jr. - Steffan Peck (RB) 75 carries, 417 yards, 4 TDs
Sr. - Max Znika (RB) 41 carries, 219 yards, TDs
Lowell Red Devils (11-4)
8-19 (L) 6-16 5A No. 2 Crown Point (11-1)
8-26 (W) 61-14 at 3A Calumet (4-6)
9-2 (L) 0-21 3A No. 1 Griffith (12-1)
9-9 (L) 13-32 at 3A Morton (8-4)
9-16 (L) 0-7 3A No. 4 ANDREAN (8-2)
9-23 (W) 41-7 3A HAMMOND (1-10)
9-30 (W) 48-7 at 4A Munster (3-7)
10-7 (W) 14-7 at 4A Hobart (6-6)
10-14 (W) 41-14 4A Highland (4-6)
4A Sectional nine
10-21 (W) 41-7 at Roosevelt (3-6)
10-28 (W) 41-6 vs Kankakee Valley (7-4)
11-4 (W) 32-6 Hobart (6-6)
4A
Regional
11-11 (W) 30-23 at Concord (9-3)
4A
Semistate
11-18 (W) 16-14 (FW) South (11-3)
4A
State Championship
11-27 (W) 28-27 at Indianapolis Roncalli (12-3)
Class
5A Crown Point
Enrollment:
2, 271 - Class 5A
Head Coach: Chip Pettit (34-31, 7 years) 11-1 in 2005
Championships
SECTIONALS (2) 1988, 1991
REGIONALS (1) 1988
Lost 16-13 to eventual 5A regional champion Merrillville
2006
Crown Point Bulldogs
DAC games in
CAPS
8-18 (F) Lowell (11-4)
8-25 (F) at Hobart (6-6)
9-1 (F) at MERRILLVILLE (11-3)
9-8 (F) LAKE CENTRAL (2-8)
915 (F) PORTAGE (2-8)
9-22 (F) at VALPARAISO (5-5)
9-29 (F) at LAPORTE (9-2)
10-6 (F) CHESTERTON (3-8)
10-13 (F) at MICHIGAN CITY (6-5)
2006 Returnees
Sr - Matt Ernest (WR) 18 catches, 354 yards, 3 TDs
Sr - Jon Sertich (HB) 135 rushes, 805 yards, 14 catches, 153 yards, 7
TDs
Sr - Tommy Parks (FB) 22 rushes 150 yards, 16 catches, 194 yards
Jr - Blake Mascarello (QB) 27-56, 458 yards, TD, 3 INTs
Sr - Ryan Forney (WR) 26 catches, 472 yards, TD, 13 carries, 109 yards
Sr - Jon Sertich (S) 71 tackles, 2 interceptions
Sr - Nick Damjanovic (DE) 51 tackles, 4.5 sacks
2005 SEASON
(11-1)
Aug. 19 (W) at Lowell (11-4) 16-6
Aug. 26 (W) Hobart (6-6) 26-0
Sep. 2 (W) Merrillville (11-3) 13-0
Sep. 9 (W) at Lake Central (2-8) 23-0
Sep. 16 (W) at Portage (2-8) 31-21
Sep. 23 (W) Valparaiso (5-5) 13-10
Sep. 30 (W) LaPorte (7-4) 35-14
Oct. 7 (W) at Chesterton (3-8) 34-17
Oct. 14 (W) Michigan City (6-5) 47-7
5A Sectional 1
Oct. 21 (W) at Valparaiso (5-5) 45-20
Oct. 28 (W) Chesterton (3-8) 34-0
Nov. 4 (L) at Merrillville (11-3) 13-16
CROWN POINT (8-18-2006) Here's NW Indiana's new football tradition. The unofficial region kickoff game involving the longest standing rivalry in this part of the state. These are definitely the 'Good Old Days' for both of these schools. Lowell is coming off three big winning seasons which ended in a 10-game winning streak and the school's first state title. Crown Point had the No. 1 scoring defense state wide for 5A schools last year and they won 11 in a row before losing the sectional title game to Merrillville.
This matchup lacks a lot of the edge and bitterness of some others because these teams are not in the same league and they have never met in the post-season. Nobody's too upset with the loss. Plus, for schools that are not in the same district, the schools have always been pretty close friends. Lowell and Crown Point met twice a year in football from 1934 to 1952. Of course, back then, who else was there? 1934 predates the existence of Hanover Central, Lake Central, Hobart, River Forest, Highland, Andrean, Munster and Merrillville. Lowell and CP were league rivals in the old Lake Suburban Conference and the even older Calumet Conference. Before Hanover Central was built in 1969, the CP school district bordered the Lowell district in most of Lake County. It still does in the southeast portion of the county.
In football, the season opener is the game you have in mind when you do summer workouts. For Lowell and Crown Point, that fact is highlighted by a disconnected event, the annual Lake County Fair, which attracts hundreds daily from both towns in early August. Both coaches warn their boys not to get into trouble at the fair, as an occasional debate has been known to arise on the relative merits of both teams in between bites of cotton candy or buttered corn.
In recent years this has been a contrast in styles. Coach Chip Pettit, a former CP QB of the early 90s has derived his philosophy from his head coach Brad Smith, who liked a balanced multiple offense. Lowell coach Kirk Kennedy, an Ohio native, has based everything on the old school Ohio State-style hard running attacks that Hobart and Griffith have also ridden to football fame in NW Indiana.
You can say what you want about passing attacks during the regular season and, admittedly, the 5A bracket is the 'NFL' of prep football. But in the last 20 years, the three top traditionally one-dimensional rushing schools in NW Indiana -- Hobart, Griffith and Lowell, have all won state titles.
That's what makes this game intriguing, as Lowell returns a rebuilt line led by big veteran Mike Staniewicz (6-7, 265) in front of 2005 starting fullback Steffan Peck (5-6, 165) and valued reserve Max Znika (5-9, 172). You had to watch closely to see it, but Josh Kuiper actually did play some at QB last year and he will be confident once things begin to go Lowell's way Friday. There was a time in 2005 when state champ QB Jimmy Ritter (now graduated) and Kuiper were almost even at the QB position.
There is also the passing game. Lowell always says they'll pass more and they never do. But Kuiper throws well and senior Jon Cap has been working with him as a pass catch duo, the reverse of baseball where Cap is Lowell's top pitcher and Kuiper their starting catcher. Also, if speedy defensive end Jeff Barker (6-5, 187) lines up at tight end, Lowell would be foolish not to go to him as he'll be a mismatch against most defenders.
But the key is the line, where Staniewicz will lead a group that should include Andrew Steuer (6-0, 222), David Lang (6-0, 206) and Geno Wentworth (6-2, 225). The Devils will use Danny Remboski (6-0, 193) as a blocking back and he should be a good one.
There is a good offense here. It's just a matter of whether it will be here on opening night.
Crown Point is just as intriguing. They graduates nine defensive starters, so they have moved three offensive players, fullback Danny Byrd (5-6, 210), guard Zach Brumm (5-11, 220) and tight end Zach Cecich (6-2, 220) to defense where they help form the new defensive line. What might have gone unnoticed about CP was that when Matt Ernest got hurt in week one of the 2005 season, it took away CP's top defensive back as well as their top receiver. Ernest (6-2, 175) is back and he'll be a very difficult cornerback for anyone to throw on. Teams will attack Ryan Forney (5-8, 165), but he's also an experienced veteran and Jon Sertich (5-9, 170) is a veteran safety who has played linebacker.
The Bulldogs shut teams down with a 3-5-3 or '35' defense in 2005, using five linebackers. But I expect them to get away from that some Friday because all the linebackers are new. Nick Cottrell (5-9, 205) who might have started against Lowell, is questionable due to injury. Mike Damjanovic (6-0, 220), a varsity wrestler, will be the key as he will slide between linebacker and defensive end. But he also missed the scrimmage (8-11-2006) due to injury. CP wants the offense to worry so much about what Bulldog defenders are doing on every play. There are no keys that the QB can read. They can bury an inexperienced QB if, with new players, they don't confuse themselves.
Offensively, if the line is Andrew Krumwied (6-5, 245), Kurt Wermers (6-5, 270), center Matt Polus (6-1, 240), Cody Blue (6-3, 210) and Matt Childress (6-2, 245), they should do well. Watch to see if Krumwied and Wermers line up along side reach other with Cecich at tight end. That's a very strong side.
Running backs Tommy Parks and Jon Sertich will share the ball with receivers Ernest and Forney, with QB Blake Mascarello as the distributor. Ernest is the all-time single -season pass catch champ of Crown Point. He caught 47 passes for 1,000 yards in 2004. Injuries hurt his numbers in 2005, but he's 100% now.
Bulldog eyes would smile if a couple of passes get to junior Joe Baker (6-4, 170) and first time tight end senior Mike Osojnicki (6-6, 200). Backup tight end Joey Maginot (6-2, 205) is not small. The height has to be a factor against a Lowell secondary that has Steffan Peck (5-6, 165) and Lukas Palmer (5-11, 160).
If it comes down to kickers, Lowell's David Lang was 4-for-4 on extra points in the state finals in 2005, while CP will use soccer players to kick off and place kick. Nick Barber is a goalie and Mike Lipton is a forward but a guess would be that Barber will kick off and Lipton will kick points.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Lowell, on the road, may have some confidence problems coming into this game and Crown Point will exploit that early. CP figures to quickly strike deep, especially if the first one or two runs are successful. The matchup of Matt Ernest against anybody from Lowell is a tough one. The Red Devils are physically small on the corner. Ernest is a 6-foot-2 boy who plays about 6-4 or 6-5. Lowell cannot allow the CP star to get single coverage on the wide side of the field, but that's much easier said than done. With Baker and Osojnicki for CP, there are going to be some matchups where CP receivers have nine or 10 inches on Lowell defenders. Lowell defensive backs have to be very physical and force CP pass catchers to drop passes.
That will come later in the game, after the Bulldogs have scored a couple of early TDs on tosses from Blake Mascarello to Ernest or Forney. Lowell will be very patient, as they typically are, and take three or four yards a crack behind Staniewicz or on option runs with Kuiper. The Devils want the clock to run.
If this game is tied after one quarter, Lowell is winning. They want some doubt to accumulate in the minds of CP's offensive players. Nobody told me, but Lowell is going to run at the CP shotgun attack with wide angle blitzes and they might slide Barker, their fastest lineman around on the defensive line, especially on passing downs. Crown Point wants to stack the line and push Lowell runners wide, testing the speed of the ball-carriers. I don't know how much you'll see of CP's renowned 3-5-3 or '35' defense that they had so much success with in 2005. What ever the formation, the Bulldogs will bring a fourth or fifth man to the line quickly to force Lowell to run laterally. They won't leave Lowell's tackles uncovered and let them grind out short gains and they need the Devils to prove they can run wide.
I can see Lowell QB Josh Kuiper gaining yards on QB option keepers and he may score that way. But the Devils need a blocked punt or a turnover to set up a short field for a key TD. That's why CP will stay with running backs Jon Sertich and Tommy Parks in a conservative second half once they get the lead. Lowell won't get much chance to win this one.