Preview: LOWELL (5-2, 2-2) at  Munster (5-2, 3-2)
by Mark Smith

HISTORY: Lowell has not won a regular season game from Munster in coach Kirk Kennedy's 12 years. The Devils have won three playoff games in that time including a 21-20 victory last year.

DIRECTIONS/PARKING: Take Route 41 five miles north to 45th Ave. Turn left (west) to Columbia Ave (1 block east of Calumet). Turn right (north) and go four blocks to the school. Munster is at 8118 Columbia Ave.

MUNSTER, Indiana - Munster is probably the strongest team in Class 4A . They have lost 20-10 to 3A No. 3 Andrean and 14-3 to Griffith but the Mustangs have won five other games by a combined score of 254-52. Munster has several weapons including 205-pound senior tailback Steve Smith, who carried 24 times for 193 yards and four TDs last week in a 49-0 rout of a Highland team that beat Lowell 23-13.
Munster also relies on receiver Mike Helfen (22 catches, 361 yards) as the ace receiver for junior QB Wally Cirafesi (6-2, 195), who has thrown for  respectable (43 of 90, 708 yards, 4TDs, 2 INTs) totals this season. The defense is led by safety Adam Del Rio (6-3, 196) and defensive lineman Tom Daugherty (6-2, 204). They have not allowed more than 20 points in any game but their shutout last week was their first.

The state tournament draw created no Class 4A Sectional 9 scenario where Lowell and Munster can met before the Sectional title game on Nov. 8 so that will not be a factor in this game. Coaches don't talk about injuries publicly but I have a feeling that Munster was shorthanded during the losses at midseason. With Gary Roosevelt as their final opponent, this game truthfully caps the Mustangs' regular season. Munster appears to be playing at a peak with no fumbles in their last three games.

Lowell may be without fullback Toby Goetz, who reinjured his leg last week at Kankakee Valley.  Several others will play with minor injuries and with a roster of only 39, Lowell has to continue to be wary of wearing out offensive threats like like Justin Henley, who almost never leaves the field but is required to run hard in the fourth quarter.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:  There is a possibility that Munster will win this game decisively. They have appeared unbeatable the last two weeks, winning 69-13 and 49-0.  But it's tough to block out Lowell because they are solid against the run, have a low-risk offense and a strong kicking game.

I think Lowell can have some success running option plays with QB Chuck Thompson. Griffith, an option team, ran for 283 yards last month on the Mustangs. It's hard to throw a lot against Munster but Lowell does not pass by design.

I see Munster taking a 3-0 or 7-0 lead and that score extending into the second half.

The Mustangs will line up in a double wing attack and run repeatedly to try to wear down the Devils. Lowell will be forced to the air but that's dangerous. Munster has 11 interceptions.  This is a night where Lowell will risk some turnovers to strike deep in a low-scoring game.

But Munster will play a conservative game, striking for one TD with a play-action pass and another on a run by Steve Smith. Munster-Lowell games are low-scoring and this will be no exception. This is not a do-or-die game for Lowell with an easy playoff path in sight. The Red Devils will never be out of the game but they will never lead.

Munster 17, LOWELL 10

DEVIL NOTES: Justin Henley (136 carries, 899 yards) will be hard-pressed to gain the yards he needs to reach the 1,000-yard level this week. Only one back, Griffith's David Martin III (14 carries, 106 yards) has gained 100 yards on Munster this season. Lowell is trying to win three consecutive road games for the first time since they won at Andrean (33-14), at Highland 20-17 and at Morton (21-0) in October of 1999. Lowell has been a good road team recently. They were 6-1 on the road in 1999 and 4-1 on the road in 2000.

The state tournament draw, which sends Gary Roosevelt (3-4) to Lowell in the section nine opener on Oct. 25, is  a welcome relief for the Red Devils who close the season with undefeated Andrean on Oct. 18. Lowell has scored 209 points this season, almost 30 points a game, despite being shut out by Crown Point in the season opener.

Munster attendance has been unusually light this season. It is unlikely Friday's game will be a sellout. The reasons are not at all obvious since Munster has a strong team.

Lowell fans did not follow their team to Griffith in significant numbers and it will be interesting to see if they travel north to Munster Friday evening. Lowell's season-ending home game with Andrean will be aired on WYIN (Channel 56) TV.

Here's quick look back at the last four match-ups between these two teams:

10-27-2001  (Section 9 quarterfinals)

MUNSTER - Brandon Verkler caught a conversion pass from Allen Houchins to give Lowell a 22-21 victory over Munster in a classic state playoff game. Lowell ran 52 times for 209 yards in 39-degree weather as the Devils overcame a 13-6 first quarter deficit. Lowell's Joe Kersey scored on a 3-yard run with 9:11 to play to tie the game 14-14 after regulation time. Tony Doesburg scored from four yards out to give Munster the OT lead but Kersey scored on an 11-yard run to set up the Houchins to Verker game winner.

10-5-2001

LOWELL - Mike Helfen caught a 20-yard pass from Mike Kalina on  a 3rd-and-10 play with 10:58 to play to give the Mustangs a 14-10 win at Lowell. Red Devil Sean Anderson carried 34 times for 144 yards while Munster's Steve Smith carried 24 times for 121 yards.  Munster lost four fumbles but the Mustangs Tony Doesburg intercepted back-up QB Andy Vassar with 4:32 left at the Munster 28-yard line.

10-6-2000

MUNSTER - Tony Doesburg's second quarter 2-yard run was the only score of the game as the Mustangs beat Lowell 7-0. In an extremely defense-dominated game, Lowell outgained Munster 131-122. The Mustangs held Lowell rusher Mike French to 79 yards on 23 carries.

10-6-1999

LOWELL - Dane Anderson's 2-yard first quarter run was the only TD of the game as the Mustangs beat undefeated Lowell 7-3. Lowell outgained Munster 170-144  but the Devils got only a 35-yard third quarter field goal by Jeff Baker. This would be Lowell's only home loss in a 12-2 season.