Week 1 Picks:  2005 NW Indiana High School Football

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

August 17, 2005

ANALYSIS: Absolutely nothing in the final week was surprising as Seeger capped a 15-0 run, Tri-West made it two in a row and Roncalli made it 3 in a row. Andrean was the better team and Warren Central won a shootout over the state's top-scoring team largely due to the competition they played during the season.

For 2005, the interesting bracket is 3A where Andrean and Bishop Chatard would appear to be down.

Tri-West and Warren Central (Warren is No. 4 in the nation) are favorites for 3 in a row, but Seeger had a once in a lifetime team and won't be back. Wawasee is highly unlikely to beat East Noble again in 4A NE Indiana and when does Plymouth and Hobart return to state power?

I'll say it again, the IHSAA will eventually correct the inequity of Class 5A where schools with 1500 kids must face schools with 3,000 students. How? Class 6A. Get used to the idea because it's inevitable.

WEEK 15 (2004) PIX recap

WEEK 15: 5 of 5, 100%
Season: 77-111, 69.4%
Playoffs: 79-105, 75.2%
Overall: 156 of 216, 72.2%

Northwest Indiana - 2005

MERRILLVILLE – The focus is on Merrillville, which might not have as much total talent as they did in 2004 but is more experienced at key positions. Only three DAC teams return their starting QBs in 2005 (LaPorte, CP and Merrillville) and one of them (Crown Point) lost their quarterback for the season in the scrimmage game. Casual observers would say that nobody has anybody like James Aldridge of the Pirates but LaPorte has Airrence Shark, who may roll up similar yardage. The most fun will be had if senior Kyle Yelton wins the quarterback job at Chesterton and has to face his father, Merrillville varsity coach Jeff Yelton.

In Class 4A, two more Hobart-Lowell Top-10 slugfests seem to be coming late in the season. Griffith is a big favorite in 3A but Andrean will get two chances for an upset.

North Judson (31-8 in 3 years) and Rensselaer (45-23 in 6 years) are set for two more grudge matches in Class 2A, but Wheeler can hope for a favorable draw and the chance to catch the winner on the rebound.

Whiting won't be helped by a soft schedule (everybody in the LAC Blue gave up 24 or more points per game in 2004 and new foe Riley is 6-35 in the last four years), but they should be playing in the regional title game in November.

WEEK 1 (ONE) 8-19-2005

I'll pass on on Riley at Griffith, Lew Wallace at Muncie Central (12-1 in 2004), Gary West Side at Hobart, Portage at SB Washington and East Chicago at Merrillville. I don't think those games can be close under any circumstances. Many teams are playing distant foes in non conference games this week.

The upcoming breakup of the Lake Athletic Conference will allow for some nice new matchups in 2007 and the addition of a 10^th game (you don't need a scrimmage) would add some additional new pairings.

The season-ending injury to CP quarterback Matt Jansen (133-242, 1,976 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs) diminishes the Lowell-Crown Point game a little, leaving Valpo-Penn as the prime matchup on an opening night where little may be learned about the top teams.

Whiting 42, River Forest 14

HOBART TOWNSHIP - On a warm night, Whiting should be able to pass all over River Forest. Whiting won by four TDs last year and they have virtually the same team. It will be interesting to see what numbers Whiting QB Matt Kobli (162-271, 2,568 yards, 24 TDs, 13 INTs) and back Sixto Arredondo (176-941 yards, 31 TDs) can put up against an over matched foe.

Goshen 28, Lake Central 21

GOSHEN - Both teams have new coaches and expect comeback seasons. LC was 1-9 the last two years while Goshen was 0-10 in 2004. Goshen is a glorified 4A school. They were the team that defeated Lowell in the 4A Northern Semistate. This game is very unpredictable but LC lost too many playmakers from 2004.

Highland 21, Wheeler 20

UNION TOWNSHIP - It will come down to how well Wheeler can run the ball on the Trojan defense because the Bearcats are not going to be able to contain Highland QB Andrew Helmer (109-211, 1,452, 9 TDs, 8 INTs) and WR Derek Moser (37- 631 yards) for four quarters.

Munster 20, Kankakee Valley 7

DeMOTTE - Neither of these teams has a lot of offensive talent returning but Munster QB Jake Ernd (58-134, 776 yards) is the only returning starting QB on the field. Munster won by seven TDs in 2004.

LaPorte 28, New Prairie 14

NEW CARLISLE - New Prairie had a peak season in 2004 but that was last year. LaPorte will be a surprise this year with tailback Airrence Shark (183- 923 yards). New Prairie lost this game by seven last year and then won 12 in a row.

Morton 42, Clark 21

HAMMOND – The word on Morton is very positive at skill positions and QB Robert Dutton (109-236, 1,477 yards, 11 TDs, 10 INTs) should hook up with Andre London (37-535) for big yards. It isn't impossible that this game stays close. Clark is improved in the lines but doesn't have the playmakers to match score for score with the Governors. Morton won by 31 last year.

Gavit 35, Hammond 12

HAMMOND - I thought Gavit should have done better than 6-4 last year and this was one of the games they should have won. Hammond beat the Glads 14-12 and I think that hung with Gavit all year. The Gladiators will prove to have long memories.

North Judson 35, John Glenn 7

WALKERTON - Here's another game where memory matters. Glenn upset Judson in the Class 2A regional finals last year and the Jays don't need to be reminded North Judson has had some pre-season injury problems. But there is little question they will be ready to play on this night.

Penn 28, Valparaiso 17

VALPARAISO - Valpo has some good young players who got experience last season, but QB Jon Moon is gone and this is a tough opener for a first time starter. Penn was very strong in the Andrean scrimmage and they consider Valpo a worthy rival. Valpo only wins if the Kingsmen look ahead to Ben Davis on Aug. 26.

Chesterton 28, Andrean 14

MERRILLVILLE – This is a fun matchup because nobody is sure what to expect. Both teams lost several key offensive players, Andrean off a 3A state champ. What you revert back to here is the fact that Chesterton is 5A and Andrean is 3A. It's going to be very difficult for the 59ers to move the ball on the ground here. Andrean won by five points last year but they will need a late rally to make it happen again.

Lowell 21, Crown Point 13

LOWELL - The Bulldogs lost 2,000-yard passer matt Jansen to a season-ending knee injury last week so soph Blake Mascarello will probably start with freshman Marcus Shrewsbury in reserve. Lowell is also breaking in a new QB, probably linebacker Jimmy Ritter who QB'd Lowell's freshmen to a 9-0 record in 2002. I don't think either offense is going to operate smoothly against two experienced defenses. Lowell returns four linemen and all the 2004 running backs so they have an edge here.

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Revised: August 17, 2005 .