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Lowell (1-4) at Hammond (0-5) |
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Week
6 - Football Game of the Week Preview |
Lowell (1-4) at Hammond (0-5) |
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9-21-2006
When:
Friday, September 22, 2006
Where: Hammond High School - 5926 Calumet AVE, Hammond, IN.
Tickets: $4 - (for everybody).
Kickoff:
7:00 p.m.
Radio-TV: None.
Just between us. Nobody but Lowell and Hammond high really care about this game.
Weather: Upper 50s with a chance of rain. This is the way it's supposed to be.
Parking:
There's a good size lot behind Hammond high school but they wont need all of it
on this night. With the weather changing and only one win between these
two schools, most everybody in Hammond will find something else to do. The
loyalty of Lowell fans will also be tested on this night. Let's just say,
your car will find a spot in the Hammond parking lot.
Rivalry: I believe this is the final meeting for the
foreseeable future of Lowell and Hammond. With Lowell heading into the Northwest
Crossroads Conference (NWCC) in 2007, Hammond and Lowell will part company after
this season and Lowell will play Kankakee Valley, the Red Devils' most
natural rival. For Lowell, it's something they must do. Lowell and KV will play to
sellout crowds every game, which is something that Lowell and Hammond never did.
Hammond doesn't have freshman teams in some sports and doesn't have any teams in
sports like golf and swimming. And it was always unrealistic to ask
Hammond to travel to Lowell or KV after school for a 4:30 game or a 5:30
basketball or volleyball date on a school night. The LAC was an idea that should
have been born dead.
But with that said, it's sad to see Hammond off Lowell's schedule. For a time in the 90s, there was a strange friendship between Lowell and Hammond. I know the Wildcats are 4-32 in the last four seasons and they haven't won a regular season game since August of 2004. But the purple boys were 9-4 in 2000 including a classic 7-0 win at Lowell and a 30-27 upset of Griffith which saw Lowell players in the stands cheering for Hammond.
Not everybody understands that Hammond and Lowell are two of the oldest schools in Northwest Indiana. Hammond began high school football in 1906 and on Nov. 20, 1909, the Wildcats beat Lowell 23-0. But, once other schools began football programs, there was no need for Hammond to travel 30 miles south to Lowell for a football game back then either. Hammond and Lowell did not meet from 1909 to 1988, when Hammond won 34-6. If you've ever driven from the city of Hammond to Lowell on a winter night, disappearing into the darkness south down Route 41, it must seem to city-dweller Hammond boys, like leaving the earth and traveling to another planet.
But the distance wasn't the only reason Hammond and Lowell did not play. Before WW II, Hammond probably simply found closer teams to play. But in the 30s and 40s, Hammond high became a monster in high school football. They were undefeated (10-0) in 1937 and 9-1-1 in 1940. In the late 50s, while Lowell was suffering through one of many periods of football mediocrity (It's hard to believe, but Lowell won more than six games only twice in the half century between 1942 to 1992), Hammond was soaring.
Hammond claims football state championships in 1960 (10-0) and 1962 (10-0) but those are not the real six consecutive post-season victory state titles that Griffith, Andrean and Lowell have won in the last 10 years. Before the state tournament began in 1973, writers (who knew even less about sports state wide than the little they know now), voted on weekly state polls and the final poll leader was declared the state champ. It was like 'American Idol' for Indiana high school football teams, only if you lived in another part of the state, you never got to actually hear the contestants sing.
Was it totally bogus? Of course it was. But it doesn't take away from the fact that Hammond was, at one time, the 'daddy' of Northwest Indiana high school football. The 1960 Wildcats allowed just 33 points. The only close games were wins over Morton 7-6 and the now-defunct East Chicago Roosevelt 16-7, also powers of the 'Happy Days' era. In 1962, Hammond was 10-0 and allowed just 36 points. But Hammond never left this part of the state, so nobody knows if they were anything close to true state champs.
With the local papers and radio playing them up, Hammond became renowned and folks who never saw them probably voted for them. In truth, Hammond was a larger school then than it is now, as Hammond was a larger and more affluent place than it is now and beating Morton and East Chicago meant 10 times more then than it does now.
I do not know this, but Hammond's 1960 and 1962 powerhouses may have initiated talk of an IHSAA state tournament to emulate the long-standing Indiana basketball tournament. A decade after Hammond ruled the NW Indiana football world, top teams first began to meet in the post-season to create a state champ. I can't say the Hammond football myth was exploded by their lack of state tournament success (no Hammond public school has ever reached the state finals in any class), because those 10 years between 1963 and 1973 saw new schools start teams as population spread out. From what I am told, the 1950s and 1960s Hammond was a robust, thriving place. The decline of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago probably began about the time the state playoffs did.
Bottom line? The state tournament came too late for Hammond high. Hammond had another run up the stairway to football heaven in 1977 (9-1), 1978 (11-1), 1979 (9-1), 1980 (10-1), 1981 (11-1) and 1982 (8-2) but they either did not qualify for the post-season (1977 and 79) or lost in the playoffs. Were the Hammond teams of the late 70s as good as those of the early 60s? Would those 1960s super Cat teams have been ash canned quickly if there was a state tournament in the those pre-Vietnam days? The quick answer to both questions is probably 'no' but old folks and stats both lie. The truth is that there were so many changes going on in the 60s and 70s that there's no possible way to actually know.
That is the is irony of Lowell and Hammond now parting due to Hammond's athletic and fan deficiencies. For the vast majority of the 20th century, Hammond was a better place for athletics. But in recent years, Hammond has fallen hard and Lowell has been on the rise. Lowell dominates Hammond high in almost all girls sports and is far superior in baseball, wrestling, track and cross country. Only in basketball, Hammond's premier sport, do the Wildcats still beat Lowell.
Lowell has won the last three football meetings by a combined score of 183-47. And you need a search party to find Hammond fans in the stands when the Wildcats play at Lowell. As much as some coaches like a soft game inside as tough a schedule as Lowell plays, you can't afford to lose money just to get a win. So, it's time for Lowell to find a new team on the schedule and KV is a team that should never have left the Lowell slate. With Lowell at 4A and getting larger and Hammond now 3A and getting smaller, this will be a clean break in football for the time being. But there is a chance they could meet again. Let's speculate.
When Morton wanted to join the NWCC, the other three Hammond schools objected last week. After a Hammond city athletic meeting, Morton said they would apply in 2009. What's special about 2009? I don't know but that was originally when Hammond schools Hammond and Gavit were supposed to consolidate into a much needed new Hammond high school.
If Hammond and Gavit consolidate, that school, which would probably be called the new Hammond high, would have 1500-1800 students (maybe less if the city was redistricted for three schools) and would probably seek admittance into the NWCC with Morton. By that time, Indiana high school football may be talking about a 10th regular season game. The IHSAA almost certainly will announce plans for a class 6A in this decade (there are 5 classes of football now and 6 weeks of playoffs). If the playoffs were cut back to five weeks, that would allow room for a new foe. The 'new' bigger, better Hammond high would be welcomed back on the schedules of Lowell, Hobart, Griffith and all the other football powers. That's a best case scenario because the history of Hammond high should not be lost inside a crumbling old school building and under a flurry of winless teams.
For now, Hammond, which has lost 21 consecutive regular season games, how great would it be to strike a blow for the way things used to be (and could be again). Don't think the purple boys won't be eager to end that streak against the defending state champions. That team from another world.
3A
Hammond Wildcats (0-5)
Coach: Adam Chavez
(1st year)
Regional Titles (1) 1988
Sectional Titles (4) 2000, 1988, 1983, 1978
Enrollment: 1141
2005 record: 1-10, lost sectional semifinals, 52-18 to Morton
*Lost Sectional 17 quarterfinal 24-10 to Morton.
Hammond
(0-5, 0-3 LAC)
8-18-6
(L) 20-27 Gavit (1-4)
8-25-6 (L) 21-42 at Clark (1-4)
9-1-6 (L) 0-56 HOBART (4-1)
9-8-6 (L) 21-47 at ANDREAN (5-0)
9-15-6 (L) 0-25 at HIGHLAND (2-3)
9-22-6 (Fri) at LOWELL (1-4)
9-29-6 (Fri) GRIFFITH (5-0)
10-6-6 (Fri) at MUNSTER (3-2)
10-13-6 (Fri) at MORTON (3-2)
3A
Sectional 17 playoffs
10-20 (F) quarterfinals
10-27 (F) semifinals
11-3 (F) championship
Class
4A Lowell (1-3)
Enrollment:
1,150 - Class 4A
Coach: Kirk Kennedy (116-62, 16 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, 116-62 in 16th year at school
Aug. 18 (L) 0-17 at (5A) Crown Point (4-0)
Aug. 25 (W) 63-6 (3A) Calumet (0-4)
Sep. 1 (L) 0-35 at (3A) Griffith (4-0)
Sep. 8 (L) 17-21 (3A) Morton (3-1)
Sep. 15 (L) 0-17 at (3A) Andrean (4-0)
Sep. 22 (F) at (3A) Hammond (0-4)
Sep. 29 (F) (4A) Munster (3-1)
Oct. 6 (F) (4A) Hobart (3-1)
Oct. 13 (F) at (4A) Highland (1-3)
2005 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)
Sagarin
computer ratings: Lowell by 30
HAMMOND
(9-22-2006) - How
can a 1-4 team be favored by 30? The competition. Lowell has played
Crown Point (5-0), Griffith (5-0) and Andrean (5-0). Hammond has played only
Andrean. The Wildcats have had major offensive problems, losing 56-0 to
Hobart and 25-0 to Highland high. But the Wildcats did put three
touchdowns on the board in losses to Gavit, Clark and Andrean.
The Wildcats are led by David and Thomas Moore who both go both ways, speedy RB-WR types who can go all the way. David Moore scored three TDs in the game against Andrean. I don't know who will be at QB in this game after 4-for-15 passing by, I believe Louis Willis (6-1, 187), last week with three interceptions. But the Wildcats will run reverses and throw short rollout passes to try to get one of their play makers in the open. With the line problems they have, Hammond must use short passes and rollout QB runs as a substitute for basic runs.
This team does make plays. Trouble is, a lot of them are called back on penalties. Hammond drew 10 penalties last week against Highland, 10 more against Andrean and 13 on Aug. 25 against Clark.
The defense is led by junior linebacker Matt Richardson (6-1, 195), but they are small and Hammond not only has to score points, they have to take time off the clock doing it because they will wear down as the game goes on. Hammond does have a decent kicking game with junior kicker Yoshi Sandoval who was 3-for-3 on extra points against both Clark and Andrean. Punting is been better than it was in the past. Still, they haven't held anyone to less than four TDs and opponents have averaged 39 points a game. The Wildcats will load up on the ground and attempt to force the visiting Red Devils to throw. They can read the papers and they know Lowell is 1-4. Expect Hammond to look at this game as their last chance to win this year as the next three foes Griffith, Morton and Munster are all doing well.
Lowell has been shut out by the three state-ranked teams they have played. Running back Danny Remboski and linebacker-lineman Kaleb Layman have been out with leg injuries. Layman, a key player, is out for the year. Remboski (6-0, 193), only a slightly less key has missed the last two games.
So the Devils, who were young (only 11 seniors) to begin with, are using a lot of sophomores like DE Justin Juarez (6-4, 197), LB-FB David Eastling (6-7, 187) and Andrew Eldred (5-10, 172). The bulk of the team is juniors like Layman, Remboski, DE Joe Carlson (6-3, 185), DT Johnny Black (6-2, 186), DE-TE Jeff Barker (6-5, 187) and the perimeter trio of Lukas Palmer, TJ Lukasik and Steffan Peck.
This is the point where key seniors like QB Josh Kuiper and OT-DE Mike Staniewicz have to remind their younger teammates that everything Lowell accomplished in 2005 was earned AFTER the fifth game of the season. And everything they will win or lose in 2006 will now also be earned AFTER the fifth game of the year.
The Devils, who have been held under 100 yards rushing in the three shutouts, need to run the ball this week. That is the focus. Obviously, Lowell cannot take another defeat and the Devils are heavily favored Friday. But the final score this week is not as important as the Devils reestablishing the running game. Lowell needs to get five or six yards a carry and not fumble. If they do that, their final visit to Hammond will be a success. If they don't, the victory may be hollow, considering what's coming.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN? Lowell will come out running the ball exclusively. Since the Devils have lost fullback Danny Remboski and backup runner Chris Briggs to injury, they tried Johnny Black (6-2, 186) in the offensive backfield last week. They may be looking to the JV for help if Remboski, a good blocking fullback, cannot return.
Steffan Peck (5-7, 165) is over 500 yards rushing, but he will again be the target for the Hammond defense. I would not be surprised to see a new face in the backfield with Peck. Lowell may go with two halfbacks or even a three-back set with a lineman in the backfield. I would also not be surprised to see a defensive back like Lukas Palmer or TJ Lukasik running the ball out of a wingback position to take the heat off Peck.
But Lowell's Josh Kuiper will hit a big pass over Hammond's nine man front to TE Jeff Barker early as the Devils take a 7-0 lead. A Hammond fumble will give Lowell a short field and Peck will carry on consecutive plays to take it 14-0. Hammond will get on the board with a Thomas Moore kickoff or punt return, but with the defense staying on the field, Hammond will wear down and Max Znika will get loose for a score to make it 21-7 at the half. A big play will be made by the defense and someone like Justin Juarez will recover a fumble to set up a key score and the game will be out of reach for the Wildcats, even though they will gain yards and points.
Look for senior Max Znika (6-0, 174) to gain significant yards in this game as the Red Devils break the game open late in the third quarter. The Devils might also throw some quick 'step back' passes to the wide receivers to spread the field, help out the running game and keep the field open for passes to Barker.
Hammond can score on Lowell and they will play to what home crowd there is. But the colder weather favors the power running team and that has always been Lowell. I do not believe that because Lowell could run on Griffith, Andrean and Crown Point, that they can't run on most teams. The key will be an early touchdown that will lift the confidence level of the Devils, who, deep down, probably already believe they have a stretch run in them.
Peck and Znika will split four TDs and Josh Kuiper will lead an offense that will not lose a fumble (that's the boldest prediction) as the Devils roll to a badly needed win.