Week 6 Picks:  2004 NW Indiana High School Football

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

September 22, 2004

WEEK FIVE (5) ANALYSIS:

Virtually every game went the way it was supposed to.  Four warm weather nights have obviously aided offenses.

(Week One) 11 of 14, 78.5%

(Week Two) 8 of 13, 61.5%

(Week Three) 8 of 12, 66.7%

(Week Four) 11 of 12, 91.7%

(Week Five) 10 of 12, 83.3%

2004 Season to date, 48 of 63, 75.8%

WEEK SIX (6): Sep. 24, 2004

Calumet (2-3) 22, Lake Station (1-4) 20

The Warriors have won two in a row, starting with the 12 point rally in the final minute against Wheeler. Calumet rushed for 311 yards last week, their top total of the season. They might be overconfident against Lake Station, which has lost three in a row, but is more competitive this year. The Eagles need this game at home but they aren't as athletic as Calumet.

North Newton (1-4) 28, River Forest (2-3) 21

North Newton has wins over South Central and Wheeler but you can judge them by more competitive losses, 34-25 to undefeated Rensselaer (5-0) and once-beaten North Judson 48-24. River Forest's only wins are over small Michigan schools. But on a warm night, this will be a high-scoring game. RF QB Matt Bigott is 46 of 93 for 988 yards and 10 TDs but North Newton can control the ball running and DB Kurt Barone has four interceptions.

Griffith (4-1) 42, Highland (3-2) 14

This is a mismatch. Highland is a couple of plays away from being 0-5. All three wins have been by seven points or less. They have allowed almost 700 yards rushing and they haven't faced a really good running team yet. The Panthers have rushed for 1,600 yards in four game and they are a couple of plays away from behind 5-0. Highland lost by 20 to Whiting. Griffith would beat Whiting by 40. This won't be close.

Morton (2-3) 27, Munster (2-3) 16

It's rare that Morton has a good chance to beat Munster, but here it is. Munster will go without their top 2 running backs. Munster should have been 3-0, but Highland rallied to beat them late 17-16. Since then, they've lost 44-14 and 33-0. The Ponies will be back but maybe not this week. Morton has been crushed 21-6 by Andrean. 52-21 by Lowell and 50-20 by Griffith. They are looking to rebound here and, if they aren't too beaten up, they should get it done. If Morton does not beat Munster this year, it may be a decade before they get another chance.

Merrillville (4-1) 20, LaPorte (3-2) 10

This might turn into a blowout. Merrillville has too much defense for LaPorte, which gained 375 yards last week in a 41-18 win over LC. Soph tailback Airrence Shark scored three times for LaPorte last week, but he'll be hard-pressed to gain against a Pirate defense that has allowed 51 points all season. Merrillville should be 5-0 and everyone in the DAC agrees they have the most talented squad. James Aldridge leads the Pirates with 907 yards on 113 carries. Merrillville is 4-0 with Evan Parker starting at QB.

Whiting (5-0) 42, Bishop Noll (3-2) 33

Whiting will welcome this test after a soft schedule. The Oilers have scored 213 points (42. 6) but its come awfully easy. Junior QB Matt Kobli has hit 65-of-96 for 1,105 yards and 12 TDs. They have not trailed at any time this season but they have not faced anyone with a winning record yet. Noll may be the first team they've played with the experience to confront them. Noll has played a vastly different schedule including Andrean (5-0) and Griffith (4-1). They won't be afraid of Whiting. On a warm, dry night, the Oilers will come from behind to win.

Gavit (1-4) 28, Wheeler (2-3) 21

Somebody's got to get going here. Gavit has lost two in the fourth quarter including a 27-14 defeat at KV last week. Wheeler lost a 13-point lead in the final 60 seconds against Calumet and they probably have not recovered. Gavit is fortunate to be playing Wheeler right now. The Bearcats gave up 438 total yards last week. Weather plays a part. On a warm, dry night, Gavit's passing attack will beat Wheeler's running game.

Lake Central (1-4) 28, Michigan City (2-3) 14

Here's a must-win for both teams. MC has lost three in a row after going 2-0. LC is 0-4 after a season-opening win. The passing connection of Steve Apostol and Dave Hoffmaster will connect for 3 TDs. Michigan City beat LC for the first time ever last year, but Lake Central needs this game more.

Valparaiso (3-2) 34, Crown Point (2-3) 17

Both Valpo losses are in OT. They turned back Chesterton 31-14 last week and both lines are solid. CP lost 24-17 to Portage last week, but they have no where near the experience of the Vikings. On the road, CP will need their best game of the year to stay close. They are not in Valpo's class just yet. Valpo's Jon Moon (53-106, 882 yards, 11 TDs) and CP's Matt Jansen (74-104, 987 yards, 6 TDs) go head-to-head in an entertaining game. More entertaining for Valpo.

Lowell (3-2) 44, Hammond (2-3) 14

Hammond is improved over a 0-10 season (in 2003) but an 18-14 loss to Highland might discourage them. It was a game they led 14-6 in the fourth quarter and should have won.

Lowell will be pushed hard this week after giving up 400 yards passing last Friday in a 35-28 loss at Andrean. This is a mismatch. Hammond is not at the level of the other Black Division teams. Lowell HB Toby Goetz (118 carries, 1,010 yards, 14 TDs) is 5^th in the state in rushing, but his numbers won't soar on this night because he won't be in the game by the end of the third quarter.

Portage (4-1) 31, Chesterton (3-2) 30

This stacks up as the week's top game. Chesterton was shut down offensively against Valpo last week but Portage had to rally to win at CP. The Trojans gave up 400 yards last week at Valpo and QB Casey Martin was just 8-of-29 for 65 yards. He'll bounce back. Portage features speed stars Antoine Brown (112 carries, 795 yards, 11 TDs) and Milt Rivera (27 catches, 474 yards). The big stat. All five teams that have played Chesterton have gained at least 275 total yards while Portage has been up over 300 total yards four times in five games.

Andrean (5-0) 28, Hobart (4-1) 17

The 59ers gave up 300 yards rushing last week and they'd figure to have problems against Hobart's rushing attack led by Marc Drobac and TJ Pope. Hobart, with a four-game winning streak, is big and strong up front but they may not have the quickness to score the way Lowell did. Hobart had problems on the perimeter against passing teams Portage and Crown Point which means that Hobart will have trouble against Andrean.

It will be interesting to see what kind of crowd this game draws.

OUT OF TOWN...

(1A) No. 9 (Indianapolis) Ritter (3-2) 21, (2A) No. 11 North Judson (4-1) 28

A rare 6:00 p.m. Saturday night (9-25-4) game matching two teams from different areas. Ritter was 12-2 last year and is a defending regional champion while Judson has lost only to unbeaten 2A power Rensselaer (5-0). Ritter averages 36 points a game while Judson averages 40 per game. The Ritter defense has allowed 21 points a game and they have not met a ranked team yet. But their record is deceptive. One of Ritter's losses is 34-33 to Class 5A Indianapolis Northwest. No 1A school in northwest Indiana would dare play a 5A for any reason.

Many in this area have talked about a Saturday night feature football game. It's a drive to North Judson but here's your chance to see one of the top programs in the northern part of the state. Ritter can't bring many fans. They're 1A. This won't be a mismatch. Ritter is trying to avenge a 24-21 Judson win last year. Check the attendance totals after this one.

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Revised: October 06, 2004 .