Week 9 Picks:  2003 NW Indiana High School Football

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

WEEK EIGHT (8) ANALYSIS:  Andrean's 28-27 victory over Griffith was an overtime game Griffith could easily have won.  There will be great interest in the rematch.  Clark's 18-point loss to Whiting is surprising.  What's up with Clark? Since Wheeler dropped 30 points on Clark in the first quarter on Oct. 3, the Pioneers have fallen down big time.  Good thing they have Lake Station this week.

2002 Regular season (9 weeks) 85 of 109,  77.9%
2002 Playoffs:   78 of 106,  73.5%
Final 2002 (15 weeks) 163 of 215, 75.9%

2003 (Week one) 8 of 12, 66.7%
2003 (Week two) 9 of 12, 75%
2003 (Week three)  6 of 12,  50%
2003 (Week four) 12 of 12, 100%
2003 (Week five) 9 of 12, 75%
2003  (Week six) 7 of 11, 63.6%

2003 (Week seven) 6 of 10, 60%
2003 (Week eight) 8 of 10, 80%
2003 Season:  65 of 91,  71.4%

WEEK NINE (9): Oct. 17, 2003

Undisputed league titles go on the line as Portage travels to a very potent LaPorte team in the DAC.  First place Andrean can clinch in the LAC Black with a win at powerful Munster.  Front runners Wheeler and Bishop Noll decide the LAC Blue title in Hammond.  And region 3A teams will want the tape as unbeaten Twin Lakes (8-0) goes for an undefeated regular season at home against North Judson (5-3).  I just can't bear to pick Mishawaka Marian over Horace Mann, Plainfied over Roosevelt, River Forest over South Central and Gavit over Calumet. 

Griffith (4-4) 28, Hobart (3-5) 21
A hard-line old school matchup as two ground based teams slug it out on the floor of Hobart's Brickie Bowl.  Panther breakaway threats like Jack Kosinski (125 carries, 1,226 yards, 10 TDs) will decide it for Griffith, but Hobart's improving offensive line will keep the Brickies in the game.

Kankakee Valley (2-6) 35, Whiting (3-5) 28
The Kougars got some offense going late in the 40-21 loss to Wheeler last week and they will be able to run the ball on Whiting.  The Oilers produced an upset victory over arch-rival Clark 32-14 last week, but even with QB Matt Kobli (94 of 172, 1,273 yards, 9 TDs, 7 INTs) throwing, the Oilers will have trouble scoring enough.

Morton (2-6) 56, Hammond (0-8) 20
The Governors find the only LAC Black team weaker than they are and the result will be a blowout. It's important to understand that Morton is losing, not because they are bad, but because they have stepped up considerably in competition.  These teams meet again in seven days in the Sectional 17 quarterfinals so Hammond has two chances to beat the Governors once.

Valparaiso (3-5) 28, LAKE CENTRAL (1-7) 17
The Vikings have a potent offense.  All five of their losses are to winning (or at least .500) teams.  LC has some fight left in them and they could give Merrillville a hard day in the playoff opener on Oct. 24.  But I don't think LC will have much spirit at Valpo in week nine.

Chesterton (6-2) 17, MERRILLVILLE (4-4) 13
This game gets bogged down as the defenses rule.  Merrillville has to throw 15-20 times to generate an upset but, since these two should meet in Oct. 31 in the Sectional 1 semifinals, the Pirates might keep some plays and formations under wraps.  Merrillville is a little overmatched in the lines here.

LOWELL (7-1) 31, Highland (4-4) 21
A bad match-up for both teams.  Lowell is not strong in the secondary and Highland, in good weather, can and will attack through the air with QB Kris Boyd (88 of 171, 1,175 yards, 12 TDs, 5 INTs).  But Lowell may go to quicker Scott Schulz at QB and run the option, something Highland had problems with against Griffith.

CROWN POINT (4-4)  38, Michigan City (3-5) 17
The Wolves have had problems in the secondary and passing is CP's strength with senior QB Matt Cowan.  The Bulldogs have lost two in a row and they don't want a losing season.  Michigan City halfback Shawn Lee will go over 1,000 yards for the Wolves, but the Bulldogs play better at home.

Bishop Noll (6-2) 26, Wheeler (8-0) 21
Noll has won six in a row and Wheeler has won eight straight.  I think it's more difficult to defend the Noll option and I believe that the home field matters here.  Neither one of these teams have been in one game winner-take-all situations.  Andrew Patten can only be defended at this level by holding the ball, something Noll is good at.  Both teams have some quick players which means a high scoring game.  But lately, Noll has been better on conversions.

ANDREAN (8-0) 35, Munster (7-1) 21
The 59ers have to run the ball to beat Munster.  Lowell and Griffith gained 300 yards on the Mustang defense.  I see Tommy Finn running that shot gun option play the 59ers use.  Andrean does not want to get into a passing contest with Munster and Wally Cirafesi.  The Mustangs also want to power down and find out whether the 59er line can stop the hard running horses.  Look for another high scoring match, but Munster's schedule is weak overall and they'll pay for it here.

LaPorte (5-3) 17, Portage (8-0) 14
LaPorte will cause major problems for Portage QB John Huston with their disguised blitzes and if Antoine Brown is less than 100% as he was last week, this game will be close.  LaPorte has a four-game winning streak and they haven't allowed a first half touchdown in five weeks.  But Portage will harass LaPorte QB Lance Juergensen into a low performance night.  I think the weather will turn bad late in the week and LaPorte is a better bad weather team.

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Revised: June 08, 2004 .