CROWN
POINT (8-26-2013) The most interesting thing about this season is that some
perennial powers have moved. Six-time Class 1A champ Lafayette Catholic in now
in Class 2A. 11-time Class 2A champ Bishop Luers is now 3A. 12-time 3A state
champ Bishop Chatard is now 4A. There's going to be a lot of new faces in
championship places. With the new Class 6A, there is a chance that a Northwest
Indiana team will be one of the new teams in the state finals over the
Thanksgiving weekend.You may not think it will be Crown Point. But let the record show. In March, a NW Indiana boy (Michael Albrecht) played in the NCAA basketball finals. His school? Crown Point. In June, a Northwest Indiana boy (Scott Donley) played in the College baseball world Series. His school: Crown Point.
This month, 15 Northwest Indiana 12 year old boys won the Cal Ripken World Series. Their town? Crown Point.
What does this have to do with football? Absolutely nothing. But in sports, we make nonsense comparisons and draw dumb headed parallels endlessly on the off chance that the brainless pseudo-prediction we're making will somehow come true. There are now four all sports cable TV networks (and 1,000 all sports radio stations) that make a living making conspiracy out of coincidence. Stop the silly. Fight the crazy.
But if Crown Point wins something this fall, remember where you heard it first. There were (and always are) major upsets in week one of the high school football season. That's why I wait until AFTER the first week to write the first poll.
Wow, look who's number one!
It must be "Crown Point's year," huh?
CROWN POINT:
The Bulldogs opened the season with a 16-12 win at Lowell, surviving two pass
interceptions and a few too many penalties. I thought they were the undisputed
pre-season No.1 . CP had nine returning starters on defense.
MERRILLVILLE:
The 59ers coasted past Noll 51-14 with 300 total yards. Senior QB Matt DeSomer
was 10 of 14 for 149 yards and 2 TDs. They held the Warriors
MERRILLVILLE:
Merrillville swamped South Bend Clay 41-7 in the season opener and now we get a
test. The Pirates benefitted (they were 59-19) from opening the last six seasons
with superpower Warren Central even though they were 1-5 in these games.
CHESTERTON:
The Trojans led 17-16 with a minute to play but couldn't hold on, losing 22-17
at South Bend St. Joseph's. I still rank them highly with veteran QB Cole Teal
(14 of 21 for 140 vs. St. Joe) new halfback Tyler Gillepsie (12 carries, 86
yards) and returning fullback Jon Horvath (6-0, 200). It's going to be hard to
stop them behind another big offensive line. The Trojans gave up 450 yards to
St. Joe so there are defensive issues.
ST. JOHN:
The Indians were upset 27-9 at arch-rival Munster, but a closer look is needed.
LC defense held the Mustangs to just 130 total yards and just one TD but two
long TDs (and KO return and an interception) turned a 13-9 game into a blowout.
LC moves all-state linebacker Gelen Robinson to fullback (he'll still play on
defense) this year and that will work eventually. Don't put too much stock in
the first game on the road. The defense is strong here.
HOBART:
The Brickies' 47-34 win over Gary West Side was unimpressive. But this is a big
year for Hobart. Junior Noah Smith (5-10, 195) carried 20 times for 111 yards.
Drey Devereaux carried 12 times for 180 yards. The Brickies have only four road
games and the only question is the offensive line. Hobart was the Northwest
Crossroads Conference champ last year and they'll be 2-0 after they host LaPorte
this week.
MUNSTER:
Joe Jumonville, a Munster native but St. Rita transfer, has stepped in at QB and
speedy Seth Gutwein scored two TDs in the 27-9 upset of LC, coach Leroy Marsh's
200th win. Spirits have to be high here because the Mustangs have a chance in 5A
Sectional 9. They didn't have a chance when they were in 5A Sectional 2. We'll
know more after this weeks game at Chesterton.
LOWELL:
Lowell lost the opener 16-12 to CP, but CP may be favored in all nine of their
regular season games. Senior halfback George Fields carried 32 times for 193
yards. New QB Seth Anderson showed he is capable and Lowell is loaded with young
backs. They have to stay injury-free, but the Devils won't be 5-5. We'll know
more after this Friday's game at rival Morton (1-0).
HAMMOND:
The Governors turned back Griffith 27-13 after trailing 13-0. QB Torey Armstrong
was just 6-of-12, but the Governors ran 44 times for 236 yards and Armstrong
carried 25 times for 94 yards. I like the size Morton has in the line and lots
of that good artificial turf speed. Morton's won four sectionals in a row and
that builds confidence. They have a big game with Lowell Friday that will show
whether they can stop the run.
PORTAGE:
The Indians held 5A power Mishawaka to just 183 total yards in a
20-7 road win. Mishawaka scored in the first two minutes and Portage shut them
out the rest of the way. QB Gage Pearman was just 6-of-14 for the Indians, but
Nate Cherry (5-11, 170) gained 77 yards on 22 carries. The Indians will be good
defensively,a led by Kenyotta Rollins (6-1, 225). They somehow scheduled six
road games including Penn (1-0) next week. If they can survive the first five
games they could win the last four.