The RENEGADE

2009 Pre-season: NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

8-13-2009

VALPARAISO (8-15-2009) We are in a holding pattern in Indiana high school football. The hoped-for realignment to six classes did not materialize, leaving a huge inequity in Class 5A between the 1,500-teen schools and the 4,000-kid high schools. This time of transition also sees the shrinking of the total number of Gary schools down to four with Wirt closing, leaving Lew Wallace, West Side, Roosevelt and little Bowman Academy.

I don't know if they have a football team or even if they want one, but there is a new IHSAA member from Gary, the 21st Century Charter School, which will be eligible for the state football tournament in 2011. We also didn't get a correction of the Class 4A sectional situation in Northwest Indiana where Lowell, in Lake County, still is grouped with teams three and four counties to the east. Lowell's last two sectional championships are remarkable because they have had to travel so much. Munster's nightmare also continues as they are still grouped in 5A Sectional One with seven larger schools, a couple twice their size. The Mustangs had a solid team in 2008, but an October home game with Merrillville showed them what it will be like until the IHSAA goes for six classes. The Pirates won 37-7 and Munster really had no chance.

The game still suffers from a mind-numbing lack of marketing touch. Other than two games, every single Northwest Indiana high school football game will be played at 7:00 p.m. Friday night, preventing anyone who wanted to see more than one game a week for any reason. It's why basketball is still far and away the number one sport in this state. You can see 50 or 60 high school basketball games a year. You can't see more than 10 or 11 regular season games in Northwest Indiana, even if you have a rocket ship to travel around the region.

With that said, all compliments to Merrillville's Janis Qualizza and coach Zac Wells, not only for scheduling five-time state champ Warren Central, but for placing the game on Saturday night, Aug. 22 where all of us who are somewhere else on Friday night can attend. Portage is doing the same thing and they should get equal pats on the back. In week two of the season on Saturday, Aug. 29, Portage will host Chicago Catholic League power St. Rita. But why anyone would not open the season on Thursday night, get an extra day off prior to week two and draw any and all comers is amazing to me. Local high schools are just refusing a chance to draw 100-to-1000 more fans.

The other new aspect of the 2009 season is on radio where 89.1 FM, which was purchased in the off-season by Lakeshore Public Broadcasting, will not attempt to compete with the Regional Radio Sports Network and the Region Sports Network for local play-by-play audience and advertising bucks. Instead, 89.1 -- now WLPR-FM, will broadcast what they'll call "Lakeshore Game Night" from 7-10 p.m. every Friday where they will anchor themselves in the studio and get updates from all Northwest Indiana games. It's an idea that should be well-received because it will compliment the play-by-play outlets even though they won't be working together. If they do it well, they could acquire a consistent following. The 89.1 frequency has a signal that can be heard in all six counties that make up Northwest Indiana. With Bob Lovell's Network Indiana Friday night show, a long time Hoosier State staple, following the Lakeshore Game Night broadcast, they could become a scoreboard headquarters on Friday night and not affect or compete with the live game stations.

Overall, nobody in Class 5A in Northwest Indiana is going to win the state title until Class 6A is adopted. Lowell has a lot of holes to fill before they can think about the sectional title, but they've done that before. Rensselaer has an excellent chance in Class 2A and Andrean looks strong in 3A. But it's time to tee it up and kick it off.

1.) 5A Valparaiso (9-2)

2007 (6-5), 2006 (3-6), 2005 (5-5), 2004 (6-5), 2003 (5-6)

VALPARAISO: Valparaiso brings back big QB Zack Livovich (6-6, 195) after completing 84-of-130 for 1,216 yards, 10 TDs in 9 games. The Vikings also return a full compliment of skill players with WR Matt Hittinger (6-2, 170), tight end John Saltanovitz (6-4, 190) and running backs Nick Thompson (5-10, 160) and Michael Perkins (5-11, 175). Perkins rushed for 615 yards. Thompson is a rushing and catching threat. The Valpo defense gave up only 109 points in 10 games in 2008. The Vikings return six starters including linebacker Tony Gallinati (6-0, 205). The secondary features basketball player Jerrick Suiter (6-3, 200) and baseball star Hittinger. The Vikings have Penn, Griffith, Merrillville and Lake Central at home. It should be a very good year for those wearing green. If there is a team that will go undefeated during the regular season in Northwest Indiana, this is it. Valpo is a fairly obvious number one.

2.) 5A Merrillville (8-5)
2007 (12-2), 2006 (7-5), 2005 (11-3), 2003 (5-6), 2004 (6-5)

MERRILLVILLE: The Pirates graduate a starting quarterback but they also return one in junior Zach Raspopovich (6-0, 160), the second of three quarterback brothers at Merrillville. Helping Raspopovich, who started four games in 2008, will be junior halfback Denzell Pierce (5-8, 170) who gained 1,000 yards (139 carries for 1,062 yards) in 2008. Merrillville should be good in the offensive line with center Valanti Atsas (6-0, 235) leading four returning starters. Wide receiver Sanchez Tate (5-10, 200) caught 32 passes for 416 yards last year. Wingback Eddie DeLuna (5-10, 150) and receiver Monte Brown (6-0, 160) should combine to give Raspopovich plenty of targets. But the key will again be a speedy Indianapolis Colts-style defense led by linebacker Marcus Howard (5-8, 220) behind defensive ends James Travis and Joey Sepulveda. The secondary brings back Landau Lang (5-9, 180) and Dominique Gray (5-7, 160) and Kortney Berry who, like Travis is a DAC champion wrestler, makes his debut at linebacker. Senior Mike Enghofer, a secret weapon place kicker, is highly regarded. All this does not mean they'll defeat Warren Central in the marquee season opener on Aug. 22, but they didn't have to beat Warren Central to win the sectional title last year. I would guess 6-3 or 7-2 for a 2009 season record.

3.) 5A Portage (6-4)
2007 (5-5), 2006 (6-5), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (8-4), 2003 (11-2)

PORTAGE: The Indians survived an injury-crippled year with a winning record in 2008. This should be their year. The future is bright here with all-purpose back Jake Dixon (5 interceptions) and promising Jake Huston, who missed the entire year with injury and will be the new QB. Portage returns several who played (at least) part time in the offensive line and are led by John Lehman (6-4, 240). Justin Rhein (6-0, 180) had 59 tackles last year at linebacker while Marcus Bush (6-4, 265), Tristan Pearman (6-4, 200) and Travis Pride (6-1, 280) can be solid up front. I think Huston and Dixon will be a potent double-threat backfield. The junior class here is very highly-regarded. Yes, I see the schedule of Mishawaka Marian in week one and Chicago Catholic superpower St. Rita in week two. Then road trips to Lake Central and Merrillville. Five road games total. But I think they can repeat the 6-3 regular season of 2008 and do better than one-and-out in the playoffs.

4.) 4A Lowell (13-1)
2007 (13-2), 2006 (7-6), 2005 (11-4), 2004 (9-4), 2003 (11-2)

LOWELL: The big concern here is the offensive line, which has five new starters. That's not good at Lowell, which runs the ball 90% of the time. But center Tony DeMario should be solid and the Devils' line coaches always seem to mix and match their personnel well. Obviously Brandon Grubbe (6-1, 175), who has rushed for almost 3,500 yards, plus two-way players Joe Bell (6-4, 195) and Nate Cleveland (6-4, 200) are a good foundation for 2009 and the Devils will install track star (two-time state finalist in hurdles) Ray Skamay, who could be the new QB. Grubbe will become a major local media focus in 2009 as he chases the 5,000-yard barrier (he has 597 carries, 3,552 yards and 43 TDs) and NW Indiana's all-time career rushing leaders, Whiting legends, 1994-graduate Mike Barsich (5,062 career yards) and 1999 grad Paul Strabavy (5,024 career yards). The sophomore class here is highly-regarded and you will see some very young faces on the field for the Devils. Grubbe will be the punter and Cole Midgett is the volunteer place kicker. Neither has ever done it before. But, in the interest of full disclosure, Lowell almost always looks like this in the preseason. Lots of question marks. They are 26-3 in the last two seasons and 64-19 in the last six years. They might get knocked down early, but they never get knocked out. This year should be no exception. I can't predict the 4A Sectional because I just don't get to see Plymouth and Concord. But Lowell seems headed for a 6-3 or 7-2 regular season.

5.) 5A LaPorte (4-8)
2007 (8-3), 2006 (12-1), 2005 (11-1), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-5)

LaPORTE: LaPorte graduated both running backs, but they return four big offensive linemen in Trevor Sales (6-3, 285), John Sayler (6-1, 260), Greg Wedow (6-2, 250) and Mason Paxon (6-2, 220) to block for senior QB Dustin DeMuth. DeMuth, a baseball star, was 69 of 147 for 1,105 yards in 2008 and he'll have big receivers in Kevin Upp (6-3, 135) and tight end Scott Vaughn (6-5, 190). Add junior James Snyder (6-5, 180) and you can see where LaPorte foes will have pass defense problems. LaPorte likes to put a very big kid on the nose and force your offense wide. I think that senior Phil Barber (6-1, 345) fills the bill as that big kid. With New Prairie and Elkhart Central leading off, the Slicers can be 2-0 when they host Valparaiso on Sept. 4. This will be a high-scoring, highlight making team. Nobody is sure they can't beat them, but nobody is sure they can either. I would guess 5-4 or 6-3 here.

6.) 3A Andrean (6-7)
2007 (9-4), 2006 (8-3), 2005 (8-2), 2004 (13-2)

MERRILLVILLE: The Niners made a big playoff run last year after a 3-6 regular season and they may keep going in 2009. Andrean returns 16 starters from last year's team including QB Richard Schmidt (79-of-152, 1,018 yards) and a lot of receivers in Mike Skinner (32 catches, 453 yards) tight end PJ Mason (14 catches, 153 yards) and former QB Demitri Blanco (5-10, 175). The offensive line returns four starters in center Rich Gallina (6-0, 195), Coleman Gidcumb (6-1, 280), Alex Villareal (6-1, 260) and Brain Sims (6-2, 260) in front of fullback Kyle Menefee (5-10, 205) and halfback Steve Hererra (5-10, 180). That should be a fairly complete offense coming back from a team that gained 500 yards in the 35-28 regional loss at Northwood. Blanco, Skinner and Jon Dal Santo should man a solid secondary in Andrean's 3-5-3 defense, which is anchored by Darius Foster (6-0, 250) at tackle, Mason (67-3, 215) at one end and Menefee at linebacker. Andrean has only four home games and they added 5A Merrillville in week two. The Niners play three 5A schools and five 4A teams. The final two games of the regular season are Griffith and Lowell and if the 59ers can survive those two 4A powers, they should be a major factor in the 3A playoffs. Don't be fooled by a 5-4 or 6-3 regular season. This team is a regional championship contender again.

7. Michigan City (4-6)
2007 (2-8), 2006 (1-9), 2005 (6-5), 2004 (4-6)

MICHIGAN CITY: Michigan City won three of their last four regular season games in 2008 and lost 28-19 to Chesterton in the playoffs. They'll need a new QB, but this looks like a winning season with senior halfback Adam Harmon (143 caries, 753 yards) returning behind an offensive line anchored by Tyler Prybylla (6-6, 305) and Ryan Isaac (6-5, 265). Junior QB Rodney Washington (6-3, 220) will make his debut and he'll try to hook up with senior receiver Austin Althoff (6-4, 190), among others. The defense is led by Harmon (5-10, 195), a three-year starter in the secondary, Tyree Wright (6-0, 225), a two-year starter at linebacker and tackles Jeff Bibb (6-0, 250) and Barry Arnold (5-11, 280). Now, I remember predicting a breakthrough season for MC last year and, until the second half of the year, they broke down more often than they broke through. But I'm going to do it again. There's just no way this team doesn't finish in the top half of the eight-team DAC and end the year with a winning record. I promise.

8.) 5A Chesterton (9-3)
2007 (6-4), 2006 (5-6), 2005 (3-8), 2004 (5-5), 2003 (7-4)

CHESTERTON: Chesterton doesn't have much coming back on offense from last season's winning team, but I'm going to pick them to do well anyway. The defense should be that strong, led by senior linebacker Frank Raudry (5-10, 230), who made 101 tackles in 11 games in 2008. Senior Taylor Dore (6-2, 220), David Raffin (6-3, 280) and Alex Boatright (5-11, 240) return to hold down the line while Greg Nowak, who made 90 tackles in 2008, joins Raudry at linebacker. Two-year starter Taylor Brown (6-0, 180) leads the secondary and is a potent kick returner. Kicker Kyle Schmidt was 14-of-15 in extra points in 2008 and Alex Lydick returns as the punter. I don't know how many points they'll score. Chesterton has three offensive linemen back and Junior Jon Watson (6-3, 180) takes over as the option QB. But this team went 9-3 with 21 points a game last year. They don't need to score a lot. They also won't go 7-2 in the regular season again, but it's all about October.

9.) 4A Griffith (8-5)
2007 (9-4), 2006 (12-2), 2005 (12-1), 2004 (9-3), 2003 (7-5)

GRIFFITH: Griffith lost the regional title game to Lowell for the second consecutive year, but they could be back with halfback Ed Johnson (182 carries, 1,355 yards, 17 TDs) running behind senior center Ed Boncela (6-1, 261) and Kyle Smith (6-5, 251). The new QB is senior Joe Nunez (5-9, 155), but the Panthers run such a consistent system, that a senior who has never played can step right in. They aren't going to throw the ball 200 times anyway. Also, Griffith, like many schools, plans the QB transition well in advance. Nunez probably has been unofficially working out at QB since the first of the year. The Panthers return six starters on defense, including tackle Nick Biancardi (6-3, 245) and Kevin Bynum (5-9, 257). Cory Stidham (6-1, 118) could lead the secondary. He was credited with 50 tackles last year. Steve Kepchar (5-11, 171) had 29 tackles and two sacks. I have heard that Ed Johnson may not be able to play the first half of the year and that would include road tests at Lowell and Valparaiso. The regular season record might be 6-3 or 5-4. But the Panthers are 50-15 in the last five years, the best record in NW Indiana and they have won four consecutive sectional championships. And Griffith traditionally is a bad weather team that gets rolling in late September. It'll happen again.

10.) 5A Lake Central (3-7)
2007 (7-5), 2006 (4-6), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (1-9)

ST. JOHN: Hopes were higher than results last year at LC, but they'll try again with senior QB Ryan Hennessey (5-10, 170) and a new line anchored by big Matt Soryka (6-3, 280). The new running back duo of Tanner Redlarczyk (6-2, 205) and Tommy Albomonte (5-8, 168) may have something and tight end Andy Arellano (6-0, 200) and wide receiver Loai Issa (5-11, 180) both are veteran receivers and among the other pass catchers of basketball legacy Glen Robinson Jr. (6-4, 200). The defense is anchored by tackle Kevin Jackson (5-9, 240) and linebacker Derrick Bremer (5-10, 178) in front of veteran defensive backs Keith Thompson (5-11, 180) and Justin Nesbitt (6-1, 178). Kicker Erik Bison returns to kick and punt. Injuries put LC in the hole in 2008, but assuming good health, they should be 2-0 when they host Portage on Sept. 4. Six wins in nine games is a possibility here.