The RENEGADE 2008 Poll

Week-5: NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

9-15-2008

PORTAGE (9-19-2008) - We didn't see much change last week as the five local undefeated teams (Valparaiso, Portage, Lowell, Hobart and Wheeler) all remained undefeated on the season's first very rainy Friday night. You've got to leave Wheeler out for a while longer. That schedule is so soft and it's not totally their fault. When the Bearcats added Highland to the schedule, they had every reason to believe that the Trojans and Kankakee Valley (their other non-conference foe) would be strong, or at least average 4A teams.

But if you play in what really is a Class 1A league (the Greater South Shore Conference), with some very weak 2A schools, and your non-conference foes are both 0-4, you cannot expect to be ranked anywhere and you can't whine about it. The Bearcats are almost certain to go 8-0 before the final game with Calumet (3-1) and that won't come close to getting them ready for Rensselaer (2-2), a team that plays three undefeated powers (1A state champ Sheridan, 2A Tipton (4-0) and 3A monster West Lafayette (4-0) in the post-season. During the regular season, it's not about who you beat. It's about who you play.

To their credit, I have not (yet) heard any Wheeler players cry publicly about lack of respect. It's obvious they play a schedule full of losing teams. Wheeler has to consider changing their non-league schedule if they want to excel in November. Call Hobart. I'm sure they're tired of playing Gary West Side. But the team I'm sure Wheeler really wants to play is Valparaiso, their big neighbor. That's a natural rival.

What was the last year that Griffith, Penn and Merrillville were all 1-3? I can't find one. Remember, there have been a few 1-3 teams that have rallied to reach the state finals. The more you watch high school football the less weight you put on games played in August and September.

1.) 5A Portage (4-0)
2007 (5-5), 2006 (6-5), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (8-4), 2003 (11-2)

PORTAGE: The Indians stayed atop the Duneland Athletic Conference with a 22-20 win over Merrillville, despite allowing 300 total yards to the Pirates. This was a nice win for the Indians, but they completed only one pass and they lost halfback Ryan Cherry to an undisclosed injury. This wasn't an impressive win, but to beat a Merrillville team that was back at full strength is a big step forward. The Indians are 4-0 for the first time in five years. Portage's arch rival Valparaiso is also 4-0, but I think you can be a little more sure about where Portage is than Valpo. The Indians are flawed. Against Merrillville, Portage gained just 203 total yards and eight first downs, but there's simply no great teams.

2.) 4A Lowell (4-0)
2007 (13-2), 2006 (7-6), 2005 (11-4), 2004 (9-4), 2003 (11-2)

LOWELL: The Devils won 27-12 at Griffith, but it was costly as two of their cornerstone players, top rusher Brandon Grubbe (shoulder) and two-way tackle Logan Wright (leg) both left with injuries. You have to be honest about Lowell, because they've set their standards so high in this decade. The Devils have allowed just 32 points (8.0 per game) all year, but they also haven't faced a team with a winning record and that doesn't change this week at Highland (0-4). Lowell was held to 171 total yards by the Griffith defense (and the rain), but that's the second time this year they have not moved the ball. These first four games won't get them where they want to go.

What you have to like about the Devils is that they are confident and experienced at all the leadership positions. They found a new play maker in Cody Midgett (3 TDs) last week. Lowell has some injury problems, though, and I want to see them beat a winning team. Every time you think these guys are hot stuff, get on the computer and look at what sectional rivals, Plymouth (4-0) and Concord (4-0) are doing. Lowell will almost certainly have to play one of these teams early in the post-season and I don't know if the Devils are playing well enough to beat those teams right now.

3.) 5A Valparaiso (4-0)
2007 (6-5), 2006 (3-6), 2005 (5-5), 2004 (6-5), 2003 (5-6)

VALPARAISO: Valparaiso rejected Michigan City 32-14 last week as back-up QB Brian Bartholomew filled-in for starter Zack Livovich (6-6, 210) and fired two TDs to Kevin Piet. Kicker Tony Hite hit a career-best 45-yard boot. The Vikings had 24 first downs, but they added 10 penalties. They have to be a little concerned about Livovich, if only because that leaves the third stringer one play away from starting. And the record does show that the VHS boys also have not defeated anyone with a winning record. You can't get too excited about the first half of the season, but here is the only 5A team in Northwest Indiana with the potential to be league and sectional champions and the physical size to look anybody in the eye. You have to run the ball to win in 5A in northern Indiana the post-season, and while Valparaiso had a wonderful offense the last two years, they were pass-heavy. In 2008, VHS has 1100 yards rushing in the first four games. That's real football.

4.) 5A Merrillville (1-3)
2007 (12-2), 2006 (7-5), 2005 (11-3), 2003 (5-6), 2004 (6-5)

MERRILLVILLE: What ever the situation with senior QB Dolapo Macarthy was, he's back now and it showed as the Pirates rolled up 300 total yards in a 22-20 loss. Pay no attention to the won-loss record here, especially when you grasp that two losses are to Portage (4-0) and 5A No. 2 Warren Central (4-0), both on the road. Macarthy threw for two TDs and the Pirates' offensive line suddenly looked a lot better with a 6-foot-6 senior QB taking the snap. The rainy weather clearly bothered Merrillville last week, but it won't rain every week. Merrillville also won't be on the road every week. Three of the last five games are at home. Everybody knows this is not a 1-3 team. Look for the Pirates to make a big run over the second half of the season.

5.) 5A Lake Central (3-1)
2007 (7-5), 2006 (4-6), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (1-9), 2003 (1-9)

ST. JOHN: LC took a big step forward with a rainy day 10-5 win on the road at Crown Point, LC's first win over CP since the 1998 playoffs. It was not an impressive offensive performance, but LC has had problems moving the ball because senior tackle Mark Malinich (6-4, 305) has been out with a leg injury. That (plus the CP defense) explains a night where LC gained just 117 total yards. The Indians' defense redeemed themselves after giving up 26 points to Portage. CP is not an offensive powerhouse, but LC stopped them four times at the goal line in the final minute to ice the game. In a year when there are no great teams, LC, with Malinich, is still a player in the DAC and Class 5A Sectional 1 tournament.

6.) 5A Chesterton (3-1)
2007 (6-4), 2006 (5-6), 2005 (3-8), 2004 (5-5), 2003 (7-4)

CHESTERTON: The Trojans just roll along. Not spectacular, but good enough. They won 25-13 over a competitive Michigan City team last week. New QB Aaron Knight (33 of 65, 508 yards, 5 TDs, one interception) now has a TD pass in each of his first four varsity games. I'm going to stop trying to explain the 28-7 loss at West Ottawa (Michigan) because, as I've said before, I still can't find it on the map. The Trojans' defense has allowed over 1100 yards and they did draw 12 penalties last week, so it's not time to hold a parade yet. But I actually think their option offense will get better as the season goes on and the weather changes. It's no surprise they won in the rain last week. They'll bring a serious challenge to Valparaiso's doorstep this week.

7.) 4A Hobart (4-0)
2007 (8-4), 2006 (10-2), 2005 (6-6), 2004 (9-2), 2003 (5-7)

HOBART: Not a great night, but a successful one for the Brickies, winning 28-21 last week at winless Kankakee Valley (0-4). I'm going to blow this game off as a 'trap' game sitting between Griffith and Andrean on the schedule. Senior QB Matt Barras (30 of 60, 508 yards, 4 TDs) led multiple rallies as the Brickies found out they can come from behind. The Brickies have lost a couple of starters to injury, so it's debatable how good they can be. The schedule shows that the 4-0 'brick castle' has been built on the back of four losing teams. We'll know a lot more after games against Andrean (2-2) this week and Lowell (4-0) next week. When was the last time Hobart was 4-0 and Notre Dame was 2-0? All that thunder last Saturday might not have been rain.

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

GRIFFITH: Griffith is beating themselves with penalties, and as soon as they stop, the wins will start coming again. In the 27-12 loss to Lowell, the Panthers drew 15 penalties and you actually should lose when you draw 15 penalties. The Panthers are throwing the ball more (50 times in 4 games) than they have in the past and I'm uncomfortable with that. I'm wondering if their offensive line problems have to do with the line or the level of competition. The Panthers did face Merrillville, Hobart and Lowell back-to-back-to-back. Obviously, those are excuses and Griffith can't use them any longer. The final five games are win-able and that's what they have to do. This is an excellent team defensively. They just have to stop shooting themselves in the foot when they have the ball.

9.) 5A CROWN POINT (1-3)
2007 (8-3), 2006 (12-1), 2005 (11-1), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-5)

CROWN POINT: CP is in the same boat as Griffith, but for different reasons. The Bulldogs have lost three games 7-0, 13-7 and 10-5 and those are Milwaukee Brewers' scores when CC Sabathia is not pitching. How can you allow 37 points ALL year and be 1-3? Well, if you score two TDs all year you're lucky not to be 0-4. Here's the good news. Last week, CP gained 102 yards passing and 152 yards rushing against a decent LC defense. The offense is getting better, but it's coming very slowly. For them not to score on a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard-line last week indicates that the struggle is in the almost-all-new offensive line. The Bulldogs have lost to LC (3-1), Lowell (4-0) and Hobart (4-0), teams with a combined 11-1 record. But CP should have beaten those teams. They had the chance. With all that said, I would not bet against Crown Point at home this week against Portage (4-0).

10.) 3A ANDREAN (2-2)
2007 (9-4), 2006 (8-3), 2005 (8-2), 2004 (13-22003 (12-1)

MERRILLVILLE: Maybe the Niners are a good weather team. They have a lot of speed and they clearly didn't play well in the rain last week, with six more turnovers in a 42-7 loss to Munster. Let's tell a secret here. Andrean is paying dues. By playing Demetri Blanco, who has now had two, four-interception games as a 16-year-old sophomore, they are creating the chance to have a hugely experienced and talented 18-year-old senior. The defense is not getting killed out there. The Niner's offense is setting up foes for short drives. I think coaches know that playing freshmen and sophomore quarterbacks against 5A schools is a blueprint for getting beat 40-7 (by Portage) and 42-7. Andrean has Hobart (4-0) and Lowell (4-0) still to go so they'll be very lucky to finish 5-4 in the regular season. But none of the teams they play in the regular season are teams they'll see in the playoffs.

On the outside looking in...

5A Munster (3-1)
2007 (3-7), 2006 (5-5), 2005 (3-7), 2004 (4-6), 2003 (8-3)

MUNSTER: Munster is one defensive stop away from being 4-0. They lost a 19-7 lead in a 20-19 loss to Lake Central. But this is the Mustangs' best start in five years, even if they do have two gift wins over Highland (0-4) and Wirt (0-4). Last week's 42-7 win over Andrean was impressive and Senior QB Joe Gill was 11 of 17 for 145 yards and featured his 6th TD pass of the year. I'm just not sure they did more than catch Andrean on a bad night. You can't beat Highland and Wirt and get in any poll right now. Munster still has Hobart (4-0) and Lowell (4-0) to play. The wild horses will get their chance to run free. Or go to the glue factory.