FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #9

#10.

 MORTON GOVERNORS
Team Spotlight

6-2/3-0
LAST WEEK:
NOT RANKED
↑

After one season away, Morton returns to their traditional spot of first place in the Great Lakes Athletic Conference, as the Governors clinched the title last week, giving them eight out of the last 10 GLAC championships. Conference titles are great and all, but this team has their sights set on something bigger and they may have the defense to do it. If you take away the Plymouth game, the Govs give up just 12.7 points per game.

#9.

ANDREAN 59ERS
Team Spotlight

5-3/2-2
LAST WEEK:
#7
↓

We touched on this a few weeks back, but the point still stands. In games against teams with .500 or worse records, Andrean is 5-0 and has outscored the competition 228-71. In games against teams with winning records, the Niners are 0-3 and have been outscored 13-71. Teams don’t last long in the tournament if they can’t beat winning opponents – Andrean has to turn that around and fast.

#8

HOBART BRICKIES
Team Spotlight

6-2/3-1
LAST WEEK: #4
↓

Putting up 14 points in a win against Highland raised an eyebrow or two, but nothing alarming. They followed that up with being shut out by a then two-win Munster team, which is a bit concerning. Maybe the Brickies have been preparing for this Friday’s big game against Lowell for the past couple of weeks, but this isn’t the direction a team wants to be trending as the post-season draws closer.

#7
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
Team Spotlight

7-1/6-0
LAST WEEK: #6
↓

Kudos to whoever had the idea to put in a running clock for the entire second half of the Panthers’ game against Lake Station – no need to extend that contest any more than necessary. There’s been plenty of time spent discussing Griffith’s presence in the GSSC and (thankfully) that portion of the schedule is almost done with for 2017 – it’s just about time for the Panthers to prove their gaudy numbers aren’t just a product of their schedule.

#6
PORTAGE INDIANS
Team Spotlight

4-4/4-2
LAST WEEK: #5
↓

The effects of a tough schedule down the stretch are starting to show, as the Indians were undefeated in the DAC just a couple weeks ago but have now suffered back to back losses, putting them a game behind Valpo in the standings.  It doesn’t get much easier for the Red Tribe this week as they travel to take on a LaPorte team that’s been putting up a ton of points recently.

#5
LAPORTE SLICERS
Team Spotlight

5-3/4-2
LAST WEEK: #10
↑

It’s time for the rest of Class 5A to keep an eye on what’s going on in the “Maple City” as LaPorte’s offense has been clicking, scoring 191 points over the course of the last four games. Now, the defense needs to get things going as during that same span, they’ve surrendered 120 points. If they can get a bit stouter on that side of the ball, don’t be surprised to see a deep tournament run.

#4
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
Team Spotlight

5-3/4-2
LAST WEEK: #8
↑

All but forgotten just a few weeks back, Crown Point has come back with a vengeance after three straight wins over Valpo, LaPorte & Chesterton. Not only have the victories shot them up the rankings, it may make them the favorite in Sectional #1. Can the Bulldogs continue their streak of wins against tough opponents? We’ll find out this week as they host Michigan City. Speaking of the Wolves…

#3
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
Team Spotlight

5-3/4-2
LAST WEEK: #2
↓

That’s now two last second losses for City on the season, as both LaPorte and Valpo were able to steal a victory away from the Wolves at the last second. City responded to the Valpo loss by putting up 56 points against Merrillville. We know they’re going to be angry again this week, but can they have a similar performance against the tough Crown Point defense?

#2
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
Team Spotlight

7-1/5-1
LAST WEEK: #3
↑

Twenty three points may not seem like a big scoring output, but when you have a defense like Valpo’s, 23 points may as well be 50. The Vikings have responded well to their only loss (so far) of the season, beating both Merrillville and Portage to put themselves back atop the DAC standings. All they have to do to clinch the title is beat 2-6 Lake Central at home.

#1
LOWELL RED DEVILS
Team Spotlight

8-0/4-0
LAST WEEK: #1
↔

In a season full of dominating defensive performances, Lowell shutting out Andrean might top the list as it’s the first time a team has done that to the Niners since 2007. A win over Hobart on Friday will not only give the Red Devils sole possession of the NCC title, it’ll be their second undefeated regular season in three years and fourth since 1993.