FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #2

#10.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
Team Spotlight

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Last Week: #10
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The 27-13 loss to Lowell was closer than the score indicates. The Bulldog defense played well, the offense had its share of success and special teams, well…..not so much. This week should bring about improvements on that side of the ball as they welcome in an opponent they haven’t played in 25 years – the Highland Trojans, who expect to be victorious at the south county country club this Friday night.

#9
HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK:
Not Ranked
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In the course of the school’s football history (1968-71; 2014-Present), Hanover Central has won a total of 27 regular season games – 12 of them have come in their last 12 games, so needless to say, this is the best run in program history. Look for that run to continue as the ‘Cats will be the clear favorite in each of their contests, except maybe the Whiting game on September 22nd.

#8
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #8
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The 4A Panthers gave 5A Michigan City all they could handle at beautiful Ames Field before falling by five. Don’t expect too many more in the loss column however, as all of Griffith’s remaining opponents are in Class 1A, 2A or 3A. GSSC stalwart Whiting comes to Griffith this week for their first meeting since 1997.

#7
EC CENTRAL CARDINALS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #9
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The 57 points put up by the Cardinals in Friday’s win over Indy Northwest was the third most by an EC team since the 2013 season….not a bad way to start the year. The level of competition picks up this week with the home opener against TF South from Lansing. Another 57 point performance could have the Cards shooting up the rankings, but don’t get your hopes up, we hear the Rebels are good. Real good.

#6
ANDREAN 59ERS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #6
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If the 59ers keep playing like they did against Merrillville, look out NCC. The performance against the Pirates had to be one of the biggest week one eye openers in the state. Andrean’s not going to surprise anyone this week as they’ll be the clear favorite in their dioceses rivalry game against Bishop Noll, but it may be a good night to get some inexperienced players some time under the lights.

#5
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #5
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The Wolves had their hands full against Griffith in what wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but the most important thing was that it was a victory. City is going to have to be a lot sharper if they want to bring home another “W” this week, as they travel across state lines to take on Illinois powerhouse Homewood-Flossmoor, led by former MC (and Portage) head coach Craig Buzea.

#4
PORTAGE INDIANS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #2
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We were thinking the Indians would be a solid defensive club (they still may be), so 47 points against comes as a surprise. But then again, so do the 45 they scored. If they can keep up that pace, there’ll be no stopping Portage. While the Indians do fall a couple of spots with the loss, they have a chance to move right back up the rankings – a win over #1 Lowell on Friday may put the Tribe in play for the top spot, depending on what else happens.

#3
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #4
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The Vikings did something they don’t often do – they beat Penn to open the season. There’s no question Valpo has a bright future, with the win over the Kingsmen being a sign of what’s to come. The Viking defense, which stifled the Penn offense all game long, will have to be just as good this week as they host Mishawaka, the team that put up 47 points on Portage.

#2
LAPORTE SLICERS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #3
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The Slicers continued their winning ways by destroying rival New Prairie 41-12 in the opener. If LaPorte is as good (or better) than a year ago, that’s bad news for anyone in the DAC that’s looking to dethrone them. The defending conference champs make their first road trip of 2017 on Friday when they travel to “The Brickyard.”

#1
LOWELL RED DEVILS
Team Spotlight

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LAST WEEK: #1
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The Devils weren’t perfect against Crown Point, but they played well enough to claim another Leather Helmet trophy – their second in the last three years. Life doesn’t get any easier for Lowell this week as they travel to “The Warpath” to take on #4 Portage. We know the Devil defense is really good, but taking on a high powered Portage offense will be one of their biggest regular season tests.