FOOTBALL: RSN Top 10 – Week #8

#10.

 LAPORTE SLICERS
Team Spotlight

4-3/3-2
LAST WEEK:
#6
↓

Usually a road loss against a ranked conference opponent doesn’t lead to a four spot fall, but it does this week for the Slicers after dropping a tough one against Crown Point. There’s no time to get down though, as the boys in orange are just a game back in the DAC race and one of the teams in their way, Michigan City – is this week’s opponent in a HUGE LaPorte County showdown.

#9.

WHITING OILERS
Team Spotlight

5-2/4-1
LAST WEEK:
#9
↔

The win over Calumet was closer than most people expected, present company included, but the most important word in that sentence is “win,” which is what the Oilers did. If they have similar issues against this week’s opponent, winless Bishop Noll, then there is cause for concern.

#8

CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
Team Spotlight

4-3/3-2
LAST WEEK: #10
↑

Not too many people had the ‘Dogs coming away with wins in each of their last two games as Valpo and LaPorte invaded the County Hub, but that’s exactly what Crown Point did. Now that the Bulldogs are back in  the Top 10 and the Duneland chase, the question is can they take those winning ways on the road? We’ll find out Friday when they travel to Chesterton.

#7
ANDREAN 59ERS
Team Spotlight

5-2/2-1
LAST WEEK: #8
↑

One thing’s pretty sure with Andrean in 2017, odds are you’re not getting a close game. In their seven contests, the average margin of victory for either Niners or their opponents is 30.7 points – and that includes the three point loss to Hobart. Sooner or later Andrean will have to prove it can win a close one, not just with the tournament coming up, but with Lowell on the schedule this week.

#6
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
Team Spotlight

6-1/5-0
LAST WEEK: #7
↑

We were really looking forward to that Griffith-Hanover Central matchup in week #9, but with the Wildcats dropping three straight and the Panthers rolling through the GSSC like a train on Broad Street, we’ll have to wait for the post-season to get a glimpse at this team taking on comparable competition. Hopefully nobody for Lake Station gets seriously hurt on Friday.

#5
PORTAGE INDIANS
Team Spotlight

4-3/4-1
LAST WEEK: #4
↓

Not only did the Indians fall out of sole possession of first place in the DAC with their loss to City, some issues with their offense were exposed if the running game isn’t working. Whatever fixes can be made need to be done ASAP with a smothering Valpo defense coming to the “Warpath” on Friday. Another conference loss and hopes for a title may be gone.

#4
HOBART BRICKIES
Team Spotlight

6-1/3-0
LAST WEEK: #5
↑

The 14-7 win over Highland wasn’t exactly pretty, but a win is a win, especially when you are trying to keep pace in the NCC conference title race. The Brickies are home for the final two games of the regular season, which could be big – especially that Week #9 battle with  Lowell. Could the NCC title be decided on the final night?

#3
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
Team Spotlight

6-1/4-1
LAST WEEK: #3
↔

The 28 points last week against Merrillville not only was the Vikings’ second highest scoring total of the season but it probably brought a sense of relief to the Valpo faithful after several weeks of struggling to score. Whether they can have that kind of outing against a tougher defense this week (Portage) remains to be seen. If so, it could mean good things come tournament time.

#2
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
Team Spotlight

5-2/4-1
LAST WEEK: #2
↔

Not many offenses in NWI are as well rounded as the one City puts on display every Friday night. This team can beat you through the air and on the ground, seemingly at ease. With scoring outputs of 56, 56, & 31 over the last three weeks, the Wolves have some momentum heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. Their upcoming opponents (LaPorte & Crown Point) are also ranked in the RSN Top 10, so that momentum will be called upon.

#1
LOWELL RED DEVILS
Team Spotlight

7-0/3-0
LAST WEEK: #1
↔

Talk about a tough way to close out a season: the Red Devils host Andrean and then head to Hobart. That’s two tough tests for a Lowell team that’s been dominating all season, but with the way the Devils play, especially on the defensive side of the ball, would anyone really be surprised if they come away unscathed?