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FOOTBALL: Home Improvement Week Six Top 10 – 9/23/25

Check out our Home Improvement Week Six Top Ten! This list is presented by Eenigenburg Exteriors.

10. MORTON GOVERNORS (3-2)

LAST WEEK: 62-0 win vs. Phalen Academy

PREVIOUS RANKING: Outside looking in

NEXT WEEK: at Calumet Christian (Saturday)

OUTLOOK MOVING FORWARD?: Expect the Governors to stay around this spot for some time.

The Morton Governors made quick work of Phalen Academy this past Saturday. With upcoming opponents Calumet Christian and conference opponent (but winless) Hammond Central, this may be the part of the season where Morton can start to pick up their stride and add to their tally in the win column. The real question is, how will the Governors perform against a team like Hobart in week eight? That game at the Brickyard is far and away the Govs’ toughest test to end the regular season.

Senior receiver Anton Mathis had a solid Saturday, catching three passes for 95 yards and two scores. Davion Terry, the senior running back, also found the end zone on two different instances. Morton will face Calumet Christian in another Saturday contest.

9. CHESTERTON TROJANS (3-2)

LAST WEEK: 24-16 win vs. Valparaiso

PREVIOUS RANKING: #10

NEXT WEEK: at Portage (0-5)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: Chesterton defeated Valparaiso for the first time since 2015.

Anything goes when there is a traveling trophy on the line. That was the case this past Friday as the Chesterton Trojans and the Valparaiso Vikings battled for the Campbell-Meridian Cup – a milk jug that is painted by students from both schools that is awarded to the game’s winner. For the past 14 meetings, that cup stood on the Valpo sideline.

In what was a back-and-forth game, Andrew Goveia made his mark on the rivalry with 38 carries, 180+ rushing yards, and a score. Hunter Boyd, once again, improved with two passing touchdowns and zero turnovers. Lucas Anderson, an interception machine, had a late fourth-quarter pick that nearly sealed the game.

Despite its two losses, this Trojan team can especially be dangerous as the year progresses, given a healthier and more productive run game and the ever-improving QB play. Next up for Chesterton is a trip to Portage.

8. MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES (3-2)

LAST WEEK: lost 44-7 to #2 Merrillville

PREVIOUS RANKING: #5

NEXT WEEK: at Lake Central (1-4)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: Another letdown following an emotional win.

To keep things brief, Merrillville got ahead of Michigan City early and never looked back in the slightest. All three phases were won by the opponents, something similar to City’s week two defeat at Lafayette Jefferson. After a total team effort from City in a week one shutout win against Hanover Central, the Wolves fell behind fast against Lafayette Jeff in a similar fashion. That was the case once again, as Michigan City had a chance to shake up the DAC standings some more after its week four victory at Valparaiso.

A plus is that those two aforementioned losses were to the #7 and #6 teams in the 5A class as of the week four poll. Although the games were not particularly competitive, the Wolves’ two losses on the year were to some of the class’s best. Head coach Cody French and his group will hope to rebound against Lake Central, a team they have had success against over the past decade.

7. GRIFFITH PANTHERS (4-1)

LAST WEEK: 49-7 win vs. River Forest

PREVIOUS RANKING: #8

NEXT WEEK: East Chicago Central (1-4)

WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK MOVING FORWARD: This Griffith team is not pulling any punches moving forward.

It is safe to say that the Panthers are not too satisfied with the one blemish on their record. Since the week three loss against Lowell, Griffith has outscored its next two conference opponents 98 to 7. Griffith has done this without head coach Phil Mason on the sidelines, who has been taking a step back due to a recent case of pneumonia. 

Mason, who is planning to be back this week against East Chicago Central, will rejoin a team that now has its sights set on the outright GSSC crown. The South Division is especially intriguing, a group that features fellow conference-unbeatens with Wheeler and Calumet. The plan is to follow suit this Friday against the ECC Cardinals at the Boneyard.

6. WHEELER BEARCATS (4-0)

LAST WEEK: Did Not Play – Game vs. Boone Grove Postponed

PREVIOUS RANKING: #6

NEXT WEEK: at West Side (2-2)

ABOUT LAST WEEK: The Bearcats did not play this past Friday, as they were set to host the Boone Grove Wolves. To ensure complete safety at the school, all festivities at Wheeler, such as the game and Saturday’s homecoming dance, were cancelled due to alleged threats that were made earlier in the day.

The Bearcats will be back in action this Friday at West Side.

5. LOWELL RED DEVILS (4-1)

LAST WEEK: 42-7 win vs. Highland

PREVIOUS RANKING: #7

NEXT WEEK: at #4 Hobart (4-1)

STATISTIC TO NOTE: Lowell has averaged 38.25 points scored per game since week two.

RDP has been on a roll since the Old Leather Helmet loss to Crown Point in the first week of the season. After what has proven to be an early-season wake-up call, the Red Devils are wide awake and playing great football. Sophomore running back Tymothy James played exceptionally again, scoring three times with 193 rushing yards on just 12 carries against Highland. Senior QB Brody Kalwinski added three total scores and ran for 100 yards on the ground.

First-year head coach Casey McKim has put together one of the better first seasons with a new program in recent memory, as he has already matched Lowell’s win total from the previous two seasons.

The Red Devils will have a chance to best that number come Friday, but will have to do so against a team that is looking to dethrone them at the top of the NCC in the Hobart Brickies. This is shaping up to be Lowell’s most competitive test on the schedule since the opener against Crown Point. Coach McKim and co. also plan to snap a four-game losing streak to Hobart.

4. HOBART BRICKIES (4-1)

LAST WEEK: 17-7 loss at #3 Andrean

PREVIOUS RANKING: #2

NEXT WEEK: #5 Lowell (4-1)

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK?: A potential wake-up call for the Brickies.

Hobart’s opening week win against the now-ninth-ranked Chesterton Trojans was impressive, despite going against a sophomore signal caller in his first start. However, last Friday’s game at Andrean may turn out to be the biggest test of the year for Hobart, and they fell flat.

The offense, a group that was not able to get much going all night, was only able to score in the final frame when they trailed by 17. Hobart has scored over 20 points in each of its first four games of the year, with three straight games scoring 40+. Hobart QB Aleks Tatum was only able to complete seven of his 23 passing attempts for a measly 62 passing yards.

If the NCC title is still a goal in mind, Hobart will need some help. More importantly, they must gear up for their second straight unbeaten team in the NCC, as the Lowell Red Devils will come into town. Lowell, who could be a future sectional opponent for Hobart, provides the second straight test of the season for the Brickies.

3. ANDREAN 59ERS (4-1)

LAST WEEK: 17-7 win over #4 Hobart

PREVIOUS RANKING: #4

NEXT WEEK: at Highland (2-3)

PLAYER TO NOTE: Tyler Vo, sophomore, wide receiver

Through the first third and some change to begin the 2025 season, the rushing attack seemed to be the strength of this Andrean offense. That said, the Niners are certainly not limited to just pounding the rock, as the passing offense led by sophomore wideout Tyler Vo came to play in the Niners’ biggest game of the season.

Vo, who had flashes in his injury-riddled freshman season, has been the top target out wide for Andrean. The sophomore led the way with nine catches for 83 yards and a score. He has continued to grow the relationship with senior QB Brady Elish, who had his best game of the fall, completing 19 of 23 passes for 175 yards and the lone TD to Vo. Ethan Reyna found the end zone on the ground in addition to eight tackles and a sack.

To cap off the win over Hobart, the Niners’ defense made things tough for what was a high-powered offense. Andrean picked off Hobart’s Aleks Tatum twice, while logging nine pass breakups as a unit. Andrean is now one of two teams with an unbeaten record in the NCC and has gotten off to its best start record-wise since 2020. They will be on the road at Highland in week six.

2. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES (3-2)

 LAST WEEK: 44-7 win at Michigan City

PREVIOUS RANKING: #3

NEXT WEEK: LaPorte (2-3)

UNIT TO HIGHLIGHT LAST WEEK?: The Merrillville defense.

This was the definition of a statement game, as the Merrillville Pirates took on an unbeaten DAC opponent and handled them for all four quarters. Most importantly, the defense of the Pirates shut down a Michigan City offense that has been quite productive.

The Wolves were limited to only 272 total yards of offense and seven points, both of which are the fewest totals for the Wolves all season. Two turnovers were forced, while Warren Brown III helped Merrillville in the special teams department with a 95-yard punt return touchdown. QB Michael Hill Jr. continues to make a case for the Region’s most productive signal caller, accounting for three scores and more total yards than the aforementioned Michigan City offense.

Merrillville is starting to catch its stride and show why they are a real team to look out for in the 5A Class. The Pirates simply dismantled the potential favorite in Sectional 9, which Merrillville would face if they were to make it to the Regional Championship round. Next up for the Pirates are the LaPorte Slicers at home.

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS (5-0)

LAST WEEK: 47-7 win at Portage

PREVIOUS RANKING: #1

NEXT WEEK: Valparaiso (1-4)

PLAYER TO HIGHLIGHT: Tyce Custy, junior, quarterback

Heading into the 2025 season, one of the few questions regarding this year’s Crown Point football team is the play under center. Two names have emerged in the first half of the year, as juniors Cooper Malaski and Valparaiso transfer Tyce Custy have shared snaps. One of the newer Bulldogs got the bulk of the action this past Friday, and he did not disappoint.

In another dominating Crown Point victory, Custy completed 17 of his 20 passing attempts for 232 yards and two scores. The junior put together his best performance of the season and may be a name to look out for down the stretch as the Bulldogs now control their fate in the Duneland conference.

CP will be back at home against Valparaiso this Friday. In a game that previously was one to circle on the schedule, the Bulldogs will face a Viking team that has been spiraling as of late. If Crown Point continues to stay the course, the DAC, and potentially future trophies, may be theirs to lose.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

CALUMET WARRIORS (4-1)

LAKE STATION EAGLES (4-1)

VALPARAISO VIKINGS (1-4)

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