09.25.07 Week 7: Conference Races Heating Up
As the high school football season enters week 7, there are some key matchups around the state, several of which have major conference implications.
Six previously unbeaten teams lost their first game in week 6, leaving just 27 undefeated squads in the state.
Conversely, nine teams won their first game of the season in week 6: Bremen, Cambridge City Lincoln, Caston, Evansville Bosse, Benton Central, Guerin Catholic, Lawrence Central, and Southmont.
There are 11 games this week where neither opponent has more than one loss. Let’s take a look:
6-0 vs. 6-0
Lakeland (#13 3A) at Fairfield (#5 2A) – Both teams have displaying stifling defense throughout the season, each allowing just 38 points thus far, good for a tie for 5th best in the state. Fairfield has had the more potent offense, averaging a state-best 55 points per game, while Lakeland is only scoring 27. The Falcons have knocked off the Lakers three straight seasons. Paying special attention to this game is 6-0 Churubusco…the Eagles are tied atop the Northeast Corner Conference standings with these two teams and have games against Fairfield and then Lakeland to close out the regular season.
Tippecanoe Valley (#2 3A) at Rochester (#4 2A) – The Vikings have had winning seasons 7 of the last 8 years…make that 8 out of 9, including this year. Rochester can better that, as the Zebras are in the midst of their 11th winning season in the past 12. After losing 6 straight to Rochester from 1997-2002, Tippecanoe Valley has won 3 of the last 4, including last year’s 14-7 win. Rochester’s defense is getting stronger as the year has gone on, only giving up 7 total points in the last three weeks, while Tippecanoe Valley has the 5th-highest scoring offense in the state, putting up a season-high 68 in last week’s win over Wabash.
6-0 vs. 5-1
Churubusco (6-0, #5 1A) at Lake Michigan Catholic (MI) (4-1) – As mentioned above, the Eagles have two huge games to close out the season, against Fairfield and Lakeland. This week they head north to St. Joseph, Michigan, to take on a Lakers team that’s coming off its first loss of the season. The Eagles’ margin of victory has progessively been growing throughout the year, including a 49-point win over West Noble last Friday.
Hammond (6-0, #13 4A) at Lowell (5-1, #7 4A) – What a turnaround it’s been for the Wildcats of first-year head coach Robert Robinson. Hammond only had 6 total wins in the four previous seasons, and now could surpass that mark in one season as early as Friday night. Scoring points has been a problem in the past, but not this season as the Wildcats are putting up 40 a contest. The Red Devils’ only loss was a 29-28 overtime defeat to Griffith…they’re that close to being 6-0 themselves. Look to a common opponent to see how close these teams may be: Hammond beat Hammond Morton last week by 1, Lowell beat the Governors earlier in the season by just 3.
Jasper (5-1, #8 4A) at Mt. Carmel (IL) (5-0) – Though they’re from Illinois, Mt. Carmel plays in Indiana’s Big Eight Conference, and the Golden Aces are tied with the Wildcats for first place in the league. Jasper’s lone loss was a 17-13 decision to 3A #1 Heritage Hills, and the Wildcats have proven they can both win big (55-0 over Princeton last week) and pull out the close ones (double-overtime win over Vincennes Lincoln in week 5.)
Linton (6-0, #4, 1A) at North Knox (5-1) – For only the second time in the last 10 years both teams have winning records heading into their week 7 matchup. In 2005 the Miners had no problems in a 49-6 win over the Warriors, when the teams had identical records to this year. Both teams have been stingy on the defensive side of the ball, with Linton only allowing 7 points per game and North Knox 10. Both pitched shutouts last week, and though each has proven they can score points, this one could turn into a defensive struggle.
Salem (5-1) at Charlestown (6-0) – The top spot in the Mid-Southern Conference is on the line as the Pirates host the Lions. Charlestown is another remarkable turnaround story, with first-year head coach Jason Hawkins leading the team to more wins already than the past three seasons combined. Both teams had their closest game against fellow conference contender Brownstown Central: Charlestown won by 4 in week 2 and Salem lost by by 3 in week 4.
Sheridan (6-0, #1 1A) vs. Tipton (5-1, #16 2A) at the RCA Dome – Tipton turned some heads with an opening-week win over Hamilton Heights, and they’ve proven it was no fluke with their play since then. The Blue Devils’ only loss was by 3 to a still-undefeated West Lafayette Red Devils squad. As for Sheridan, it’s the same old story. 27 consecutive wins for the Blackhawks, three weeks shy of going two full years without a loss. The last team to beat Sheridan? West Lafayette, who’s in first place in the Hoosier Conference and takes on the Blackhawks in week 9. This is a huge game in an ultra-competitive three-way race for the conference title.
Tri-County (5-1) at Lafayette Central Catholic (6-0, #3 1A) – The Cavaliers were one of the six teams statewide that lost their first game this past Friday, and it was a big one, 41-7 to class 1A #9 South Newton. Tri-County gets another chance against a top-ten team this week on the road against the Knights, who are coming off their most ddecisive victory of the season, 76-14 over Tri-Central.
5-1 vs. 5-1
Danville (#8 3A) at North Montgomery (#16 3A) – These are two teams that have been very steady throughout the season. Neither is blowing out their opponents, but they’re continuing to put quality win after quality win. Two of the last three years this matchup has resulted in a one-point game…last year it was the Chargers taking the win 15-14.
Lake Central (#13 5A) at Chesterton (#16 5A) – When it comes to football in “the region” these aren’t two of the traditional powers, but make no mistake, the Indians and Trojans are being noticed this year. Lake Central’s only loss was to Crown Point, and Chesterton’s to rival Valparaiso. Those four teams, plus Merrillville, are in a huge 5-way tie atop the Duneland Athletic Conference standings, and this game will help at least a little to sort out that situation.
Of course, there are several other big games around the state…win-loss records aren’t everything. On the field is where it counts. What game will you be going to see this Friday night, and why do you feel it’s an important contest? Share your thoughts with fans around the state with the Indiana
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