I know this is cheating, but I don’t care.
I’m getting older.
My prediction skills are declining. My timing isn’t what it used to be.
My 20-year anniversary at the Post-Tribune is coming soon enough. (Hint: I’m hoping for a watch. Platinum would be nice.) And it’s true: Sometimes, I take short cuts.
That’s why my sectional prediction column runs Thursday, the day before the sectional championships instead of two weeks ago, at the beginning of sectionals.
Picking one game is much easier than two or three. You learn a few things when you’ve been around.
I used to be able to knock this prediction thing out of the park without too much work.
Now, I need to put myself in the best position to succeed. Besides, I can’t take the derision and scorn that is heaped at me from readers when I’m wrong.
With that in mind, here goes.
Crown Point over Merrillville in Class 6A Sectional 1. The Bulldogs (5-5) are playing the best football of any team in the Duneland Athletic Conference, primarily because of their defense. The Pirates (5-5) scored an impressive upset over Portage last week. The shape of their season changed dramatically when sophomore quarterback Cameron Wright broke his collarbone against Valparaiso. That Merrillville held it together without Wright to make the championship is impressive.
Penn over LaPorte in Class 6A Sectional 2. The Slicers (9-1) caught a break getting this game at home. One advantage for LaPorte is it’s possible the Slicers have been preparing for the Kingsmen (10-0) for three weeks. They wrapped up the Duneland Athletic Conference title before Week 9. LaPorte will have to outscore the Kingsmen to have a chance. Won’t happen.
Mishawaka over Michigan City in Class 5A Sectional 9. The Wolves (7-3) are good but Mishawaka (9-2) is better. The Cavemen lost to Penn by a touchdown and to Cathedral, a 6A team that would be one of the better teams in 5A if it were in it. Michigan City gets the game at home, where it hasn’t lost.
Hobart over New Prairie in Class 4A Sectional 18. This pick is from the heart. Just want the Brickies (9-2) to get their first sectional title since 1997. Hard to believe it’s been 19 years. The Cougars (9-2) are tough at home, but they aren’t invincible.
Munster over Lowell in Class 4A Sectional 17. This is my upset special. The Red Devils (7-4) beat Munster (6-5) by 31 in the final regular-season game. Couple things are different about the rematch. Munster is relatively healthy and it gets to play at home, on field turf, where it’s much more comfortable and less so for Lowell.
Mishawaka Marian over Griffith in Class 3A Sectional 25. I’d like to dream the impossible and say Griffith (8-3) will win here, but the truth hurts sometimes: Marian (10-1) is really good. The Knights are ranked No. 2 in the AP Class 3A poll. This will be close because the Boneyard will be rocking, but Marian wins.
Whiting over Knox in Class 2A Sectional 33. The Oilers (10-1) have the best chance of any team from Northwest Indiana to get back to the state finals. Knox (9-2) played a regular-season schedule that was made up mostly of Class 1A schools. Their one common opponent? River Forest. Whiting beat the Ingots 35-7 and Knox beat them 12-7.
Pioneer over North Judson in Class 1A Sectional 41. Pioneer (11-0) is ranked No. 3 in the last AP poll. The Blue Jays (5-6) lost to Pioneer 48-0 in the final regular-season game. They’ll just want to keep the score respectable.
Twitter @MikeHuttonPT
Top 10
With records, last week’s rankings in parentheses.
1. LaPorte (9-1, 1): The Slicers knocked off Chesterton in their sectional opener. Penn is next.
2. Hobart (9-2, 2): Brickies put 55 up last week against Kankakee Valley. New Prairie is next.
3. Michigan City (7-3, 4): Wolves beat Elkhart Central last week. They play at Mishawaka for the sectional title.
4. Griffith (8-3, 6): Panthers took down Rensselaer last week. They play Mishawaka Marian for the sectional title.
5. Crown Point (5-5, NR): Bulldogs get back in the polls after long absence. They play Merrillville.
6. Lowell (7-4, NR): Red Devils have won six straight. They play at Munster for the sectional title.
7. Whiting (10-1, 7): Oilers beat North Newton last week. They play at Knox for the sectional title.
8. Portage (6-4, 3): Surprising loss to Merrillville ends season for Indians.
9. Munster (6–5, NR): Mustangs beat Highland last week. They haven’t won a sectional since 1996.
10. Hanover Central (10-1, 5): Wildcats season ends with a 43-6 loss to Mishawaka Marian
