RSN Makes Their Previews, Picks for Week Six

RSNActionWe are now more than halfway through the 2014 prep football season in Indiana and the Region Sports Network continues to preview all of the area's big games, many featuring local teams with state title aspirations.

RSN No. 3 Lake Central will pay a visit to Michigan City to face an improved Wolves team. The Indians will look to avenge their 2012 loss at Michigan City, which came in upset fashion as LC came in undefeated while the Wolves had not won a conference game in three years.

"Since the big loss of QB Ryan Washington, who suffered an ankle injury against Chesterton, the Wolves have had to rely heavily on their running game, centered around sophomore Aryuan Cain-Veasey," said Steve Wartman, while picking a 21-10 victory for Lake Central. "He had a big performance two weeks ago in the win over Valparaiso, but was limited to only 46 yards on 20 carries last week in the loss at Merrillville. If Washington is still out this Friday, Cain-Veasey’s role will continue to be especially critical." See full RSN preview here.

It was one-year ago this week when the La Porte Slicers lost football player Jake West to a cardiac arrest. This year, the team and fans plan to honor West's memory as they host No. 6 Merrillville, the same opponent they faced this time last year.

The Slicers, after a 2-0 start, have struggled this season despite the tremendous year running back Charles Salary has had.

"For the Slicers to have a shot, they’re going to need to find an offensive contributor outside of #20 (Salary)," Nathan Laird said. "They’ve been unable to do so this season and they’ll be in trouble if they don’t find someone soon." Laird picks the Pirates to come out on top, 35-10. See full RSN preview here.

Moving from La Porte all the way across the region (a 1 hour, 6 minute drive according to Google Maps) to Lowell, the RSN previews a pivitol match-up between a pair of 2-3 teams as the Hobart Brickies pay a visit to the Red Devils, who have found their stride with two consecutive wins after starting the season 0-3.

"Both teams have had similar results against common opponents Kankakee Valley and Griffith," Dennis Churilla wrote. "And each team played some of their best football of the season last week. As (Lowell Head Coach Keith) Kilmer notes, it should be a tight one, but Lowell’s at home, and until someone gets a handle on James, the Red Devils merit the advantage here." Churilla picks a 21-17 win for Lowell. See full RSN preview here. 

Hanover Central is in unfamiliar territory, coming off their first loss in 43 years (they didn't have football for 42 of them). It only gets tougher for the Wildcats this week as they pay a visit to No. 8 Whiting, a 5-0 club that Wartman says is the best the Wildcats will see all season.

"The lack of offensive production last week doesn’t provide much optimism that Hanover can crack the Oilers elite defensive unit. Not to mention that Whiting put away rather easily the same Boone Grove team that the Wildcats struggled with last week," Wartman said, selecting Whiting as a 28-7 winner. See full RSN preview here. 

Also, see the RSN's "Around the Region" feature, which profiles all the other games this weekend including Highland at No. 1 Andrean, Portage at No. 10 Chesterton and East Chicago Central at No. 7 Hammond Morton.