The third week into Indiana playoff prep football means that region teams are numbered. The only ones still standing are those who have already been tested in a win-or-go-home match-up and have survived.
The Region Sports Network takes a look at all the contests involving area teams tonight, forecasting who will move on and compete for a spot in semi-state championships.
While most teams playing this weekend sport impressive won-loss records, the Merrillville High School Pirates come into their Friday night tilt at Mishawaka Penn with a 6-5 mark. The Pirates can be seen as the region's dark horse - compiling their most impressive wins of the season (Crown Point and Lake Central) in back-to-back weeks to open postseason play. To keep their run going, however, they will need to take down an undefeated Penn team that beat Merrillville the last time the two squared off, 19-0 in the 2008 regional.
"If the Pirates can solve a Penn defense that’s been suffocating this year, and turn this game into a shootout, they’ll have a chance. But if the offense struggles, it could be a long night at Freed Field for the purple and white," wrote Nathan Laird of the RSN - selecting the Kingsmen to put an end to the Pirates' season, 35-17. See full RSN Preview here.
The night's best game involving two region teams that have been consistently ranked in the RSN's top 10 poll will take place at "The Inferno" in Lowell where the 7-4 Red Devils will host the 10-1 Morton High School Governors in the Sectional 17 Championship game. If this game is anything like the first time these teams played this year in Week Two, we may be in for a thriller (minus the lightning). Morton survived that trip to Lowell, 42-41.
"Given the level of play Lowell has exhibited this season, it’s an awfully tall order to beat them at home twice. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Morton pulled it off, and the game should be a back-and-forth affair like the last one was. The last team to score will probably win and we’re guessing it’s Lowell in a coin flip," the RSN's Dennis Churilla wrote, picking the Red Devils to get it done this time, 31-28. See full RSN Preview here.
The RSN's "Around the Region" feature takes a quick look at the three other games involving Northwest Indiana teams, Rensselaer Central at Wheeler; Calumet at Andrean and Mishawaka at La Porte. The RSN gives the edge to the Bombers, 59ers and Cavemen, respectively, in those games.