Portage continues to rise as Kankakee Valley debuts.
TOP 10
With records through Tuesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Crown Point 2-0 (1)
Josh Miller records two sacks in the Bulldogs’ win against Arizona College Prep.
2. Merrillville 2-0 (2)
Jalen McAlister recovers a fumble and forces one in the Pirates’ win against Hobart.
3. Valparaiso 1-1 (3)
Tyse Morris returns an interception for a touchdown in the Vikings’ come-from-behind win against Andrean.
4. Hanover Central 1-1 (4)
Caiden Verrett returns a kickoff 99 yards for a TD in the Wildcats’ loss to defending Class 3A state champion Bishop Chatard, their first regular-season defeat since Sept. 3, 2021.
5. Chesterton 2-0 (5)
Andrew Goveia runs for 190 yards and catches three passes for 51 yards and a TD in the Trojans’ win against Morton.
6. Portage 2-0 (10)
Anton Mathis catches eight passes for 77 yards and two TDs from Kodie Young in the Indians’ win against NorthWood, the Class 4A state runner-up last year.
7. Lake Central 1-1 (6)
Matthew Kafka and the Indians lose to Grand Rapids Central Catholic, which won a state title in Michigan in 2023, its third in four seasons.
8. Michigan City 0-2 (7)
Jamin Harvell scores two TDs in the Wolves’ loss to Lafayette Jefferson.
9. Andrean 0-2 (8)
Jimmy Finley catches six passes for 102 yards and a TD and returns an interception for a TD in the 59ers’ loss to Valparaiso.
10. Kankakee Valley 2-0 (NR)
Marco Castro runs for 324 yards and three TDs in the Kougars’ win against Wheeler.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior running back Caden Thompson rushes for 134 yards and two TDs in Lowell’s 28-6 win against LaPorte.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior linebacker Julian Ramirez makes 10 tackles in Bishop Noll’s 28-15 win against Osceola Grace.
