Crown Point begins the postseason at No. 1. East Chicago Central’s Derion Morris and Kankakee Valley’s Matt Ritchie are the players of the week.
TOP 10
With records through Wednesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Crown Point 9-0 (1)
Indiana commit Trevor Gibbs leads the Bulldogs into a Class 6A sectional semifinal against Duneland Athletic Conference rival Lake Central.
2. Merrillville 7-2 (2)
Michael Hill Jr. guides the Pirates into a Class 5A sectional semifinal against No. 8 Morton.
3. Andrean 8-1 (3)
After receiving a bye, Wisconsin commit Ben Novak and the 59ers play No. 10 Wheeler in a Class 2A sectional semifinal.
4. Michigan City 6-3 (4)
Trinaston Hart leads the Wolves into a Class 5A sectional semifinal against DAC rival Valparaiso.
5. Lowell 8-2 (5)
Tymothy James runs for 128 yards and four touchdowns in the Red Devils’ win in the first round of a Class 4A sectional against Hanover Central.
6. Hobart 8-2 (6)
Aleks Tatum throws for 184 yards and two TDs and runs for 88 yards and two TDs in the Brickies’ win in the first round of a Class 4A sectional against New Prairie.
7. Chesterton 5-4 (7)
Louis Raffin and the Trojans play a Class 5A sectional semifinal against DAC rival LaPorte in pursuit of their first title.
8. Morton 6-3 (8)
Toledo commit Martece Smith and the Governors play a Class 5A sectional semifinal against No. 2 Merrillville.
9. Griffith 9-1 (9)
Desmond Neylon scores four TDs in the Panthers’ win in the first round of a Class 3A sectional against Bishop Noll, setting up a showdown against former coach Russ Radtke and Knox.
10. Wheeler 8-1 (10)
Freshman Andrew Bizzieri runs for 301 yards and six TDs in the Bearcats’ win in the first round of a Class 2A sectional against Lake Station.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior quarterback Derion Morris runs for seven touchdowns and passes for another touchdown during East Chicago Central’s 58-56 triple-overtime win against Highland in the first round of a Class 4A sectional, its first postseason victory since 2018.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior defensive back Matt Ritchie intercepts a pass during Kankakee Valley’s 15-6 win against West Side in the first round of a Class 4A sectional.