Top 10 Items to look for this Autumn

​Do you feel the thrill?
The kid throwing the pill to the kid with extreme skill.
The bleachers will fill with fans patiently waiting until the chill starts its slow kill.
Which Region football team will do the Gatorade spill and drive down I-65 for the Lucas Oil drill?
I’m a poet and I don’t even know it, right Zimmy?

There is nothing more exciting than Week 1 in Indiana high school football. It is the kickoff to the entire prep sports scene. Folks will be chugging fluids in the heat and humidity, and by season's end they'll be gulping hot drinks out of a thermos. Autumnal glory at its best.

Here are my Top 10 things to look for this season, a sort of tip of my lid to the coaches, kids and fans that make this what it is.

1. Best opening game: The Penn-Valparaiso game has become a great tester for the Vikings and it remains so, but with Valpo dropping to Class 5A it won’t have any postseason echoes. The Battle of Broadway -- Andrean at Merrillville -- has bragging rights in the neighborhood. Both teams are trending upwards, which will add to this one. Lake Central at Munster is another great border battle, But with both programs coming off two-win campaigns, this one is a look at who is rebuilding quicker. My pick for the best opener is Crown Point at Lowell. It will be ugly and imperfect. But it will be fun. Note - I did not forget the Battle of 119th Street. But until Clark can play with the Oilers without a Saturday night running clock, no mention.
2. The best concession-stand: I will take the walking taco at Whiting. What is your flavor fave?
3. My Top 10: 10. Hobart, 9. Morton, 8. Portage, 7. Andrean, 6. Crown Point, 5. Lowell, 4. Lowell, 3. Merrillville, 2. Valparaiso, 1. Michigan City.
4. Historical trend: Does anyone remember when a head coaching position was a life-long thang? There were 43 coaching changes in the state and five in the 2-1-9. Dane Dinkins replaces Jay Novak at East Chicago Central. D.J. Silvas takes over for Robert Robinson at Gavit. Jeremy Lowery steps in for Dave Sharpe at LaPorte. The two changes that are the biggest in my book are Adam Musielak replacing Ben Geffert at Griffith and Brett Jennings stepping into the large loafers of Jeff Cain at Whiting. Two of Da Region’s most historic programs are under new management. It will be fun to see how these newbees storm out of the shadows on their grids.
5. Best player: There are a ton of talented kids in our area and it will be fun to watch who rises, who slips, and who goes all the way. I think Michigan City’s Marquan Hurt is on the preseason throne of greatness. At a school where offense is king, this defensive back should spark a very worthy D.
6. Best Friday night atmosphere: Winning sells tickets, we all know that. But having an engaged student body does, too. The Inferno just off Commercial Ave. in Lowell is my pick to click this season. The scoreboard has fire and the playing surface was made by God, not some factory. Expect more of the same this fall.
7. Conference winners: The Greater South Shore Conference will be between Whiting in the north and Hanover Central and Wheeler in the south. The Bearcats and Oilers will prevail. The Northwest Crossroads Conference will be won by the Red Devils. The Duneland Athletic Conference will be won by City. But it will be a dog fight.
8. The DAC is back: After five years of a downward trend, the Duneland is no longer running in sand. Along with Valpo and M.C., Crown Point and Merrillville should be very strong this fall. Don Howell is looking down from on high with a smile on his face.
9. Who will make it to Indy for Thanksgiving: Andrean’s drop to 2A gives a good program a boost. Not having to beat West Lafayette in the sectional is a winning lottery ticket. The 59ers will make it to The Luke. So, too, will Michigan City. But coach Phil Mason must find a way to get past Valpo in the sectional.
10. Where to get your local football news: WJOB Network is your place for your football frenzy. Game broadcasts, on-air discussions and my words every week will let you know what IS going on. Ready. Set. Hike.

For now, this scribe will take a chill pill.