Sam Beishuizen
Just how mature is Lowell junior quarterback Brody Kalwinski?
The Red Devil players voted him a team captain -- as a sophomore.
That doesn't happen much at Lowell.
"The kids just gravitated towards his confidence, towards his passion, towards just the way he carries himself," Lowell coach Keith Kilmer said. "You can talk to his teachers. You can talk to his pastor. They all say the same thing. He's the All-American kid. He's the one you want to date your daughter."
Kalwinski takes pride in that role.
"Being a quarterback is more than just throwing the ball," he said.
Kalwinski heads a Lowell program that's come into its own the last couple of weeks with wins against Kankakee Valley and Munster. The Red Devils (4-4, 3-2) play at Andrean (4-4, 4-1) Friday before opening a loaded Class 4A Sectional 17 against Hobart.
People are also reading...
It was against Hobart three weeks ago that Lowell's season reached a turning point. The Red Devils were on the verge of tying the game at 14 in the third quarter before things completely fell apart. The offense failed to score in the red zone, and the defense stumbled in what quickly became a blowout loss.
At 2-4 on the season, the Red Devils faced gut check time.
They've responded with some of their best practices and play of the season.
"We're turning the corner. Let's put it that way," Kilmer said. "We feel we're playing our best football right now and we might be overlooked a little bit here in the playoffs, and we're okay with that. It's earned. Hanover has earned the right to be called a favorite. New Prairie has earned a right to be called a favorite. You hope that we've improved enough so that whoever we're playing we make them earn it, and if we can play spoiler a little we can get some things going."
Kalwinski will play a large factor in whether or not Lowell can do just that.
He ran for a season-best 142 yards and two touchdowns in beating Kankakee Valley two weeks ago and followed it up with a season-high 123 passing yards, a touchdown through the air and two more on the ground in the Red Devils' win against Munster.
"I think (winning) helps breed confidence," Kalwinski said. "Winning those types of games makes the team realize the hard work is paying off. That's the thing. The rewards aren't always promised. You can put all the hard work in but you don't always get results. That's the tough thing. But seeing the results is what gives this team confidence to get going."
Kalwinski has become something of a seasoned veteran at quarterback. He began his sophomore year on defense but when then-starting quarterback Cameron Crago got sidelined with an injury mid-season it opened the door for Kalwinski to take the job.
He hasn't let go of it since.
"He's very smart," Kilmer said. "He's the type of kid you want leading your offense. No. 1, his passion and the amount that he cares about not only football but the guys out there with him. You see that. There's kids who say it but you see it. And it's not about his stats. I've never seen him force something to improve his stats."
Lowell can play spoiler on Friday against an Andrean team looking to claim a share of the Northwest Crossroads Conference title with Hanover and potentially Hobart. The Red Devils then begin their sectional at home against Hobart.
"This team has come a long way since the start of the season," Kalwinski said. "I think we're finally understanding what it takes to play championship football."
Crown Point controls DAC destiny
Crown Point (8-0, 6-0) can win the Duneland Athletic Conference outright for a third consecutive season with a win against Michigan City (3-5, 3-3) on Friday. Merrillville (7-1, 5-1) can still take a share of the title with a win against Chesterton (5-3, 3-3) and the help of a Bulldog loss.
Crown Point hasn't lost a DAC game since losing to Michigan City in the final game of the 2021 season. The Bulldogs have won 23 in a row since with only one victory coming by less than a touchdown (19-14 on Sept. 15, 2023 against Valparaiso).
NCC could end in three-way tie
Hanover Central (6-2, 5-1) has at least a share of the NCC championship without another conference game to play but could still be joined by Andrean (4-4, 4-1) and/or Hobart (4-4, 4-1).
Andrean can take a piece of the title with a win against Lowell (4-4, 3-2).
Hobart can claim a share if it beats Highland (1-7, 0-5).
GSSC divisions to be decided Friday
Griffith (8-0, 3-0) welcomes Wheeler (6-2, 3-0) to The Boneyard in a winner-take-all matchup to decide the Greater South Shore Conference South. The Bearcats have won three of their past four matchups with the Panthers including a 27-6 victory last season.
Boone Grove (5-3, 2-0) can win the GSSC North outright if it beats Bishop Noll (3-5, 1-1). A Wolves loss to the Warriors would tie those two atop the conference division. River Forest (4-4, 1-1) could also claim a share with a Boone Grove loss and win against Lake Station. (2-6, 0-2).
Morton in driver's seat for GLAC title
Morton (3-4, 1-0) wins the Great Lakes Athletic Conference outright if it beats East Chicago Central (1-7, 0-1).
If the Governors lose, Hammond Central (3-5, 1-1) joins those two in a three-way conference tie.
Here's all The Times' coverage from Week 8 of high school football in Northwest Indiana
See features, game recaps, scores and photos from Week 8 of high school football in Northwest Indiana.
High School Football Editor's Pick Griffith stays hot, scores eight unanswered touchdowns in win against Calumet Sam Beishuizen Oct 12, 2024 0
After allowing an early touchdown, Griffith ran past Calumet to extend its win streak to eight games and remain unbeaten.
High School Football Alert Top Story Kankakee Valley leans on senior trio to beat Highland, end losing streak Grace Opinker Oct 12, 2024 0
Kankakee Valley's physicality and enthusiasm were key to their shutout against Highland Friday night.
High School Football Editor's Pick Ethan Reyna, Andrean pound out a win at Hanover Central David P. Funk Oct 12, 2024 0
Ethan Reyna carried the ball only eight times before Friday night. Andrean leaned on the sophomore to help grind out a win and stay alive in the NCC title race.
High School Football Alert Check out scores, summaries from Week 8 Northwest Indiana high school football games Times Staff Oct 12, 2024 0
With lots going on, take a look at what you may have missed from the eighth week of high school football in Indiana.
High School Football Alert Top Story LIVE: Week 8 high school football scoreboard Times Staff Oct 11, 2024 0
Follow along for live score updates from across Northwest Indiana during Week 8 of the high school football season.
High School Football Editor's Pick PHOTOS: Griffith hosts Calumet in high school football John J. Watkins Oct 12, 2024 0
Calumet played Greater South Shore Conference foe Griffith on Friday.
Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sam Beishuizen
Times Correspondent
Follow Sam Beishuizen Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Don't have an account? Sign Up Today