Whiting eyes end to sectional drought

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Whiting hasn't won a sectional football title since 1997.

With a trip to Triton scheduled Friday night, the Oilers will have their hands full from the start in trying to snap the skid in the Class A, Sectional 33.

"We've got a huge matchup right away this year," Whiting coach Jeff Cain said. "We're going to have to play pretty well Friday night to win, because I think Triton is the favorite."

Even though the Oilers (6-3) have managed to reach the sectional championship game five times -- 1998, '01, '02, '04, '05 -- since their last title, they haven't been able to break through with a win and advance to the regional.

"It's been a long time coming since then, but I don't think we do anything different," Cain said. "I do think you have to have a little bit of luck along the way. It seems like we've been a little bit snake-bitten at times."

The Oilers missed an extra point and lost to West Central (14-13) in 2004.

They dropped a 26-24 decision to Culver in 2001. There were second-round losses to West Central (10-7) in 2006 and Triton (41-13) last year.

"It's been pretty frustrating," Cain said. "You try and figure out why things happen for different reasons and try and get those things corrected. Hopefully, we can get over the hump Friday night and maybe get things going this year."

Kneis new leader for Portage

Portage freshman quarterback Kris Kneis will make his second start this season when the Indians (6-3) open the Class 5A, Sectional 1 playoffs at Valparaiso (8-1) Friday night.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder had a breakout game while making his first career start in last week's 28-19 win over LaPorte.

Kneis, who threw a pair of touchdown passes against the Slicers, is the third quarterback to play in coach Mark Peterson's option-oriented attack this fall.

Preseason starter Jason Melcic's younger brother, Eric, started eight games before Kneis took over for him at practice last week.

Kneis got his chance to start when Eric Melcic was suspended for two weeks for violating the school's athletic code.

Potentially, there might have been a fourth quarterback had Jason Melcic not been ruled academically ineligible before the scrimmage.

Another player, Austin Orlich, also took some snaps at quarterback until getting banged up with shoulder and knee injuries.

Zach Huston took 10-12 snaps in the Andrean game, but missed five weeks with a hurt MCL. He's since returned as a backup tailback, but still takes reps at quarterback in practice.

"I've never seen a situation where there's been such (variation) at quarterback," said Peterson. "I think Kris has learned the schemes and has a great attitude."

Knight returns

Chesterton senior Aaron Knight is expected to play when the Trojans (7-2) host Michigan City (5-4) in a Class 5A, Sectional 1 matchup Friday.

Knight, who broke his left hand in Chesterton's 28-10 win over Lake Central on Oct. 3, rushed for 975 yards and nine touchdowns in the Trojans' first seven games, while completing 50 percent of his passes (40 of 80) for 545 yards and five scores.

"It's hard to know what he can really do until we get him out there and see," Chesterton coach John Snyder said.

Snyder said Knight will play running back, wide receiver, linebacker or defensive back, and maybe even some quarterback.

Senior Andy Miller will start his third straight game at quarterback for the Trojans.