As always, the Duneland Athletic Conference presents itself as one of the top conferences in Indiana. Three of the eight teams, Chesterton, Portage and Merrillville are ranked in the top 12 in the state. LaPorte surprised everyone last year with an 8-4 record, while Crown Point and Hobart look to rebound from disappointing seasons.
Opinions are mixed on who's the favorite to win the conference.
They've done the most in the last three years to improve. It's traditionally what they've done. I think they're still the team to beat. Valparaiso will contend as well as Merrillville. Michigan City is probably a darkhorse.