Alex Burr

MICHIGAN CITY — It wasn’t the fastest start for No. 2 Merrillville.

After a holding penalty, the Pirates were forced to punt on their first drive. Then, on Michigan City’s first offensive play, Trinaston Hart found Zaire McKinney wide open over the top of the defense for a 46-yard strike that placed them in Merrillville territory.

The Merrillville defense held firm and forced a stop on that possession.

Then, after the two teams traded stops, quarterback Michael Hill did something he wound up doing a lot Friday night: found a wide-open receiver down the field.

The first time, it was Mikel Smoot, who did not have a defensive back within five yards of him as Hill found him for a 26-yard strike, giving Merrillville (3-2, 2-1 Duneland Athletic Conference) a 7-0 lead, its first sc

See Full Page