Franklin (0-3) at Whiteland (0-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: KORN Country 100.3 FM
Webcast: wchs radio.cpcsc.k12.in.us
Recent history: The Warriors have taken the past 17 meetings since Franklin earned a 34-20 triumph in 2003. Five of those 17 Whiteland victories came in sectional games.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 53.95 (107th), Whiteland 71.14 (56th).
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Jake Moore, Sr.; RB Tyler Fromer, Jr.; RB Riley McCann, Jr.; DB Shane Reynolds, Jr.; DB Sam Barnett, Sr. Whiteland — RB Anthony Schantz, Sr.; RB Edwin Cisneros, Sr.; RB Ryan Hammond, Jr.; OL Tarnjeet Singh, Sr.; DT Ryder Emberton, Sr.; DB Kyle Schantz, So.
Keys to victory: Two programs thirsting for that elusive first victory of the season will come down to a simple case of which wants it most. Both have played brutal nonconference schedules designed to help them in Mid-State Conference play.
Notable: Franklin’s most recent win in the series was a 34-20 triumph in Week 5 of the 2003 season.
Center Grove (2-1) at Ben Davis (3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: center grovefootball.com (pregame 6:45 p.m.)
Recent history: Before beating the Giants 31-19 last season, the Trojans had dropped three in a row in the series. Center Grove is 8-12 against Ben Davis under head coach Eric Moore.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 111.92 (third), Ben Davis 112.36 (second).
Players to watch: Center Grove — RB/WR Russ Yeast, Sr., DB Tyler Watson, Jr.; DB Logan Bontrager, Sr.; LB Bailey Bennett, Sr.; LB Nick Arbuckle, Sr. Ben Davis — QB Reese Taylor, Jr.; WR KeShawn Tunstill, Jr.; WR Azjai Cooper, Sr.; DE Esezi Otomewo, Sr.
Keys to victory: A question mark prior to the season, the Center Grove defense has gotten better each week. It will have to play its third consecutive solid game on defense to keep the Giants’ surplus of talented athletes in check — particularly junior quarterback Reese Taylor.
Notable: The Trojans’ most recent visit to Ben Davis in 2014 produced one of the most memorable — and heartbreaking — conclusions in program history. The Giants took advantage of key Center Grove injuries, rallied for a 49-45 semistate win and went on to win the inaugural Class 6A state championship.
Greenwood (3-0) at Mooresville (0-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: After dropping four in a row between 2006 and 2009, the Woodmen have won the past six meetings, all by 12 points or more.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 75.00 (45th), Mooresville 50.38 (126th).
Players to watch: Greenwood — RB Brandon Rosado, Jr.; RB Isaiah Borjas, So.; DT Nick Young, Jr.; DB Dylan Rosado, Sr.; LB Nick Chesser, Sr.; DE Jake Patton, Jr. Mooresville – WR Zeke O’Dell, Sr.; LB Josh Bradford, Sr.; DB Noah Linthicum, Sr.
Keys to victory: Greenwood has enjoyed the comforts of home its first three games, but must now take its act on the road for the first time this season. It can’t afford to overlook Mooresville with a tough conference game against Plainfield scheduled for next week.
Notable: The Woodmen have won three straight on the Pioneers’ field.
Brown County (1-2) at Indian Creek (1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: WCRK 102.3 FM
Recent history: The Braves are 14-1 against the Eagles during coach Mike Gillin’s tenure, with the lone hiccup an 8-6 defeat in 2003. During that 15-game stretch, Indian Creek has a 664-108 scoring edge overall, posting five shutout wins. The team has reached the 60-point mark in three of the last four meetings.
Sagarin ratings: Brown County -6.41 (307th), Indian Creek 40.16 (181st).
Players to watch: Brown County — QB Alex Carney, Jr.; RB Colten Harper, Jr.; FB/DE Noah Ryan, Sr.; WR/S Luke Getts, Jr. Indian Creek — QB Taylor Voris, Jr.; RB Brandon Perkins, Jr.; WR Isaiah Lacey, So.; WR Bryce Hogue, Sr.; LB Grant Goforth, Jr.
Keys to victory: Indian Creek must get its offense going. The Braves are averaging only 13.7 points a game this season, which is well below what the program normally produces.
Notable: Indian Creek head coach Mike Gillin earned his 300th career win last Friday, making him the eighth coach in state history to reach that milestone. Gillin ranks third in wins among active coaches, trailing Larry Wright of Sheridan (396) and New Prairie’s Russ Radtke (332).
Switzerland County (1-2) at Edinburgh (1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The two teams clashed for the first time last season, when it took four overtimes for the Lancers to emerge with a 46-45 home win.
Sagarin ratings: Switzerland County -42.59 (325th), Edinburgh -11.53 (315th).
Players to watch: Switzerland County — LB Dalton Roark, Sr.; DT Nathan Edwards, Sr.; OL Drew Swim, Sr. Edinburgh — RB Zach Smiley, Sr.; QB Bryce Burton, Sr.; WR Jake Atha, Jr.; DL Zane Smith, Sr.; LB Noah Martin, Sr.
Keys to victory: The Lancers must to be able to sustain momentum throughout the game, and not just during the first two quarters as they did in their first three games.
Notable: Edinburgh finally gets to play its home opener after playing its first three games of the season on the road. The Lancers will follow with home games against South Decatur and Milan the next two weeks.
Roncalli (3-0) at Plainfield (2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: portal.stretchinternet.com/roncalli
Recent history: Despite a 21-17 loss last season, the Rebels still hold a 13-5 lead in the all-time series against the Quakers. The Rebels won at Plainfield twice in 2014, including a 24-17 sectional triumph.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 82.34 (26th), Plainfield 79.92 (32nd).
Players to watch: Roncalli — RB Kenny Gillum, Sr.; RB Nate Fischer, Sr.; QB Derek O’Connor, Sr., Luke Smock, Sr.; LB Christian Brueggeman; DB Alex Kuntz, Sr. Plainfield — RB Dawson Anderson, Jr.; WR Gavin Ritter, Sr.; LB Herschel Blankenship, Jr.; DB Tyler Maple, Jr.
Keys to victory: Defeating a longtime rival like Chatard makes the Rebels vulnerable to a letdown entering tonight’s game. Plainfield’s ability to slow the passing and running of Roncalli quarterback Derek O’Connor is also crucial.
Notable: This rivalry has always been special to Rebels head coach Bruce Scifres, a 1975 Plainfield High School graduate and former Quakers player.
