Greenwood’s opponent the sixth week of every football season since 2009 makes as much sense historically as it does geographically.
The Woodmen date back to the era of single-bar facemasks, straight-on conversion kicks and runs on virtually every offensive play.
Guerin Catholic, located in Noblesville, opened in 2004.
Tonight’s game in the heart of Hamilton County marks the eighth meeting between the Class 4A Woodmen and Golden Eagles.
Guerin Catholic is one of only two Class 3A programs Greenwood faces during the regular season. And like those Week 2 matchups with Johnson County rival Indian Creek, the games themselves are closely contested more often than not.
The Golden Eagles hold a slim 4-3 series advantage. Three of the games have been decided by three points or less, with Guerin Catholic scoring a 31-21 decision against the Woodmen on their home turf last season.
Greenwood coach Mike Campbell said he thinks the game is ideal for his program, as it prepares the Woodmen for their final three Mid-State Conference games.
“It’s a Catholic program, so they’ve always been a very hard-nosed team,” Campbell said. “When we started playing them, they were a big 2A program, and now they’re a big 3A program.
“It’s been a good experience playing them. They’re an intense team, and excellent on offense this year. They’re solid in what they do on their offensive line, and their defense is very sound.”
Guerin Catholic comes in ranked No. 6 in Class 3A. Greenwood held down the No. 9 ranking in 4A a week ago, but dropped out of the top 10 after losing at home to Plainfield, 28-0.
It could shape up as a battle of running attacks.
Greenwood, led by junior back Brandon Rosado and sophomore Isaiah Borjas, already has rushed for 1,090 — or 77 percent of its offensive output to date. The Golden Eagles have run for 1,205 yards — or 68 percent of their total yardage.
Averaging 174 yards per game for Guerin Catholic is 6-foot, 200-pound senior running back Carter McGinnis, who appears well on his way to a second consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Tonight is McGinnis’ fourth and final time facing the Woodmen. In the previous three outings, he totaled 67 carries for 374 yards. His 40 carries and 244 rushing yards against Greenwood a year ago were career highs until he rushed for 277 yards this season against Martinsville.
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THE ‘G’s HAVE IT
Results of the Greenwood-Guerin Catholic football series:
2015: Guerin Catholic 31, Greenwood 21
2014: Guerin Catholic 42, Greenwood 21
2013: Greenwood 27, Guerin Catholic 14
2012: Greenwood 41, Guerin Catholic 40
2011: Guerin Catholic 17, Greenwood 14
2010: Guerin Catholic 24, Greenwood 21
2009: Greenwood 23, Guerin Catholic
Series: Guerin Catholic leads, 4-3
Total points: Guerin Catholic 175, Greenwood 168
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