North Central (3-1) at Center Grove (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: centergrovefootball.com
Recent history: The Trojans have won six in a row, including last season’s 24-7 triumph on the road.
Last week: North Central won at Lawrence North, 12-7; Center Grove won at Ben Davis, 29-22
Sagarin ratings: North Central 88.97 (13th), Center Grove 97.71 (fifth)
Players to watch: North Central — QB Liam Thompson, RB Alexander Tarver, WR Tre’von Elliott, DB Michael Brown, DB Harrison Ochs; Center Grove — QB Jackson Moore, RB Carson Steele, RB/KR Charlie Ogega, DL Lucas Hunter, LB Gabe Boyd
What to look for: A shootout with top-ranked Warren Central aside, the Panthers’ defense has been pretty stout this season. Can the Trojans’ offense continue the progress it’s made in the last couple of weeks? On the other side of the ball, Hunter and the Center Grove front seven need to make life difficult for Thompson and Tarver, who have performed well so far.
Martinsville (4-0) at Franklin (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)
Recent history: The Artesians won last year’s showdown, 35-14, after the Grizzly Cubs had won the previous two meetings.
Last week: Martinsville beat Decatur Central, 18-15; Franklin lost at Whiteland, 44-20
Sagarin ratings: Martinsville 84.53 (20th), Franklin 51.48 (142nd)
Players to watch: Martinsville — QB Travis Griffey, RB Isaac Osborne, WR Andy Myers, LB Ben Balcerak, DB Westyn Pemberton; Franklin — QB Drew Byerly, WR Cory Richards, WR Peyton Ruble, LB Clayton Coll, DB/KR Tyce Miller
What to look for: A Mid-State doormat just a couple of years ago, the Artesians have blossomed into a legitimate Class 5A contender, and they’ve got the inside track in the league title race after beating Decatur Central last week. Franklin has shown signs of progress, but it will need to do a better job of finishing drives than it did last week to keep this game close.
Plainfield (2-2) at Greenwood (1-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Quakers have taken the last two meetings, including a 63-27 victory at home last season. Greenwood won in both 2014 and 2015.
Last week: Plainfield won at Perry Meridian, 42-7; Greenwood lost at Mooresville, 49-14
Sagarin ratings: Plainfield 70.28 (61st), Greenwood 56.12 (120th)
Players to watch: Plainfield — QB Aiden Moyers, RB Tavian Gadia, WR Cade Ritter, LB Jacob Platt, DB Colin Dorsett; Greenwood — QB Oliver Rau, RB Nick Willham, WR Luke Raker, LB Dillon Cloyd, LB Bryce Taylor
What to look for: About everything that could have gone wrong for the Woodmen did in this game a year ago; unfortunately, the same could be said for their 2018 season thus far. Greenwood will need to avoid the mistakes and missed opportunities that have plagued it during the first half of the season, or a 1-4 start — the worst since the team dropped its first five in 2009 — is quite likely.
Perry Meridian (0-4) at Whiteland (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: Despite their geographic proximity, this will be the first time the two schools have ever met in football.
Last week: Perry Meridian lost to Plainfield, 42-7; Whiteland defeated Franklin, 44-20
Sagarin ratings: Perry Meridian 39.54 (209th), Whiteland 72.54 (53rd)
Players to watch: Perry Meridian — QB Brooks Davis, RB Franklin Hammond, WR/KR Brandin Green; Whiteland — QB Austin Kirkman, RB Jake Perry, RB Melvin Taylor, LB Jacob Schultz, DB Trevor Larence
What to look for: The Warriors got back on track last week with a convincing home win over Franklin, and they should be able to produce a similar result against the struggling Falcons. Whiteland has found another developing backfield weapon in the lightning-quick Taylor, who showed big-play ability in running for 153 yards on just nine carries last week.
Indian Creek (2-2) at Triton Central (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Tigers have won both meetings since the series resumed after a four-year break, including a 41-20 victory last season.
Last week: Indian Creek beat Brown County, 55-0; Triton Central won at Monrovia, 49-7
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 54.31 (130th), Triton Central 86.17 (16th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB/WR Isaiah Lacey, RB Avery Welch, OL/DL Cameron Elmore, OL/DL Kenny Edwards, LB Bryce Smith; Triton Central — QB/DB Aaron Steele, RB Richard Knowles III, LB Hayden Kermode, DB Stewart Crouse
What to look for: The Tigers have been cartoonishly dominant this season, pitching three shutouts and outscoring its opponents by a combined 186-7 margin through the first four weeks. Can a Braves team that has crushed its last two league opponents make a dent against that seemingly impenetrable defense?
South Decatur (1-3) at Edinburgh (0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Cougars have won the last eight, including a pair last fall — 46-22 in the regular season and 57-34 in the sectional.
Last week: South Decatur lost to Milan, 40-0; Edinburgh lost to Switzerland County, 33-32
Sagarin ratings: South Decatur 17.32 (284th), Edinburgh minus-2.13 (319th)
Players to watch: South Decatur — RB Jacobi Shook, DE Trent Nobbe, LB Clayton McNealy, DB Wyatt Gatewood; Edinburgh — QB Tyson Sackman, RB/LB Bryce Burton, WR/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Hunter Dean, OL/DL Ethan Armel
What to look for: The Lancers came tantalizingly close to victory last week only to fall an extra point short. Will they respond to that gut punch by packing it in against the rival Cougars, or did they gain enough confidence from that close call to come into tonight with some real momentum? Pay close attention to which Edinburgh team shows up early.
Scecina (4-0) at Roncalli (0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: rebelmedianetwork.com
Recent history: The Rebels own a 22-game series winning streak, with all of those victories coming by double digits. Roncalli won a year ago, 38-7.
Last week: Scecina won at Beech Grove, 21-12; Roncalli lost at Columbus North, 9-7
Sagarin ratings: Scecina 68.73 (66th), Roncalli 76.31 (36th)
Players to watch: Scecina — QB Matt Ayres, RB Tavon Middlebrook, WR David Baker, LB Tyishaun Woods, LB Lance Linder; Roncalli — QB Cole Beckman, RB Elijah Mahan, WR Luke Dill, DL John Harris, DB Jacob Denney
What to look for: The Rebels have faced some tough breaks against a daunting schedule, and suddenly a midseason game that has traditionally been a layup is anything but — Scecina is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A. Roncalli needs to get its struggling offense untracked if it’s going to get into the win column; is this the week when it happens?
