Class 6A
Columbus North (8-1) at Center Grove (6-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: centergrovefootball.com
Recent history: The Trojans have ended the Bull Dogs’ season in six of the last seven seasons, but last year’s 20-14 game was easily the closest of those six. Columbus North last beat Center Grove in 2007.
Last week: Both teams were idle
Sagarin ratings: Columbus North 85.49 (18th), Center Grove 102.04 (third)
Players to watch: Columbus North — QB Trenton Kelley, RB Blake Huffman, WR Preston Terrell, TE/DE Mitchel Collier, LB Tay Wells; Center Grove — QB Jackson Moore, RB Carson Steele, RB/KR Charlie Ogega, DL Lucas Hunter, DL Brian Gaffney
What to look for: Center Grove looks very much like its old self after a rough start to the season against the state’s most difficult schedule. The Bull Dogs averaged nearly 45 points over their last four games — but they’re likely to find, as is usually the case, that their schedule (which included just one other 6A team) won’t have them as prepared for a very physical Trojan defense. Columbus North may land a punch or two, but expect them to get worn down over the course of four long quarters.
Class 5A
Bloomington South (4-5) at Whiteland (8-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)
Recent history: The lone meeting since 2010 came in the first round of last year’s sectional, with the Panthers pulling out a 42-37 home win.
Last week: Bloomington South did not play; Whiteland beat Franklin, 40-28
Sagarin ratings: Bloomington South 71.62 (52nd), Whiteland 79.37 (33rd)
Players to watch: Bloomington South — QB Trent Richardson, RB Maveric Thiery, WR Sean Azcui, LB Elijah Griffin, DB Maddix Blackwell; Whiteland — QB Austin Kirkman, RB Jake Perry, DL Alex Reed, LB Jacob Schultz, DB Trevor Larence
What to look for: The Panthers come into the postseason reeling a bit after dropping three of their last four, including a 30-point setback against Chatard in its last game. Offensively, the tandem of Thiery and Richardson could be tough to handle, but a vulnerable Bloomington South defense that has allowed 35 points or more six times will have its hands full against Perry and a relentless Whiteland ground attack. If the Warriors can come up with a few takeaways or stops on defense, they should be able to keep their season going.
Roncalli (3-6) vs. Cathedral (5-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (at Arsenal Technical HS)
Webcast: rebelmedianetwork.com
Recent history: The Fighting Irish have won the last 11, but last year’s 28-23 sectional triumph was the teams’ first meeting since 2012.
Last week: Roncalli was idle; Cathedral defeated Plainfield, 51-14
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 70.24 (62nd), Cathedral 90.98 (10th)
Players to watch: Cathedral — QB Orin Edwards, RB Chon’dre Cissell, WR Bo Sanders, DB Shiloh Means, DB Quinton Cannon; Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Elijah Mahan, WR Luke Dill, DL John Harris, DB Jacob Denney
What to look for: This hasn’t been the typical Roncalli season at all — the Rebels started 0-4 and haven’t won two games in a row all season. Getting a second straight victory now will be a tall order against longtime nemesis Cathedral, which is showing no ill effects after its always brutal regular-season grind. The Edwards-Sanders aerial combo has been nearly impossible for opponents to stop; can Denney (4 INTs) help slow them down?
Class 4A
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (7-3) at Greenwood (3-7)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The only recent meeting came in last year’s sectional semifinal, with the Woodmen rolling to a 50-6 home win.
Last week: Mt. Vernon beat Shelbyville, 56-0; Greenwood won at New Castle, 35-34, in two overtimes
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 65.34 (76th), Greenwood 53.60 (125th)
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Tyson Harley, RB/DB Rylan Cole, TE/DE Max Burhenn, WR DaRell Jackson, WR Braxton Trittipo; Greenwood — QB Oliver Rau, RB Nick Willham, RB Anthony Williams, LB Dillon Cloyd, LB Bryce Taylor
What to look for: The Woodmen have had their share of struggles this season, but they’ve shown glimmers of hope by pulling out narrow wins against Franklin and New Castle in recent weeks. The Marauders should provide much more of a challenge than they did a year ago; can the physical ground duo of Willham and Williams help Greenwood control the tempo? That could be the key to slowing down a potent Mt. Vernon offense averaging more than 50 points the last four weeks.
Class 3A
Indianapolis Manual (4-4) at Indian Creek (6-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Braves won a sectional game against Manual at home last year, 44-8.
Last week: Manual was idle; Indian Creek defeated Crispus Attucks, 51-12
Sagarin ratings: Manual 21.45 (252nd), Indian Creek 53.05 (127th)
Players to watch: Manual — QB D’Fayebeon Pittman, RB DeAngelo Dean, DL Rickey Belt, DB/KR Mekhi Cook; Indian Creek — QB/DB Isaiah Lacey, RB Avery Welch, OL/DL Kenny Edwards, LB Tony Hall, LB Bryce Smith
What to look for: Much like last year, Manual comes in with some exciting young athletes, with Dean (1,430 yards rushing) chief among them. But that group also hasn’t faced much in the way of competition — its schedule strength was the weakest in Class 3A — and will likely be ill prepared for a physical group of Braves. Expect this week’s outcome to be similar to last week for Indian Creek, which shouldn’t have much trouble marching to the sectional final.
Class A
Hagerstown (8-2) at Edinburgh (1-8)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: The teams have not met since 1958.
Last week: Hagerstown defeated Oldenburg Academy, 14-0; Edinburgh won at Cambridge City Lincoln, 24-12
Sagarin ratings: Hagerstown 26.22 (240th), Edinburgh minus-7.74 (315th)
Players to watch: Hagerstown — QB Noah Snodgrass, RB/DB Mason Hicks, WR/DL Cody Swimm, OL/LB Jake Combs, OL/LB Ryan Golliher; Edinburgh — QB Tyson Sackman, RB/LB Bryce Burton, WR/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Hunter Dean, WR/DB Darius Bennett
What to look for: Fresh off their first on-field victory in two years, the Lancers will try to ride that momentum and a home-field advantage past the favored Tigers, who boast a pair of 100-tackle defenders in Combs and Golliher. Edinburgh has shown flashes of offensive brilliance at times this fall; can it harness that and make headway against a defense that has allowed just 26 points against four Class A opponents?
