High school football: Week 9 preview

Whiteland (4-3) at Greenwood (2-6)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight

Live video: IHSAATV.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity

Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)

Recent history: The Warriors have won the last two meetings, including a 35-16 victory in 2019. Last season’s game was canceled.

Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 76.06 (42nd in Indiana), Greenwood 54.35 (121st)

Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB Gunnar Hicks, TE/DL Max Sullivan, LB Daniel Adams; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB/LB Gavin Ruppert, RB Noah Apgar, TE Carter Campbell, DE Dylan Mayhew

What to look for: These two squads have been headed in opposite directions so far in October, with the Warriors putting together a pair of impressive wins and the Woodmen dropping their last two by a combined 60 points. Still, it’s a rivalry game, and Greenwood has too strong of a ground game to completely write off. Consistency will be key; both teams lean heavily on the run, so whichever side can control the line of scrimmage should control the outcome.

Center Grove (8-0) vs. Cathedral (8-0)

at Arlington Middle School

Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight

Live video: IHSAATV.org/CGSportsNetwork

Recent history: The Trojans rallied late for a 17-13 victory last season. The teams have split the last four meetings, with the home team winning each one.

Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 108.36 (first), Cathedral 100.89 (second)

Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Drew Wheat, DL Caden Curry, DL James Schott, DB Gavin Oakes; Cathedral — QB Danny O’Neil, RB Seth Mencer, WR Jaron Tibbs, LB Hudson Miller, DB Bryce Llewellyn

What to look for: As was the case last year, two prohibitive state championship favorites square off for the unofficial title of Indiana’s best team. Both have carved up difficult schedules to this point. Center Grove’s pass defense will be tested by O’Neil, who has been electric in his first year as a starter — but on the flip side, the sophomore hasn’t faced a defensive line like Center Grove’s, which just might be the best in the country. It came down to the wire in 2020 and very well could again.

Franklin (3-5) at Decatur Central (7-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight

Recent history: The Hawks have taken nine straight in the series, most recently a 41-21 win in 2019. The game was canceled last season.

Sagarin ratings: Franklin 68.85 (65th), Decatur Central 85.81 (18th)

Players to watch: Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB Titus Phillips, WR Max Clark, OL/DL Reece Byerly, DB Beau Baker; Decatur Central — QB Aycen Stevens, RB/DB Kaleb Hicks, WR/DB Javon Tracy, DL Andy Gibson, LB Keelan Dyson

What to look for: The Grizzly Cubs have won their last two in convincing fashion but now face their toughest test of the season in the Hawks, who have made mincemeat of the Mid-State Conference after getting blown out at Center Grove in Week 2. Franklin’s ground game has prospered as the Pinnick-to-Clark aerial threat has kept defenses honest. Decatur Central’s athletic defense has shut down many a potent offense; can the Grizzly Cubs find a way to crack it?

Northview (6-1) at Indian Creek (2-6)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight

Recent history: The teams split two WIC championship games, with the Braves winning in 2019, before the Knights won last year’s regular-season clash, 24-7.

Sagarin ratings: Northview 72.14 (57th), Indian Creek 32.96 (213th)

Players to watch: Northview — QB Dillon White, RB/LB Donavin Cherry, RB Imer Holman, WR/DB Vincent Bonomo, TE/LB Braxton Sampson; Indian Creek — QB Aidan Neathery, RB/LB Brandon Murray, OL/DL Daniel Foster, LB James Kelly, LB Wyatt Reason

What to look for: The Braves struggled to get much going offensively in last week’s 42-0 loss at Sullivan, but they’re hopeful that being back on their home field will lead to better results. The competition won’t be any easier — the Knights beat that same Sullivan team on the road and are fresh off a 60-0 beatdown of Edgewood. Northview has an opportunistic defense (nine interceptions, nine fumble recoveries) that will pounce on any mistake, so Indian Creek will have to play clean football, and sustain long drives, to stay in it.

Park Tudor (6-2) at Edinburgh (5-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight

Recent history: The Panthers have taken 11 straight from the Lancers, but the teams haven’t met since 2006.

Sagarin ratings: Park Tudor 53.64 (125th), Edinburgh 30.17 (223rd)

Players to watch: Park Tudor — QB D.J. Gordon, RB Caden Whitehead, WR C.J. Thompson, WR Charlie Perine, LB Aaron Roach; Edinburgh — QB/LB Riley Palmeter, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, RB/LB Lennon DeLoach, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Colin Richardson

What to look for: It all comes down to this for the Lancers, who can secure their first winning season since 1993 with a victory. Doing so will be an uphill climb against the Panthers, who crushed the same Traders Point team that edged Edinburgh two weeks ago, but coach Tyler DeSpain believes he has some wrinkles that can make this game interesting. The Lancers should be able to put some points on the board; can they get enough stops to keep pace? With a trip to top-ranked Indy Lutheran awaiting in the sectional opener, this game effectively becomes Edinburgh’s Super Bowl.

East Central (7-1) at Roncalli (8-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. tonight

Live video: youtube.com/user/roncallihigh

Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com

Recent history: The Royals were a 34-27 winner last year; the two teams split semistate meetings in 2015 and 2016.

Sagarin ratings: East Central 82.53 (21st), Roncalli 95.25 (eighth)

Players to watch: East Central — QB Cole Burton, RB Trae Ohmer, WR Eli Aston, DB Samual Ringer; Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Caden Gore, WR Kyle Lockard, LB Tyson Garrett, DB Michael Hegwood

What to look for: The Trojans are unbeaten against in-state competition this season and have yielded just 47 points in those seven games. That stingy defense should make for an intriguing matchup with Roncalli’s monstrous offensive line, which paves the way for a 40-point-a-game unit. These teams profile similarly, although the Royals do have a fairly pronounced edge in strength of schedule — not to mention the home-field advantage. Until someone snaps this win streak, they have to be considered the favorite.