Center Grove vs. Franklin, Greenwood vs. Roncalli among local prep football postseason matchups

Get ready for a week of buzz and buildup.

Backyard battles rule Friday’s sectional semifinal round of the high school football playoffs.

In Class 5A, Center Grove travels to surprising Franklin in a rematch of last year’s sectional contest won by the Trojans.

Two neighboring strangers get together in Class 4A, as Roncalli (8-2) goes to Greenwood (9-1) in their first meeting since 2005.

Class 3A Indian Creek, which traditionally seems to log the most tournament frequent flier miles, stays home for the second week in a row as Beech Grove calls.

Edinburgh and Whiteland were the only local teams eliminated, the latter a two-point heartbreaker to Columbus North.

The five who survived will be whittled down to no more than three by the end of this week, as two games involve all local teams.

Greenwood-Roncalli has the makings of a southside October classic as two of the favorites for the 4A state title collide. Contrasts and comparisons abound.

It sets up as a battle between the Woodmen’s high-powered offense (40 ppg) versus the Rebels’ staunch defense (14 ppg); tradition-rich Roncalli (eight state titles) against upstart Greenwood (none); and, of course, the comparisons between public and private schools will arise.

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