Greenwood Woodmen
Lost to Perry Meridian, 28-17
Key moment: A 60-yard touchdown run by Perry Meridian running back Jordan Marion midway through the second quarter that gave the Falcons the lead for good.
Coach’s take: “We’re not happy with the outcome, but we’re certainly not disappointed with the effort. Perry is a big, physical team, and I like the way we competed,” Greenwood coach Mike Campbell said.
Big numbers: Junior quarterback A.J. Reingardt connected on 14 of 26 pass attempts for Greenwood, resulting in 217 yards and two scores.
Rivalry alert: Greenwood travels to Indian Creek for what’s been a Week 2 county showdown every year since 2008. Three of the seven games have been decided by five points or less.
Whiteland Warriors
Beat South Dearborn, 66-0
Immediate momentum: The visiting Knights attempted an onside kick to start the game, but Whiteland’s Ricky Ramey made them pay by recovering it. It was the first of two fumble recoveries by Ramey on the night.
Spreading the wealth: Whiteland’s deception-based Fly Offense proved unstoppable with nearly 400 total yards and backs Brandon Patterson and Chris Richardson each scoring two touchdowns.
Stubborn ‘D’: The Warriors defense more than did its part, holding the Knights to 25 total yards.
Coach’s take: “Our defense played phenomenally. That was positive No. 1, and I think our kicking game was really solid, It’s hard to practice the kicking game early in the season, but they got a lot of good reps tonight and did well with that,” Warriors coach Darrin Fisher said.
Rivalry alert: Though it’s not a conference game, Whiteland finds out just how good it is when it plays at Class 6A No. 5 Center Grove. The Warriors lost a 14-13 heartbreaker to the Trojans last season.
Center Grove Trojans
Beat Warren Central, 42-38
Two-timers: The Trojans have now won consecutive openers at Warren Central (they beat Warren Central, 21-10, in 2013). Before that Center Grove had lost nine straight regular-season games there.
Key moment: With 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter, senior defensive tackle Jovan Swann blocked a punt by Warren Central senior Schuyler Nehrig. Center Grove defensive end Dan Root scooped up the pigskin for an 11-yard score that tied the score at 35-35.
The real McCoy: Junior fullback Titus McCoy had six carries for 18 yards at the half, but busted loose for 112 yards and three touchdowns during the second half to lead the Center Grove rally.
Pinpoint passing: Senior quarterback Joey Siderewicz completed all eight of his pass attempts for 150 yards and two first-half touchdowns. Six different Trojans receivers contributed to the numbers with McCoy and senior split end Quinton Stirsman each recording two receptions.
‘5’ alive: Center Grove’s home opener is against county rival and Class 5A No. 6 Whiteland. The Warriors are the lone non-6A program the Trojans will play this season.
Indian Creek Braves
Beat Knightstown, 41-20
Second to none: Indian Creek broke the game open with a 34-point second quarter on its way to a 16th consecutive regular-season victory.
No Gillin: Longtime Braves coach Mike Gillin wasn’t present for what would have been his 294th career victory. Gillin was serving a one-game suspension handed down by the Indiana High School Athletic Association for being ejected in last season’s sectional loss to Hamilton Heights. Sean Zachery assumed head coaching duties against Knightstown.
Passing marks: Senior quarterback Gynson Robley threw for 220 yards in the first half alone to lead the Braves’ huge second quarter.
Coach’s take: “There’s no doubt we’re going to be strong in the passing game this year. We’re really just going to have to keep defenses honest with the run. I think we did that,” Indian Creek interim coach Sean Zachery said.
Girl power: Sophomore kicker Claire Skillman was 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts in what was her debut as a member of the Indian Creek football program.
Franklin Grizzly Cubs
Lost to Columbus North, 54-7
Busy defense: Franklin’s defense allowed the Bull Dogs to produce a total of 669 compared to only 110 yards manufactured by the Grizzly Cubs’ offense.
‘Dogs gone early: Columbus North took advantage of four first-half turnovers by the Cubs to build a 44-0 halftime advantage.
Averting a shutout: Franklin was able to put points on the board in the fourth quarter when Zach Dowell returned a Columbus North fumble 42 yards for a touchdown.
Discovering Columbus: It was the first time Franklin played one of the two Columbus high schools since a 38-24 sectional loss to Columbus East in 2002.
Hitting the road: The Grizzly Cubs take to the road the next two weeks for games at Shelbyville and Class 6A Brownsurg.
Edinburgh Lancers
Lost to Brown County, 40-12
Too much Palmer: Brown County senior running back Phillip Palmer rushed for 195 yards and three scores in the first half for what was a 27-0 advantage at intermission. He would finish with 222 yards on the ground.
Leading the Lancers: Quarterback Jentry Lange passed for 108 yards and ran for another 49 for Edinburgh. Zach Smiley chipped in 47 rushing yards and 46 as a receiver, while running back Shane Smith added a touchdown.
Streaks: The Brown County win was the program’s first since beating Salem, 42-13, in a sectional opener in 2013 (the Eagles were 0-10 last season). The Lancers have now lost four straight dating back to the conclusion of the 2014 season.
Home again: Edinburgh plays on its own field the next two games, as well, as North Decatur and Indianapolis Arlington come to town.
Roncalli Rebels
Lost to Southport, 27-21
Late starters: Roncalli not only played the second game of a doubleheader at Lucas Oil Stadium (the game concluded just short of midnight), its production, too, got a late start. After falling behind, 27-7, the Rebels stormed back with a pair of second-half touchdowns.
Sealing the deal: The Rebels were driving late for what could have been the game-winning points, but an interception by Cardinals safety Justin Herring deep in Southport territory ended the suspense.
For the birds: The Cardinals have now won three straight against Roncalli and five of the past six matchups.
Effective through the air. Roncalli quarterback Robbie Strader produced two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, a 15-yarder to Trevor Jacob and a 22-yarder to Justin Saylor.
Fries shines for Rebels: Senior back Nate Fries finished with just under 100 yards rushing. He accounted for Roncalli’s first points of the night with a 7-yard touchdown run.
Staying south: Roncalli plays its home opener Friday against Franklin Central. The Rebels with a win would extend its win streak to five over the Flashes.
