Staff reports
Class 6A
Center Grove (11-1) at Ben Davis (9-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: centergrovefootball.com (pregame 6:45 p.m.)
Recent history: The Trojans won at Ben Davis back on Sept. 9, 20-7, and also beat the Giants at home last year, 31-19. Prior to that, Ben Davis had won three straight meetings, including a 49-45 semistate victory in 2014.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 113.79 (first overall, first in Class 6A), Ben Davis 110.66 (third overall, third in 6A).
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Jack Kellams, Sr.; RB Russ Yeast, Sr.; RB Titus McCoy, Sr.; OL Clay Hadley, Sr.; DE Dan Root, Sr.; DE Parker Ferguson, Sr.; LB Nick Arbuckle, Sr.; LB Bailey Bennett, Sr. Ben Davis — QB Reese Taylor, Jr.; RB Joey Person, Jr.; WR Noah Thomas, Sr.; WR Zion Blow, Sr.; LB Isaiah Campbell, Sr.; DE Leshaun Minor, Sr.; K Drake Skiles, Sr.
Keys to victory: There might not be a more versatile quarterback in the state than Ben Davis’ Taylor, whose ability to scramble downfield for yardage complements his passing accuracy. During its Week 4 victory on the same turf, Center Grove’s defense was able to deflect some of Taylor’s pass attempts and get him out of rhythm. That may not be as easy this time — in his last four outings Taylor has passed for 1,004 yards, 15 touchdowns and only one interception.
Notable: Center Grove is 1-2 in postseason games played at Ben Davis. The win was a 30-28 decision in 2000 that sent the Trojans to the Class 5A state title game for the first time in program history.
Class 4A
Roncalli (13-0) at East Central (11-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Webcast: portal.stretchinternet.com/roncalli
Recent history: Roncalli has won five of nine meetings since 2008, but East Central took the biggest of those nine, a 21-0 semistate victory last year. The Rebels’ last win on the Trojans’ home field was in 2003 in a 30-29 overtime battle. Roncalli coach Bruce Scifres is 7-4 overall against East Central since 2002 — and four of those games have gone into overtime, with the Rebels winning three.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 85.51 (19th overall, first in Class 4A), East Central 77.10 (37th overall, sixth in 4A).
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Derek O’Connor, Sr.; RB Kenny Gillum, Sr.; WR Luke Smock, Sr.; WR Jacob Luedeman, Jr.; DB Hayden Morgan, Jr.; LB Josh Swan, Sr.; LB Chris Teney, Sr.; K Patrick Sandler, Sr. East Central — QB Alex Maxwell, So.; RB Logan Storie, Jr.; RB Garren Messmore, Sr.; LB Tanner Yocum, Jr.; S Kaleb Krummen, Sr.; DT Clint Mirus, Sr.; K Nick Stidham, Sr.
Keys to victory: With rain and possible wind gusts scheduled for this evening, this could turn into which a battle of running attacks and which offensive and defensive lines are most up to the task.
Notable: East Central has won 13 of its last 17 home games, including two victories against Roncalli.
