Center Grove (3-3) at Pike (1-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: centergrovefootball.com
Recent history: The Trojans were 6-0 against the Red Devils before a last-minute 28-20 defeat a year ago.
Last week: Center Grove beat Lawrence Central, 33-10; Pike lost to Warren Central, 59-7
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 99.38 (fifth), Pike 73.41 (52nd)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Jackson Moore, RB Carson Steele, RB/KR Charlie Ogega, DL Lucas Hunter, LB Gabe Boyd; Pike — QB Jasen Graves, RB Richard Huston, WR Cameron Williams, DE Johnny Milledge, LB Wisemen Jordan-Clark
What to look for: The Red Devils do much of their damage offensively through the air, but if Center Grove’s defense can replicate what it did against Lawrence Central last week, it should be in decent shape. As has been the case for much of the year, the Trojans’ success will largely rest on whether it can avoid hurting itself with giveaways and untimely penalties.
Plainfield (3-3) at Franklin (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Quakers have won four straight, including a tight 31-26 battle last year, since the Grizzly Cubs’ last victory in 2013.
Last week: Plainfield lost to Decatur Central, 41-21; Franklin lost at Mooresville, 55-21
Sagarin ratings: Plainfield 70.33 (61st), Franklin 51.06 (135th)
Players to watch: Plainfield — QB Aiden Moyers, RB Tavian Gadia, WR Cade Ritter, LB Jacob Platt, DB Colin Dorsett; Franklin — QB Drew Byerly, WR/RB Noah Crow, WR Cory Richards, LB Clayton Coll, DB/KR Tyce Miller
What to look for: The Grizzly Cubs have displayed the ability to move the ball against just about any defense this season, but they’ve struggled to slow some of the Mid-State Conference’s top offenses the last three weeks. Will they have more success against a Quaker unit that has been a little bit more uneven? Franklin will need to come up with some defensive stops if it hopes to snap its three-game losing streak.
Greenwood (1-5) at Decatur Central (5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Hawks pulled out a last-second 13-12 win at Greenwood last year, extending their series win streak to five.
Last week: Greenwood lost at Perry Meridian, 36-28; Decatur Central beat Plainfield, 41-21
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 51.74 (132nd), Decatur Central 87.97 (14th)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Oliver Rau, RB Nick Willham, WR Luke Raker, LB Dillon Cloyd, LB Bryce Taylor; Decatur Central — QB Parker Harrington, RB/DB Kenneth Tracy, WR/DB Jason Allen Jr., DL Jordan Miles, DB Larry Tracy
What to look for: Greenwood would be facing an uphill climb this week anyway against the Hawks; where will the Woodmen be mentally after letting a 21-point lead slip away at Perry Meridian? Closing out games has been an issue of late for this young Greenwood team, but just staying in this one could be a chore if the players can’t shake last week off.
Mooresville (5-1) at Whiteland (5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)
Recent history: The Warriors have won eight in a row, including a wild 52-42 victory in Mooresville last fall.
Last week: Mooresville beat Franklin, 55-21; Whiteland won at Martinsville, 40-21
Sagarin ratings: Mooresville 78.50 (35th), Whiteland 78.96 (34th)
Players to watch: Mooresville — QB Karson Goodman, RB James Mabry, WR Jon Eineman, WR Brayden Evans, DB Gavin Evans; Whiteland — QB Austin Kirkman, RB Jake Perry, RB Melvin Taylor, LB Jacob Schultz, DB Trevor Larence
What to look for: A four-way tie atop the Mid-State Conference will get whittled down to no more than three when two of the state’s most potent offensive teams square off. The Warriors have been running at will lately, but to get past the Pioneers they’ll need to slow down a pass-happy attack that produces 43 points a game. Stops will likely be rare; whoever can manage a couple should have the upper hand.
Cascade (4-2) at Indian Creek (3-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Braves have won the first two meetings between the teams comfortably, including a 35-0 road win a year ago.
Last week: Cascade beat Owen Valley, 61-0; Indian Creek won at Edgewood, 30-15
Sagarin ratings: Cascade 37.11 (194th), Indian Creek 53.46 (123rd)
Players to watch: Cascade — QB Dylan Kottkamp, RB Connor Horning, WR A.J. Sanders, LB Cole Edwards, DL Cameron Ginter; Indian Creek — QB/DB Isaiah Lacey, RB Avery Welch, OL/DL Kenny Edwards, LB Tony Hall, LB Bryce Smith
What to look for: The Cadets are the last thing standing between Indian Creek and its third WIC East title in as many years, and the resistance should be at least a little greater than it has been in the past. Cascade opened the season with a quality win over Danville, but it hasn’t fared well since against opponents of similar caliber. Look for the Braves to take care of business behind the potent rushing duo of Welch and Lacey.
Edinburgh (0-6) at Eastern Greene (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Thunderbirds took last year’s contest, 61-16, but later wound up having to forfeit due to use of an ineligible player.
Last week: Edinburgh lost to Milan, 42-8; Eastern Greene beat Perry Central, 14-3
Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh minus-6.84 (314th), Eastern Greene 40.86 (178th)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB Tyson Sackman, RB/LB Bryce Burton, WR/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Hunter Dean, OL/DL Ethan Armel; Eastern Greene — QB Jaysce Skinner, RB Blayne Campbell, WR Jaden Evans, LB Zach Terry, LB Levi Southern
What to look for: Last year’s Class A state runner-up isn’t quite as dominant as it was a year ago, but the Thunderbirds still represent perhaps the stiffest challenge on the Lancers’ schedule. Can Sackman, Burton and friends make a dent against a stingy Eastern Greene defense that yields only nine points per week?
Bloomington North (2-4) at Roncalli (1-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: rebelmedianetwork.com
Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Last week: Bloomington North beat New Albany, 24-13; Roncalli lost at Brebeuf, 44-12
Sagarin ratings: Bloomington North 56.50 (114th), Roncalli 68.93 (63rd)
Players to watch: Bloomington North — QB Reece Lozano, RB Benjamin Heitink, WR Nathan Jenkins, LB Caleb McCoy, LB Tre Candelaria; Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Elijah Mahan, WR Luke Dill, DL John Harris, DB Jacob Denney
What to look for: The Rebels are in need of a momentum shift after getting snowed under at Brebeuf. Both teams are leaning on freshman quarterbacks at this point, so the outcome of this one may well hinge on which can withstand pressure best and make the fewest mistakes. Bloomington North won handily at Greenwood in Week 1.
