Local Sports

High school football: Week 5 previews

September 20, 2019

Center Grove (1-3) at North Central (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)
Webcast: centergrovefootball.com
Recent history: The Panthers snapped a six-game series losing streak with a 26-14 triumph at Center Grove last year.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 100.46 (seventh in Indiana), North Central 94.00 (12th)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Connor Delp, RB Mitchell Evans, DE Caden Curry, LB Jackson Schott; North Central — QB Harry Abell, RB David Smith, WR Richard Hamilton, LB Micah Green, DB Michael Brown
What to look for: The Trojans appeared to get their groove back last week against Ben Davis, as a defense that consistently keeps games close produced what may have been a season-altering moment with Jackson Schott’s pick-six. They’re now in a stretch where Sagarin rates them as a favorite, however slight, in at least their next four games, so don’t be surprised if this rolling stone starts gathering some more momentum. Four different Center Grove running backs have at least one game with more than 80 yards rushing, a balance that should help against a North Central team that’s been pretty solid defensively (but inconsistent on offense).
Franklin (4-0) at Martinsville (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Artesians have won the last two meetings, including a 30-7 rout last fall; Franklin won in 2015 and 2016 by three and two points, respectively.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 69.18 (59th), Martinsville 65.89 (71st)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Drew Byerly, RB Jalen Ward, WR Christian McClure, LB Brendan Couch, LB Noah Crow; Martinsville — QB Xavier Tunitis, RB Tyler Cox, WR Matthew Thomas, WR Andy Myers, LB Westyn Pemberton
What to look for: Can the Grizzly Cubs continue riding the wave of good vibes after last week’s thrilling home win against Whiteland? The Artesians remain a daunting challenge, at least on paper, but they’ve gotten outclassed in consecutive weeks by Greenwood and Decatur Central, raising questions about their competitive drive. Franklin hasn’t started 5-0 since going unbeaten in 1969; getting this one on the road won’t be easy, but with a strong offensive line plowing the way for Byerly and Ward, the Grizzly Cubs have the ability to control the pace of the game, which may be important against a potentially dynamic Martinsville offense.
Greenwood (2-2) at Plainfield (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: woodmenbroadcasting.com
Recent history: The Quakers’ 35-21 victory last year was their third in a row over the Woodmen.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 67.72 (64th), Plainfield 67.22 (66th)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Oliver Rau, RB Ethan Haessig, RB/LB Gavin Ruppert, WR/DB Tanner Allen, LB Joe Bassler; Plainfield — QB Cael Vanderbush, RB Rickey Alsum, RB Jarrett Stephen, LB Jacob Platt, LB Mason Scott
What to look for: The Woodmen have had a difficult time with this matchup the past three years, but should be equipped to go toe to toe with the Quakers this time. Both squads have been effective on the ground and should be able to move the ball with at least some degree of success, so look for this game to be won by the team that can both avoid costly turnovers and convert the critical drive-sustaining third downs when they come up. 
Whiteland (1-3) at Perry Meridian (0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Warriors welcomed the Falcons to the Mid-State Conference last year with a 52-17 drubbing.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 68.16 (61st), Perry Meridian 44.79 (147th)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Melvin Taylor, RB Desmen Singleton, DL A.J. Beil, LB Jacob Schultz; Perry Meridian — QB Gavin Hart, RB/LB Aiden Warren, WR/DB Reggie McDonald, DL Nathen Bowsher
What to look for: The Warriors are in desperate need of a victory after a pair of excruciatingly close defeats, and the Falcons — currently allowing more than 50 points per game — may be just what the doctor ordered. As long as Whiteland can avoid the ill-timed miscues that helped sink its hopes against Franklin, there’s no reason it can’t run up and down the field at will against a porous Perry defense. The Falcons have shown some offensive punch in recent weeks, but not enough to cancel out what they’re giving up.
Triton Central (3-1) at Indian Creek (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Tigers have won all three meetings since the series resumed in 2016, including back-to-back victories by three touchdowns (35-14 last year).
Sagarin ratings: Triton Central 59.99 (90th), Indian Creek 41.92 (162nd)
Players to watch: Triton Central — QB Erick Hebauf, RB/LB Keaton Kermode, WR/DB Jordan Brandman, WR/DB Trent Walters, WR/DB Kegan Schalk; Indian Creek — QB Roman Purcell, RB Owen Sego, WR/DB Owen Neathery, LB Brett Barger, DB Jordan Gorham
What to look for: The Tigers bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Indianapolis Lutheran by shelling Monrovia last Friday, 47-0, and now face a Braves team coming off of its own lopsided win (Indian Creek pounded Brown County, 42-14). Triton Central has had the Braves’ number of late and has traditionally faced tougher competition, but Indian Creek again has a strong running game as well as a dynamic quarterback in Purcell. Can the home team avoid giving the ball away? If so, it just might be able to grind out what would be a pretty impressive victory and set the tone for the stretch run.
Edinburgh (0-4) at South Decatur (1-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Cougars have won eight meetings in a row since the Lancers’ sectional upset in 2011, but last year’s game (20-18) was the closest during that stretch.
Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh minus-2.91 (309th), South Decatur minus-1.29 (302nd)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB/DB Tyson Sackman, RB/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Darius Bennett, WR/DB Riley Palmeter; South Decatur — QB/DB Wyatt Gatewood, RB/LB Clayton McNeely, RB/DE Colton Johannigman, WR/DB Hunter Collins, OL/DL Jacobi Shook
What to look for: The first four weeks included three winnable games but no wins for the Lancers — including a heartbreaking double-overtime loss at Switzerland County last week. Can they finally break through and close one out against a pretty beatable Cougars team? Edinburgh’s defense has turned in some very strong performances this season and left the door to victory open; it’s just up to the offense, which has shown more signs of life each week, to take advantage by finishing off a few more scoring drives.
Roncalli (0-4) vs. Scecina (4-0)
at Indianapolis Manual
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: rebelmedianetwork.com (audio only; video available on Roncalli’s YouTube and Facebook pages)
Recent history: The Rebels have taken 23 straight meetings, with the last loss in 1994. Roncalli won at home last season, 38-28.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 61.16 (86th), Scecina 68.01 (62nd)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Baron Huebler, RB Lucas Hoffman, OL Daniel Heinrich, DE Jack Wardzala; Scecina — QB Luke Traylor, RB Tyishaun Woods, WR/DB David Baker, OL/LB Jack Eichholtz, LB Elijah Phillips
What to look for: With last week’s shutout loss to Columbus North, the Rebels now face the prospect of needing a win to avoid the first 0-5 start in school history. To do so, they’ll need to slow down the Class 2A No. 1 Crusaders, who are led by a dynamic running back in Woods (724 yards and 14 TDs through four games). Much of the work keeping Woods in check will need to done by the offense, which can keep the ball out of Scecina’s hands by mounting long drives of its own. Can the Rebels get back on track after failing to find the end zone a week ago? They’ll need to, because the schedule doesn’t get easier with Brebeuf and Bloomington North looming.

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