Decatur Central at Center Grove
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/CGSportsNetwork
Attendance: Limited to 25 percent capacity (900 home, 375 away). Tickets for sale at https://www.centergrove.k12.in.us/CGHSTickets
Recent history: This will be the first meeting between these teams since the Trojans’ 38-22 sectional victory way back in 1996.
Sagarin ratings (2019): Decatur Central 83.52 (22nd in Indiana), Center Grove 100.64 (fifth)
Players to watch: Decatur Central — QB Peyton Horsley, RB/WR Javon Tracy, WR/LB Matt Cook, LB Damon Porter; Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Carson Steele, DL Caden Curry, DE Austin Booker, LB Jackson Schott
What to look for: The Trojans were supposed to play the Hawks in Week 2, but since both had quarantine-related openings they opted to move the game up. Center Grove is the state’s top-ranked team and a solid favorite, but Decatur Central — which has a proven passer in Horsley and a dynamic playmaker in Tracy — will test the Trojans’ vaunted defense. Even if the Hawks can break through and put some points on the board, though, will they be able to prevent Center Grove from doing the same? That could be a tall order for anyone this season.
Franklin at Danville
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: www.iscsportsnetwork.com/videos/2020-fb-franklin-at-danville
Attendance: Franklin was provided an allotment for player families; no general admission tickets available
Recent history: The Grizzly Cubs opened last season with a 27-17 victory over the Warriors.
Sagarin ratings (2019): Franklin 76.14 (42nd), Danville 63.50 (79th)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Reed Roberts, RB Jalen Ward, WR Max Lancer, DE Harris Eason, DB Brodie Rinehold; Danville — QB Kale Payne, WR Tyler Dostin, WR Luke Wooten, LB Ethan Dutra
What to look for: The Warriors lost a 2,000-yard rusher to graduation and have a new head coach, but they also have most of their other top skill-position talent back from a Class 3A semistate outfit, including 2,000-yard passer Payne and a deep receiving corps. Franklin also has some key players returning, including workhorse back Ward, but there are also some major holes to fill, particularly at quarterback. How quickly Roberts can hit his stride will go a long way in determining the Grizzly Cubs’ fate, and this game offers a tough test right away.
Bloomington North at Greenwood
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: www.ihsaatv.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity/
Attendance: Limited seating, pre-sale only; contact the Greenwood athletic office at 317-889-4020 to see if any tickets are still available.
Recent history: The Cougars have opened each of the last two seasons with wins over the Woodmen, including a 33-13 triumph last fall.
Sagarin ratings (2019): Bloomington North 70.84 (60th), Greenwood 58.74 (95th)
Players to watch: Bloomington North — QB Reece Lozano, RB Cody Mikulich, WR Bailen Murphy, LB Tre Candelaria; Greenwood — QB Luke Hommell, RB Ethan Haessig, OL Collin Campbell, LB Gavin Ruppert, DB/KR Tanner Allen
What to look for: The Woodmen, who come in confident with a veteran lineup, get an early challenge. Both teams have several experienced players back in key positions on offense; Bloomington North does have to find replacements for five of its top six tacklers from last year’s defense, so perhaps Greenwood can have a little more success moving the ball than it did in 2019. A victory here would give Mike Campbell’s squad a ton of positive momentum to start the season.
Whiteland at Columbus East
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: KORN Country (100.3), MOJO (102.9)
Attendance: Whiteland received a limited allotment for player families; no general admission tickets are available.
Recent history: Each team has opened with a win on the other’s home field over the last two years, with the Olympians claiming a 40-19 victory last season.
Sagarin ratings (2019): Whiteland 74.36 (50th), Columbus East 74.02 (51st)
Players to watch: Whiteland — RB Dalton Murray, RB Desmen Singleton, OL Ethan Myers, LB Kayden Welling, DB Ewan Niccum; Columbus East — QB Malachi Parks, RB Mark McDonald, DE Chase Harrison, LB Kai Stidham, DB Parker Harrison
What to look for: The Warriors took it on the chin in last year’s opener but have a good deal of returning talent to work with, while Columbus East has a reliable running back in McDonald but several other holes to fill in key spots. There aren’t likely to be many secrets between these two always-respected outfits — whoever can execute better and limit mistakes is likely to emerge as the victor. Even if this does turn out to be a down year for the Olympians, as some in Columbus have suggested, a road win here would set the right tone for the rest of Whiteland’s 2020.
Batesville at Indian Creek
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Attendance: Limited to 50 percent capacity. Tickets can be purchased online (https://www.ticketracker.com/store?schoolId=1857&departmentId=359); any still remaining will be sold at the gate.
Recent history: This will be the first meeting between the schools since the Bulldogs’ 49-22 sectional victory in 2015.
Sagarin ratings (2019): Batesville 31.41 (211th), Indian Creek 49.20 (134th)
Players to watch: Batesville — QB Travis Lecher, RB Austin Pohlman, WR Kurt Siefert, LB Chase Hamilton, DB Jeremiah Lemmel; Indian Creek — QB Aidean Neathery, RB Connor Fruits, WR/DB Jordan Gorham, WR/DB Wyatt Snyder, DE Brett Barger
What to look for: The Braves have to adjust to a new coach, a new system and a new quarterback — and yet they’re likely still a solid favorite at home against a rebuilding Batesville outfit. The Bulldogs, who have to replace two of their top three tacklers, may not be fully equipped to handle a high-caliber back like Fruits right out of the gate. Opening the season with a victory would give Indian Creek some confidence going into next week’s always-difficult matchup against Greenwood.
Tindley at Edinburgh
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Attendance: Limited to 50 percent capacity; tickets will be available at the gate. Contact the Edinburgh athletic office at 812-526-5501 with questions.
Recent history: The Lancers dropped a tough 7-0 battle in last year’s season opener.
Sagarin ratings (2019): Tindley 23.98 (238th), Edinburgh minus-8.73 (312th)
Players to watch: Tindley — RB/LB Antonio Robertson, RB/LB Kameron Jennings, DL Joe Phillips III; Edinburgh — QB Riley Palmeter, RB/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, OL Zach Clarkson
What to look for: The Lancers came very close to pulling off a win a year ago against a Tindley squad that ran the regular-season table before faltering in the sectional. Many of the top talent returns for the Tigers, meaning Edinburgh has a difficult first test. Tyler DeSpain’s club, though, has a lot of key players back as well. This figures to be one of the tougher games on the Lancers’ slate, so a solid showing here could be a harbinger of good things to come this fall.
Roncalli at Southport
Game canceled by Southport due to positive COVID-19 test
