North Central (4-0) at Center Grove (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/CGSportsNetwork
Attendance: Limited to 25 percent capacity (900 home, 375 away). Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
Recent history: The Panthers have taken the last two meetings — a 24-20 home win last year and a 26-14 victory at Center Grove in 2018. The Trojans had won six straight prior to that.
Sagarin ratings: North Central 102.70 (second in Class 6A, third in Indiana), Center Grove 109.55 (first in 6A and overall)
Players to watch: North Central — QB Zayd Vestal, RB David Smith, WR/DB Theran Johnson, LB Micah Green, LB Thomas Bronaugh; Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Carson Steele, DL Caden Curry, LB Trey Clark, DB Mitchell Evans
What to look for: The Trojans just ran through the MIC’s traditional upper crust (Warren Central, Carmel and Ben Davis) like it was tissue paper, with the starting defense not allowing a point. This, however, may be a tougher test than all three of those. The third-ranked Panthers also blanked Warren Central and also held the powerful Lawrence North offense to a season-low output in a 27-21 win last week. Vestal heads up a potent air attack that will put pressure on the Center Grove defensive backfield — but he’ll also be facing pressure from the best front four in Indiana. If he can keep his cool, the Trojans will have a fight on their hands.
Martinsville (2-2) at Franklin (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/MidState/FranklinCommunity
Attendance: The allotments for both teams are sold out. No tickets will be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Grizzly Cubs earned a 62-39 road win over the Artesians last fall after dropping the previous two meetings.
Sagarin ratings: Martinsville 54.53 (31st in 4A, 125th in Indiana) , Franklin 59.89 (20th in 5A, 102nd overall)
Players to watch: Martinsville — QB Tyrus Martin, RB Tyler Cox, WR Chase Mabry, LB Beau Hess, DB Larry Bland; Franklin — QB Reed Roberts, RB Jalen Ward, WR Max Lancer, DE Harris Eason, DB Beau Baker
What to look for: Franklin had been building confidence before getting bullied at Whiteland last Friday; this game offers an opportunity for the Grizzly Cubs to regain their footing. The Artesians’ defense has gotten more and more porous each week, allowing 50 points against Decatur Central. Look for Franklin to try to establish Ward on the ground early and build their attack from there. Both teams can move the ball and score; whoever can control the tempo and avoid giveaways should have the upper hand.
Plainfield (2-2) at Greenwood (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: www.ihsaatv.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity/
Attendance: Capped at 25 percent capacity. None will be sold at the gate; Greenwood announced Thursday night that tickets are sold out.
Recent history: The Quakers’ 38-28 triumph last season was their fourth straight in the series.
Sagarin ratings: Plainfield 68.52 (14th in 5A, 60th in Indiana), Greenwood 64.82 (21st in 4A, 80th overall)
Players to watch: Plainfield — QB Aiden Moyers, WR Cael Vanderbush, WR Noah Hessong, WR/DB Jack Beebe, LB Mason Scott; Greenwood — RB Noah Apgar, RB Ethan Haessig, WR LaNard Bolden, DE Dylan Mayhew, LB Gavin Ruppert
What to look for: Greenwood had been able to run the ball at will before hitting a wall against Mooresville last week; did that loss shake the confidence of the Woodmen, or can they shake it off and get past a Quaker team that has had their number of late, even during the 2017 semistate season? Getting decent gains on first and second down and avoiding long must-pass situations will help the Woodmen sustain drives and control the clock, which is when they’re at their most successful.
Perry Meridian (0-4) at Whiteland (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity
Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
Recent history: The Warriors have won both games since the Falcons joined the Mid-State, including last year’s 42-3 victory.
Sagarin ratings: Perry Meridian 33.28 (32nd in Class 6A, 209th in Indiana), Whiteland 74.64 (seventh in 5A, 37th overall)
Players to watch: Perry Meridian — QB Gavin Hart, RB Aiden Warren, WR Reggie McDonald, DB JaJuan Dale, DB John Orina; Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Chase Valentine, TE Max Sullivan, LB Kayden Welling, DB Ewan Niccum
What to look for: Whiteland celebrated its home opener in style last Friday with a convincing win over rival Franklin. For dessert, the Warriors get a chance to snack on the conference’s cellar-dweller. The Falcons have lost their first four by an average of 37 points, and that’s unlikely to change much this week. Valentine is among the state’s top rushers, and while the Warriors don’t throw much, Kunz’s arm has become a weapon that opposing defenses have to take seriously.
Indian Creek (3-1) at Triton Central (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: Available on the TC Sports Network YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/odPsdcSHF34
Attendance: Indian Creek received a block of pre-sale tickets. None will be sold at the gate.
Recent history: After dropping the first three series meetings, the Braves broke through with a 21-13 win at home last season.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 52.01 (22nd in 3A, 139th in Indiana), Triton Central 62.20 (12th in 2A, 93rd overall)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Aidan Neathery, RB Connor Fruits, RB/DB Brandon Murray, WR/DB Jordan Gorham, FB/LB Tyler Ross; Triton Central — QB Erick Hebauf, RB Ray Crawford, RB Hayden Kermode
What to look for: This game marked the Indian Creek debut of Fruits, who came over from Center Grove in the middle of last season. His dominance on the ground and a rock-solid defensive effort helped the Braves pull out the win against the Tigers. They’ll be looking to employ a similar formula this time around, with the focus on stopping a Triton Central ground game paced by freshman Crawford and senior Kermode. This game could come down to the battle of the trenches and which team is able to move the pile its way more frequently.
Guerin Catholic (1-1) at Roncalli (2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: roncallimedianetwork.com (free)
Radio: CBS Sports 1430
Attendance: Limited to 25 percent capacity; Tickets will not be available at the gate.
Recent history: Roncalli has won all four meetings since the formation of the Circle City Conference, including a 42-14 victory in Week 9 last season.
Sagarin ratings: Guerin Catholic 52.76 (21st in 3A, 134th in Indiana), Roncalli 79.46 (sixth in 4A, 31st overall)
Players to watch: Guerin Catholic — QB Sam Miller, RB Jagger Albert; Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Baron Huebler, WR Kyle Lockard, DL Owen Volk, DB Dominic Brown
What to look for: While Huebler and the offense have gotten much of the attention so far this season, it was the defense — most notably a late interception by Volk — that helped Roncalli finish off a road win against Columbus North last week. The team returns home tonight to face a Guerin team that has only played once in the last three weeks; will the Golden Eagles be more well-rested or rusty? Judging from last Friday’s result against Brebeuf, it may be more of the latter. Expect Roncalli to extend its series win streak.
South Decatur (0-1) at Edinburgh (0-3)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday
Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity. Tickets are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Cougars have taken the last nine meetings, but the last two have been close (25-21 last year, 20-18 in 2018).
Sagarin ratings: South Decatur 32.05 (25th in Class A, 213th in Indiana), Edinburgh 13.42 (47th in A, 280th overall)
Players to watch: South Decatur — QB/DB Wyatt Gatewood, RB/DL Colton Johannigman; Edinburgh — QB/DB Riley Palmeter, RB/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, OL Zach Clarkson, DB Colin Richardson
What to look for: Both history and the Sagarin ratings favor the Cougars, but the momentum is all Lancers. Tyler DeSpain’s club comes in hot off an impressive blowout of Switzerland County, while South Decatur will be playing for the first time in four weeks after dealing with quarantine issues. The Palmeter-to-Dewey connection has been unstoppable of late, with the Lancers scoring 89 points over the last two games. If Edinburgh can avoid big mistakes and get anywhere near the same defensive effort it did last week, this one is winnable.
