Lawrence Central (0-5) at Center Grove (5-0)
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 Trojans have won six of the last seven meetings, including a 21-0 shutout victory last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Lawrence Central 65.02 (24th in Class 6A, 81st in Indiana), Center Grove 113.95 (first in 6A and overall)
Players to watch: Lawrence Central — QB Reggie Mason, WR Davion Owens, WR Jobey West, LB Tylen Cunningham; Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Carson Steele, WR Connor Delp, DL Caden Curry, DB Dane Young
What to look for: The Bears couldn’t score against Hamilton Southeastern, Warren Central or Pike — so they’ll need more than good fortune to crack the state’s most overpowering defense. The primary challenge for the Trojans tonight will be avoiding a letdown after dominating perhaps its toughest MIC challenger, North Central, by a 47-0 spread last week. The other big one? Avoiding injuries. It should help that the Center Grove starters are unlikely to see much, if any, action after halftime against what should be the team’s weakest opponent outside of the sectional.
Franklin (3-2) at Mooresville (5-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/MidState/Mooresville
Attendance: Franklin was given a block of tickets for player families; none will be sold at the gate.
Recent history: The Pioneers claimed a 49-42 victory last year, their second straight series win.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 66.92 (13th in 5A, 73rd in Indiana), Mooresville 92.75 (first in 4A, eighth overall)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Reed Roberts, RB Jalen Ward, RB John Shepard, DL Manny Danso, DB Beau Baker; QB Nicholas Patterson, RB Breken Greene, WR John Clampitt, DL Zach Richards, DL Jaelin Alstott-VanDeVanter
What to look for: Big plays from the defense got the Grizzly Cubs going early against Martinsville in last week’s blowout win; they’ll need more of the same just to keep up with the Pioneers, who come in off a big win over Mid-State rival Decatur Central. Can Franklin catch Mooresville in letdown mode? This was a good old-fashioned shootout last season, with Franklin coming up one score shy. The Grizzly Cubs may want to slow the pace a little bit this time around and shorten the game up.
Greenwood (2-3) at Perry Meridian (0-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: www.ihsaatv.org/MidState/PerryMeridian
Attendance:
Recent history: The Woodmen pulled out last year’s meeting, 24-21; the Falcons’ lone Mid-State Conference win since joining the league was against Greenwood in 2018.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 65.47 (21st in 4A, 77th in Indiana), Perry Meridian 36.65 (32nd in 6A, 203rd overall)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB/LB Gavin Ruppert, RB Noah Apgar, RB Ethan Haessig, WR LaNard Bolden, DE Dylan Mayhew; Perry Meridian — QB Gavin Hart, RB Aiden Warren, WR Reggie McDonald, DB JaJuan Dale, DB John Orina
What to look for: After three straight losses, two of them coming in gut-wrenching fashion, the Woodmen are in need of a pick-me-up. Usually, a date with the Falcons is the cure for what ails — but this has been a tougher-than-expected matchup the last two seasons, so it’s hard to call it a gimme. Still, with the way that Greenwood has been able to dominate with its ground game against nearly every team it’s faced so far, it should be able to impose its will more easily this year than it has the last two. Look for a heavy dose of Haessig, Apgar and friends to finally allow the Woodmen to win this battle comfortably.
Whiteland (4-1) at Martinsville (2-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/MidState/Martinsville
Attendance: Whiteland was given a block of tickets for pre-sale; none are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Warriors’ 25-16 triumph last year was their sixth in the last seven meetings and their second straight.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 80.83 (sixth in 5A, 29th in Indiana), Martinsville 53.63 (33rd in 4A, 131st overall)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Chase Valentine, TE Max Sullivan, LB Kayden Welling, DB Ewan Niccum; Martinsville — QB Tyrus Martin, RB Tyler Cox, WR Chase Mabry, LB Beau Hess, DB Larry Bland
What to look for: Self-inflicted turnover woes against Decatur Central aside, Whiteland’s offense has been a well-oiled machine that has only gotten stronger as Kunz has gotten more comfortable throwing the ball. That doesn’t bode well for a Martinsville defense that has allowed 98 points in the last two weeks. Unless they get caught looking ahead to a potentially massive showdown with Mooresville next week, the Warriors should be okay here. The Artesians’ passing game could pose a threat, though.
Indian Creek (3-2) at Edgewood (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/Edgewood
Attendance: Indian Creek received an allotment of tickets for player families; none will be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Braves have won all four matchups since joining the WIC in 2016, including last year’s 56-20 rout.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 56.08 (18th in 3A, 117th in Indiana), Edgewood 40.47 (12th in 3A, 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; Edgewood — QB Andrew Blessinger, RB Brody Schaeffer, WR Shane Wickens, LB Tyler Smith, DB Colton Stewart
What to look for: The Braves hit the red turf of Edgewood looking to stop an offense not all that dissimilar from their own. The Mustangs boast a tough workhorse back in Schaeffer, a dual-threat QB in Blessinger and some wideouts capable of big plays. Whichever side can control the trenches may have the last word. Given Indian Creek’s superior strength of schedule, its linemen should be coming into this meeting a bit more battle-tested; will that make the difference here?
Milan (2-2) at Edinburgh (1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity. Tickets are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Indians have won 29 consecutive meetings by an average of 37.8 points. The Lancers dropped last year’s showdown, 61-6.
Sagarin ratings: Milan 49.21 (11th in Class A, 152nd in Indiana), Edinburgh 12.63 (44th in A, 284th overall)
Players to watch: Milan — QB/DB Peyton Wert, RB Logan Reed, RB/DB Riley Johnson, WR/DB Adam Norman, OL/DL Caiden Yorn; Edinburgh — QB/DB Riley Palmeter, RB/LB Austin Streeval, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Landen Burton, WR/DL Keegan Smith
What to look for: Whatever momentum the Lancers generated in their Week 4 blowout win over Switzerland County went out the window with a largely flat performance against South Decatur. Edinburgh knows it can’t afford a repeat against a Milan team that has dominated the series for longer than any of the current players have been alive. The hosts will need to get some early momentum going with a score or two and then try like crazy to sustain it in order to make this a game.
Roncalli (3-1) at West Lafayette Harrison (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/NorthCentral/Harrison
Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com
Attendance: Roncalli received a block of tickets for player families; none are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: This will be the first meeting since Roncalli won a Halloween sectional game on the way to a 2003 state championship.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 82.84 (fifth in 4A, 24th in Indiana), Harrison 65.68 (16th in 5A, 76th overall)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Baron Huebler, WR Kyle Lockard, DL Owen Volk, DB Dominic Brown; Harrison — QB Tyler Knoy, RB Omarion Dixon, RB Kenneth Sims, LB Thomas Urban, LB Levi Buck
What to look for: A Roncalli defense that blanked Guerin Catholic last week faces a stern test against the Raiders, who are averaging a shade over 50 points a game since a Week 2 loss at Westfield. Dixon (841 yards, 14 TD) is hard enough to stop as is without credible threats surrounding him in the backfield. The good news for Roncalli is that Harrison’s defense isn’t bulletproof — it gave up 76 points against Lafayette Jeff two weeks ago — so it’s certainly possible to match the Raiders score for score. That might be what it takes to get this one.
