Franklin (3-4) at Greenwood (3-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity
Attendance: Capped at 25 percent of capacity; contact the Greenwood athletic office at 317-889-4020 to see if any tickets are still available.
Recent history: The Grizzly Cubs had lost four in a row before a dominating 41-7 victory last season.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 68.78 (11th in Class 5A, 60th in Indiana), Greenwood 65.39 (20th in 4A, 77th overall)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Reed Roberts, RB Jalen Ward, WR Max Lancer, DL Harris Eason, DB Brodie Rinehold; Greenwood — QB/LB Gavin Ruppert, RB Noah Apgar, RB Ethan Haessig, DE Dylan Mayhew, DB Tanner Allen
What to look for: A much closer game than last season. The Grizzly Cubs have developed a solid, balanced offense but have given up 87 points the last two weeks in losses to Mooresville and Plainfield. The Woodmen, meanwhile, have dominated the clock with their ground game but also been prone to untimely mistakes. That might not be a good sign against an opportunistic Franklin defense; a turnover or two could make the difference in this showdown between two very evenly-matched teams.
Center Grove (7-0) at Lawrence North (5-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: www.iscsportsnetwork.com/products
Attendance: Center Grove was given an allotment of tickets for player families and students; none are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Trojans have taken the last 14 meetings in this series, including a 35-21 home win last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 115.28 (first in Class 6A and in Indiana), Lawrence North 96.13 (fifth in 6A, seventh overall)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Carson Steele, WR Trent Veith, DL Caden Curry, DL Austin Booker; Lawrence North — QB Donaven McCulley, RB Travon Hegler, WR Omar Cooper, LB Romaro Warren, DB Trevon Hatchett
What to look for: If you want to have any chance against Center Grove’s defense, it helps to have a dynamic playmaker at quarterback and a game-breaking wide receiver. The Wildcats have both, with IU commit McCulley taking the snaps and a major Division I talent at wideout in Cooper. This may be the most dangerous offense the Trojans face all season. On the flip side, can Lawrence North stop Center Grove’s offense from controlling the pace and keeping the ball out of McCulley’s hands?
Whiteland (6-1) at Plainfield (4-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: IHSAATV.org/MidState/PlainfieldAthletics
Attendance: Whiteland received an allotment of tickets; none will be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Warriors have won the last two, including last year’s 21-10 victory, and eight of the last nine.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 87.27 (third in 5A, 18th in Indiana), Plainfield 74.11 (10th in 5A, 47th overall)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Chase Valentine, RB Jonathan Crowley, LB Daniel Adams, LB Kayden Welling; Plainfield — QB Aiden Moyers, WR Cael Vanderbush, WR Noah Hessong, WR/DB Jack Beebe, LB Mason Scott
What to look for: The Warriors should be riding high after last week’s gripping 41-35 overtime win against Mooresville — but there’s no room for an emotional letdown against the Quakers, whose potent offense put up a season-best 48 points at Franklin last Friday. Plainfield’s main problem has been stopping teams; it has allowed at least 31 points in all but one game. That’s not a recipe for success against a Whiteland team that is averaging 43 points a game the last four weeks.
Sullivan (5-2) at Indian Creek (5-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Attendance: Capped at 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: The Braves are 0-2 in this series, dropping the WIC championship game to the Golden Arrows in 2016 and 2017.
Sagarin ratings: Sullivan 56.06 (18th in 3A, 115th in Indiana), Indian Creek 56.93 (15th in 3A, 108th overall)
Players to watch: Sullivan — QB Rowdy Adams, RB Jaeden King, WR/DB Grant Bell, WR/DB Karver Queen, LB Conner Hughes; Indian Creek — QB Aidan Neathery, RB Connor Fruits, RB/DB Brandon Murray, WR/DB Jordan Gorham, OL/DL R.C. Hall
What to look for: Braves coach Steve Spinks considers this a mirror match of sorts between two very similar teams. The Golden Arrows operate through the air more frequently, however, which should mean an interesting matchup between their wideouts (Bell and Queen) and an Indian Creek secondary led by Murray (5 INT) and Gorham (4 INT). A takeaway or two could really bolster the Braves’ chances in what should be a close contest. Fruits needs 90 yards rushing to hit the 1,000 mark for the second straight year.
Rock Creek Academy (0-5) at Edinburgh (1-6)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity. Tickets are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Lancers got their lone 2019 victory against the Lions, 37-6.
Sagarin ratings: Rock Creek minus-17.48 (63rd in Class A, 319th in Indiana), Edinburgh 4.00 (51st in A, 300th overall)
Players to watch: Rock Creek — QB Seth Sleepe, RB Joshua Muhammad, RB/LB Kendrick Peyton, DL Keelan Payne; 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: A reeling Edinburgh team could use an injection of confidence, and tonight could offer it. The Lions have lost most of their games by lopsided margins and dropped a pair of meetings with Switzerland County, the lone team that the Lancers have beaten this year. Palmeter and Dewey have become one of the state’s most prolific pass-catch combos; what kind of numbers can they put up this week?
Perry Meridian (0-7) at Roncalli (5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: roncallimedianetwork.com
Radio: CBS Sports 1430
Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity; tickets are still expected to be available at the gate due to the late addition of this game.
Recent history: This will be the first time the two southside schools have met since Roncalli’s 40-0 victory in the 1982 season opener.
Sagarin ratings: Perry Meridian 38.01 (31st in Class 6A, 186th in Indiana), Roncalli 88.73 (second in 4A, 14th overall)
Players to watch: Perry Meridian — QB Gavin Hart, RB Aiden Warren, WR Reggie McDonald, DB JaJuan Dale, DB John Orina. Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Baron Huebler, WR Kyle Lockard, DL Owen Volk, DB Dominic Brown
What to look for: After losing a scheduled opponent for the third time this season, Roncalli was able to pick up a game on roughly 48 hours’ notice. It’s not likely to be a particularly competitive one. John Rodenberg’s team put up 63 points last week against Bloomington North, the second highest single-game output in school history; meanwhile, the Falcons are surrendering 45 points per game while scoring just under nine. Look for Roncalli to get its starters some needed rest before a Week 9 clash with 4A No. 4 East Central.
