<strong>Class 6A</strong>
<strong>Center Grove (9-0) at Columbus North (6-2)</strong>
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: <a href="http://IHSAAtv.org/CGSportsNetwork">IHSAAtv.org/CGSportsNetwork</a>
Attendance: Limited to 250 fans per side. Center Grove was given a block of tickets for player families; none will be sold at the gate.
Recent history: The Trojans have won the last seven meetings, with the most recent a 42-0 victory in the 2018 sectional semifinals.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 114.32 (first in Class 6A and in Indiana), Columbus North (in 6A, overall)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Carson Steele, DL Caden Curry, DL Austin Booker, LB Trey Clark; Columbus North — QB Luke Hammons, RB Blake Huffman, WR Keegan Castetter, LB Luke Bless, LB Royce Lofton
What to look for: Columbus North has won four straight since a narrow Week 4 home loss to Roncalli, rolling through its Conference Indiana schedule — but that slate has traditionally not prepared it well for the Trojans, who have dominated most of the team’s postseason clashes of late. Expect more of the same tonight; this Center Grove team is just on a different level than anything the Bull Dogs have seen this year. The Trojans will likely try to put this game away early and get their starters as much rest as they can on this first leg of what is widely expected to be a five-week playoff journey.
<strong>Class 5A</strong>
<strong>Franklin (3-5) at New Palestine (7-1)</strong>
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: NewPalRadio.com
Attendance: Capped at 750 total. Tickets were sold online during the week and are not expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Dragons are 3-0 all-time in the series; last year’s 49-14 sectional final victory the lone date between the two since 1990.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 64.09 (117h in Class 5A, 80th in Indiana), New Palestine 81.44 (sixth in 5A, 28th overall)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Reed Roberts, RB Jalen Ward, WR Max Lancer, DL Harris Eason, DB Brodie Rinehold; New Palestine — QB Lincoln Roth, RB Grayson Thomas, WR Blake Austin, LB Richard Clevenger, DB Jack Johnson
What to look for: After seven straight unbeaten regular seasons, the Dragons have finally shown some signs of mortality this fall, losing at Mt. Vernon and struggling to get past 4A opponents Delta and Greenfield-Central. Franklin will actually be the first 5A team that New Pal faces this season — so while it’s hard not to consider the Dragons a solid favorite based on its prior track record, this year’s edition remains largely untested. The Grizzly Cubs have lost three in a row; did these two weeks off give them a chance to hit the reset button and regain some confidence?
<strong>Seymour (3-6) at Whiteland (7-1)</strong>
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast:Â <a href="http://IHSAATV.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity">IHSAATV.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity</a>
Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity. No tickets are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: This will be the first game between the two since 2001, when the Owls pulled out a 44-41 victory to claim what remains its last sectional title.
Sagarin ratings: Seymour 44.11 (28th in Class 5A, 167th in Indiana), Whiteland 89.71 (third in 5A, 12th overall)
Players to watch: Seymour — QB Cody Ruble, RB Colin Greathouse, WR Drew Vehslage, DB Evan Smith; Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Chase Valentine, RB Jonathan Crowley, LB Daniel Adams, LB Kayden Welling
What to look for: This has all the makings of a trap game — Whiteland has made no secret of the fact that it’s been eyeing a rematch with New Palestine for a full year. In reality, though, the Owls simply aren’t good enough to take advantage of any momentary lull that might come over the Warriors. They lost their last two games by a combined score of 105-7 against Columbus East and Floyd Central, and the opposition is even tougher tonight. Expect a running clock and a lot of second-half playing time for the second and third units. First-year Owls coach Tyson Moore is the son of Center Grove coach Eric Moore.
<strong>Class 4A</strong>
<strong>Greenwood (5-4) at Martinsville (4-6)</strong>
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast:Â <a href="http://IHSAATV.org/MidState/Martinsville">IHSAATV.org/MidState/Martinsville</a>
Attendance: Greenwood was given a block of tickets for pre-sale; none are expected to be available at the gate.
Recent history: The Artesians pulled out a 35-34 overtime victory at Greenwood on Sept. 4. The Woodmen had previously won five of six since 2014.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 69.92 (11th in Class 4A, 58th in Indiana), Martinsville 55.84 (31st in 4A, 114th overall)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB/LB Gavin Ruppert, RB Noah Apgar, RB Ethan Haessig, DE Dylan Mayhew, DB Tanner Allen; Martinsville — QB Tyrus Martin, RB Tyler Cox, WR Matthew Lafary, LB Beau Hess, LB Westyn Pemberton
What to look for: The Woodmen had some momentary lapses during last week’s 47-26 first-rounder against South Dearborn. That might have been at least partially due to the distraction of tonight’s rematch with the Artesians. When the teams met in Week 3, Greenwood let a 14-point lead slip away late before falling in OT, and there has been a definite desire since then to rectify that. The power running game should help control the clock and possession, but the Woodmen will need to avoid giving up the same big plays they did last Friday if they want to get the big payback tonight.
<strong>Roncalli (8-1) at Beech Grove (7-3)</strong>
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio:Â roncallimedianetwork.com, CBS Sports 1430
Recent history: This will be the first meeting since Roncalli beat the Hornets 35-8 to win a sectional title in 2000.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 87.56 (second in 4A, 17th in Indiana), Beech Grove 59.06 (23rd in 4A, 100th overall)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Baron Huebler, WR Kyle Lockard, DL Owen Volk, DB Dominic Brown; Beech Grove — QB Gavin Mitchell, RB/LB Ayden Brooks, RB/LB Damon Thompkins
What to look for: Both teams rolled through their opening-round games in what is generally a pretty soft bracket. Not all blowout winners are created equal, though; the Hornets have not played anywhere near the schedule that Roncalli has, and they’re likely not ready to contain an offense that’s averaging 49 points over the last five weeks. Huebler and friends should be able to get through this one with little trouble and saunter into next week with a chance to win another sectional championship on its home field.
