Scouting Friday’s sectional football finals

<p><strong>Class 6A</strong></p><p><strong>Columbus East (8-2) at Center Grove (10-0)</strong></p><p>Kickoff: 7 p.m.</p><p>Webcast: <a href="http://IHSAAtv.org/CGSportsNetwork">IHSAAtv.org/CGSportsNetwork</a></p><p>Attendance: Capped at 25 percent of capacity; no tickets will be sold at the gate.</p><p>Recent history: The Trojans dominated the Olympians in a 31-7 road win during last year’s sectional.</p><p>Sagarin ratings: Columbus East 85.10 (15th in Class 6A, 24th in Indiana), Center Grove 117.62 (first in 6A and overall)</p><p>Players to watch: Columbus East — QB Malachi Parks, RB Tryce Villarreal, LB T.J. Barkhimer, LB Parker Harrison, DB Elliott Koopman; Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Carson Steele, WR Connor Delp, DL Caden Curry, DB Matt Soderdahl</p><p>What to look for: The Olympians come in facing a similar situation to what their crosstown rival Columbus North did a week ago — they dominated a lesser conference but just haven’t faced anywhere near the level of competition to prepare them for the Trojans. Parks is a two-way threat, but more so with his legs than with his arm, and teams just aren’t able to beat Center Grove by running the football. Expect Eric Moore to again get his younger players as many reps as he can before the matchups become a little more competitive in the later rounds.</p><p><strong>Class 5A</strong></p><p><strong>New Palestine (8-1) at Whiteland (8-1)</strong></p><p>Kickoff: 7 p.m.</p><p>Webcast: <a href="http://IHSAATV.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity">IHSAATV.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity</a></p><p>Attendance: Each team was given a limited amount of tickets for player families. No tickets will be sold at the gate.</p><p>Recent history: The Dragons pulled away late for a 35-7 victory in last year’s sectional semifinal at Whiteland.</p><p>Sagarin ratings: New Palestine 81.61 (seventh in Class 5A, 30th in Indiana), Whiteland 93.24 (second in 5A, eighth overall)</p><p>Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Lincoln Roth, RB Grayson Thomas, WR Blake Austin, LB Richard Clevenger, DB Jack Johnson; Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Chase Valentine, RB Desmen Singleton, LB Kayden Welling, DB Ewan Niccum</p><p>What to look for: The Warriors have wanted this game for a year, and they’ve got it — although it took a furious rally for the Dragons to overcome a 27-3 deficit last week against Franklin. Whiteland is firing on all cylinders and should be very well rested after three weeks off and a comfortable 66-0 first-round rout of Seymour. Writing off the defending champs before they’ve been completely put away would be a mistake, but the Warriors are hungry for payback after dropping the last four meetings — and for the first time in years, New Pal comes into a playoff game as a clear underdog.</p><p><strong>Class 4A</strong></p><p><strong>Lebanon (4-4) at Roncalli (9-1)</strong></p><p>Kickoff: 7 p.m.</p><p>Radio: roncallimedianetwork.com, CBS Sports 1430</p><p>Attendance: Capped at 50 percent of capacity; tickets will not be available at the gate.</p><p>Recent history: Roncalli was a 34-14 sectional semifinal winner over the Tigers last fall.</p><p>Sagarin ratings: Lebanon 52.86 (31st in 4A, 129th in Indiana), Roncalli 89.95 (third in 4A, 14th overall)</p><p>Players to watch: Lebanon — QB Garrett Harker, RB Trevor Winkles, WR J.C. Reese, DB Jaheem Joseph; Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Baron Huebler, WR Kyle Lockard, DL Owen Volk, DB Dominic Brown</p><p>What to look for: A coronation. Roncalli has been dominating lately, winning its two sectional games by 46 and 50 points, and this one doesn’t figure to be much closer. Winkles is expected to return after missing the last two games, but that might not move the needle much; the Tigers have actually scored more points a game with him out. Roncalli’s main goal will be to build up a safe lead quickly and get the starters out as early as possible so that it can go into a likely regional game at No. 1 Mt. Vernon with a clean bill of health. </p>