Pike (0-6) at Center Grove (6-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Live video: IHSAATV.org/CGSportsNetwork
Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)
Recent history: The Trojans have taken the last three meetings, including a 57-14 road win last season.
Sagarin ratings: Pike 69.48 (59th in Indiana), Center Grove 117.91 (first)
Players to watch: Pike — QB Akim Abdur-Rahim, WR Cameron Green, WR Malachi Jackson, LB Josh Woods, DB Joseph Jefferson II; Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Drew Wheat, WR Harrison Stomps, DL Caden Curry, LB Trei Specker
What to look for: The Red Devils have been at least competitive in most games despite their winless record; they’ve just struggled to consistently put points on the board. Defensively, Pike does have an opportunistic secondary that could make life difficult for Jackson and his receivers, but can it stop the Trojans’ potent ground game? The visitors might be able to cause the occasional disruption and avoid being completely overwhelmed, but as long as it’s not looking ahead to tougher matchups with Lawrence North and Cathedral, Center Grove should again pick up an easy win.
Franklin (1-5) at Plainfield (3-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Live video: IHSAATV.org/MidState/PlainfieldAthletics
Recent history: The Quakers were a 48-37 winner last season and have claimed six of the last seven meetings.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 63.06 (81st), Plainfield 66.73 (67th)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB Titus Phillips, WR Max Clark, DL Jake Houston, DB Beau Baker; Plainfield — QB Carsen Melvin, WR Noah Hessong, WR Cael Vanderbush, DL Isaac Masquelier, LB Garrett Kane
What to look for: The Quakers are a little more vulnerable than usual; they needed a late comeback to get past Greenwood two weeks ago and were easily outclassed by the Mid-State Conference’s heavyweights. But can the Grizzly Cubs take advantage? A lack of consistency has kept the team from enjoying the same success it did against Whiteland in Week 4, but that version of Franklin does exist. Will it show up tonight? Phillips has emerged as a solid workhorse back; if he can help sustain drives and the defense can get some stops, perhaps this is the week the Grizzly Cubs get back on track.
Decatur Central (5-1) at Greenwood (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Live video: IHSAATV.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity
Recent history: The Hawks’ 49-21 home win last season was its eighth in a row over the Woodmen.
Sagarin ratings: Decatur Central 90.39 (13th), Greenwood 58.78 (98th)
Players to watch: Decatur Central — QB Aycen Stevens, RB/DB Kaleb Hicks, WR/DB Javon Tracy, DL Andy Gibson, LB Keelan Dyson; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB/LB Gavin Ruppert, RB Noah Apgar, TE Carter Campbell, DE Dylan Mayhew
What to look for: The Woodmen have showed signs of improvement of late, following up a near-upset at Plainfield with a convincing win over Perry Meridian. Now, they face the Mid-State front-runner, an athletic bunch that seems well equipped to contain the edge and prevent big plays outside. Will Greenwood be able to do enough damage with its power run game to put points on the board and keep the ball away from Stevens, Tracy and friends?
Whiteland (2-3) at Mooresville (5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Live video: IHSAATV.org/MidState/Mooresville
Recent history: The Warriors, who pulled out a 41-35 overtime victory last season, have taken 10 of the last 11 games between the two teams.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 67.39 (63rd), Mooresville 88.37 (16th)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB Nyrius Moore-Smith, TE/DL Max Sullivan, LB Daniel Adams; Mooresville — QB Nicholas Patterson, RB Gideon Brimmage, WR John Clampitt, WR Logan Jackson, LB Ashtyn Holtzclaw
What to look for: The Class 4A No. 4 Pioneers have looked nearly unstoppable offensively in conference play, with outputs of 63 and 70 points against Plainfield and Greenwood; only a running clock at Franklin last week kept the team under 50. Whiteland’s injury-depleted backfield has had mixed results this season — up one week, down the next. In order to hang in this one, the Warriors will definitely need an up week on both sides of the ball. Whiteland coach Darrin Fisher has a reputation for success in October, and it’s the first of the month.
Indian Creek (2-4) at Brownstown Central (6-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Recent history: This will be the teams’ first meeting since Indian Creek pulled out a 30-28 sectional win in 2008.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 36.33 (191st), Brownstown Central 70.04 (56th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Aidan Neathery, RB/LB Brandon Murray, OL/DL Daniel Foster, LB James Kelly, LB Wyatt Reason; Brownstown Central — QB Carson Darlage, RB Kiernan Tiermeyer, DL Ryan Branaman, LB Eli Wischmeier, LB Ethan Fultz
What to look for: Indian Creek turned in its best performance of the season in a rout of Edgewood last week, and promptly gets rewarded with a trip to face the Class 3A No. 7 Braves, who replace longtime punching bag Indianapolis Manual on the schedule. Darlage isn’t as much a threat with his arms as with his legs, but it hasn’t mattered — Brownstown has scored at least 35 points in every game this season. Can coach Steve Spinks’ squad slow that offense down, and if so, can a Creek offense that has struggled for much of the year still keep pace?
Traders Point Christian (2-4) at Edinburgh (4-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Recent history: The Knights have evened the series at 2-2 by winning the last two years, including a 55-36 shootout last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Traders Point 29.56 (216th), Edinburgh 29.68 (215th)
Players to watch: Traders Point — QB Cooper Simmons-Little, RB/LB Eli Underwood, WR/DB Zavior Gibson, WR/DB Sam Johnson, WR/DB Phillip Moran; Edinburgh — QB/LB Riley Palmeter, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, RB/LB Lennon DeLoach, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Colin Richardson
What to look for: The Lancers face what might be the make-or-break game in their quest to lock up their first winning season in 28 years — with an almost certain victory on the schedule next week (Rock Creek), Edinburgh can effectively seal a six-win campaign by defeating the Knights tonight. The two teams look like mirror images on paper; expect a lot of fireworks through the air and not a lot of stops. Whichever team can limit mistakes and win the turnover battle will likely come out on top in what should be an entertaining shootout.
Roncalli (6-0) at Bloomington North (5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com
Recent history: The Royals have been victorious in each of the last three years, including a 63-21 home win last season.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 99.15 (seventh), Bloomington North 79.58 (31st)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Caden Gore, WR Kyle Lockard, LB Tyson Garrett, DB Michael Hegwood; Bloomington North — QB Reece Lozano, RB Cody Mikulich, WR Jarno Ksander-Hicks, DL David Hanson, LB Dylan Barrow
What to look for: With the exception of a road loss to rival Bloomington South, the Cougars have put up at least 35 points on every opponent, exploding for 69 against New Albany last week. How will they fare against their toughest test to date in the Class 4A No. 1 Royals, who have yet to allow more than 21 points in a game against more rugged competition. As long as Roncalli’s defense can keep North under that five-touchdown mark, it should be able to extend the team’s win streak to 19 games.
