SCOUTING TONIGHT’S HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL REGIONALS
Class 6A
Center Grove (11-0) at Lawrence North (7-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Live video: IHSAATV.org/CGSportsNetwork
Recent history: The Trojans picked up a comfortable 43-19 home win last month, their 16th consecutive victory over the Wildcats.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 111.50 (first in Indiana and in Class 6A), Lawrence North 86.83 (15th overall, ninth in 6A)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tayven Jackson, RB Drew Wheat, WR Harrison Stomps, DL Caden Curry, DL James Schott; Lawrence North — QB Montez Jones, RB Ali Richardson, WR Omar Cooper, LB Romaro Warren, LB Josh Noble
What to look for: The top-ranked Trojans had no trouble with the Wildcats during their Week 8 meeting, taking a 43-6 lead early in the second half before the visitors scrounged up some late points against the second-string defense. Lawrence North might put up a stronger fight on its home field, but unless it can do a better job of getting Cooper open for big plays in the passing game, it’s going to be tough to get much traction against Center Grove’s defense. There may or may not be a running clock in this rematch, but that’s likely to be the only suspense.
Class 4A
Roncalli (12-0) at Mt. Vernon (11-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight
Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com
Recent history: The Royals cruised to a 35-14 road win over the Marauders in last year’s regional. Mt. Vernon won the 2019 meeting between the two. 25-17.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 97.13 (seventh overall, first in Class 4A), Mt. Vernon 82.68 (26th overall, seventh in 4A)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Luke Hansen, RB/WR Caden Gore, LB Tyson Garrett, DB Gabe Horn; Mt. Vernon — QB Gehrig Slunaker, RB/DB Keagan LaBelle, RB Travon Hegler, WR Ashden Gentry, LB Owen Johnson
What to look for: Though it has done so against a far less rigorous schedule than the Royals have played, Mt. Vernon has had its way offensively, scoring at least 42 points in each of its 11 consecutive wins. Will the Marauders, who have totaled well over 2,000 yards in both rushing and passing, be able to do the same against by far the toughest team it has faced this season? Roncalli comes in battle-tested but also perhaps primed for an emotional letdown after a tough game against rival Bishop Chatard last week; can Leffler, Hansen and friends find the same intensity level again this week?
