SCOUTING THIS WEEKEND’S MATCHUPS
Warren Central at Center Grove
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/CGSportsNetwork
Radio: KORN Country (100.3)
Recent history: The Trojans’ 38-14 victory in last season’s opener was their fourth straight win in the series, the longest run for either side since the Warriors took four in a row from 2009-11.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Warren Central 88.65 (14th in Indiana), Center Grove 113.64 (first)
Players to watch: Warren Central — RB Rodney Johnson, WR Joe Walker, WR/DB Jo’ziah Edmond, LB Lee Alexander Jr.; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Drew Wheat, RB Micah Coyle, LB Owen Bright, DB Jalen Thomeson
What to look for: The Trojans are expected to look a little more mortal after back-to-back perfect seasons, but don’t get it twisted — they’re still on the short preseason list of state title contenders. Wheat heads up a deep stable of backs that should keep some pressure off of Cherry as he gets acclimated to his new role as QB1. Defensively, Center Grove has to replace its entire starting defensive line, but the process should be helped at least somewhat by a veteran secondary and linebacking corps. This could be the last regular-season meeting between these two rivals for a while, which should help ratchet the intensity level up even higher than usual.
Franklin at Danville
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/DanvilleCommunity
Recent history: The Warriors have taken the last two meetings in the series, pulling out a 20-13 road win in last year’s opener.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Franklin 65.75 (74th), Danville 71.44 (57th)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB/LB John Shepard, WR Max Clark, OL/DL Reece Byerly, DB Beau Baker; Danville — QB Trey Thompson, RB/LB Sean Robinson, RB/LB Derin Sharp, WR/DB B.J. Wuest, WR/LB Andrew Smith
What to look for: The Warriors graduated almost all of their top-line talent from a group that won 21 games over the past two seasons; aside from Wuest, nearly every significant yardage producer on offense needs to be replaced. That should be welcome news for a Franklin team with plenty of experience returning on both sides of the ball. Danville is always a tough team to beat, especially on its home field, but the Grizzly Cubs have to feel good about their chances after coming so close last fall. A more consistent effort this time out could put Chris Coll’s team in the win column early.
Seymour at Greenwood
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity
Recent history: This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2001, when the Owls picked up a 42-28 home win in sectional play.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Seymour 44.91 (167th), Greenwood 54.06 (113th)
Players to watch: Seymour — WR Jaylan Johnson, WR Jack Pennington, LB Evan Smith, DB Trenton McCormick; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, TE Carter Campbell, LB Scott Raker, LB Cooper Smith, DB Tanner Crouch
What to look for: The Owls were taking their starting QB battle late into the week, but whoever emerges as the starter will have two dangerous targets to throw to in Johnson and Pennington. For Greenwood to get its season off on the right foot, it’ll need to put pressure on the quarterback and keep those wideouts in check. Being able to control the clock with the run would also help; we’ll see how effective the Woodmen can be on that front despite being greener than usual at running back and on the offensive line. Riddle does provide a little more aerial capability, and he’s got at least one proven go-to in Campbell.
Whiteland at Columbus East
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/cehsolympians
Recent history: The Warriors have won the last three matchups in this series, including 28-7 and 31-7 home victories last season.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Whiteland 75.46 (42nd), Columbus East 56.05 (105th)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB/LB Jakarrey Oliver, WR/DB Brady Stanifer, OL/DL Tayton Schakel; Columbus East — QB Ethan Duncan, RB Javeon Smith, DL Jamall Starks, LB Chase Harrison, DB Devon Tekulve
What to look for: The Warriors come into this season with sky-high expectations, and they’ll open up tonight against a traditional power coming off of a down year. Denham should be more settled in at quarterback after stepping in midway through last season, and he’s got a veteran offensive line in front of him and an experienced stable of backs. Whiteland shouldn’t have much trouble scoring; if it can fill the graduation vacancies on defense and hold opponents in check on that end, this could be a pretty successful season.
Batesville vs. Indian Creek
(at Franklin College)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The two teams have traded lopsided victories the past two seasons, with Batesville picking up a 35-13 home win a year ago.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Batesville 44.91 (163rd), Indian Creek 31.09 (22oth)
Players to watch: Batesville — QB Will Jaisle, RB/LB Cade Kaiser, RB/LB Gage Pohlman, WR Bryson Bonelli, TE/LB Trenton Roell; Indian Creek — QB Arjun Lothe, RB/DB Jalen Sauer, OL/DL Daniel Foster, OL/DL Wyatt Reason
What to look for: Fresh off of their worst season in 20 years, the Braves look to bounce back under first-year coach Casey Gillin, one of the greatest players in school history and son of legendary coach Mike Gillin. Lothe provides a big, talented presence at quarterback; if the Creek line can keep him protected and establish a run game to keep defenses honest, the offense should be more potent than the one that sputtered through much of 2021. Batesville also breaks in a new QB in Jaisle, but he’s got an All-State candidate to throw to in Bonelli, who had a 1,000-yard receiving season as a junior.
Tindley at Edinburgh
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Lancers pulled out a 15-12 triumph in 2021 after dropping the previous two meetings by a touchdown or less.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Tindley 23.31 (247th), Edinburgh 24.83 (241st)
Players to watch: Tindley — QB Deon Richmond, RB Devion Hampton; Edinburgh — QB/LB Caleb Murphy, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DE Keegan Smith, OL/DL Mason Calhoun
What to look for: The Lancers finished at .500 last fall for the first time since 1993, and hopes for a winning season this time around remain high. Murphy is a first-time starter at QB, but he has perhaps the state’s top Class A receiver in Dewey and several other experienced targets, led by Turner. Edinburgh got last year’s success story started by edging the Tigers; in order to do so again, it’ll need another solid defensive effort and a bit more of a ground game than it showed in most games last season; those two items would help take some pressure off of Murphy early. This matchup has been close every time and should be again, with whichever side wins the turnover battle likely to get the victory.
Roncalli at Southport
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com
Recent history: The Royals cruised to a 55-7 victory in Week 1 last year, their first win over the Cardinals since 2017.
Sagarin ratings (2021): Roncalli 94.74 (eighth), Southport 45.53 (156th)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, OL/DL Brady Neu, DB Andrew Baugh; Southport — QB Bryce Calvert, RB Josiah Ottinger, RB/LB Christian VanVolkenburgh, WR Pierce Birge
What to look for: The Cardinals had won seven of 10 in this series heading into last season, when they cratered and failed to win a game for the first time since 2006. The Royals, meanwhile, were perfect until getting knocked off by eventual Class 4A champ Mt. Vernon. Despite a new coach (Eric Quintana) and new starting quarterback (Moyers), Roncalli has plenty of known quantities to bank on, particularly a 1,000-yard rusher (Hansen) running behind what will still be a big and effective offensive line. Unanswered questions remain, but tonight’s game should offer the Royals an opportunity to answer at least some of them without being seriously threatened.
Greenwood Christian at Brownsburg JV White
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday
Recent history: None; this will be the first regular-season football game in GCA’s history.
Sagarin ratings (2021): N/A
Players to watch: Greenwood Christian — QB Trey Dobson, RB Nathan Goins, OL/DL Luke Chitty, LB Tyler Wiggin
What to look for: Some insight into what’s now just a great unknown. The Cougars make their debut under coach Andre Dobson, and they’ll do so on the road against the Bulldogs’ second junior varsity outfit (next week’s game against Phelan Academy will be GCA’s first varsity-on-varsity matchup). Regardless of level, this will be a test for Greenwood Christian’s players, most of whom saw their first real football action in last week’s scrimmage. Brownsburg should have advantages in experience and roster size; GCA will be looking for any positives it can to take and build on during what should be an eventful first year.
