SCOUTING THIS WEEKEND’S MATCHUPS
Indian Creek (1-0) at Greenwood (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity
Radio: KORN Country (100.3)
Recent history: The Woodmen extended their series winning streak to seven with a 49-24 triumph in Trafalgar last season.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 54.90 (160th in Indiana), Greenwood 69.23 (77th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Arjun Lothe, RB/DB Jalen Sauer, OL/DL Daniel Foster, OL/DL Wyatt Reason; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Jackson Haessig, TE Carter Campbell, LB Scott Raker, LB Cooper Smith
What to look for: The Braves got the Casey Gillin era off to a rocking start with a 37-25 win over Batesville — a needed confidence boost for a team that struggled massively on offense for most of last year. The trick will be repeating that success against a Woodmen team that has traditionally worn Indian Creek down with its brand of bully ball. Greenwood will again try to control the game with its rushing attack, while the Braves will likely need to punch back with some big plays and some takeaways if they’re going to take Greenwood down for the first time since 2014.
Carmel (0-1) at Center Grove (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/CGSportsNetwork
Recent history: The Trojans’ 41-14 road win was their second straight Copper Kettle game victory.
Sagarin ratings: Carmel 96.19 (first), Center Grove 95.04 (second)
Players to watch: Carmel — QB Jackson Kazmierczak, RB Nicholas Beidl, WR Blake Matthews, DL Will Heldt, LB Winston Berglund; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Micah Coyle, RB Eli Hohlt, LB Owen Bright, DB Parker Doyle
What to look for: According to the Sagarin ratings, this is a matchup between the top two teams in the state — but it doesn’t necessarily feel that way. The Greyhounds are coming off of a 17-7 loss to the same Louisville Trinity team that Center Grove will see next week, and the Trojans, while fresh off a nice win over Warren Central, have some questions still to answer, especially now that star running back Drew Wheat appears to be out for the year with a foot injury. Eric Moore’s team doesn’t have a conference title to play for anymore, so the Copper Kettle takes on more meaning as one of the few regular-season prizes left.
Mt. Vernon (0-1) at Franklin (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/FranklinCommunity
Recent history: The Marauders took last year’s meeting, 43-25, the first of their 14 straight wins on the way to a Class 4A state championship.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 76.86 (38th), Franklin 76.28 (40th)
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Eli Bridenthal, WR Tre Jones, TE George Burhenn, DL Kyler Grill, LB Hayden Kottlowski; Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB/LB John Shepard, WR Max Clark, OL/DL Reece Byerly, DB Beau Baker
What to look for: The Grizzly Cubs slayed one nonconference nemesis in last week’s 42-14 road beatdown of Danville; now, they’ll try to duplicate that feat against a Marauders team that ran the table after a season-opening loss in 2021. Mt. Vernon got edged in a Week 1 shootout against Noblesville, so heavy graduation losses don’t appear to have lessened its offensive firepower. Can Franklin keep pace in what should be another high-scoring affair?
Lawrence North (1-0) at Whiteland (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity
Recent history: This will be the first meeting between the two teams; last year’s scheduled game was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Sagarin ratings: Lawrence North 84.72 (10th), Whiteland 75.88 (44th)
Players to watch: Lawrence North — QB Montez Jones, RB Ali Richardson, WR Damario Moore; Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB/LB Jakarrey Oliver, WR/DB Brady Stanifer, OL/DL Tayton Schakel
What to look for: Whiteland is going to be moving up to Class 6A sooner than later, so it made sense to beef up the schedule with a game like this. The Warriors have never beaten a MIC team; then again, the only one they’ve played before is Center Grove. Will Darrin Fisher’s team be able to match up well against the Wildcats’ athleticism? Lawrence North is pretty similar to the Decatur Central teams that have generally given Whiteland fits — so if nothing else, this game should serve as a nice barometer for next week’s massive Mid-State clash against the Hawks.
Cloverdale (0-1) at Edinburgh (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Lancers dominated last season’s matchup on the road, coming away with a 55-0 victory.
Sagarin ratings: Cloverdale 23.02 (301st), Edinburgh 47.63 (213th)
Players to watch: 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 could well get caught looking ahead here — not only did they win this game easily a year ago, but the Clovers, winless since 2019, are coming off of a 70-point loss to South Putnam. Don’t expect Tyler DeSpain’s squad to fall into the trap and look ahead to next week’s tilt against South Decatur; Edinburgh should get out to a quick lead behind its high-octane aerial attack and spend most of the second half resting its starters for the games later on that will make or break the bid for a historic winning season.
Franklin Central (1-0) at Roncalli (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com
Recent history: The Royals have taken the last two series meetings and nine of the last 11, including a 34-13 road win a year ago.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin Central 81.56 (21st), Roncalli 85.28 (eighth)
Players to watch: Franklin Central — QB Nevan Tutterow, RB Braylen Gillard, LB Wyatt Penney, DB Hudauri Hines; Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, OL/DL Brady Neu, DB Andrew Baugh
What to look for: A heavy dosage of Hansen, who set a school record last week with 335 yards rushing against Southport. It’s unlikely that the standout running back will be able to get off like that against a much tougher Flashes team, but he shouldn’t be hurting for confidence coming in. This will mark the first real test for both teams — Franklin Central beat up on Perry Meridian last week — so if Roncalli really is going to be a top contender again in Class 4A, this is the kind of game it should be able to put away, even against a 6A foe.
Phelan Academy (0-1) at Greenwood Christian (1-0)
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday
Recent history: None
Sagarin ratings: Phelan Academy 31.19 (285th), GCA 13.03 (314th)
Players to watch: Greenwood Christian — QB Trey Dobson, RB Nathan Goins, OL/DL Luke Chitty, LB Tyler Wiggin
What to look for: After steamrolling Brownsburg’s C team last weekend, this will be the Cougars’ first test against another varsity team. The Falcons, who started their program two years ago, absorbed a 55-0 loss against Scecina in their opener — which, while far less impressive than GCA’s debut in terms of score, came against a much more difficult opponent. This game figures to provide Greenwood Christian with a more accurate measuring stick of where it stacks up against teams much like itself; if it can win this one, then it’s moving along well ahead of schedule.
