SCOUTING TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS
North Central (0-4) at Center Grove (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/CGSportsNetwork
Radio: KORN Country (100.3)
Recent history: The Trojans have won the last two meetings by margins of 47-0 (2020) and 53-7 (2021) after losing the previous two.
Sagarin ratings: North Central 62.14 (88th in Indiana), Center Grove 98.62 (fifth)
Players to watch: North Central — QB Brody Gibson, RB Kiandre Perkins, WR T.J. McWilliams, DL Kevion Wellington, DB Camren Travis; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Jalen Thomeson, WR Noah Coy, LB Owen Bright, DB Parker Doyle
What to look for: In all likelihood, a return to normalcy for the Trojans, who have endured more than their fair share of drama over the last three weeks with an overtime loss and two thrilling come-from-behind wins. The Panthers are yielding 42.5 points a game and have been thoroughly overmatched in most of their games so far; look for Center Grove to try to establish control early and try to put one away quickly for the first time this season.
Martinsville (3-1) at Franklin (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/FranklinCommunity
Recent history: The two teams have split the last eight meetings, with the Artesians’ 23-7 win last season their first since 2018.
Sagarin ratings: Martinsville 70.19 (60th), Franklin 80.49 (32nd)
Players to watch: Martinsville — QB Tyler Adkins, RB Brayden Shrake, WR Garrett Skaggs, DL Nic Crone, LB Devon Brenner; Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB/LB John Shepard, LB Lance Jones, DB Beau Baker, DB Zach Reese
What to look for: The Artesians had been pretty consistent on both sides of the ball until the offense stalled last week against Decatur Central. Franklin, likewise, is seeking a bounce-back performance offensively after being shut out at Whiteland. Both sides have far more firepower than they showed last week, so this could turn into a back-and-forth affair in which limiting mistakes will be of paramount importance. Can Franklin’s defense, which showed a penchant for big plays during a 3-0 start, come up with a game-changing moment?
Plainfield (1-3) at Greenwood (1-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity
Recent history: The Quakers own a six-game series win streak, but last year’s 31-28 home triumph was the second in a row decided by a three- point margin.
Sagarin ratings: Plainfield 62.85 (84th), Greenwood 56.78 (108th)
Players to watch: Plainfield — QB Hunter Newell, RB Troy Larrison, WR Grant Irwin, DL Isaac Masquelier; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Alan Burnett, TE Carter Campbell, WR Ethan Pringle, LB Scott Raker
What to look for: The Woodmen have hit a wall since their season-opening victory over Seymour and could use a shot in the arm; the next two weeks offer their best chance for a turnaround. Plainfield just broke into the win column last week against Perry Meridian after a rough start against a difficult early schedule. This matchup has been very close the last couple of years and should be again, as long as Greenwood is able to establish its run game and sustain scoring drives throughout.
Perry Meridian (1-3) at Whiteland (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity
Recent history: The Warriors have dominated the series since the Falcons joined the Mid-State in 2018, with last year’s 45-6 victory the fourth straight by at least 35 points.
Sagarin ratings: Perry Meridian 49.86 (140th), Whiteland 92.85 (eighth)
Players to watch: Perry Meridian — QB Allen Zupan, WR Landon Eagan, WR/DB Isaiah Hunter, LB Jacob McClure; Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB/LB Jakarrey Oliver, RB/DB Nyrius Moore-Smith, WR/DB Brady Stanifer
What to look for: Whether or not the Warriors can stay dialed in. Fresh off a big rivalry win over Franklin, and with critical Mid-State dates against Martinsville and Mooresville coming up in Weeks 6 and 7, this sets up as a perfect trap game for Darrin Fisher’s club. It’s also probably the easiest game on Whiteland’s regular-season schedule, so if the team is mentally engaged then it should be able to get out to its first 5-0 start since 2008 without much trouble.
Indian Creek (3-1) at Triton Central (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Tigers have won five of six since this series resumed in 2016, with last year’s 27-9 triumph their second straight.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 57.70 (105th), Triton Central 69.82 (65th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Arjun Lothe, RB/DB Jalen Sauer, RB/DB Malachi Mink, WR Jaxon Ramey, OL/DL Daniel Foster; Triton Central — QB Jace Stuckey, RB Ray Crawford, WR Luke Faust, WR Brad Schultz, DB Mason Compton
What to look for: A lot of passing yardage and a lot of points. The Tigers have surpassed the 40-point mark in three of four games, and Stuckey has already gone past 1,000 yards passing, with top target Schultz accounting for more than half of the yardage. Indian Creek, meanwhile, has enjoyed similar success through the air behind Lothe and a gaggle of targets. If one side can manage some takeaways or key defensive stops, that could end up being the difference. If neither defense can hold, then it may just be a matter of who has the ball last.
Guerin Catholic (3-1) at Roncalli (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live audio: athletics.roncalli.org/roncalli-media-network
Recent history: Last year’s 45-21 victory was Roncalli’s sixth in a row since the series began in 2016.
Sagarin ratings: Guerin Catholic 70.64 (58th), Roncalli 91.31 (10th)
Players to watch: Guerin Catholic — QB Ryan Zimmerman, RB Justin Zdoblyak, WR Jack Cherry, WR Will Fremion, LB Anthony Ferrucci; Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, OL/DL Brady Neu, DB Andrew Baugh
What to look for: The Golden Eagles offer a different challenge than the Royals have faced to date in terms of passing offense; Zimmerman is throwing for more than 300 yards per game, and he’s got a pair of capable targets in Fremion and Cherry. Part of the Royals’ defense will be its offense; by controlling clock and tempo with Hansen — who’s already over 1,000 yards rushing — they can keep Guerin’s explosive air attack sidelined for a good chunk of the evening. Still, the Roncalli secondary will have to prove it’s up to the challenge, or this could turn into an unwanted back-and-forth.
North Daviess (3-1) at Edinburgh (4-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Sagarin ratings: North Daviess 36.88 (198th), Edinburgh 19.88 (261st)
Players to watch: North Daviess — QB Brock Knepp, RB Coltyn McNabb, WR/DB Matthew Wagler, WR/LB Austin Webster, LB Elliot Park; Edinburgh — QB/LB Caleb Murphy, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Jackson Hartwell, WR/DE Keegan Smith
What to look for: The Lancers’ defense has proven to be the team’s strength thus far, yielding just 20 points overall and none in the last two games (South Decatur’s lone touchdown in Week 3 came on a pick-six). Another top-tier performance out of that unit might be necessary to slow a Cougars team that’s put up 41 and 49 points on separate occasions this season. Edinburgh will be able to put perhaps its two best athletes (Dewey and Hartwell) in charge of slowing Wagler and Webster in the passing game, a matchup that could end up determining the outcome.
