SCOUTING TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS
Greenwood Christian (1-0) at Edinburgh (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Sagarin ratings: GCA 33.83 (214th in Indiana), Edinburgh 17.13 (266th)
Players to watch: GCA — QB Trey Dobson, RB Nathan Goins, RB Evan McIntire, OL/DL Eli Tschetter; Edinburgh — QB/LB Caleb Murphy, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, WR/DB Braylon Bryant, WR/DB Jackson Hartwell, WR/DE Keegan Smith
What to look for: This week will be the best barometer yet for where GCA stands midway through its inaugural season after playing three sub-varsity opponents and a Phalen Academy team in just its third year of football. The Lancers are the far more established outfit and should be considered a solid favorite, regardless of what the Sagarin ratings might say. The Cougars, though, have shown some big-play capability and a willingness to try the unconventional; if it can catch Edinburgh off guard here and there, this could very well still be a ball game in the second half — especially since the Lancers will be without their top athlete on both sides of the ball in senior Caleb Dewey.
Lawrence Central (3-2) at Center Grove (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/CGSportsNetwork
Radio: KORN Country (100.3)
Recent history: The Trojans’ 48-0 victory last season was their fourth straight series win overall and the third consecutive shutout; the combined margin the last three meetings is 135-0.
Sagarin ratings: Lawrence Central 86.48 (16th), Center Grove 96.03 (fifth)
Players to watch: Lawrence Central — QB Bryson Luter, RB Elijah Jackson, WR Ahmaad Duff, DE Josh Mickens, LB Tylen Cunningham; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Jalen Thomeson, WR Noah Coy, LB Owen Bright, DB Parker Doyle
What to look for: After tough losses against Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield to open the season, the Bears have found their stride, opening up MIC play with three consecutive wins. Center Grove coach Eric Moore expects a significantly tougher game than this has been the last year or two, but with Cherry blossoming into a legitimate threat through the air recently, Lawrence Central’s defense is going to have quite a bit to think about. If the offensive line can help get the run game going and give Cherry time to operate against a formidable pass rush, the Trojans should be in business.
Franklin (3-2) at Mooresville (5-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/Mooresville
Recent history: The Pioneers have taken the last five meetings, including a 45-14 triumph in Franklin last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 74.10 (49th), Mooresville 80.32 (30th)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB/LB John Shepard, RB/DB Beau Baker, LB Lance Jones, DB Zach Reese; Mooresville — QB Nick Patterson, WR Hogan Denny, WR Levi Dorn, LB Landon Clements, LB Kellen Copeland
What to look for: A very hungry pack of Grizzly Cubs. Stung by Martinsville on a last-second touchdown last week, Franklin should be more than motivated enough against the unbeaten Pioneers, who are coming off of a narrow escape against Decatur Central. This game features a big-play Mooresville offense against a big-play Franklin defense; the Grizzly Cubs may need to force some turnovers to swing things in their favor, and they’re capable of doing so. Offensively, Pinnick should have another weapon in his arsenal this week as WR Max Clark returns after helping Team USA win a gold medal at the WBSC 18-U Baseball World Cup.
Greenwood (1-4) at Perry Meridian (1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Woodmen have won three straight against the Falcons, taking last year’s game by a 47-21 margin.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 49.68 (141st); Perry Meridian 54.06 (120th)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Alan Burnett, TE Carter Campbell, WR Ethan Pringle, LB Scott Raker; Perry Meridian — QB Allen Zupan, WR Landon Eagan, WR/DB Isaiah Hunter, LB Jacob McClure
What to look for: This is probably the Woodmen’s best chance at getting back in the win column during the regular season, but it’s also not a given — especially after the Falcons put up a tougher-than-expected fight at Class 5A No. 1 Whiteland last week. Riddle has proven himself as a legitimate passing option, but Greenwood would prefer to get a lead and not have to lean on his arm. Establishing the backfield duo of Burnett and Jackson Haessig early and often is the team’s best and most likely path to a much-needed victory.
Whiteland (5-0) at Martinsville (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/Martinsville
Recent history: The Artesians snapped a three-game series losing streak by defeating the Warriors last season, 30-21.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 85.50 (19th), Martinsville 72.64 (55th)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB/LB Jakarrey Oliver, RB/DB Nyrius Moore-Smith, WR/DB Brady Stanifer; Martinsville — QB Tyler Adkins, RB Brayden Shrake, WR Garrett Skaggs, DL Nic Crone, LB Devon Brenner
What to look for: The Warriors’ secondary will be tested by the potent arm of Adkins and his receiving corps; as their last-minute scoring drive to win at Franklin last week showed, the Artesians can strike quickly at any time. Whiteland will do its best to limit that big-play capability by controlling the clock with its always-reliable run game. Both teams are capable of putting up their fair share of points, but a lower final score likely bodes well for the Warriors.
Indian Creek (3-2) at Edgewood (1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Braves have won all six games against the Mustangs since joining the WIC, including a 27-15 triumph last year.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 51.91 (133rd), Edgewood 16.79 (268th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Arjun Lothe, RB/DB Jalen Sauer, RB/DB Malachi Mink, WR Jaxon Ramey, OL/DL Daniel Foster
What to look for: A solid bounce-back for the Braves, who got caught in a second-quarter whirlwind at Triton Central last Friday and never recovered. Though this is the team’s fourth road game in the first five weeks, Indian Creek should be able to find its comfort zone quickly against a Mustang defense that has allowed 117 points over its last two games. Provided the Braves don’t have an overwhelming problem adjusting to Edgewood’s comically trippy red turf, this figures to be a fairly comfortable road win.
Roncalli (5-0) at Brebeuf Jesuit (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live audio: athletics.roncalli.org/roncalli-media-network
Recent history: The two teams have split their last six dates evenly, but Roncalli’s 28-10 triumph last year was its first in the series since 2017.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 94.19 (eighth), Brebeuf 83.06 (24th)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, DL Luke Swartz, DB Judson Lawrie; Brebeuf — RB Jack Maiers, DL Finn Walters, LB Cole Williams, DB Ryan Joyce
What to look for: An immovable object trying to hold off an unstoppable force. Brebeuf’s defense has been particularly stout, allowing just 28 points over its last three games, but it faces perhaps its toughest test to date against the Royals’ ground game, which pairs a workhorse back (Hansen) with a big and talented offensive line. Roncalli has been firing on all cylinders of late, totaling 87 points in wins over Columbus North and Guerin Catholic; the rapid development of first-year QB Moyers should make the offense only that much harder to stop.
