High school football: Week 9 preview

SCOUTING TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS

Greenwood (1-7) at Whiteland (7-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/WhitelandCommunity

Recent history: The Warriors have won the last three meetings, including a 42-28 road win last fall.

Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 46.84 (156th in Indiana), Whiteland 87.67 (15th)

Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Alan Burnett, TE Carter Campbell, WR Ethan Pringle, DB Tanner Crouch; Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB/DB Nyrius Moore-Smith, WR/DB Brady Stanifer, OL/DL Tayton Schakel

What to look for: This is Mike Campbell’s last regular-season game at the helm of the Woodmen, and he’s usually played Darrin Fisher’s Warriors tougher than records and ratings would indicate — so don’t be surprised if Greenwood hangs around in this one for at least as long as it did against Franklin last week. If the visitors can do a better job of finishing off drives than they have for much of the season, this could well be a battle. Do not, however, expect the Warriors to take this one lightly; this has always been a throw-out-the-records game, and Whiteland will treat it accordingly. The home team should win convincingly, but …

Cathedral (6-1) at Center Grove (7-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Live video: ihsaatv.org/CGSportsNetwork

Recent history: The Trojans are 6-2 in this series since 2014, but their 21-6 victory last year is just the second of those eight games to be decided by more than seven points.

Sagarin ratings: Cathedral 99.02 (fourth in Indiana), Center Grove 105.14 (first)

Players to watch: Cathedral — QB Danny O’Neil, RB Carson Johnson, WR Jaron Tibbs, TE Brennan Wooten, DL Kendrick Gilbert, ; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Micah Coyle, RB Jalen Thomeson, WR Noah Coy, LB Owen Bright

What to look for: Another clash of the titans going down to the wire. Both of these teams have been on cruise control — nobody has come within 20 points of either in the last month — but the Fighting Irish and the Trojans have a way of canceling one another out more often than not. O’Neil has been nearly immaculate throwing the ball this fall, which could spell trouble for an injury-riddled Center Grove secondary, but the combination of the Coyle-Thomeson rushing tandem and the Cherry-Coy aerial connection has been similarly impossible to stop of late. This game might just be decided by which team has the ball last.

Decatur Central (3-5) at Franklin (6-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/FranklinCommunity

Recent history: Last year’s 42-7 win was the Hawks’ 10th straight in the series; each of the last six has been decided by 20 points or more.

Sagarin ratings: Decatur Central 71.11 (62nd), Franklin 81.53 (27th)

Players to watch: Decatur Central — QB Bo Polston, WR Tequan Taylor, DL M.J. Campbell, DL Slim Tyus, LB Aycen Stevens; Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB/LB John Shepard, WR Max Clark, RB/DB Beau Baker, DB Zach Reese

What to look for: Perhaps more than any other game on the regular-season schedule, this one offers the Grizzly Cubs the chance to make a historic statement. The Hawks have dominated this series for more than a decade, but they’re uncharacteristically down. Even with the quarterback situation up in the air — Pinnick returned from injury last week but split time with Greyson Betts and didn’t make any real attempts to run — the Grizzly Cubs have been playing well, and their opportunistic defense going up against a freshman quarterback who has never really found his rhythm could be the matchup that finally swings this game Franklin’s way.

Indian Creek (6-2) at Northview (5-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Recent history: The Braves beat the Knights for the WIC championship in 2019, but Northview has won the other three meetings, including a 44-0 rout last season.

Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 56.57 (114th), Northview 59.10 (107th)

Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Arjun Lothe, RB/DB Jalen Sauer, RB/DB Malachi Mink, WR Jaxon Ramey, OL/DL Daniel Foster; Northview — QB Kyle Cottee, RB/DB Imer Holman, RB Tyler Lee, OL/DL Gabe Stockrahm

What to look for: A major contrast in styles. Cottee isn’t much of a threat with his arm, but he, Holman and Lee have combined to rush for 2,355 yards and 33 touchdowns. Stopping the run and getting off the field will be the challenge for the Braves’ defense. On the flip side, Northview’s defense — which had allowed 135 points during a three-game losing streak before stomping Edgewood last week — will have to contend with Lothe and the Braves’ spread offense. Defensive stops might be rare, but whichever side can manage a couple at the right time is likely to come out on top.

Edinburgh (4-3) at Park Tudor (5-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Recent history: Last year’s 52-10 Panther win was the first meeting between the schools since 2006.

Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh 14.27 (277th), Park Tudor 51.19 (134th)

Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB Caleb Murphy, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, WR/DB Braylon Bryant, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Jackson Hartwell; Park Tudor — QB D.J. Gordon, WR Charlie Perine, WR/DB Van Smith, DL Bryson Hobbs, LB William Harris

What to look for: The Lancers started the season 4-0 but have hit a wall since — and the Panthers are the top-rated team they’ve played all season. Edinburgh hopes to have Dewey back in the lineup for the first time in a month, which would make a huge difference; he’s the type of playmaker any opponent has to account for at all times. Getting a win here would take a borderline miracle, but Edinburgh would at least like to make a good showing here to get some momentum heading into a sweetheart of a sectional draw.

Roncalli (7-1) at East Central (7-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Live audio: athletics.roncalli.org/roncalli-media-network

Recent history: The Royals, a 35-21 winner last fall, have taken the last three meetings going back to a three-point semistate triumph in 2016.

Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 94.60 (sixth), East Central 89.20 (11th)

Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, DL Luke Swartz, DB Judson Lawrie; East Central — QB Cole Burton, RB Josh Ringer, WR Eli Aston, WR Ryan Brotherton, LB Brayden Rouse

What to look for: Like the Royals, East Central’s only loss came to a Cincinnati team — a 43-14 setback at Moeller in Week 3. Since then, the Trojans have put up 44 points per game against in-state competition. None of those teams, though, have been Roncalli, and the difference in schedule strength might prove pivotal. If the Royals’ defense can come up with a few stops against East Central’s powerful and balanced offense — not necessarily a given — then the unstoppable combination of Hansen (2,117 yards rushing) and a beefy offensive line should be able to do the rest.