SCOUTING TONIGHT’S SECTIONAL MATCHUPS
Class 4A
Martinsville (6-3) at Greenwood (1-8)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/GreenwoodCommunity
Recent history: The Artesians’ 28-14 victory on Sept. 2 was their fourth straight in the series, which is tied at 9-9 overall.
Sagarin ratings: Martinsville 70.58 (61st in Indiana/13th in Class 4A), Greenwood 49.50 (148th/33rd)
Players to watch: Martinsville — QB Tyler Adkins, RB Brayden Shrake, WR Garrett Skaggs, DL Nic Crone, LB Devon Brenner; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Alan Burnett, TE Carter Campbell, WR Ethan Pringle, DB Tanner Crouch
What to look for: The Artesians — who handed Class 5A No. 2 Whiteland its only loss — boast a precision aerial attack that has given defensive coordinators fits all season. So in theory, they shouldn’t have any trouble with a Greenwood team that’s lost eight in a row. But the Woodmen played Martinsville tough in Week 3, and they’ll have the added incentive of playing to extend Mike Campbell’s coaching career. If the physical running back trio of Burnett, Jackson Haessig and newcomer Marcus Stokes can help put together some long drives and Greenwood can turn those into points while eating clock, Martinsville might have an unexpected fight on its hands.
Shortridge (4-4) at Roncalli (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live audio: athletics.roncalli.org/roncalli-media-network
Recent history: This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Sagarin ratings: Shortridge 17.07 (269th overall/59th in Class 4A), Roncalli 94.10 (sixth/second)
Players to watch: Shortridge — QB James Edmondson, WR/LB Elias Diallo, WR/DB Malachi Fluornoy, TE/LB Demetrius Davis; Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, DL Luke Swartz, DB Andrew Baugh
What to look for: A lot of playing time for the Royals’ second and third units. The Blue Devils — the nominal “home” team in this contest — have played most of their games against smaller schools, playing only two 4A games all season, and they’re going to be severely overmatched in this one. Expect Roncalli to put up a few first-quarter touchdowns and then get its starters off the field to avoid needless injury risk.
Class 3A
Indian Creek (6-3) at Franklin County (3-6)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 50.49 (144th overall/30th in Class 3A), Franklin County 40.55 (185th/41st)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Arjun Lothe, WR/DB Lance Butler, WR/LB Levi Pappas, WR Jaxon Ramey, LB Kohlton Scoggan; Franklin County — QB/DB Quinn Gillman, RB/LB Brady Morehead, OL/DL Bryce Hodapp, OL/LB Peyton McCreary
What to look for: Another style clash. The Wildcats lean pretty heavily on the run, with Gillman more of a dual threat under center. They’ve had mixed results offensively, getting shut out by the top three teams on their schedule (East Central, Lawrenceburg and South Dearborn), and it remains to be seen whether they can keep pace with the Braves’ pass-happy unit. Indian Creek has struggled defensively the last two weeks, yielding a combined 109 points to Sullivan and Northview, but Franklin County likely isn’t lethal enough to match that sort of production. Barring a rash of turnovers, the Braves should take care of business.
Knightstown (1-7) at Edinburgh (4-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Panthers won the only previous meeting, a sectional game back in 1994.
Sagarin ratings: Knightstown minus-8.56 (309th overall/58th in Class A) Edinburgh 12.74 (278th/40th)
Players to watch: Knightstown — QB Mason Fields, WR Jarrett Fields, TE/DL Gavin McDonald, OL/LB Jacob Richardson; Edinburgh — QB Caleb Murphy, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, WR/DB Braylon Bryant, WR/DB Jackson Hartwell
What to look for: The Lancers limp into the tournament on a four-game skid, but they’ve been facing tougher competition than what they figure to see tonight. The Panthers have been outscored 131-6 the last two weeks, and only two teams in the state have lower Sagarin ratings. (The good news for whoever wins? Cambridge City Lincoln — the lowest-rated team in Indiana — is next week’s semifinal opponent.) Edinburgh has tried to slow-play its last two games against stronger opponents by staying almost exclusively on the ground, but its should be able to air it out a little more tonight and get the desired result.
