SCOUTING TONIGHT’S SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
Class 6A
Center Grove (8-2) at Columbus North (5-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/CGSportsNetwork
Recent history: The Trojans’ 41-7 sectional victory last fall was their ninth in a row going back to 2007; each of the last three has been decided by at least 34 points.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 98.45 (fourth in Indiana/third in Class 6A), Columbus North 61.01 (95th/26th)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Micah Coyle, RB Jalen Thomeson, WR Noah Coy, LB Owen Bright; Columbus North — QB Zac Horn, RB Tyler Blythe, WR Cooper Horn, OL/DL Savion Miles, LB Ian Calvert
What to look for: Barring something very, very strange, a 12th consecutive sectional championship for the Trojans. Stronger Bull Dog teams than this haven’t been able to keep pace with Center Grove, so it’s hard to see this one — which lost by 37 points at Terre Haute South two weeks ago — doing much better. The Trojans struggled offensively last week without Thomeson in the backfield against Franklin Central, but he’s expected to be back and North’s defense hasn’t been nearly as stout as the Flashes’ this season.
Class 5A
Whiteland (9-1) at Franklin (8-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live video: ihsaatv.org/MidState/FranklinCommunity
Recent history: The Warriors earned a 21-0 home win on Sept. 9; the Grizzly Cubs have beaten Whiteland just twice in the last 19 seasons, but both were fairly recent (2019 and 2021).
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 87.82 (17th/second in 5A), Franklin 79.95 (28th/fourth)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Kevin Denham, RB Peyton Emberton, RB/DB Nyrius Moore-Smith, WR/DB Brady Stanifer, OL/DL Tayton Schakel; Franklin — QB Greyson Betts, RB/LB John Shepard, WR Max Clark, RB/DB Beau Baker, DB Zach Reese
What to look for: A closer game than we saw in Week 4, when the Warriors dominated their county rival on both sides of the ball. The Grizzly Cubs didn’t show much offensive punch in that meeting, but they’ve added some pieces back in Clark and sophomore RB Alex Leugers, who provides a different dimension than Shepard does. Betts will be in for injured Franklin starter Clay Pinnick; he’s shown some flashes this season, but this will be the biggest game of his life to this point. How he fares will go a long way toward determining whether the Grizzly Cubs can turn the tables in this rematch.
Class 4A
Brebeuf Jesuit (7-3) at Roncalli (10-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Live audio: athletics.roncalli.org/roncalli-media-network
Recent history: The teams have split their last four games; the Royals were a 31-14 winner over the Braves on Sept. 23.
Sagarin ratings: Brebeuf 87.40 (19th/third in 4A), Roncalli 89.65 (11th/second)
Players to watch: Brebeuf — QB Maverick Geske, WR Nolan Buckman, DL Finn Walters, LB Cole Williams, DB Ryan Joyce; Roncalli — QB Arik Moyers, RB Luke Hansen, OL Trevor Lauck, DL Luke Swartz, DB Judson Lawrie
What to look for: Perhaps a slightly different matchup than we saw six weeks ago. Geske hadn’t really found his rhythm yet when he faced Roncalli the first time, but he’s been much sharper since, throwing for 12 touchdowns over the last three weeks. Moyers has also started playing a more prominent role, diversifying the Royals’ offense of late. Still, Roncalli’s foundation generally is what it is — punish opponents with Hansen running the ball and grind them into submission. He rushed for 261 yards and four TDs against the Braves last time, so there isn’t much sense in deviating from that formula too much.
