SCOUTING TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS
Harvest Prep (Ohio) (3-0) at Center Grove (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Radio: KORN Country (100.3 FM)
Recent history: This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 103.91 (first in Indiana)
Players to watch: Harvest Prep — QB Dez’mond Porter, WR/DB Chris Brown, WR/DB Mathew Sanders, DL Ernest Pierce, LB Marchello Cox; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, WR Noah Coy, TE T.J. Williams, LB Owen Bright, LB Kaden McConnell
What to look for: The Trojans’ five-game run against out-of-state teams ends with tonight’s matchup against the Warriors, who have won their first three games by a combined 131-30 count. Harvest Prep has speed but not the type of size that allowed fellow Ohio squads St. Edward and Moeller to give Center Grove problems in the trenches. One of the Warriors’ most physical players is Porter, a dual-threat QB who should pose a challenge; if the Trojan defense can keep him in check, odds of a fourth straight win get better in a hurry.
Franklin (3-1) at Martinsville (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The teams have split the last eight contests; the Artesians won the last two, including a 27-26 thriller last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 76.90 (38th), Martinsville 63.70 (88th)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB Alex Leugers, WR Quentin Richards, DL Blake Smythe, LB Lance Jones; Martinsville — QB A.J. Reynolds, RB Brayden Shrake, WR Hunter Stroud, DB Ben Field
What to look for: The Artesians have been up and down, taking double-digit losses to Bloomington South and Greenwood before bouncing back with a big 25-24 win at Decatur Central last week. The Grizzly Cubs, meanwhile, need to be wary of a trap game after two white-knuckle victories against Perry Meridian and Whiteland. Franklin seems to have found a nice rhythm with its two-quarterback offense; can it get enough defensive stops to create separation and put a game away before the final minute?
Greenwood (3-1) at Plainfield (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Quakers stretched their series win streak to seven with a 43-14 triumph last season.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 60.47 (103rd), Plainfield 80.00 (29th)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Alan Burnett, WR/DB Tanner Crouch, WR Amare Middleton, LB Cole Basey; Plainfield — QB Hunter Newell, RB Luke Starnes, WR Ja’mir Bouie, LB Landon Drennan, DB Carter Fergerson
What to look for: The Quakers have rode the high-wire act a couple of times this season, pulling out one-point wins over West Lafayette Harrison in Week 2 and Perry Meridian last Friday. Their defense has been stingy, allowing just 15.5 points per game, so it’ll be interesting to see how a Greenwood offense putting up nearly 40 a week fares. The bigger question for the Woodmen, though, is whether it can tighten up a defense that’s given up at least four touchdowns each week and yielded 59 points in last week’s loss to Mooresville.
Whiteland (2-2) at Perry Meridian (1-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Warriors are 5-0 in conference clashes against the Falcons, winning last year’s meeting by a 47-23 score.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 76.04 (42nd), Perry Meridian 75.03 (44th)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Ollie Taylor, RB Slate Valentine, WB Gunnar Hicks, LB Jordan Palmer, DB Andrian Kolleigbo; Perry Meridian — QB Allen Zupan, RB/LB Zachary Huckaby, WR Byron Hon, LB Andy Warren, LB Isaac Williams
What to look for: This game has traditionally been a layup for Whiteland, with last year’s 24-point spread by far the closest in this recent rivalry. But the Falcons are showing growth under former Indian Creek coach Brett Cooper, pushing Mid-State leaders Franklin and Plainfield to the limit the last two weeks after hammering cross-district foe Southport. The Warriors showed some much-needed offensive diversity in the second half of the Franklin game; they’re probably going to need to flash that again to keep their perfect series record.
Triton Central (3-1) at Indian Creek (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Tigers have won three straight and six of seven overall, including a 49-14 rout last season.
Sagarin ratings: Triton Central 73.49 (48th), Indian Creek 53.91 (134th)
Players to watch: Triton Central — QB Jace Stuckey, RB Ray Crawford, WR/DB Zeke Robertson, WR/LB Brayden Wilkins; Indian Creek — QB Jalen Sauer, RB/DB Malachi Mink, WR Bobby Emberton, WR/DB Levi Pappas, LB Carson Volz
What to look for: The Braves have found a groove, especially on offense, in back-to-back wins over Owen Valley and Galesburg (Illinois). Can they keep it going against perhaps the toughest team on their schedule? The Tigers have three wins by 27 points or more, including last week’s 55-28 rout of Monrovia. The Creek defense — which pitched a shutout against Owen Valley in Week 3 — will need to be particularly sharp to keep the game within reach all the way through.
Milan (2-2) vs. Greenwood Christian (2-2)
at Center Grove Middle School North
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Milan 49.42 (157th), GCA 15.11 (284th)
Players to watch: Milan — QB Wyatt Marsh, RB/DB Austin Green, RB/DB Mason Green, WR/DB Dylan Offill, TE/LB Ethan Pierce; GCA — QB/DB Trey Dobson, RB/DB Nathan Goins, RB/LB Evan McIntire, OL/DL Luke Chitty
What to look for: This is another ambitious test for the Cougars, their third game against an established Class A program. Milan’s record is deceptive, as it’s played three 3A opponents and a 2A, so it comes in battle tested. The offense, led by Marsh and the two Greens, is balanced and the defense is an opportunistic one; Offill has three interceptions already. Can GCA avoid turning the ball over, especially through the air, and sustain scoring drives to keep pace? It won’t be as easy as it’s been the last two weeks.
Roncalli (2-2) at Guerin Catholic (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Royals have taken all seven games since the formation of the Circle City Conference, including last year’s 49-10 win.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 83.30 (23rd), Guerin Catholic 77.21 (36th)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Collin Ash, RB Henry Adams, RB/LB Ben Brandenburg, WR Christian Swiezy, LB J.J. Prendergast; Guerin Catholic — QB Ryan Zimmerman, RB Peter Rooney, WR Alex Gibbs, DB Aaron Keller, DB Malcolm Houze
What to look for: The Golden Eagles have never taken down the Royals, but this might be their best shot to do so. Ranked second among 3A teams in both polls and by Sagarin, they’re fresh off a big 34-29 win against Brebeuf Jesuit and coming in confident. Zimmerman (637 passing yards) has a diverse receiving corps to work with, and Rooney (511 yards rushing) spearheads an effective ground game. It’ll be a challenge for the Royal defense; an up-and-down Roncalli offense will need to do its part to keep pace.
Edinburgh (0-4) at North Daviess (3-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: The Cougars took the inaugural clash between the two last fall, 44-20, in Edinburgh.
Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh minus-3.68 (309th), North Daviess 32.99 (230th)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB Caleb Murphy, RB/DB Connor Ramey, WR/DB Jackson Hartwell, WR/DB Gabe Bennett, OL/DL Dakota Graw; North Daviess — QB Brock Knepp, RB Coltyn McNabb, RB/LB Keaton Graber, WR Drew Boyd, DB Travis Raber
What to look for: Some sign that the Lancers, who’ve been outscored 87-20 the last two weeks, haven’t quit on the season less than halfway through. The offense — which has totaled 33 points in four games — has lacked consistency and punch, and a defense that has produced numerous goal-line stands needs to get off the field before those first-and-goal situations come about. Doing so against a North Daviess team that has hung at least 34 points on three of its four opponents so far could be a tall order.
