SCOUTING TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS
Center Grove (5-1) at Pike (1-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Trojans have taken the last five meetings, including a 49-0 road win last season.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 92.78 (seventh in Indiana), Pike 71.04 (54th)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Rylan Cook, WR Noah Coy, LB Owen Bright, LB Kaden McConnell; Pike — QB Juju Rodriguez, WR Bryce Hughes, DL Ifeoluwa Adeoba II, LB Dammy Adeoba
What to look for: Outside of a rout of hapless Southport, it’s been a difficult year for the Red Devils, who were shut out in back-to-back games against Fishers and Ben Davis and generally have not been able to generate enough offense to keep pace with higher-end opposition. The Trojans certainly qualify as such. Nobody has been able to slow the Cherry-to-Coy pairing, and Center Grove’s ground game is rounding into form as well. A running clock is likely.
Franklin (4-2) at Plainfield (5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Grizzly Cubs have taken three of the last four, including a 35-12 triumph a year ago.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 68.80 (65th), Plainfield 76.05 (41st)
Players to watch: ; Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB Alex Leugers, WR Quentin Richards, DL Blake Smythe, DB Jake Dinkens; Plainfield — QB Hunter Newell, RB Luke Starnes, WR Ja’mir Bouie, LB Landon Drennan, DB Carter Fergerson
What to look for: The Quakers were in control of a wild Mid-State Conference race until last week’s surprising loss at Decatur Central; now, it’s anybody’s ball game, but tonight’s winner will have a critical one-game advantage on the field going into the final two weeks. Franklin has looked the part more often than not, but it will need to eliminate the ill-timed mistakes that sank its hopes at Martinsville and nearly allowed Mooresville to storm back last week. Win the turnover battle, win the league.
Decatur Central (4-2) at Greenwood (4-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Hawks’ 52-12 home win last year extended their series winning streak to 10 games; only one of those — a 13-12 thriller in 2017 — was decided by single digits.
Sagarin ratings: Decatur Central 72.96 (50th), Greenwood 64.06 (92nd)
Players to watch: Decatur Central — QB Bo Polston, RB N’Po Dodo, WR Chris Richmond, LB Halbert Aguirre, DB Brayden Lafollette; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB Alan Burnett, WR/DB Tanner Crouch, WR Amare Middleton, LB Cole Basey
What to look for: The Woodmen have to feel like this is their best chance to get the Hawks since the 2017 semistate season. Decatur is far from its usual overpowering self — its four wins have come by a combined 14 points — and the Greenwood offense has shown the firepower to keep up with just about anybody. The Hawks are always one of the Mid-State’s most athletic teams, though, so the Woodmen receivers will work to get separation. This could turn into a track meet; if so, Greenwood will have a shot in the end.
Whiteland (3-3) at Mooresville (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Warriors pulled away for a 48-30 home win last fall, its fourth in a row against the Pioneers.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 70.99 (55th), Mooresville 70.20 (62nd)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Ollie Taylor, RB Slate Valentine, DL Scott Harden, LB Jordan Palmer, DB Andrian Kolleigbo; Mooresville — QB Hogan Denny, RB/DB Landon Clements, WR Levi Dorn, DL Elijah Phillips, DB Kaden Bruhn
What to look for: Undermanned but never underprepared, the Warriors got a big bounce-back victory last week against Martinsville. Can it keep the good times rolling this week on the road? Mooresville looked very human for most of the night at Franklin last Friday but made a furious comeback bid in the fourth and nearly pulled it out. Which version of the Pioneers will show up this evening? Containing Denny, a dual threat and one of the area’s best all-around athletes, will be of the utmost importance for the Whiteland defense.
Indian Creek (3-3) at Speedway (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first game between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 50.78 (151st), Speedway 50.41 (153rd)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Jalen Sauer, RB/DB Malachi Mink, WR Bobby Emberton, WR/DB Levi Pappas, LB Carter Modlin; Speedway — QB Connor Moreland, RB/LB Jazz Coleman, WR/DB Avery Mitchell, OL/DL Damola Ajani, OL/DL Isaac Graber
What to look for: A seemingly dead-even battle. Each team features a diverse receiving corps and a capable QB, with the Sparkplugs perhaps enjoying a slight advantage in the run game. Speedway’s defense is led by its front line; the Braves will need to get strong protection from its offensive line to neutralize Ajani and Graber and give Sauer time and space to work. Expect a close game that could hinge on one momentum-shifting play at any time.
Irvington Prep (0-6) at Edinburgh (0-6)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Irvington minus-21.26 (316th), Edinburgh 1.78 (303rd)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB Caleb Murphy, WR/DB Gabe Bennett, OL/DL Dakota Graw
What to look for: The Ravens are the worst team in the state, according to Sagarin, so if the Lancers are going to get a win this season, this would be the one to get. However, Edinburgh will be without the services of perhaps its top two players in quarterback Connor Ramey (injured) and leading rusher and tackler Jackson Hartwell (ejected last week); that could make things a bit more difficult. Edinburgh should still be viewed as a favorite — Irvington has been outscored 405-14 this season, allowing at least 56 points in each game — but it can’t really afford to take anything for granted.
Greenwood Christian (3-3) at Clarksville (0-6)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Generals rolled to a 46-8 victory last season in GCA’s debut campaign.
Sagarin ratings: GCA 22.52 (261st), Clarksville 9.20 (292nd)
Players to watch: GCA — QB/DB Trey Dobson, RB/DB Nathan Goins, RB/LB Evan McIntire; Clarksville — QB/DB Christian Lee, RB/LB Josh Hall, RB/LB Max Scowden
What to look for: A reversal of fortune from last year, perhaps? Clarksville dominated last year’s meeting, but GCA is a year older and wiser and Clarksville has fallen off hard this fall after losing coach Justin Boser to Greenwood. The Generals have been outscored 155-24 over the last three weeks, while the Cougars have some momentum after winning three of their last four. With another winless team (Fort Wayne Blackhawk) on deck next week, Andre Dobson’s team has a chance at a .500 record in just its second season of existence.
Roncalli (3-3) at Louisville Male (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Royals were a 28-7 home winner over the Bulldogs last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 78.77 (32nd)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Collin Ash, RB Zach Dozier, RB/LB Ben Brandenburg, WR Christian Swiezy, LB J.J. Prendergast; Male — QB Kolter Smith, RB Chayce Burton, WR Max Gainey, DL Kevin Wilson, LB Solomon Conley
What to look for: The Royals are hoping to bounce back from what was at least a mildly surprising loss to Brebeuf last week — but tonight’s game, and the remainder of the regular-season slate, aren’t going to be very forgiving. Male has long been a Kentucky blueblood, and it’s in strong position to contend for a Class 6A state title down there this fall. Roncalli got its passing game untracked last week, but it did so while playing from behind all night; can it get the offense going earlier and establish some balance and consistency?
