SCOUTING THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS
Trotwood-Madison (Ohio) (0-4) at Center Grove (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 93.99 (fourth in Indiana)
Players to watch: Trotwood-Madison — QB Ke’Arron Stroud, RB Daylan Dennis, OL Jermiel Atkins, DL Jamarcus Whyce, DB Terrence Harrell; Center Grove — QB Gabe McWilliams, RB Austin Hennessy, WR Drake McClurg, LB Lincoln Bright, DB Luke Barrett
What to look for: After averaging 30-plus points a week over the previous two years, the visiting Rams have sputtered offensively this fall, getting shut out in the opener and failing to hit the 20-point mark in any of its first four games. That’s not a recipe for success against a Trojan team that has been lighting it up through the air this season, with McWilliams already at 1,000 passing yards and three different receivers capable of busting a big play at any time. Trotwood-Madison hasn’t been bad on defense, but it’ll need to be airtight tonight if it’s going to steal a win at Center Grove.
Martinsville (4-0) at Franklin (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Artesians have taken the last three meetings, including last season’s 32-14 home win.
Sagarin ratings: Martinsville 74.52 (42nd), Franklin 60.43 (116th)
Players to watch: Martinsville — QB A.J. Reynolds, RB Austin Pryor, WR Hunter Stroud, WR Mason Dodson, DL Noah Sumner; Franklin — QB Greyson Betts, RB Alex Leugers, WR Braeden Bonesteel, OL/DL Blake Smythe, LB Isaac Broughton
What to look for: The Class 4A No. 4 Artesians have allowed more than 30 points in each of their last three games, but it hasn’t mattered because no one has been able to slow down their dynamic offense. In the process, they’ve emerged as one of the front-runners in a crowded Mid-State Conference race. The Grizzly Cubs have struggled with consistency over the last two weeks, whether failing to finish their own drives or unable to get off the field on third or fourth down defensively. That’s going to have to change if Franklin wants any chance at pulling off a homecoming upset.
Perry Meridian (2-1) at Whiteland (2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Falcons’ 28-13 victory last fall was their first in six tries against the Warriors.
Sagarin ratings: Perry Meridian 65.68 (91st), Whiteland 67.08 (81st)
Players to watch: Perry Meridian — QB Allen Zupan, RB Jonathan Hunter, WR Byron Hon, LB Andy Warren, LB Isaac Williams; Whiteland — QB Ollie Taylor, RB Slate Valentine, FB/LB Jordan Palmer, OL Jonah McIntosh, LB Clayton Ratliff
What to look for: The Warriors showed their mettle by owning the second half of last week’s rivalry clash against Franklin; now, they’ll try to carry that momentum into tonight’s battle with an improved Falcons team. Whiteland won’t be taking this one for granted after losing at Perry last week — but can it bring the same energy it did against the Grizzly Cubs, and has Valentine healed up sufficiently after gutting through an injured hip in that win?
Plainfield (4-0) at Greenwood (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Quakers have won the last eight clashes between the two, including a 46-20 victory last season.
Sagarin ratings: Plainfield 83.19 (18th), Greenwood 58.76 (128th)
Players to watch: Plainfield — QB Bryce Sebanc, RB Luke Starnes, RB Westyn Weyrich, DL Thomas Strange, LB Tyler Simek; Greenwood — QB Aiden Houseman, RB/DB Gunner Ruppert, RB Anthony Scaramazzo, WR/DB Davion Jones, OL/DL Carter Swain
What to look for: The Quakers haven’t been otherworldly, but they’re ranked atop the Class 5A heap after three straight double-digit wins. Stopping Plainfield’s power run game will be a tall task for the Woodmen defense, but Greenwood has been pretty tough to stop itself, hanging 40 points on Mooresville last week and averaging 33 for the season. Ruppert ran for a school-record 334 yards against the Pioneers, but he’ll also be needed on the defensive end to help slow the Quaker attack; how effective will he and Greenwood’s other two-way stalwarts be over the 48 minutes?
Indian Creek (1-3) at Greencastle (1-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first showdown between the two schools since the Braves’ 47-0 victory in 2014.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 46.82 (181st), Greencastle 41.69 (204th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Evan Clark, RB Malachi Mink, WR Bobby Emberton, WR/DB Levi Pappas, WR/DB Jaxon Ramey; Greencastle — QB Cole Stephens, RB/DB Cayden Blodgett, WR Anthony Adams, WR/DB Ian Williamson, OL/DL Jacob Simmerman
What to look for: The Braves had some momentum after a Week 3 rout of Owen Valley but stalled in last week’s loss to a potent Lapel squad. Tonight offers a good chance to get back on track, as the Tiger Cubs come in off a four-touchdown defeat against a middling Class A team (South Putnam). If Clark can avoid freshman mistakes and Mink can do enough on the ground to keep Greencastle’s defense honest, Creek has a good chance to come out of this one with a win.
Greenwood Christian (3-1) at Milan (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Indians were a 49-6 winner in the teams’ first meeting last season.
Sagarin ratings: GCA 36.86 (220th), Milan 57.77 (131st)
Players to watch: GCA — QB/DB Trey Dobson, RB/DB Danny Honeycutt, RB/LB Evan McIntire, WR/DB Zach Haynes, OL/DL Eli Jackson; Milan — QB Wyatt Marsh, RB/DB Austin Green, RB/LB John McKeown, WR/DB Dylan Offill, OL/DL John Mutz
What to look for: The Cougars have been on fire during their current three-game win streak, putting up 49 points in each of the last two weeks. They’ll need that firepower to hang close against probably their toughest opponent of the season to date. Milan’s record is deceptive, as they’ve faced three Class 3A teams (losing to No. 4 Batesville by one point); GCA will need to not only hit on the big plays they’ve been producing all season, but also get some defensive stops and show some staying power against a bigger and deeper team.
North Daviess (3-1) at Edinburgh (0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Cougars have won both previous meetings comfortably, including a 56-28 home triumph last year.
Sagarin ratings: North Daviess 41.39 (205th), Edinburgh 3.51 (309th)
Players to watch: North Daviess — QB/DL Keaton Graber, RB/DB Connor Combess, RB/DB Coltyn McNabb, WR/LB Anderson Aiman, OL/DL Brees Wolford; Edinburgh — QB/DB Samson Parkhurst, RB/DL Milas Burkman, WR/DB Jared Myers, OL/DL Cooper Cordray
What to look for: Frankly, a pulse. The Lancers were already in rough shape before being hammered by a wave of injuries that’s forced underclassmen into the fire; as a result, they’ve been outscored 153-0 over the last three weeks. The Cougars, meanwhile, come in on a three-game win streak after beating Class 3A Princeton on the road last Friday. Edinburgh will have a first-time starter under center after Caleb Murphy was injured last week — avoiding a shutout and/or a running clock would have to be considered a moral victory given the current state of affairs.
Guerin Catholic (3-1) at Roncalli (1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Royals have claimed all eight meetings since 2016, including a 35-21 win a year ago.
Sagarin ratings: Guerin Catholic 77.21 (34th), Roncalli 71.74 (57th)
Players to watch: Guerin Catholic — QB Malcolm Houze, RB Jack Linden, WR Hayden Cler, WR Aidan Horn, LB Dylan Vargas; Roncalli — QB Collin Ash, RB Zach Dozier, WR Drew Nelson, DL Sam Neu, LB Carson Keller
What to look for: Score-wise, who knows? The Royals dropped a 14-0 yawner at Columbus North last week, while Guerin fell short in a 69-62 shootout against Brebeuf Jesuit. The Golden Eagles average 46.5 points a game but are allowing 38, so the defense is vulnerable if Roncalli can take advantage. Given the Royals’ recent output — one field goal and zero touchdowns in the last eight quarters — it’s fair to question whether they can, but the Bishop Chatard and Columbus North defenses were considerably more stout than Guerin’s appears to be.
