SCOUTING THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS
Lawrence Central (2-3) at Center Grove (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Trojans’ 31-7 victory last season was their sixth in a row over the Bears.
Sagarin ratings: Lawrence Central 76.99 (36th in Indiana), Center Grove 92.98 (fifth)
Players to watch: Lawrence Central — QB Terry Walker III, RB C.J Parks, WR Nizyi Davis, DL Robert Beasley, DL Gian Carter; Center Grove — QB Gabe McWilliams, RB Austin Hennessy, WR Drake McClurg, LB Lincoln Bright, DB Luke Barrett
What to look for: The Bears have split four one-score games this season, with the lone outlier a 35-0 loss to 6A No. 3 Warren Central in Week 4. They’ve shown the ability to score, putting up 40 points in a loss at Zionsville — but can they do that consistently? The Trojans have also run hot and cold at times offensively, but their explosive passing game always makes them a threat. Given Lawrence Central’s big and talented defensive line, the aerial route is likely Center Grove’s best path to victory.
Franklin (2-3) at Mooresville (1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The two teams have split the last four, with the Grizzly Cubs earning a 29-26 home win last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 57.15 (134th), Mooresville 48.92 (174th)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Greyson Betts, RB Alex Leugers, WR Braeden Bonesteel, OL/DL Blake Smythe, LB Isaac Broughton; Mooresville — QB Connor Cruz, RB Tyler Denny, WR/DB Kaden Bruhn, OL/DL Chase Hudson
What to look for: A battle between two young teams looking to hop off of the struggle bus after a rough going in recent weeks. The Grizzly Cubs lost a pair of winnable games before taking it on the chin against 4A No. 3 Martinsville last week, so they know they’re not far off; the key will be limiting mistakes and taking care of business on the defensive side, not allowing the Pioneers any extra chances. If Franklin tightens up its execution, a needed win is there for the taking.
Whiteland (3-1) at Martinsville (5-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Warriors avenged back-to-back series losses with a 34-22 home win a year ago.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 72.02 (60th), Martinsville 79.77 (26th)
Players to watch: Whiteland — QB Ollie Taylor, RB Slate Valentine, FB/LB Jordan Palmer, OL Jonah McIntosh, LB Clayton Ratliff; Martinsville — QB A.J. Reynolds, RB Austin Pryor, WR Hunter Stroud, WR Mason Dodson, DL Noah Sumner
What to look for: Perhaps the biggest style clash on the Mid-State Conference schedule. The Artesians have been a machine on offense, averaging 44 points a week behind the explosive pitch-and-catch duo of Reynolds and Stroud. Whiteland has the ability to slow that pairing down by controlling the clock with its methodical ground game, which has been showing more layers with Taylor and Palmer both getting more touches of late. The Warriors need a win to keep their league title hopes alive; the lower the score of the game, the better their chances.
Greenwood (2-3) at Perry Meridian (2-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Woodmen have taken four of the last five, including a 44-41 thriller last season.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 59.19 (126th), Perry Meridian 61.17 (112th)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Ayden Houseman, RB/DB Gunner Ruppert, RB Anthony Scaramazzo, WR/DB Davion Jones, OL/DL Carter Swain; Perry Meridian — QB Allen Zupan, RB Jonathan Hunter, WR Byron Hon, LB Andy Warren, LB Isaac Williams
What to look for: The Woodmen had been chugging along offensively until last week, when Houseman was out with a bone bruise and they drew a blank in a 28-0 loss to 5A No. 1 Plainfield. He’s back under center, which allows Ruppert (who played QB in his stead) to see more two-way action and should make this a pretty even matchup. With a tough closing stretch that includes upcoming road trips to Decatur Central and Whiteland, this feels like a game the Woodmen need to get.
Indian Creek (1-4) at Edgewood (2-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Braves have taken all eight meetings since joining the Western Indiana Conference in 2016, including last year’s 44-25 triumph.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 44.14 (200th), Edgewood 31.69 (249th)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Evan Clark, RB Malachi Mink, WR Bobby Emberton, WR/DB Levi Pappas, WR/DB Jaxon Ramey; Edgewood — QB Michael Law, WR/DB Nehemiah Strunk, TE/LB Gunnar Perry, LB Dylan Wickens
What to look for: It’s been a hard knock life for the Braves this fall, with an overtime loss at Greencastle last week the most crushing emotional blow yet. Tonight offers a prime opportunity to bounce back against a team they’ve dominated during their nine seasons in the WIC. Edgewood has been feast or famine, cracking 40 points in both of its wins but getting a combined three points in its three losses. If the Creek defense can make tonight look more like the latter, that should go a long way toward righting the ship with a big road win.
Edinburgh (0-5) at Switzerland County (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Pacers were a 19-6 winner last season, ending the Lancers’ two-year series reign.
Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh 3.51 (309th), Switzerland County 32.89 (241st)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB/DB Samson Parkhurst, RB/DL Milas Burkman, RB/DB Irving Luis-Orosco, OL/DL Landon Tetrick; Switzerland County — QB Alex Bailey, RB/LB Kolvin Beck, RB Keaton Mosley, RB Matthew Young, OL/DL Ethan Weaver
What to look for: A pulse? The Lancers haven’t scored a point since the Aug. 23 opener, and injuries have thinned what was already a less-than-menacing herd. The Pacers have lost two in a row after a 3-0 start, but one of those defeats was a respectable showing against a Milan team ranked in the Class A coaches’ poll. Before Edinburgh can worry about avoiding a winless season, it needs to avoid matching the 2005 team that got blanked in five straight weeks.
Roncalli (2-2) at Brebeuf Jesuit (4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Royals had won three in a row before the Braves’ 39-23 victory last season.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 77.81 (30th), Brebeuf 83.52 (17th)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Collin Ash, RB Zach Dozier, WR Conner Kesler, DL Sam Neu, LB Carson Keller; Brebeuf — QB Maverick Geske, RB C.J. Harris, WR Taylor Clark, LB Parker Maiers, DB Cameron Walters
What to look for: The 4A No. 7 Braves have been a high-wire act, scoring 56 and 69 points in consecutive games before pulling out a 28-27 road win over Carmel last week. Roncalli hasn’t consistently shown the same potency yet, so it will need to lean on a defense that held 4A No. 4 Chatard to nine points just two weeks after the Trojans put up 58 on Brebeuf. The Royals probably can’t win in a shootout, but if the score stays low, who knows?
Greenwood Christian (3-2) at North Central (Farmersburg) (1-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: The Cougars rolled to a 57-18 win last year in the inaugural meeting between the teams.
Sagarin ratings: GCA 40.69 (207th), North Central 13.79 (298th)
Players to watch: GCA — QB/DB Trey Dobson, RB/DB Danny Honeycutt, RB/LB Evan McIntire, WR/DB Zach Haynes, OL/DL Eli Jackson; North Central — QB Hayden Schultz, RB Landon Tryon, WR/DB Sawyer Cox, OL/LB Colin Nieten, DB Blake Sturm
What to look for: The Cougars have been explosive offensively, scoring 146 points over their last three games. The Thunderbirds haven’t shown much ability to keep pace, with just 35 total points in its four losses. Look for GCA to put this one out of reach early and finish off the first of what looks like four very winnable games to close out the regular season. Avoiding injuries should be a long-term priority, especially for a team that doesn’t have much in the way of available substitutes.
