SCOUTING THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS
Center Grove (5-1) vs. Cathedral (3-2)
At Marian University
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Trojans pulled out a 45-38 home win last year, their second straight and fourth in the last five meetings.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 88.93 (ninth in Indiana), Cathedral 92.71 (fifth)
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Gabe McWilliams, WR Tristan Baxter, WR Brevin Holubar, LB T.J. Williams, DB James Soderdahl; Cathedral — QB Cameron Koers, RB Xavier Dangerfield, WR Devaughn Slaughter, LB Kyle Harden, DB Jack Lockhart
What to look for: The Irish have bounced back from a 1-2 start with convincing wins over Bishop Chatard and North Central; they’ve played a difficult schedule and boast more Division I-level talent than perhaps any team in the state. Center Grove has also been tested every week, though, and it keeps finding ways to win. The McWilliams-led air attack hasn’t really been stopped yet, and that should be able to keep the Trojans in it until the end, but don’t be surprised if this one comes down to the final minutes like most of the last few meetings have.
Plainfield (5-1) at Franklin (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Quakers have taken the last two games in the series, including a 38-3 rout last season.
Sagarin ratings: Plainfield 78.80 (31st), Franklin 55.03 (146th)
Players to watch: Plainfield — QB Bryce Sebanc, RB Luke Starnes, RB Westyn Weyrich, DL Thomas Strange, LB Tyler Simek; Franklin — QB Greyson Betts, RB Alex Leugers, OL/DL Blake Smythe, LB Isaac Broughton, DB Landen Basey
What to look for: The Grizzly Cubs haven’t been able to get out of their own way in conference play, letting winnable games against Perry Meridian and Mooresville slip away. Now, they face the unenviable task of dealing with a Plainfield squad that will no doubt be seething after its unbeaten season was lost at the hands of Decatur Central. The Quakers are big and physical and will provide quite a challenge to Franklin’s defensive front. Can Leugers help the home team fight fire with fire and keep the game close?
Mooresville (2-4) at Whiteland (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Pioneers snapped a four-game skid against the Warriors with last year’s 21-7 home win.
Sagarin ratings: Mooresville 55.09 (145th), Whiteland 72.86 (55th)
Players to watch: Mooresville — QB Connor Cruz, RB Tyler Denny, WR/DB Kaden Bruhn, OL/DL Chase Hudson; Whiteland — QB Ollie Taylor, RB Slate Valentine, FB/LB Jordan Palmer, WR/DB Eli Taylor, LB Clayton Ratliff
What to look for: It’s October, which has traditionally meant that the Warriors find a way to level up. They won’t be hurting for motivation, going up against a Pioneer team that beat it last year while also still smarting from a narrow-as-it-gets defeat at Martinsville in Week 6. Palmer has been getting more touches on offense in recent weeks, taking some of the workload off of Valentine. Whiteland should be able to control the clock and get itself back on track heading into a big game next week at potential sectional foe Plainfield.
Greenwood (2-4) at Decatur Central (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Hawks’ 63-42 triumph last fall extended their series win streak to 11 games, with the last Woodmen victory coming in 2012.
Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 57.91 (132nd), Decatur Central 84.02 (16th)
Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Ayden Houseman, RB Anthony Scaramazzo, WR/DB Davion Jones, OL/DL Carter Swain, LB Ethan Lobb; Decatur Central — QB Bo Polston, RB Fa’Rel Carter, WR Kasmir Hicks, LB Brayden Smith, ATH Mykul Campbell
What to look for: The Woodmen already had to face a powerful Plainfield team without Houseman; now, it heads into a second straight road game without two-way standout Gunner Ruppert at running back and on defense. His absence will be felt far more against the Hawks than it was last week against Perry Meridian. Greenwood proved that it can produce on the ground without him, with Scaramazzo rushing for nearly 200 yards in Ruppert’s stead — but will it have enough to overcome the talent gap between the two rosters tonight?
Arsenal Tech (3-2) at Indian Creek (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Arsenal Tech 46.00 (185th), Indian Creek 45.78 (186th)
Players to watch: Arsenal Tech — QB Damon Hooks, RB Michael Price, WR Tamarkus King, DB Jashon Johnson, DB Elijah Thomas; Indian Creek — QB Evan Clark, RB Drew Pingleton, WR Bobby Emberton, WR/DB Levi Pappas, WR/DB Jaxon Ramey
What to look for: The Titans have beaten up on three bad opponents and gotten shut out (and running-clocked) by two good ones. Tonight, they’ll likely meet somewhere in the middle against a Braves team that has suffered some heartbreaking defeats but showed some promise last week. Pingleton had a breakout game in the absence of leading rusher Malachi Mink, proving that Creek isn’t dependent upon any one player to move the ball on the ground. If Clark can avoid turnovers and run a steady ship, this is a winnable game for the home team.
Clarksville (0-6) vs. Greenwood Christian (4-2)
At Beech Grove Middle School
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The teams have split their two prior clashes, with the Cougars rolling to a 49-14 win a year ago.
Sagarin ratings: Clarksville 8.80 (303rd), GCA 35.70 (232nd)
Players to watch: Clarksville — QB Morgan Glover, RB/DB Christian Lee, OL/LB Cristian Gonzalez; GCA — QB/DB Trey Dobson, RB/DB Danny Honeycutt, RB/LB Evan McIntire, WR/DB Zach Haynes, OL/DL Eli Jackson
What to look for: Since former coach Justin Boser left to take the reins at Greenwood, the Generals have looked more like their basketball-playing namesakes, with GCA set to play the role of the Globetrotters this evening. Even after a wet weekend slowed the Cougars’ offense somewhat last week, they’re still scoring 38.3 points per game — exactly the amount Clarksville has allowed while being shut out three times. Expect GCA to take care of business here quickly.
Cincinnati La Salle (5-1) at Roncalli (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: Tonight marks the first-ever meeting between the two traditional heavyweights.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 82.23 (19th)
Players to watch: La Salle — QB Pat McLaughlin, LB Brady O’Connor, DB Colin Daniels; Roncalli — QB Collin Ash, RB Zach Dozier, WR Conner Kesler, DL Sam Neu, LB Carson Keller
What to look for: The Lancers went through a down stretch, going 6-16 over the last two seasons, but are enjoying a turnaround this fall. They’re also coming to Indy with a chip on their shoulder after a 38-0 loss to fellow Cincy power Moeller last week derailed their unbeaten season. Can the Royals keep them down? The defense has been largely outstanding, and Ash has found his footing under center, leading the offense to 75 points in the last two weeks. Roncalli has two difficult road trips ahead; can it snatch a win in its home finale?
North Central (Farmersburg) (1-5) at Edinburgh (0-6)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: The two schools have never met before on the gridiron.
Sagarin ratings: North Central 17.90 (289th), Edinburgh 5.14 (306th)
Players to watch: North Central — QB Hayden Schultz, RB Landon Tryon, WR/DB Sawyer Cox, OL/LB Colin Nieten, DB Blake Sturm; Edinburgh — QB Caleb Murphy, RB/DB Samson Parkhurst, RB/DL Milas Burkman, RB/DB Irving Luis-Orosco, OL/DL Landon Tetrick
What to look for: Edinburgh has been shut out in five straight games, matching a drought last seen in 2005 during the school’s ignominious run of six wins in 145 games from 1996 to 2011. There is a basis for hope tonight, though — an injury-ravaged team that was down about half of its starters in recent weeks should have several of them back in uniform, and the Thunderbirds might be the most beatable team on the schedule. None of that guarantees that Edinburgh will win or even score points tonight, but its chances are as good as they’ve been in a while.
