SCOUTING TONIGHT’S SECTIONAL SEMIFINALS
Class 6A
Franklin Central (4-5) at Center Grove (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Trojans pulled out a 14-10 sectional semifinal win on the road last year, their fifth victory in as many tries against the Flashes under Eric Moore.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin Central 85.15 (18th in Indiana, 10th in Class 6A), Center Grove 99.37 (second overall and in 6A)
Players to watch: Franklin Central — QB Nevan Tutterow, RB/WR/DB Jayon Harvey, WR William McKinley, LB Yushawn Hatchett, LB Stephen Kiarie; Center Grove — QB Tyler Cherry, RB Matthew Yoder, WR Noah Coy, LB Owen Bright, LB Kaden McConnell
What to look for: The Flashes’ record might not be, err, flashy, but they’ve played a brutal schedule and stayed close with some of the top teams in the state; this could very well be a competitive game all the way through as it was a year ago. Harvey, in particular, is a threat on both sides of the ball. In the end, though, the Trojans should have enough to get through — especially on its home field — against the biggest threat to its 13th sectional championship in a row.
Class 5A
Franklin (5-4) at Terre Haute South (4-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The lone meeting between the schools was the Grizzly Cubs’ 35-34 road victory in sectional play last season.
Sagarin ratings: Franklin 62.10 (94th in Indiana, 19th in Class 5A), Terre Haute South 66.52 (73rd, 17th in 5A)
Players to watch: Franklin — QB Clay Pinnick, RB Alex Leugers, DL Blake Smythe, LB Lance Jones, DB Jake Dinkens; Terre Haute South — QB Brady Wilson, RB Zyeiar White, WR A.J. Watkins, LB Brandon Freeman, DB Treva Branch
What to look for: The Grizzly Cubs had a difficult time with the Braves a year ago, and escaping a second time could be an even tougher ask. Terre Haute South boasts a potent and balanced offense with a 2,000-yard passer (Wilson), a 1,000-yard rusher (White) and playmakers in all three phases of the game. Franklin will need to not only come to play on defense, but also show the kind of offensive punch that it hasn’t consistently displayed this season.
Whiteland (5-4) at Terre Haute North (0-9)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The two squads got acquainted for the first time in last year’s sectional semi, when the Warriors rolled to a 63-3 home win.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 69.79 (63rd in Indiana, 13th in Class 5A), Terre Haute North 34.29 (217th, 30th in 5A)
Players to watch: Whiteland — RB Slate Valentine, WR Gunnar Hicks, DL Scott Harden, LB Jordan Palmer, DB Andrian Kolleigbo; Terre Haute North — QB Harrison Wetzel, RB/DB Sam Wiehert, WR Asiah Menke, LB Tristen Chatman, LB Jackson McDonald
What to look for: This hasn’t been a pleasant year for the Patriots, who have faced a running clock nearly weekly. The offense, which has been blanked four times this season, did score a season-high 27 points in Week 9 at Brebeuf Jesuit, but those all came against the Braves’ reserves in the second half. A defense that’s allowed at least 34 points in every game should be chum in the water for a Whiteland offense that might finally have everyone healthy tonight after a rocky regular season.
Class 4A
Jennings County (5-5) at Greenwood (5-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Sagarin ratings: Jennings County 38.50 (198th in Indiana, 49th in Class 4A), Greenwood 61.39 (100th, 25th in 4A)
Players to watch: Jennings County — QB Nathan Harrison, RB Branden Braun, LB Austin Byford, LB Josiah Hifo; Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB/LB Alan Burnett, WR/LB Tanner Crouch, WR/DB Amare Middleton, LB Cole Basey
What to look for: The records are identical, but the schedules played to get them were not — hence the large Sagarin spread. Greenwood’s arduous journey through the Mid-State Conference paid dividends in the sectional opener and should again; the Panthers, who have had to use three different quarterbacks this fall, lost by 24 to the Seymour team that the Woodmen beat in Week 1. As long as the defense can do something to contain the dangerous Braun (1,465 yards rushing, 24 TDs), Greenwood should be able to earn itself a date with top-ranked East Central in next week’s final.
Roncalli (4-6) at Mooresville (5-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Royals have taken the last four meetings, most recently a 42-14 home win in a 2020 semistate.
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 72.27 (52nd in Indiana, 11th in Class 4A), Mooresville 70.32 (60th, 13th in 4A)
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Collin Ash, RB Zach Dozier, RB/LB Ben Brandenburg, WR Christian Swiezy, LB J.J. Prendergast; Mooresville — QB Hogan Denny, RB Landon Clements, WR/DB Kaden Bruhn, WR Levi Dorn, DL Hunter Bennett
What to look for: The Royals have been more miss than hit offensively this season; they’ll need to be all hit tonight against the Pioneers, who boast a dangerous dual-threat quarterback in Denny and an array of other weapons. The offensive line has to protect Ash from Bennett, a disruptive force with 19 tackles for loss and 26 QB hurries. Bruhn (4 interceptions) leads an opportunistic secondary; Roncalli will need to move the ball effectively while also avoiding turnovers.
Class 3A
Indian Creek (7-3) at Franklin County (4-6)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Braves eked out a 37-36 victory on the Wildcats’ home field in a sectional quarterfinal last fall.
Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 57.92 (109th in Indiana, 22nd in Class 3A), Franklin County 47.29 (167th, 38th in 3A)
Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Jalen Sauer, RB/DB Malachi Mink, WR Bobby Emberton, WR/DB Levi Pappas, LB Carter Modlin; Franklin County
What to look for: The Braves might have been expecting a home game against South Dearborn, but the Wildcats spoiled those hopes with a 25-7 upset win last week. Indian Creek has made this long road trip before, barely surviving it a year ago in round one. It’s got a more dynamic and unpredictable offense this time, with Sauer offering a true dual threat under center. He’s been on a roll in recent weeks; can he keep it going and help the Braves — who’ve won seven of their last eight — extend their hot streak?
Class A
Edinburgh (1-8) at North Decatur (7-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Chargers’ 69-0 rout of the Lancers in Week 8 was their 10th straight series win, with all of those coming by 29 points or more.
Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh minus-6.74 (308th in Indiana, 54th in Class A), North Decatur 47.84 (163rd, 13th in A)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB Caleb Murphy, RB/DB Jackson Hartwell, RB/DB Irving Luis-Orosco; WR/DB Gabe Bennett; North Decatur — QB Mason Morris, RB Tyler Dean, WR/DB Kaden Muckerheide, OL/DL Owen Wiseman
What to look for: The Lancers were absolutely no match for the Chargers three weeks ago. Can they put up more of a fight on the road tonight? Two-way mainstay Connor Ramey remains out with an injury, and with the exception of a Week 7 win over lowly Irvington Prep, Edinburgh hasn’t mustered much in the way of scoring punch with or without him. North Decatur has beaten its five Class A opponents by a combined score of 230-23; barring a miracle, this one shouldn’t break that trend.
