Indian Creek receiver Jaxon Ramey could play a big role in tonight’s game at Greenwood.
Daily Journal file photo
Greenwood and Indian Creek had little choice but to recycle last week’s heartbreaks into this week’s fuel.
Both teams lost by three points at home in their season openers, a reality that adds a layer of urgency to tonight’s game on the Woodmen’s eye-grabbing gray turf.
First-year Braves coach Max Goodin and the Woodmen’s Justin Boser, now in his second season at the helm, have examined the small sample size of where their squads have grown — and still need to improve.
“I think we’re in a good spot. I really do,” Goodin said. “We’ve just got to play better, and not shoot ourselves in the foot. You’re playing a team now with a bigger enrollment, so we need to compete at a high level.”
Interestingly, the schools never once squared in the first 38 seasons of Indian Creek football. From 1970 through 2007, the Braves faced Edinburgh on 40 occasions, Whiteland 14 times, Center Grove five and Franklin four. But never once Greenwood.
Since the series became a Week 2 staple in 2008, the Woodmen hold a 13-3 series lead. They’ve prevailed in eight of the last nine meetings, including last season’s 28-13 road triumph. Tonight marks the fifth time that both fell short in their respective openers before meeting.
Indian Creek displayed flashes of promise in last week’s 21-18 loss to Cascade. The Braves were driving deep into Cadets territory in the game’s waning minutes, but a fumble at the visitors’ 2-yard line with 1:19 showing thwarted the comeback attempt.
Freshman Evan Clark made the start at quarterback for Indian Creek, a sizable and potentially intimidating undertaking for someone making the immediate jump from middle school competition to varsity.
Clark, who threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to junior Jaxon Ramey late in the second period, proved particularly effective over the final two quarters.
“Evan had a good night. He performed well, and the moment wasn’t too big for him,” Goodin said. “We showed we can be down 11 points in the fourth quarter and come back. It’s a full team effort.”
The coach was also quick to point out the defensive performances of lineman Landon Thomas, cornerback Levi Pappas and linebackers Carson Volz and Grady Walker.
The Woodmen, meanwhile, displayed a balanced running attack in their 23-20 loss to Seymour, as backs Gunner Ruppert and Anthony Scaramazzo teamed with quarterback Ayden Houseman — all juniors — to rush for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
“We learned that we have eight new starters on offense,” Boser said. “Anthony Scaramazzo is going to be a good second back for us.”
Defensively, senior lineman Carter Swain tied junior linebacker Ethan Lobb for team-high honors in tackles with eight apiece. Boser also felt junior linebackers Carson Andreas and Tyson Jones performed well, along with senior end Brady Cave.
How well the Greenwood defensive line is able to pressure Clark in the pocket could be one of the determining factors in deciding tonight’s winner.
“We learned our defensive front seven is pretty solid, and we get another kid back, so we look to be even stronger,” Boser said. “I think with this team, you have to build them back up because they are younger.
“There’s no time to mope around because you have a Johnson County rival coming your way.”
TONIGHT’S GAMES
Indian Creek at Greenwood, 7 p.m.
Mt. Vernon at Franklin, 7 p.m.
Whiteland at Kokomo, 7 p.m.
Cloverdale at Edinburgh, 7 p.m.
Covenant Christian vs. Greenwood Christian at Beech Grove MS, 7 p.m.
Franklin Central at Roncalli, 7 p.m.
Fort Wayne Carroll at Center Grove, 7:30 p.m.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Due to print deadlines being earlier than in previous seasons, game recaps from tonight’s football games will not be in Saturday’s Daily Journal. They will be available to read online later tonight at dailyjournal.net as well as in Tuesday’s print edition.
