Local Sports

Scouting Friday’s sectional football games

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Class 4A Greenwood (2-7) at East Central (7-2) Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight Recent history: The Trojans have won the last six meetings, including a 49-35 sectional semifinal win in Greenwood two years ago and a 27-14 semistate victory in 2017. Sagarin ratings: Greenwood 55.17 (122nd overall, 27th in Class 4A), East Central 83.89 (23rd overall, fourth in 4A) Players to watch: Greenwood — QB Brock Riddle, RB/LB Gavin Ruppert, RB Noah Apgar, TE Carter Campbell, DE Dylan Mayhew; East Central — QB Cole Burton, RB Trae Ohmer, WR Eli Aston, DB Samual Ringer What to look for: The Woodmen showed some fight in their regular-season finale, putting up one of their best performances of the year in taking rival Whiteland down to the wire. They’ll need to muster even more of that this week against the Trojans, who are coming off of a similarly close loss at Roncalli. East Central has only allowed three opponents to reach double digits, so it will be interesting to see if Greenwood’s run-dominant offense can make any headway. If it can play the same brand of physical ball it did against the Warriors, there’s a chance this one could be close for a while. Roncalli (9-0) at Western (6-3) Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight Radio: CBS Sports 1430, roncallimedianetwork.com Recent history: This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 95.76 (seventh overall, first in 4A), Western 56.76 (111th overall, 25th in 4A) Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Aidan Leffler, RB Caden Gore, WR Kyle Lockard, LB Tyson Garrett, DB Michael Hegwood; Western — QB Dylan Bryant, RB/DB Hayden Shepherd, OL/DL Carter Jarvis, OL/DL Evan Stout What to look for: The Panthers had won five in a row against lesser Hoosier Conference competition before getting wood-chippered by Class 3A No. 1 West Lafayette, 44-0, in the league title game last week. They’re unlikely to fare much better against the Royals, who have been consistently dominant against a much more difficult schedule. Bryant and Shepherd have combined for 2,010 yards rushing, but Western has little passing game to speak of. It’s going to have to lean on that ground game and eat up lots of clock to have any sort of shot at the upset. Class 3A Indian Creek (2-7) at Indianapolis Washington (3-5) Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight Recent history: The Braves rolled to sectional wins over the Continentals in 2015 (62-14) and 2016 (49-6). Sagarin ratings: Indian Creek 33.80 (219th overall, 42nd in Class 3A), Washington 16.96 (272nd overall, 56th in 3A) Players to watch: Indian Creek — QB Aidan Neathery, RB/LB Brandon Murray, WR Sam Creek, LB James Kelly, LB Wyatt Reason What to look for: Indian Creek has been sputtering offensively in recent weeks, getting shut out by Sullivan and Northview; can they get something going against the Continentals, who had won two in a row before suffering a 20-6 loss at Tindley last week? The Braves, already assured of their first losing season since 2000, are just playing for pride at this point; this game offers a chance to build some positive momentum and earn an additional home game next Friday. Class A Edinburgh (5-4) at Indianapolis Lutheran (9-0) Kickoff: 7 p.m. tonight Recent history: The teams haven’t met since 2014, when the Saints cruised to a 55-7 sectional victory. Sagarin ratings: Edinburgh 28.46 (234th overall, 30th in Class A), Indianapolis Lutheran 77.80 (32nd overall, first in Class A). Players to watch: Edinburgh — QB/LB Riley Palmeter, RB/LB Jarrett Turner, WR/DB Caleb Dewey, WR/DB Braylon Bryant, WR/DB Colin Richardson; Lutheran — QB Montasi Clay, RB/LB Joe Davis, WR/DB Micah Mackay, WR/DB Jake Pasch, OL/LB Ethan Hill What to look for: The IHSAA’s antiquated “blind draw” couldn’t have been any crueler to the Lancers, who have likely drawn the Class A state champion in the first round for the second straight year. Edinburgh coach Tyler DeSpain is confident that his offense can move the ball against anyone — but it’s going to have to avoid the costly turnovers that have plagued it against many of the tougher teams on its schedule. There is absolutely no margin for error in this one if the Lancers hope to make it competitive and end their best season in years on a good note.

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