Courier & Press predictions for Week 6 of high school football in SW Indiana
EVANSVILLE — This marks an important week on the high school football calendar.
We've passed the midway point of the season with only four weeks remaining until the state tournament. Ready or not, the sectional draw is around the corner as stakes are increasing each Friday. The title races are on for the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference and Pocket Athletic Conference.
A few games this week will play an important role in each conference. Onto those and other top matchups in week six in our weekly predictions.
Season standings (Last week)
Treasure Washington 25-5 (5-1)
Kyle Sokeland 23-7 (5-1)
Anthony Kristensen 19-11 (4-2)
Memorial (5-0) at Bosse (1-4)
Kyle Sokeland: This likely comes down to one matchup: Elijah Wagner vs. the Memorial defense. If he gets in space, maybe the Bulldogs make it interesting compared to recent history. The Tigers' D is the unquestioned strength of this team now. Memorial 35, Bosse 13.
Treasure Washington: We've talked about Wagner and Bosse's offense plenty this season, but I'm interested to see more of what Will Pedtke can do at quarterback in Matthew Fisher's absence. He put up decent numbers last week against Harrison (147 yards, TD, INT), but I think his stats will improve against the Bulldogs. They've given up many passing touchdowns so far this season. Memorial 34, Bosse 24.
Anthony Kristensen: A lot like Kyle said, this will come down to how well Memorial can contain Wagner. I'm expecting this to be a high-scoring matchup, but I think the Tigers just about get it done. Memorial 48, Bosse 35.
High school football: Storylines we'll be watching for during Week 6 across SW Indiana
Mount Vernon (4-1) at Boonville (2-3)
KS: The Wildcats' schedule gets tougher as the season progresses. For now, they're winning games they're supposed to win. Boonville has played well in spurts but needs a complete effort. Mount Vernon 28, Boonville 14.
TW: These Mount Vernon-Boonville games have gone down to their wire a few times in recent years. The road team has won in this series every meeting since 2018. It's likely the streak continues. Mount Vernon 30, Boonville 23.
AK: This is a fun matchup on paper. I think Nicot Burnett is the most under-talked-about player in the area and I think he has a big game to put the Wildcats over the top. Mount Vernon 35, Boonville 28.
North (3-2) at Mater Dei (1-4)
KS: This is an important marker for the Huskies considering its streak against the Wildcats and the immediate schedule coming up. Mater Dei has played better recently. North 27, Mater Dei 17.
TW: I've been impressed with Sam McKinney this season. He looks more in control leading North's offense, and he threw a school-record five touchdown passes last week. While I doubt he replicates that this week, I think the Huskies can take down the Wildcats for the first time in 16 years. North 24, Mater Dei 20.
AK: North has one of the better run games in the area, which I see as the tipping point here. Mater Dei has shown some progression, but I think the Huskies get the win. North 28, Mater Dei 20.
Scoreboard: Here's the full Week 6 Evansville-area high school football schedule
Tell City (3-2) at Southridge (3-2)
KS: I don't think Southridge is 28 points worse than Gibson Southern. It was just the right second-half sequencing from the Titans. The Raiders need to refocus against a solid Marksmen' rushing attack between Landon and Noah Terry. Southridge 30, Tell City 15.
TW: This will be a huge game, and Tell City could spring up the PAC Small School Division standings should it defeat Southridge. But the odds aren't in the Marksmen's favor. The Raiders have also never lost consecutive games under Scott Buening. Southridge 30, Tell City 17.
AK: Southridge is one of the better teams in the area. The Raiders should get the win over a tough Marksmen team. I could see it going the other way, but I'm sticking with the home team. Southridge 24, Tell City 14.
Reitz (5-0) at Castle (3-2)
KS: The loss from the Knights last week takes some shine away from another strength (Reitz defense) vs. strength (Castle offense) matchup. I'm still waiting for a complete performance against a strong opponent from the Panthers' offense. Reitz 27, Castle 20.
TW: With Antonio Harris and Max McCool as the main weapons, Castle's offense is as good as anyone in this area. But it's so tough scoring against Reitz's defense. The Panthers have limited opponents to 5.6 points per game, and the Knights struggled offensively last year at Reitz Bowl as well. Reitz 27, Castle 24.
AK: This is probably the top SIAC game of the week. The Panthers and the Knights are some of the top teams in the area and should produce a tough matchup. I think Reitz wins in a tight, entertaining matchup. Reitz 24, Castle 21.
High school football in SW Indiana: Complete coverage from the 2023 season
Heritage Hills (5-0) at Gibson Southern (3-2)
KS: Undeniably the game of the week. It's a good thing for the area when Heritage Hills is at a high level again. I absolutely foresee a path to victory for the Patriots. But I just think Gibson Southern keeps improving and its early schedule prepared it for this type of game. Gibson Southern 31, Heritage Hills 24.
TW: I'm not taking anything away from the Titans and their success. But this Heritage Hills defense has mostly played lights out and is so much fun to watch. Todd Wilkerson and the Patriots have won in Fort Branch before, and for my bold prediction, they can do it again. Heritage Hills 28, Gibson Southern 27.
AK: This will be a fun one to watch and is the overall area game of the week. Both these teams have good defenses and can score a lot of points. As I've said in the past, one of the biggest lessons I've learned since I moved here is to not bet against Nick Hart. I'm sticking with that here. Gibson Southern 30, Heritage Hills 27.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Courier & Press predictions Week 6 high school football SW Indiana
