IHSAA football sectionals: Ranking this week's best games on Rematch Friday
It is a full week of high school football with Class 6A and 5A in action in sectional semifinal games. It is a week dripping with great matchups. We count down the top-10 in Central Indiana here with a look at five more in the area and also some of the best around the state this week:
IHSAA football schedule: Sectional semifinals pairings for Oct. 27
What We Learned: Biggest winners, close calls, best teams out
10. Noblesville (3-6) at Zionsville (3-6), Class 6A Sectional 4
The records might not be impressive, but the winner of this game could be that upset sectional winner with a sub-.500 record we sometimes see in the postseason.
Noblesville won the Week 5 game over the Eagles, 24-7. The Millers stood at 3-2 at that point in the season, then lost four in a row — three by a touchdown or less. Noblesville wants to run the ball, averaging 268 yards on the ground, led by senior Logan Shoffner (1,133 yards, eight TDs) and Gage Gulley (520 rushing yards, 10 TDs). But Shoffner (14 catches, 304 yards, two TDs) and Aiden Brewer (17 catches, 302 yards, two TDs) are also receiving threats for quarterback Jacob Baker (870 passing yards, seven TDs).
Zionsville started 3-1 but is on a five-game losing streak. The Eagles’ defense has struggled during that stretch, but the offense can be dangerous with junior receiver Eugene Hilton (40 catches, 757 yards, nine TDs) as one of the state’s top playmakers.
This is a rematch of last year’s first-round sectional game, a 35-10 Noblesville win that marked the Millers’ first tournament victory in a decade.
9. Lutheran (8-0) at South Putnam (9-1), Class A Sectional 47
This is arguably two-time defending Class A state champion and top-ranked Lutheran’s toughest test in the south half of the bracket. The Saints, winning by an average margin of 33.2 points per game, have played one game closer than 28 points (a 28-9 win over Speedway in Week 8).
Lutheran junior Jackson Willis (1,634 passing yards, 24 TDs) and senior Braydon Hall (1,209 rushing yards, 17 TDs) lead the offense. The Saints are battling some injuries, but did not play in Week 9 and received a bye in this seven-team sectional last week.
South Putnam was 7-2 going into last year’s sectional game vs. Lutheran and lost 42-0. But the Eagles have knocked off Heritage Christian and Cascade this season. Junior quarterback Wyatt Mullin (1,745 passing yards, 21 TDs; 565 rushing yards, seven TDs) can hurt defenses with his arm and legs.
8. Plainfield (6-3) at Harrison (West Lafayette) (8-1), Class 5A Sectional 13
Plainfield was rolling along at 6-1 before scoring just 14 points combined in losses to Whiteland and Martinsville to end the season and missing out on a share of the Mid-State Conference championship.
Can the Quakers get it turned around here against a tough opponent? Plainfield defeated Harrison 15-14 in Week 2 and also knocked off the Raiders 35-28 in the first round of last year’s sectional. Plainfield quarterback Hunter Newell (1,289 passing yards, 11 TDs) and sophomore Luke Starnes (887 rushing yards, 12 TDs) are among the leaders for the Quakers’ offense.
Harrison, which has won seven consecutive games by at least 17 points since the loss to Plainfield, has a quarterback in senior Cailix Dillon who is an amazing 69-for-84 passing this season (82.1%) for 1,184 yards and 16 TDs. His top target is senior Carter Knoy (37 catches, 645 yards, eight TDs).
7. Lawrence Central (4-5) at Lawrence North (6-3), Class 6A Sectional 6
It is always hard to know what to expect when these rivals collide, which happens often in the sectional. Lawrence North knocked off the Bears two years ago in the sectional championship to clinch its first sectional title since 1990, the most-recent victory in a three-game sectional winning streak against Lawrence Central.
The Wildcats also own the advantage this season in the rivalry after a 41-26 win over the Bears in Week 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Lawrence North is fast, fast. Freshman Izayveon Moore (1,009 rushing yards, nine TDs) and junior Davion Chandler (34 catches, 695 yards, 10 TDs) are capable of scoring at any time and senior quarterback Montez Jones (537 passing yards, six TDs; 366 rushing yards, eight TDs) can get it done in multiple ways.
Lawrence Central has plenty of skill position talent of its own. Quarterback Bryson Luter (1,037 passing yards, 10 TDs; 414 rushing yards, four TDs in six games), sophomore Albert Gooden III (541 rushing yards, six TDs), senior Demarcus Cole (25 catches, 468 yards, two TDs) and junior Nizyi Davis (29 catches, 410 yards) are some of the key players for the Bears.
6. Brownstown Central (9-1) at Triton Central (9-1), Class 2A Sectional 39
No. 1 Triton Central is cruising along on a seven-game winning streak against a tough schedule since a 30-point loss to Class A top-ranked Lutheran. The Tigers, who have won four consecutive sectional titles, but advanced beyond the regional just once (in 2019), are loaded for a deep tournament run with an offense that is averaging 39.2 points per game led by quarterback Jace Stuckey (2,342 passing yards, 27 TDs; 701 rushing yards, eight TDs) and senior Brayden Wilkins (50 catches, 1,007 yards, nine TDs).
No. 3 Brownstown Central will test the Tigers’ defense. The Braves average 280 rushing yards per game and are coming off a 56-27 win over Scecina in the first round. Brownstown Central coach Reed May won his 300th game last week.
5. Westfield (8-1) at Carmel (5-4), Class 6A Sectional 4
Carmel looked like it might be playing its best football going into the sectional last year, but Westfield knocked off the Greyhounds 28-9. It was Carmel’s second sectional opening loss in 25 years (the other a 31-24 overtime classic against Warren Central in 2012).
These programs have a combined nine state championship appearances in the past 10 years, and both won state titles in 2016 (Carmel in 6A and Westfield in 5A) and are scheduled to play at Westfield in Week 2 of next season.
Westfield has the more explosive offense, led by senior quarterback Jackson Gilbert (1,750 passing yards, 18 TDs), junior receiver Gabe Aramboles (38 catches, 563 yards, five TDs) and senior Max Nosler (29 catches, 514 yards, six TDs). Carmel sophomore quarterback Anthony Coellner (683 passing yards, six TDs) has a bright future and junior Collin Johnson is coming off a 100-yard rushing game vs. Lawrence Central.
4. Franklin Central (4-5) at Center Grove (8-1), Class 6A Sectional 8
Why is this game so high on the list? Three-time defending 6A champion Center Grove needed a fourth-quarter drive and touchdown last year to get past Franklin Central, 14-10, in the first round of the sectional.
The Flashes have been looking forward to another chance at the Trojans going back to the end of last season. Franklin Central has several players back from that team, including all-everything senior Jayon Harvey (410 rushing yards, three TDs; 37 catches, 596 yards, three TDs; 72 tackles) and a dangerous quarterback in junior Nevan Tutterow (1,715 passing yards, 14 TDs).
Can Franklin Central make it a low-scoring game again? That would mean holding Center Grove’s duo of Duke recruit Tyler Cherry (2,115 passing yards, 22 TDs) and Notre Dame baseball recruit Noah Coy (65 catches, 978 yards, 13 TDs) at least somewhat in check. The second-ranked Trojans also appear to be running the ball better than they did early in the season.
3. Bishop Chatard (10-0) at Guerin Catholic (8-2), Class 3A Sectional 28
We thought last year Guerin Catholic might have a chance to upset Chatard in the sectional after a close loss in the regular season. It was not close. The Trojans pummeled the Golden Eagles 49-13 to win the sectional championship on its way to the 3A state title.
A different story this time? Chatard survived a 13-7 overtime win over Guerin in Week 6. But Chatard is coming off a 40-7 blowout win over Tippecanoe Valley, a team that is tied with Guerin for No. 3 in the state poll. Quarterback Aidan Arteaga returned from injury to pass for 172 yards and three TDs.
Guerin has a hungry team and a senior quarterback in Ryan Zimmerman, who was 18-for-27 for 193 yards and two TDs in Guerin’s 27-19 win over No. 9 Peru last week.
2. Greenfield-Central (9-1) at New Palestine (8-2), Class 4A Sectional 22
This is fourth-ranked Greenfield-Central’s big opportunity. The Cougars survived for a 27-17 win over Pendleton Heights in the first round and now gets a chance against Hoosier Heritage Conference rival and No. 3 New Palestine.
Previous history would not indicate Greenfield-Central has a shot. New Palestine has a 27-5 record all-time against the Cougars, including a 14-game winning streak. But while New Pal won the regular-season meeting, it was only by a 21-14 score.
Greenfield-Central has its most diverse offense in coach Travis Nolting’s tenure. The Cougars average 281 rushing yards per game, but junior quarterback Dallas Freeman has 1,319 passing yards and 19 TDs and a major threat at receiver in senior Kirk Knecht (36 catches, 652 yards, 10 TDs).
New Palestine is still the team to beat, though. Senior Grayson Thomas returned from a knee injury to put together a monster season with 1,861 rushing yards and 24 TDs and senior Kyler Kropp (29 catches, 639 yards, seven TDs) is the Dragons’ answer to Knecht.
1. Brownsburg (9-0) at Ben Davis (8-1), Class 6A Sectional 5
The marquee matchup of the night is No. 1 Brownsburg vs. No. 3 Ben Davis, a game that has state championship implications.
Last year, after Brownsburg defeated Ben Davis 48-20 in a sectional semifinal, Bulldogs coach John Hart said the Indiana High School Athletic Association and Indiana Football Coaches Association needed to “fix the tournament.” He added: “Maybe us or them would get beat by somebody else, but we shouldn’t be playing each other (in the first round). I could take two third graders and a box of crayons and fix it if they want me to.”
A year later, nothing has changed. If anything, both teams are better than a year ago. Brownsburg leans heavily on a running game featuring senior Garrett Sherrell (1,919 yards, 22 TDs), but quarterback Jake Dunn (64% passer, 1,525 yards, 17 TDs; 468 rushing yards, five TDs) and seniors Corey Smith (27 catches, 589 yards, seven TDs) and Cayden Olinger (34 catches, 562 yards, four TDs) are also major factors in the passing game.
Ben Davis is similarly talented on offense. Senior quarterback Thomas Gotkowski (64% passer, 1,786 yards, 25 TDs in eight games) has six targets with at least 13 receptions and four with 20 or more. Junior Mark Zackery (33 catches, 538 yards, seven TDs) and senior Nate Williams (38 catches, 393 yards, two TDs) are the leaders there and junior Alijah Price (599 rushing yards, eight TDs; 20 catches, 207 yards, four TDs) is a factor as a runner and receiver.
Expect fireworks. And maybe some third graders and a box of crayons.
The five next-best games in Central Indiana
∎ Roncalli (4-6) at Mooresville (5-5), Class 4A Sectional 21: The winner here would play the Lebanon-Brebeuf Jesuit winner. The last meeting between these programs came in the 2020 semistate, a 42-14 Roncalli win on its way to a state title.
∎ Tri-West (9-1) at North Montgomery (6-4), Class 3A Sectional 29: Tri-West can’t afford a letdown after its 42-7 win over Danville. The Bruins won the regular-season meeting 38-0 over North Montgomery.
∎ Lebanon (5-5) at Brebeuf Jesuit (5-4), Class 4A Sectional 21: Both teams survived tough openers. Lebanon held off Crispus Attucks 35-32 and Brebeuf scored late to knock off Northview 55-50.
∎ East Central (10-0) at Martinsville (7-3), Class 4A Sectional 23: It is a tall order here for Martinsville against the top-ranked and 4A defending champions. East Central won 47-0 in last year’s sectional matchup.
∎ Franklin (5-4) at Terre Haute South (4-5), Class 5A Sectional 14: This could be similar to Franklin’s 35-34 win at Terre Haute South in last year’s sectional game. Terre Haute South owns wins over Northview and Brebeuf this season.
Other big games around the state …
∎ Bloomington South (8-1) at Bloomington North (9-0), Class 5A Sectional 15: No. 1 Bloomington North knocked off No. 3 Bloomington South 25-24 in overtime back in Week 4.
∎ East Noble (8-2) at Leo (8-2), Class 4A Sectional 19: No. 10 Leo defeated No. 6 East Noble 14-7 in Week 5.
∎ West Noble (10-0) at Knox (10-0), Class 3A Sectional 26: Overlooked undefeated teams? Knox is ranked No. 9 in 3A and West Noble is unranked.
∎ Lawrenceburg (8-2) at Batesville (9-1), Class 3A Sectional 31: This is a rematch of Batesville’s 26-23 win over Lawrenceburg in Week 6.
∎ Heritage Hills (9-1) at Southridge (7-3), Class 3A Sectional 32: No. 7 Heritage Hills rolled to a 45-13 win over Southridge this season, though that was way back in Week 1.
∎ Evansville North (6-3) at Floyd Central (8-1), Class 5A Sectional 16: Evansville North defeated Floyd Central 24-7 in last year’s sectional matchup.
∎ Evansville Memorial (7-3) at Jasper (7-3), Class 4A Sectional 24: Evansville Memorial beat Jasper 30-13 in Week 1 and knocked the Wildcats out in the sectional last year.
∎ Rochester (7-2) at Lafayette Central Catholic (7-3), Class 2A Sectional 34: No. 10 Lafayette Central Catholic defeated Rochester 24-8 in last year’s sectional championship.
∎ Mississinewa (10-0) at Columbia City (6-4), Class 4A Sectional 20: Fifth-ranked Mississinewa has three sectional titles since 2017. Columbia City was a sectional champion last season.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football: Ranking sectional semifinals best games
