IHSAA football Week 3 predictions: Big-time clashes coming Friday night in Central Indiana

The forecast calls for cooler weather than last Friday, but the schedule is hotter than ever for Week 3 of high school football. Plenty of great matchups. Here are predictions on all of this week’s games in Central Indiana. I was 35-9 last week to move to 71-18 (79.8%) on the season:

Decatur Central (2-0) at Whiteland (1-1): Can the come-from-behind Hawks do it again? Or maybe even do it without the fourth-quarter comeback? Decatur Central, ranked fourth in Class 5A, should take a lot of confidence into this Mid-State Conference showdown coming off wins over Columbus North and New Palestine, but the Hawks were beaten soundly (28-7) by Whiteland last season. The combination of quarterback Bo Polston (459 passing yards) to receiver Chris Richmond (11 receptions for 266 yards and three TDs) has been a winner for Decatur Central so far. No. 6 Whiteland, last year’s 5A state runner-up, struggled to run the ball last week against Kokomo (133 yards) in a 27-13 loss. Decatur Central 24, Whiteland 17.

Week 2: Decatur Central gets off the mat to throw last blow vs. New Pal.

Fishers (2-0) at Noblesville (2-0): Fishers, ranked seventh in 6A, blanked North Central and Pike by a combined 84-0 the first two weeks, but this will be a much more difficult assignment against a Noblesville team that has put up 48 and 42 points in wins over Mt. Vernon and Homestead. The Tigers, not surprisingly, have leaned on senior running back Khobie Martin (266 rushing yards, five TDs), but quarterback Bennett Gorak (58% passer, 348 yards, three TDs) has found success through the air to JonAnthony Hall (11 catches, 149 yards) and Joe Syrus (five catches, 84 yards, one TD). Noblesville, which jumped into the 6A poll at No. 10, is averaging 387.5 rushing yards through two weeks, led by senior Logan Shoffner (341 rushing yards, five TDs). Quarterback Jacob Baker has not thrown the ball a lot, but has been effective with 219 passing yards and two TDs. Fishers 27, Noblesville 23.

Lawrence Central (1-1) vs. Lawrence North (2-0), at Lucas Oil Stadium, 8 p.m.: This is one of the more intriguing games of the week as the Bears’ came within a 59-58 overtime loss to Westfield of both teams coming in with a 2-0 record. Lawrence Central quarterback Bryson Luter (21-for-25 passing for 515 yards and nine TDs) has been lighting it up through two weeks and also leading the Bears in rushing (109 yards, one TD). Lawrence North is averaging 247 yards on the ground through two weeks, led by freshman Izayveon Moore (233 rushing yards, three TDs) and senior Montez Jones (nine carries, 136 yards, three TDs). Lawrence Central won the rivalry game last year to end a four-game losing streak to the Wildcats. Can the Bears do it again and bounce back from the Westfield loss? Lawrence Central 35, Lawrence North 31.

Franklin Central (2-0) at Brownsburg (2-0): Brownsburg jumped three spots to No. 2 in the 6A poll this week after a 45-31 win over Cathedral. The Bulldogs’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders and senior Garrett Sherrell (408 rushing yards, five TDs) is off to a fast start. I’m surprised Franklin Central didn’t get more votes in the 6A poll this week after the Flashes knocked off Roncalli 20-6. For Franklin Central to win, it will need its defense to come up big. Senior lineman Elijah Shankle (six tackles for loss, two sacks) has played well through two weeks. The Flashes have struggled against Brownsburg since joining the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, losing five games by an average of 26.8 points per game. Brownsburg 31, Franklin Central 21.

Week 2: Jake Dunn answers Brownsburg QB questions in win over Cathedral

Week 2: Franklin Central is 2-0, but Flashes haven't made statement — yet.

Louisville Trinity (1-1) at Center Grove (1-1): Class 6A third-ranked Center Grove got back to its winning ways last week with a 28-10 victory over three-time defending Tennessee state champion Oakland. Next up is one of Kentucky’s best. Trinity lost 17-14 last week to Lexington’s Frederick Douglass in a matchup of two of Kentucky’s top teams. Center Grove’s Tyler Cherry is 35-for-45 passing for 441 yards and three TDs through two weeks. Center Grove 27, Louisville Trinity 20.

Week 2: Center Grove 'got our swag back' vs. Tennessee defending champ

Triton Central (2-0) at Lutheran (2-0): Whew. This should be a great game. Class A No. 1 Lutheran, the back-to-back defending champs, allowed only one team to score 20 points last season and that was in a 54-41 win over Triton Central. The Saints have won 31 consecutive Indiana Crossroads Conference games going back to 2018 and are again loaded on offense with junior quarterback Jackson Willis and skill position players like senior running back Braydon Hall. Triton Central rolled to wins over Cascade and New Castle led by Eastern Michigan commit Jace Stuckey at quarterback (617 passing yards, seven TDs). Lutheran 35, Triton Central 31.

Westfield (2-0) at Zionsville (2-0): Westfield found a way to win a 59-58 overtime shootout last week vs. Lawrence Central. Senior quarterback Jackson Gilbert (412 passing yards, four TDs; six rushing TDs) is off to a good start and Kendall Garnett (188 rushing yards, one TD) gives the 6A fifth-ranked Shamrocks a tough threat at running back. Zionsville has wins over Pike and Lebanon the first two weeks, but this will be a tougher matchup against a program the Eagles have not defeated in 10 tries. Quarterback Luke Murphy passed for 192 yards and three TDs against Lebanon. Westfield 34, Zionsville 21.

Roncalli (1-1) at Bishop Chatard (2-0): Roncalli looks to bounce back from a 20-6 loss to Franklin Central. The only points in that game by the 4A sixth-ranked Royals came via the defense on a 56-yard interception return by Ben Brandenburg. Can the defense hold up against the Bishop Chatard offense? The 3A top-ranked Trojans are coming off a 46-6 win over Tech. Riley Kinnett ran for 72 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in that game and caught a 25-yard TD pass. Roncalli has won the past three games in this series. Bishop Chatard 22, Roncalli 16.

Mt. Vernon (1-1) at Greenfield-Central (2-0): This is Greenfield-Central’s first real test of the season after outscoring Madison and Greensburg by a combined 106-0. The 4A ninth-ranked Cougars have lost 13 consecutive games to Mt. Vernon going back to the 2011 season, though last year’s game was a 35-28 shootout. It is difficult to glean too much information from the Greenfield-Central’s first two games, but the normally run-first Cougars are proving they can throw the ball with quarterback Dallas Freeman (340 passing yards, six TDs) and receiver Kirk Knecht (six catches, 205 yards, three TDs). Mt. Vernon has played a much tougher schedule, coming back from a season-opening loss to Noblesville before knocking off Franklin, 41-38, last week. Sophomore quarterback Luke Ertel (67.3% passer, 407 yards, three TDs) and junior running back Joliba Brogan (230 rushing yards, two TDs) can help the Marauders put up a lot of points. Greenfield-Central 31, Mt. Vernon 28.

Plainfield (2-0) at Mooresville (1-1): Plainfield, ranked eighth in 5A, has not started 3-0 in a full decade. The Quakers beat Mooresville that season to improve to 3-0, then went 1-6 the rest of the season. This Plainfield team, led by first-year coach Tyler Bless, seems to have its sights set higher after a 15-14 comeback win over Harrison (West Lafayette) last week. Senior Air Force commit Landon Drennan has 21 tackles and 5 ½ tackles for loss through two weeks. Drennan and the defense will have their hands full with Mooresville senior quarterback Hogan Denny, who has 402 rushing yards and four rushing TDs. Plainfield has not knocked off the Pioneers since 2017. Plainfield 21, Mooresville 20.

Pike (0-2) at Ben Davis (2-0): Everything is clicking for the 6A top-ranked Giants, who got 114 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries from Alijah Price in a 42-14 win over Avon last week. Pike accounted for just 154 yards of total offense last week in a 40-0 loss to Fishers. Ben Davis has won seven in a row in this series. Ben Davis 38, Pike 14.

Penn (2-0) vs. Cathedral (1-1), at Arlington: Penn moved up a spot to No. 8 in Class 6A after a 28-7 win over Mishawaka. The Kingsmen also defeated 5A defending state champion Valparaiso handily, 38-21, in the opener. Cathedral is looking to bounce back from a poor second half in a 45-31 loss to Brownsburg. The Irish did get a big game from senior Keith Long, who has 12 catches for 175 and two TDs through two weeks. Cathedral defeated Penn 35-21 last season. Cathedral 33, Penn 24.

Yorktown (2-0) at New Palestine (0-2): New Palestine dropped to No. 10 in this week’s 4A poll after a 43-42 loss to Decatur Central. Grayson Thomas (233 rushing yards, four TDs) had a huge game, though, which bodes well for the rest of the season. The Dragons have a strong 1-2 combo with Thomas and senior Kyler Kropp as playmakers. Yorktown rolled over Anderson (55-6) and Muncie Central (50-7). Quarterback Mason Moulton (401 passing yards, five TDs) is a three-sport athlete. New Palestine 41, Yorktown 23.

Avon (0-2) at Hamilton Southeastern (2-0): Class 6A fourth-ranked Hamilton Southeastern cruised to a 35-7 win last week over North Central and will look to stay unbeaten going into next week’s Mudsock game vs. Fishers. This Avon schedule is a tough one for first-year coach Rob Gibson. The Orioles lost last week 42-14 to No. 1 Ben Davis, now play No. 4 HSE, then No. 2 Brownsburg, Franklin Central, No. 7 Fishers and No. 5 Westfield. Sheesh. HSE 31, Avon 14.

North Central (0-2) at Warren Central (0-2): Warren Central played much better in Week 2 in an 18-14 loss at Carroll (Fort Wayne), especially on defense. The Warriors have six sacks through two weeks — two apiece from Damien Shanklin and Tyrone Burrus Jr. Warren Central 28, North Central 10.

Detroit King (0-1) at Carmel (1-1): Detroit King, last year’s Division 3 state champion in Michigan, lost 44-8 to Cincinnati St. Xavier in its opener last week, accounting for just 110 yards of total offense (31 rushing). Carmel was able to hang with Missouri’s reigning Class 6 state champion, Christian Brothers, but saw it get away in the fourth quarter in a 55-28 loss. The Greyhounds were hurt by three lost fumbles. Carmel defeated Detroit King 42-40 in 2021. Carmel 28, Detroit King 27.

Brebeuf Jesuit (1-1) at Mishawaka Marian (1-1), 7:30 p.m.: These programs last met in the 3A semistate in 2021, a game the Braves won by a point. Brebeuf is coming off a special teams-led 34-17 win over Tri-West last week. Mishawaka Marian was trounced by Mishawaka in the opener, but bounced back with a 21-14 win over Culver Academy. Brebeuf Jesuit 34, Mishawaka Marian 14.

Guerin Catholic (2-0) at Heritage Christian (2-0): Class 3A second-ranked Guerin Catholic put the clamps on McCutcheon (18-10) and Lafayette Central Catholic (27-3) the first two weeks of the season. The Golden Eagles’ defense will see a young Heritage Christian offense that is led by sophomore running back Elijah Pimental (325 rushing yards, three TDs). The Eagles jumped into the 2A poll at No. 9. Guerin Catholic 30, Heritage Christian 17.

'You realize what is important.' Cancer centers Guerin assistant on family, football

Linton-Stockton (2-0) at Monrovia (2-0): Linton-Stockton is ranked No. 2 in 2A behind Triton Central after reaching the semistate last season. The Miners are averaging 298 rushing yards through two weeks. Monrovia also likes to run the ball, but the Bulldogs have not really been tested so far in wins vs. Cardinal Ritter and Phalen Academy. Linton-Stockton won last year’s game in a shootout, 52-27. Linton-Stockton 41, Monrovia 32.

Greenwood (2-0) at Martinsville (1-1): Greenwood has averaged 46.5 points in wins over Seymour and Indian Creek, but this will be a step up in the Mid-State Conference opener. The Woodmen, averaging 566 yards of offense through two weeks, have one of the hottest quarterbacks in the state in senior Brock Riddle (71.1% passer, 659 yards, nine TDs) and has two standout receivers in seniors Amare Middleton (six catches, 270 yards, three TDs) and Tanner Crouch (13 catches, 259 yards, four TDs). Martinsville lost 35-6 last week to Bloomington South, but the Artesians have a five-game winning streak in this series and a standout running back in Brayden Shrake (278 rushing yards, two TDs). Martinsville 28, Greenwood 27.

Covenant Christian (1-1) vs. Scecina (2-0), at Roncalli: Scecina moved up two spots to No. 3 in the Class 2A poll this week after a 37-26 win over Speedway, a team Covenant Christian lost to 33-21 in the opener. Scecina quarterback D.J. Mendez has not only been a good passer (60% for 473 yards and three TDs), but has rushed for 225 yards and four TDs. These teams have never met. Scecina 37, Covenant Christian 16.

Lebanon (0-2) at Danville (1-1): Both of these teams have struggled on offense. Lebanon has scored just three points combined in losses to Pendleton Heights and Zionsville, while Danville is coming off a 28-12 loss to Mooresville. Danville is averaging 355 yards of offense, led by junior quarterback Conner Soper (347 passing yards, four TDs). Danville 19, Lebanon 14.

New Castle (1-1) at Pendleton Heights (2-0), 7:30 p.m.: Pendelton Heights is unbeaten and unscored upon with wins over Lebanon (15-0) and Anderson (49-0). New Castle is coming off a 36-7 loss to 2A top-ranked Triton Central. Could the Arabians get another shutout? Last year’s game was 35-0 in Pendleton Heights’ favor. Pendleton Heights 27, New Castle 7.

Lafayette Central Catholic (1-1) at Hamilton Heights (2-0): Hamilton Heights is receiving votes in the 3A poll after wins over Lapel (26-14) and North Montgomery (28-12). Senior Dean Mason has four sacks for a Hamilton Heights’ defense that has 10 sacks overall. Lafayette Central Catholic dropped to No. 7 in 2A after a 27-3 loss to Guerin Catholic. Hamilton Heights 23, Lafayette Central Catholic 16.

Eastern Hancock (2-0) at Centerville (2-0): Eastern Hancock was pegged as one of our sleeper teams in the summer, coming off last year’s 5-6 season, and that is proving to be true so far. The Royals pounded North Decatur 36-14 last week with a dominant second half. Centerville is a solid 3A program with three consecutive winning seasons. These programs played two years ago in the sectional, a game Centerville won 49-12. Eastern Hancock 27, Centerville 23.

Franklin (1-1) at Perry Meridian (1-1): Alex Leugers ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries last week in Franklin’s 41-38 loss to Mt. Vernon. The Grizzly Cubs look to back on the winning side against a Perry Meridian team that blew out Southport 40-10 last week and battled Franklin Central in the opener, losing 29-12. Falcons’ junior linebacker Andy Warren (30 tackles) has been busy. Expect a closer game than last year’s 42-0 Franklin rout. Franklin 33, Perry Meridian 22.

Sheridan (1-1) at Tri-Central (1-1): Class A No. 9 Sheridan evened its record with a 35-12 win over North Miami last week as Eli Kolb ran for 230 yards and four TDs on 16 carries. Tri-Central is coming off a 26-6 win over Wes-Del. Sheridan 36, Tri-Central 14.

Tri-West (1-1) at Frankfort (1-1): Class 3A No. 9 Tri-West is looking to bounce back from a 34-17 loss to Brebeuf Jesuit. Derek Reid ran for 104 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in the loss. Tri-West 38, Frankfort 10.

Crawfordsville (0-2) at Western Boone (2-0): This is the fifth meeting between these programs since the start of the 2021 season. Class 3A third-ranked Western Boone has won the previous four by a combined 181-27. Western Boone 45, Crawfordsville 7.

Tindley (1-1) vs. Crispus Attucks (1-1), at Broad Ripple: Attucks produced one of the eye-opening scores of the night for Week 2 with a 38-10 win over Terre Haute North. Darrell Taylor ran for 135 yards and four TDs for the Tigers in that game. Tindley is coming off a 46-12 loss to Park Tudor. Crispus Attucks 36, Tindley 13.

Owen Valley (1-1) at Indian Creek (0-2): Indian Creek lost by identical 42-28 scores to Batesville and Greenwood the first two weeks. Owen Valley is not as strong as it’s been the past couple of years in winning back-to-back 3A sectional titles. Indian Creek 35, Owen Valley 28.

Park Tudor (2-0) at Shortridge (2-0): Park Tudor climbed another notch to No. 8 in the Class A poll this week after a 46-12 win over Tindley. Harvard commit D.J. Gordon has 392 passing yards and five passing TDs and 264 rushing yards and six rushing TDs for the Panthers. Park Tudor 43, Shortridge 21.

Speedway (1-1) at Beech Grove (0-2): Speedway was competitive in last week’s 37-26 loss to 2A third-ranked Scecina. Jazz Coleman ran for 97 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries and Avery Mitchell caught an 85-yard TD pass. Beech Grove allowed 365 rushing yards in a 35-13 loss to Cascade last week. Speedway 42, Beech Grove 18.

Shenandoah (1-1) at Lapel (0-2): Lapel is looking to get in the win column after a 38-37 overtime loss to Frankton last week. Sophomore quarterback Devin Craig (509 passing yards, six TDs) keys the Bulldogs’ offense. Lapel 23, Shenandoah 16.

Edgewood (1-1) at Cascade (1-1): Cascade bounced back from a season-opening loss to 2A top-ranked Triton Central with a 35-13 victory over Beech Grove. Sophomore Toby Savini leads the Cadets with 196 rushing yards and four TDs. Cascade 43, Edgewood 16.

Southport (0-2) at Columbus North (1-1): A bright spot for Southport in last week’s 40-10 loss to Perry Meridian was sophomore Jeremiah Stanovic rushing for 137 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Columbus North rebounded from a frustrating loss to Decatur Central with a 41-0 shutout of rival Columbus East. Columbus North 42, Southport 20.

Delta (2-0) at Shelbyville (2-0), 7:30 p.m.: Shelbyville has already eclipsed its win total from every season since 2017 and is 2-0 for the first time since that year. Senior quarterback Eli Chappelow is 31-for-50 passing for 590 yards and nine TDs in wins over Greensburg and Rushville. Delta’s Nolan Carpenter (321 rushing yards, seven TDs) could give the Golden Bears issues. Delta 35, Shelbyville 12.

Tech (0-2) at Lafayette Jeff (0-2): Tech was outscored 100-6 in season-opening losses to Lawrence Central and Bishop Chatard. Lafayette Jeff was more competitive last week in a 36-30 loss to Michigan City as D.J. Young caught 10 passes for 167 yards and two TDs. Lafayette Jeff 45, Tech 12.

Cardinal Ritter (0-2) vs. Purdue Poly (1-1), at Howe: After losing to Monrovia (50-15) and Lutheran (49-12) to open the season, Cardinal Ritter looks to put one in the win column. Bright spots for Ritter so far have been sophomore quarterback Santana Allen (312 passing yards, one TD; 96 rushing yards, two TDs) and sophomore receiver Martin Walker (seven catches, 151 yards, one TD). Purdue Poly junior quarterback Solomon Livingston ran for 75 yards and three TDs last week in a 32-16 win over Christel House Manual. Cardinal Ritter 28, Purdue Poly 26.

Christel House Manual (1-1) at Washington (0-2): Christel House Manual lost to Purdue Poly 32-16 last week while Washington lost 42-0 to Shortridge and has only scored six points total through two weeks. Christel House Manual 26, Washington 6.

Edinburgh (0-2) at South Decatur (1-1): Edinburgh turned it over three times in a 20-6 loss to a Cloverdale program that had won just one game since 2020. South Decatur 20, Edinburgh 12.

Greenwood Christian (0-2) at Wes-Del (0-2): Greenwood Christian was able to hang with Covenant Christian for a half in an eventual 42-16 loss last week. Wes-Del, a Class A program, has struggled the past few years, going 1-19 since the start of 2021. Greenwood Christian 26, Wes-Del 22.

North Central (Farmersburg) (0-2) at Irvington Prep (0-2): Irvington has yet to score, losing its first two games by a combined 142-0. North Central 42, Irvington 6.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football predictions: Week 3 is loaded