PREP FOOTBALL: Sectional semifinals see all area teams in action

Oct. 26—Six games bring all seven area teams to the gridiron Friday night in the football sectional semifinals. With our Class 5A area teams now stepping into their first postseason action, everyone is in action.

Each matchup will determine the sectional championship field next week. Below are the games on our Friday slate and where we'll be at.

Class 5A: Goshen (1-8) vs Mishawaka (7-2)

The Goshen RedHawks host the NLC champions in Mishawaka Friday night.

Tom Wogomon's 'David'-like squad is truly matched up with a Class 5A 'Goliath' in the Cavemen. The stonewall defense that Mishawaka presents will have their eyes set on tearing apart the strong running efforts of Drew Elliott and the RedHawks.

In the regular season matchup, the Cavemen won 48-13 at home. Don't expect them to take it too lightly, although Goshen would be turning quite the upset if Wogomon's squad finds a way.

Correspondent Steve Krah will be at Foreman Field. Look for the story following the game.

Class 5A: Concord (5-4) at South Bend Adams (1-8)

On the other end of the bracket, Concord looks to nab a spot in the sectional final by taking on South Bend Adams this Friday.

Playing in South Bend, the Minutemen match up with an Adams squad that has lost seven straight and has scored 12 points since Sept. 15. Craig Koehler's squad, which has been a strong running group, will have the chance to outrun the Eagles. Look for the Minutemen to maybe air it out a bit and work on the passing game if the lead swells.

If Concord wins, they'll get to host either Goshen or Mishawaka next Friday.

Class 4A: Northridge (7-3) vs Wawasee (2-8)

In one of the more exciting matchups of the night, Northridge returns home after last week's 39-3 thrashing, meeting Wawasee who upset South Bend Riley 35-26 in the first-round last week.

Its was tough waiting for one of the Warriors close games against top competition to finally end in a win, and the victory over Riley finally got Wawasee over the hump. Speaking of those close games, the Warriors fell at home to Northridge this season 14-7.

In that game, Northridge totaled just 14 passing yards and gained a meager total of 128. Wawasee reached 169 yards, but couldn't finish drives in the tight loss.

With both teams firing on all cylinders last week, it'll be a semifinal matchup both groups are certainly excited about. Sports editor Matt Lucas will be in attendance, posting updates throughout the night and following with the story afterwards.

Class 4A: NorthWood (7-3) vs South Bend Washington (3-7)

It's hard to play better than the Panthers seemingly did last week in the 52-10 win over South Bend St Joseph.

Now, with a spot in the sectional final on the line, NorthWood matches up against another South Bend school, the Washington Panthers.

In the dual-Panther showdown, Washington has had a severely leaky defense all season, which bodes well for NorthWood's elite offensive unit. Considering Washington's three wins have been over Calumet New Tech (2-8), South Bend Clay (1-6) and Plymouth (2-8), it might be another cruise for Nate Andrew's squad.

A win will bring NorthWood to face either Northridge or Wawasee. Either matchup would be on the road as NorthWood is at the top of the bracket.

Class 3A: Fairfield (6-4) at John Glenn (6-4)

In an exciting defensive performance last week in the 17-6 win over Jimtown, Matt Thacker's Falcons played exactly how they are meant two, slowly and without much holes to escape through on defense.

Now, John Glenn stands in the way. Playing at Glenn, both teams who come in 6-4 have a tight matchup on paper to decided who plays for a sectional championship next week.

Glenn beat Jimtown 12-7 earlier in the season in a similar opponent between the two. The winner will face the winner of West Noble-Knox

Class 3A: West Noble (10-0) at Knox (10-0)

West Noble survived last week's upset bid by Mishawaka Marian in a thrilling finish at home.

Now, the matchup between two 10-0 teams meets at Knox where the Redskins have ran through the season without much trouble.

Quarterback Drew Yates and running back Estil Pruitt have shined this season, and they'll be needed if the Chargers want to come out of the highly anticipated matchup still unbeaten.

AREA STATISTIC LEADERS

Top three in each category listed

Passing: Owen Roeder (2,485, NorthWood), Drew Yates (1,243, West Noble), Mason Shoemaker (1,167, Wawasee)

Rushing: Estil Pruitt (1,356, West Noble), Jaron Thomas (1,207, Concord), Drew Elliott (854, Goshen)

Receiving: NiTareon Tuggle (877, NorthWood), Jo'Ziah Edmond (577, NorthWood), Hunter Tinkey (501, Wawasee)

Tackles: Drew Elliott (90, Goshen), Hunter Kauffman (82, Fairfield), Beau Bojanich (81, Northridge)

Sacks: Brock Thompson (7.5, Northridge), Ethan Hochstetler (5.5, Fairfield), Ethan Schmucker (5.0, Fairfield)

Interceptions: 5 tied with three — Sawyer Ernsberger, Blake Metzger, Marco Garcia (Fairfield), Hayden Lechlitner (NorthWood), Bo Brunner (Concord)

Reach Matt Lucas at 574-533-2151, ext. 240325, or at matt.lucas@goshennews.com.