PREP FOOTBALL: WRC teams start playoffs

Oct. 19—Playoff football in Indiana starts Friday and the local Wabash River Conference teams want to make an impact.

Fountain Central has a record of 6-3 and has won its last two games against North Vermillion and Parke Heritage.

"I think we played our best football at the end of the season and everyone wants to do that," Fountain Central coach Herb King said. "I think that has helped in putting us in a mental framework in where we can play our best in the tournament and that is what we are trying to do this year. I think the kids have bought in what we are trying to accomplish offensively and defensively and they have improved throughout the year."

The win against the Falcons was the first for the Mustangs in the series since 2020 and King said it was a big way to prepare for the playoffs.

"It allows you to play in a high level with regards to doing your best," King said. "We learned it matters how hard we play and with that you can dictate any game you will be in and if the kids believe that, we will be fine.

But the Mustangs will have a tall order in the first game against Park Tudor. The Indianapolis school is 9-0 is the No. 5 rated team in IHSAA Class 1A and has scored at least 40 points in each game.

Even with that, Fountain Central played tough with them last season and King feels it can happen again.

"We played them last year and we were down eight points in the fourth quarter and had a chance to score and we fumbled the ball," King said. "I know the kids were disappointed in how that game ended because (Park Tudor) scored some quick touchdowns to give them a cushion. We played well for three quarters and our goal is to play four quarters as hard and as well as we can.

"I have coached against Park Tudor when they were ranked in the past and beat them, so I know what it is going to take to win the game. I think the kids are up to the task and they will be ready to play on Friday."

The Seeger Patriots are 6-3 and are coming off two tough losses to South Vermillion and North Vermillion.

"We played a really good game against South Vermillion," Seeger coach TJ Ragan said. "We played some our best football in that game, but we we made some mistakes in the middle of the game. North Vermillion was a good team as well, but we didn't come ready to play. Hopefully, we are learning that letter and preparing them better this week."

The Patriots may find relief in a rematch with Benton Central. Seeger beat the Bison (2-7) 49-28 in the second week of the regular season, but Ragan is not underestimating the matchup.

"It's always hard to beat a team twice in a season and it is eight weeks later," Ragan said. "They have played a lot of good competition this year and have a phenomenal quarterback-receiving duo, so it is going to be a good test for us."

The Falcons (6-3) will be in a rematch of their own against Attica. North Vermillion beat the Red Ramblers 46-0 on Sept. 22, part of a run that saw the Falcons win four of their last five games.

Attica (0-9) have not won a game since the 2020 playoffs, where it beat North Vermillion, but haven't come close to winning a game since a 14-12 loss to South Newton in 2021.

Covington (4-5) and has won two out of its last four games entering a matchup with Clinton Prairie. Cian Moore is one of the top running backs around for the Trojans with 1,332 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns and Kaden Smith has been serviceable in learning on the job at quarterback after taking over for Wyatt Moncrief.

The Gophers are 5-4 and started with a 4-0 record before winning one out of its last five games.

All games will start at 7 p.m. Eastern on Friday with the Covington-Clinton Prairie game set to be broadcast on WKZS-FM 103.1.

Momence at Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman

Time — 7 p.m. today

Records — Momence 7-1 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference. Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman 0-8 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference

Summary — The Redskins are one win from taking the VVC title while the Buffaloes would love to finish the season tonight by getting the upset and putting an end to their losing streak.

Oakwood at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — Oakwood 4-4 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference. BHRA 6-2 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference.

Radio — WHRK-FM 94.9

Summary — Even with losing three of their last four games, the Comets still have a shot at making the playoffs for certain if they can get past the Blue Devils, who have won their last three games by big margins.

Clifton Central at Salt Fork

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — Clifton Central 4-4 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference, Salt Fork 6-2 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference.

Radio — WITY-AM 980, WITY-FM 99.5

Summary — The Storm are already in the playoffs, but in their regular season home finale, they will be facing a team that wants to get in the playoffs in the Comets, who has won three of their last four games.

Iroquois West at Westville

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — Iroquois West 3-5 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference. Westville 7-1 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference.

Summary — The Tigers have scored at least 47 points in each of its last five games and is looking for a sixth entering the playoffs against the Raiders, whose chances fell last week with a loss to Clifton Central.

Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac at Watseka

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — HAAP 2-6 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference. Watseka 1-7 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference.

Summary — Both teams are looking for an happy ending to tough seasons. The Cornjerkers have lost their last three games, but two of them were close losses to Oakwood and Clifton Central. In the Warriors' seven-game losing slide, they have only gotten close to victory once in a 13-12 loss to Clifton Central.

Milford/Cissna Park at Schlarman Academy

Time — 1 p.m. Saturday

Records — Milford/Cissna Park 6-2 overall, 3-1 in 8-Man Central 1 Conference. Schlarman 1-7 overall, 0-4 in 8-Man Central 1 Conference.

Radio — WITY-AM 980, WITY-FM 99.5

Summary — The Hilltoppers are coming off a forfeit and end the season against the Bearcats, who are cruising into another playoff appearance.