FABULOUS FIVE
- NorthWood (10-0): Ben Mestach returned an interception 35 yards for a score in the top-ranked (Class 4A) Panthers’ 40-7 victory over Plymoutn.
- Mishawaka (9-1): Grant Jablonski’s 79-yard interception return paced the way for the No. 2 (Class 4A) Cavemen in their 35-7 triumph at Hobart.
- Penn (7-2): Brock Boynton’s five catches for 43 yards with a score was not enough for the No. 9 (Class 6A) Kingsmen in their 49-42 loss to Mishawaka.
- Michigan City (7-2): Zennon Wilhelm had three touchdown catches in the No. 3 (Class 5A) Wolves’ 48-0 blanking of Crown Point.
- Warsaw (7-2): Josh West scampered for 81 yards for the Tigers in a 45-3 win over Concord.
HONORABLE MENTION
Bremen (8-2): Justin Zumbrun hauled in a 20-yard pass for a score in the Lions’ 35-27 win over defending Class 2A state runner-up Woodlan.
Marian (6-4): Tyler DeBoe rambled for 63 yards and a touchdown for the Knights in their 42-7 win at Fairfield.
New Prairie (7-3): Jacob Tuttle recorded a 74-yard reception for a touchdown in the Cougars’ 56-7 triumph over South Bend Washington.
Saint Joseph (6-4): Noah Hickey racked up an interception and a 31-yard scoring reception for the Indians in a 38-21 win over Kankakee Valley.
Triton (7-3): In addition to throwing for 147 yards and three touchdowns, James Snyder also contributed 17 tackles in the Trojans’ 34-12 win over Culver.
MAKING STRIDES
Elkhart Central (5-5): Isaiah Chandler tossed for 202 yards with two touchdowns and ran for another score, helping the Blazers snap a two-game losing streak with a 46-22 win over Fort Wayne North.
Elkhart Memorial (3-6): John Rehmels had a 20-yard fumble recovery for a score as the Chargers made it two in a row with a 34-0 blanking of Northridge.
Knox (7-3): Dawson Patrick ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Redskins down Jimtown, 21-14, for their first win in the series since 1989.
LaPorte (3-6): Noah Perez came up with 11 tackles for the Slicers in their 22-19 win at Portage.
North Judson (5-5): Chuckie Wilcox caught a 62-yard touchdown pass as the Bluejays saw its three-game skid come to an end with a 21-6 win at LaVille.
Northridge (5-5): Caid Lacey raced 21 times for 163 yards and a score as the Raiders ended a two-game losing skid with a 33-12 win at Wawasee.
Riley (6-4): Kobe Luuga had 79 yards on the ground and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 40-6 win over Clay.
Winamac (5-5): Jeb Smith tallied four carries for 144 yards and a score in the Warriors’ 38-16 win over Caston.
BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR
Clay (0-9): Quentin Rodriguez threw a pair of interceptions against Riley as the Colonials suffered their 31st straight defeat.
Culver (2-8): Zac Ditmire had 130 yards rushing and two scores against Triton, but the Cavaliers still dropped their third straight contest.
Culver Academy (6-3): Ty English’s 12-yard run into the end zone was one of the lone highlights in the Eagles’ 27-7 loss to No. 5 (Class 4A) Angola.
Glenn (1-9): Sam Thomas connected on a pair of field goals in the Falcons’ 48-13 loss at Maconaquah.
Jimtown (5-5): Quinton Svetanoff’s interception against Knox was not enough to prevent the Jimmies from suffering their first loss in opening round playoff game.
LaVille (6-4): Ayden Doyle was limited to 3-of-16 passing for just four yards for the Lancers against North Judson.
Plymouth (6-4): Garr Schrameyer had a 19-yard scoring catch for the Rockies against NorthWood.
Washington (3-7): Deonte Williams’ 85-yard kickoff return for a score against New Prairie couldn’t keep the Panthers from suffering their fourth consecutive loss.
Wawasee (1-9): Evan Eshbach was 19-of-31 for 245 yards and two touchdowns for the Warriors against Northridge.
STAY TUNED
Knox (7-3) at Marian (6-4) (Class 3A): The Redskins are looking to reach the sectional title game for the third time in the last four years, while Marian has claimed three straight sectional crowns.
New Prairie (7-3) at Saint Joseph (6-4): The Cougars are looking for their sixth consecutive win over Saint Joseph.
NorthWood (10-0) at East Noble (9-1) (Class 4A): The Panthers are trying to make it to the sectional finals for the third time in four seasons, while East Noble’s last sectional championship came in 2003.
Riley (6-4) at Mishawaka (9-1) (Class 4A): The Wildcats have suffered 19 straight losses to Mishawaka dating back to 1997.
Warsaw (7-2) at Penn (7-2) (Class 6A): The Tigers have never won a sectional title, while Penn is the only team in Indiana to never lose a sectional opener since the current playoff format was established.
