My run of good luck continued as I went 21-3 (88 percent) last week. Going into the sectional finals, my overall record is now 170-37, which has me at 82 percent.
CLASS 6A
Crown Point (10-0) at Penn (10-0) (Sectional 1): The No. 2 Bulldogs blanked No. 5 Penn, 35-0, in last year’s sectional title game. Jashua Daniels returned an interception for a touchdown in Crown Point’s 35-7 win over Lake Central. Jaedon Parker scampered three times for 48 yards with a score in the Kingsmen’s 55-7 win over Portage. Matt’s pick: Penn 21, Crown Point 17.
Fort Wayne Northrop (8-2) at Carroll (Fort Wayne) (7-3) (Sectional 2): The No. 10 Chargers downed Fort Wayne Northrop, 48-37, on October 10. Kobe Reese had 13 carries for 71 yards in the Bruins’ 17-16 overtime victory over Fort Wayne Snider. Jackson Rhodes ran 14 times for 84 yards with two scores in Carroll’s 49-14 win over Elkhart. Matt’s pick: Carroll (Fort Wayne) 33, Fort Wayne Northrop 30.
Westfield (8-2) at Carmel (9-1) (Sectional 3): The No. 3 Greyhounds got past No. 6 Westfield, 34-10, on August 29. Reid Dikos contributed eight tackles and an interception in the Shamrocks’ 48-20 win over Zionsville. Carson Clark caught three passes for 61 yards in Carmel’s 56-7 win over Harrison (West Lafayette). Matt’s pick: Carmel 27, Westfield 20.
Hamilton Southeastern (6-4) at Fishers (7-3) (Sectional 4): The No. 8 Tigers posted a 28-16 win over No. 11 Hamilton Southeastern on September 12. Karson Kelly hauled in a five-yard touchdown pass in the Royals’ 24-10 win over Homestead. Ryan Thembulembu finished with 10 rushes for 89 yards with two scores in Fishers’ 41-13 win over Noblesville. Matt’s pick: Fishers 28, Hamilton Southeastern 18.
Avon (6-4) at Brownsburg (10-0) (Sectional 5): The No. 1 and defending state champion Bulldogs survived a 55-47 shootout with Avon on September 12. Matt’s pick: Brownsburg 40, Avon 18.
Decatur Central (8-2) at Lawrence Central (5-5) (Sectional 6): The No. 8 and defending Class 5A state champion Hawks claimed a 33-14 win over Lawrence Central during the 2005 season. Matt’s pick: Decatur Central 36, Lawrence Central 21.
Southport (2-8) at Warren Central (6-4) (Sectional 7): The No. 11 Warriors blanked Southport, 47-0, to win the 2023 sectional crown. Matt’s pick: Warren Central 45, Southport 8.
Center Grove (9-1) at Franklin Central (5-5) (Sectional 8): The No. 4 Trojans marched past Franklin Central, 52-14, in last year’s sectional final. Matt’s pick: Center Grove 39, Franklin Central 13.
CLASS 5A
Munster (4-6) at Merrillville (8-2) (Sectional 9): The No. 5 Pirates eliminated Munster from the 2023 playoffs with a 49-7 win in the sectional semifinals. With their 46-12 decision over Hammond Central, the Mustangs advanced to the sectional finale for the first time since 2021. Stanley Freeman recorded seven tackles with four for loss in Merrillville’s 28-7 win over Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Merrillville 47, Munster 6.
Michigan City (7-3) at LaPorte (4-6) (Sectional 10): The No. 12 Wolves clawed past LaPorte, 20-7, on October 10. Zaire McKinney came up with five receptions for 64 yards with a touchdown and ran three yards for another tally in Michigan City’s 35-7 win over Valparaiso. Khalen Matzke tallied three catches for 122 yards with a touchdown in the Slicers’ 20-17 win at Chesterton. Matt’s pick: Michigan City 37, LaPorte 9.
Concord (9-1) at Fort Wayne North (6-4) (Sectional 11): The No. 6 Minutemen marched past Fort Wayne North, 38-21 in the 2024 sectional semifinals. Derek Gomez racked up 13 tackles and ran four times for seven yards in Concord’s 45-28 win over defending state runner-up Warsaw. Ben Davis carried the ball six times for 50 yards with a score and caught a 22-yard pass in the Legends’ 41-0 win over Goshen. Matt’s pick: Concord 46, Fort Wayne North 20.
Lafayette Jeff (9-1) at Kokomo (4-6) (Sectional 12): The No. 2 Bronchos galloped past Kokomo, 49-16, on October 3. Omar Williams Jr. managed six catches for 47 yards with a touchdown and threw a 38-yard pass in Lafayette Jeff’s 26-0 win over McCutcheon. Baris Moore contributed 10 carries for 54 yards with a score and caught four passes for 33 yards in the Wildkats’ 22-14 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Lafayette Jeff 44, Kokomo 16.
Indianapolis Cathedral (7-3) at New Palestine (10-0) (Sectional 13): The No. 2 Irish were a 23-7 winner over top-ranked and defending Class 4A state champion New Palestine in the 2021 regional finale. Matt’s pick: New Palestine 35, Cathedral 17.
East Central (8-2) at Whiteland (9-2) (Sectional 14): The No. 9 Trojans earned a sectional title in 2002 with a 38-30 win over No. 8 Whiteland. Matt’s pick: Whiteland 30, East Central 26.
Bloomington North (7-3) at Bloomington South (9-1) (Sectional 15): The No. 4 Panthers roared past Bloomington North, 36-7, on September 12. Matt’s pick: Bloomington South 41, Bloomington North 12.
Evansville North (8-2) at Floyd Central (9-1) (Sectional 16): The Huskies survived with a 28-20 win over No. 7 Floyd Central in the 2023 sectional semifinals. Matt’s pick: Floyd Central 32, Evansville North 22.
CLASS 4A
Lowell (9-2) at Hobart (9-2) (Sectional 17): The Red Devils converted a last-season field goal to escape with a 20-17 win over Hobart on September 26. Cameron LeBlanc scampered nine times for 94 yards in Lowell’s 35-0 win at East Chicago Central. Stephen Miller returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown in the Brickies’ 43-6 win over Kankakee Valley. Matt’s pick: Lowell 25, Hobart 23.
Saint Joseph (10-1) at Mishawaka (10-1) (Sectional 18): The No. 2 Cavemen clubbed No. 7 Saint Joseph, 30-8, during the 2022 campaign. Ryan Ruszkowski snatched an interception in the Huskies’ 14-7 win over Northridge. Isaiah Hummer registered 10 tackles with 1.5 for loss in Mishawaka’s 21-17 win over Plymouth. Matt’s pick: Mishawaka 24, Saint Joseph 21.
East Noble (11-0) at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (9-2) (Sectional 19): The top-ranked and defending state runner-up Knights claimed a sectional crown a year ago with a 38-0 triumph over No. 8 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. Alex Phelps accounted for five catches for 73 yards and five tackles in East Noble’s 35-28 win over Fort Wayne South. Henry Jordan completed 4-of-10 for 70 yards with a touchdown and ran five times for 29 yards in the Saints’ 21-0 win over Columbia City. Matt’s pick: East Noble 29, Bishop Dwenger 28.
Lebanon (9-2) at Logansport (8-3) (Sectional 20): The Tigers roared to a 35-28 win over Logansport in last season’s sectional semifinals. Josh Park amassed four rushes for 76 yards with three scores in Lebanon’s 48-6 win over Frankfort. Jaxsyn Walker ended with 12 carries for 98 yards with a touchdown and four tackles in the Berries’ 31-24 win over Muncie Central. Matt’s pick: Lebanon 30, Logansport 26.
Yorktown (8-2) at Pendleton Heights (10-1) (Sectional 21): The No. 5 Arabians slipped past No. 13 Yorktown, 24-22, on October 10. Matt’s pick: Pendleton Heights 31, Yorktown 25.
Indianapolis Roncalli (8-3) at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (9-2) (Sectional 22): The No. 3 Trojans stormed past No. 6 Roncalli, 33-11, on September 5. Matt’s pick: Bishop Chatard 39, Roncalli 23.
Bedford North Lawrence (8-3) at Martinsville (5-6) (Sectional 23): The Stars crowned Martinsville, 33-15, on August 22. Matt’s pick: Martinsville 25, Bedford North Lawrence 24.
Heritage Hills (10-1) at Jasper (9-2) (Sectional 24): The No. 4 and defending Class 3A state champion Patriots edged No. 11 Jasper, 17-14, during the 2019 campaign. Matt’s pick: Heritage Hills 35, Jasper 18.
CLASS 3A
Marian (4-7) at Knox (11-0) (Sectional 25): The No. 4 Redskins captured a sectional title a season ago with a 12-0 win over Marian. Gage McCue tallied a fumble recovery in the Knights’ 43-8 win over Calumet New Tech. Brian Korcha managed eight tackles with two for loss and two quarterback sacks in Knox’s 50-35 win over No. 8 Griffith. Matt’s pick: Knox 43, Marian 14.
Garrett (6-5) at Angola (6-5) (Sectional 26): The Hornets stung Garrett, 14-11, on October 10. Carter Fielden romped 12 times for 91 yards with two touchdowns in the Railroaders’ 21-0 win over Lakeland. Lucas Lentz finished with 10 tackles in Angola’s 21-20 upset of No. 12 West Noble. Matt’s pick: Angola 21, Garrett 20.
Twin Lakes (9-2) at Western (8-3) (Sectional 27): The Panthers are hoping to make amends for a 22-15 loss to No. 13 Twin Lakes on October 17. Mason Brummett chipped in nine rushes for 50 yards with two scores and three receptions for 43 yards with another score in the Indians’ 42-28 win over Peru. Western scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 29-22 win over Frankton and advance to the sectional title game for the first time since 2017. Matt’s pick: Twin Lakes 33, Western 25.
Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (6-5) at Mississinewa (10-1) (Sectional 28): The defending state runner-up Knights celebrated a 2024 sectional title with a 34-28 win over No. 6 Mississinewa. Christian Brell totaled 11 tackles and an interception in Bishop Luers’ 45-12 win over Norwell. Jacob Schwartz went 8-of-11 for 90 yards with a touchdown and added a one-yard score in Mississinewa’s 36-7 win over Jay County. Matt’s pick: Mississinewa 27, Bishop Luers 24.
Guerin Catholic (7-4) at Cascade (11-0) (Sectional 29): This is the first encounter on the gridiron between the Golden Eagles and No. 2 Cascade. Matt’s pick: Cascade 33, Guerin Catholic 23.
Lawrenceburg (9-1) at Greensburg (4-7) (Sectional 30): The No. 5 Tigers swarmed past Greensburg, 62-7, on September 12. Matt’s pick: Lawrenceburg 50, Greensburg 10.
Scottsburg (9-2) at Indian Creek (7-3) (Sectional 31): The No. 11 Warriors and Indian Creek are playing football for the first time. Matt’s pick: Indian Creek 25, Scottsburg 20.
Gibson Southern (10-1) at Evansville Mater Dei (6-5) (Sectional 32): The No. 14 Wildcats blanked No. 3 Gibson Southern, 17-0, in the 2006 sectional semifinals. Matt’s pick: Gibson Southern 36, Evansville Mater Dei 11.
CLASS 2A
Andrean (9-1) at Rensselaer Central (9-2) (Sectional 33): The No. 5 59ers trampled Rensselaer Central, 28-2, in the 2021 sectional semifinals. Vinny Zsuppon ended with two catches for 44 yards with a score in Andrean’s 28-6 win over No. 11 Wheeler. Eli Dixon mustered seven tackles with two for loss in the Bombers’ 17-12 win over Bremen. Matt’s pick: Andrean 32, Rensselaer Central 12.
Southmont (10-1) at Lewis Cass (8-3) (Sectional 34): The Kings needed two overtimes to claim a 24-21 win over Southmont in the 1994 sectional quarterfinals. Cale Chadd came up with nine carries for 49 yards with a score and one catch for five yards in the Mounties’ 33-11 win over Western Boone. Tyler Grist contributed seven carries for 74 yards with a touchdown, four tackles, and an interception for Lewis Cass in a 55-14 win over Seeger. Matt’s pick: Southmont 40, Lewis Cass 38.
Eastside (9-2) at Adams Central (11-0) (Sectional 35): The top-ranked and defending state champion Flying Jets posted a 32-21 win over No. 14 Eastside on August 29. Jake Warstler hauled in two receptions for 75 yards with a score in the Blazers’ 42-3 win over Manchester. Thomas Laughlin found the end zone twice for Adams Central in a 35-14 win at No. 9 Bluffton. Matt’s pick: Adams Central 36, Eastside 11.
Eastern (Greentown) (10-1) at Eastbrook (11-0) (Sectional 36): The No. 4 Panthers pounced past No. 12 Eastern (Greentown) in the 2021 sectional quarterfinals. Richard Bickel finished with 10 tackles in the Comets’ 41-40 win over Tipton. Matthew Slater tallied six tackles, a fumble recovery, three carries for nine yards, and two catches for 35 yards in Eastbrook’s 42-14 win at No. 8 Rochester. Matt’s pick: Eastbrook 37, Eastern (Greentown) 27.
Indianapolis Lutheran (10-1) at Heritage Christian (7-4) (Sectional 37): The No. 6 Saints registered a 55-20 win over Heritage Christian on October 10. Matt’s pick: Lutheran 42, Heritage Christian 22.
Triton Central (10-1) at Lapel (11-0) (Sectional 38): The No. 3 Bulldogs captured a sectional championship a year ago with a 27-17 win over No. 7 Triton Central. Matt’s pick: Lapel 34, Triton Central 31.
Sullivan (8-3) at Linton-Stockton (8-3) (Sectional 39): The No. 10 Miners downed Sullivan, 42-28, on September 12. Matt’s pick: Linton-Stockton 36, Sullivan 23.
Switzerland County (8-2) at Brownstown Central (11-0) (Sectional 40): The No. 2 Braves racked up a 50-8 win over Switzerland County in last season’s sectional quarterfinals. Matt’s pick: Brownstown Central 47, Switzerland County 6.
CLASS 1A
West Central (10-1) at LaVille (7-4) (Sectional 41): The Lancers recorded a 41-6 win over No. 10 West Central in last season’s sectional quarterfinals. Teagan Holle had two rushes for 18 yards with a touchdown, four catches for 65 yards with two scores, and one tackle in the Trojans’ 54-20 win over Bowman Academy. Konnor Amor hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass, ran twice for six yards, and added three tackles and an interception in LaVille’s 24-22 upset of No. 7 and defending state runner-up North Judson. Matt’s pick: LaVille 26, West Central 23.
Pioneer (10-1) at Carroll (Flora) (7-3) (Sectional; 42): The No. 3 Panthers cruised to a 49-7 win over Carroll (Flora) in the 2024 sectional semifinals. Noah Vanmeter scampered 11 times for 93 yards with a score and totaled five tackles in Pioneer’s 42-6 win over No. 2 Frontier. Cale Peters recorded 17 rushes for 127 yards and two scores in the Cougars’ 20-19 win over Taylor. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 37, Carroll (Flora) 22.
Fremont (8-3) at North Miami (8-3) (Sectional 43): The Warriors rolled past Fremont, 35-7, in last year’s sectional semifinals. Hayden McNeeley ended with 11 tackles in the Eagles’ 28-19 win over Triton. Luke Musall rambled 11 times for 92 yards with a touchdown in North Miami’s 61-30 win over Southwood. Matt’s pick: North Miami 41, Fremont 10.
Hagerstown (5-6) at South Adams (8-3) (Sectional 44): Lincoln Small raced 20 times for 90 yards with a score and caught two passes for 14 yards in the Tigers’ 22-8 win over Monroe Central. Wesley Summersett registered six receptions for 99 yards with two touchdowns and ran twice for three yards with another tally in the No. 12 Starfires’ 49-14 win over Tri. Matt’s pick: South Adams 44, Hagerstown 12.
South Putnam (9-2) at Riverton Parke (11-0) (Sectional 45): The No. 5 Eagles flew past No. 2 Riverton Parke, 44-6, a year ago for the sectional crown. Matt’s pick: South Putnam 33, Riverton Parke 16.
Cloverdale (7-4) at Sheridan (7-2) (Sectional 46): The No. 11 Blackhawks picked up a sectional title a season ago with a 42-14 win over Cloverdale. Matt’s pick: Sheridan 48, Cloverdale 11.
North Decatur (8-2) at Milan (5-4) (Sectional 47): The No. 9 Chargers edged Milan, 21-20, on September 5. Matt’s pick: North Decatur 25, Milan 23.
Providence (8-2) at North Daviess (10-1) (Sectional 48): On their way to the state championship last year, the No. 5 Pioneers cruised to a 51-6 win over No. 8 North Daviess in the sectional final. Matt’s pick: Providence 32, North Daviess 18.
