Lake Central’s triumph over Harrison (West Lafayette) proved to be my lone mistake as I went 19-1 (95 percent) last week. My overall record is now 174-32, which has me at 84 percent.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 1
Crown Point (10-0) at Lake Central (5-5): The No. 5 Bulldogs blanked Lake Central, 49-0, on September 11. Tyce Custy was 7-of-11 for 110 yards with a touchdown in Crown Point’s 43-33 win over No. 9 Merrillville. Wes Lalich went 5-of-10 for 88 yards with three scores and ran five times for 42 yards in the Indians’ 57-40 win over Harrison (West Lafayette). Matt’s pick: Crown Point 46, Lake Central 12.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 2
Elkhart (7-3) at Penn (10-0): The No. 6 Kingsmen crowned Elkhart, 44-0, on October 2. Frankie Willis scampered 11 times for 69 yards with a touchdown, caught two passes for 30 yards with another score, and chipped in two tackles and an interception in the Lions’ 38-7 win over Portage. Noah Wallis finished with six tackles and returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown in Penn’s 41-14 win over Valparaiso. Matt’s pick: Penn 48, Elkhart 10.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 3
Hamilton Southeastern (5-5) at Carmel (6-4): The No. 10 Greyhounds downed Hamilton Southeastern, 28-14, in the 2019 sectional semifinals. Bennett Foster registered two catches for 51 yards with a score in the Royals’ 23-14 win over rival Fishers. Aiden Dickerson racked up 11 tackles with two for loss and caused a fumble in Carmel’s 48-45 win over No. 3 Westfield. Matt’s pick: Carmel 30, Hamilton Southeastern 13.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 4
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (9-1) at Homestead (4-6): The No. 8 Chargers marched past Homestead, 45-14, on October 2. Linkoln Grabner tallied 11 rushes for 74 yards with a touchdown, nine tackles, and an interception in Carroll’s 35-0 win over Noblesville. John Bair finished with 14 tackles, including two for loss, and an interception in the Spartans’ 26-14 win against Fort Wayne Northrop. Matt’s pick: Carroll (Fort Wayne) 41, Homestead 15.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 5
Indianapolis Ben Davis (5-5) at Brownsburg (10-0): The top-ranked and two-time defending state champion Bulldogs rallied for a 38-35 win over Ben Davis in 2024 sectional final. Matt’s pick: Brownsburg 45, Ben Davis 20.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 6
Lawrence North (8-2) at North Central (Indianapolis) (3-7): The No. 4 Wildcats clawed past North Central, 56-21, on September 11. Matt’s pick: Lawrence North 44, North Central 18.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 7
Warren Central (10-0) at Franklin Central (5-6): The No. 2 Warriors downed Franklin Central, 49-17, in the 2016 sectional semifinals. Matt’s pick: Warren Central 37, Franklin Central 10.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 8
Columbus North (5-5) at Center Grove (8-2): The No. 7 Trojans claimed a sectional crown in 2023 with a 35-12 win over Columbus North. Matt’s pick: Center Grove 40, Columbus North 11.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 9
Munster (5-5) at Chesterton (5-5): The Trojans clubbed Munster, 40-0, during the 2019 campaign. In their 35-6 win over Hammond Central, Sam Sudac and the Mustangs surpassed the 30-point mark for the sixth time in 2026. Carter Larson returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score in Chesterton’s 31-14 win over Michigan City. Matt’s pick: Chesterton 29, Munster 15.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 10
LaPorte (3-7) at Concord (5-5): The Minutemen claimed a 38-13 win over LaPorte in the 2021 sectional quarterfinals. Bryce Jones rambled 44 times for 77 yards with two touchdowns in the Slicers’ 42-13 win over Goshen. Carson Weirich totaled 10 rushes for 69 yards with two scores in Concord’s 54-28 win over Adams. Matt’s pick: Concord 50, LaPorte 14.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 11
Fort Wayne Snider (6-4) at Warsaw (9-1): The No. 4 Tigers rallied for a 33-30 win over No. 9 Fort Wayne Snider on August 21. Max Johnson completed 15-of-25 for 215 yards with two touchdowns and raced twice for nine yards in the Panthers’ 37-14 win against Fort Wayne South. Mason Silveus accounted for a seven-yard touchdown run in Warsaw’s 44-0 blanking of Fort Wayne Wayne. Matt’s pick: Warsaw 35, Fort Wayne Snider 32.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 12
Lafayette Jeff (8-2) at Huntington North (6-4): The Vikings marched past No. 7 Lafayette Jeff. 31-15, during the 2014 season. Nadarius Young had two receptions for 65 yards with two touchdowns in the Bronchos’ 87-0 win over Anderson. Walker Goodnight came up with eight tackles, including two for loss, and a fumble recovery in Huntington North’s 49-21 win over McCutcheon. Matt’s pick: Lafayette Jeff 43, Huntington North 16.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 13
New Palestine (7-3) at Indianapolis Cathedral (7-3): The No. 2 and defending state champion Dragons edged No. 1 Cathedral, 20-15, in last year’s sectional final. Matt’s pick: New Palestine 24, Cathedral 21.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 14
Plainfield (8-2) at Terre Haute South (6-4): The No. 8 Quakers cruised past Terre Haute South, 31-7, in the 2025 season opener. Matt’s pick: Plainfield 32, Terre Haute South 8.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 15
Bloomington South (8-2) at Bloomington North (5-5): The No. 3 Panthers rolled to a 44-6 win over Bloomington North on August 21. Matt’s pick: Bloomington South 45, Bloomington North 17.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 16
Evansville North (5-5) at Castle (6-4): The No. 10 Knights slipped past Evansville North, 29-26, on August 21. Matt’s pick: Castle 22, Evansville North 19.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 17
Hammond Morton (7-4) at Hobart (8-3): The Governors crushed Hobart, 41-0, on October 9. Malik Candler racked up five tackles and caused a fumble in Hammond Morton’s 27-7 win over Lowell. Jonathan Espinoza raced nine times for 62 yards with a score in the Brickies’ 56-12 win over East Chicago Central. Matt’s pick: Hobart 36, Hammond Morton 34.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 18
Northridge (11-0) at NorthWood (7-4): The No. 6 Raiders rolled past NorthWood, 45-7, on October 9. Hayden Gorball hauled in seven passes for 99 yards and registered nine tackles in Northridge’s 28-27 win over No. 9 Saint Joseph. Spencer Elliott recorded seven catches for 84 yards with two scores and ran twice for 16 yards in the Panthers’ 54-19 win against Culver Academy. Matt’s pick: Northridge 41, NorthWood 17.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 19
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (10-1) at East Noble (11-0): The top-ranked and defending state champion Saints captured a sectional crown last year with a 32-0 win over No. 5 East Noble. Jordan Fabini totaled six tackles and six yards rushing in Bishop Dwenger’s 43-13 win over DeKalb. Tayden Getts amassed eight tackles, two sacks, and a blocked punt in the Knights’ 53-17 win over Columbia City. Matt’s pick: Bishop Dwenger 40, East Noble 33.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 20
Logansport (11-0) at Muncie Central (8-3): The No. 10 Berries registered a 31-24 win over Muncie Central in the 2025 sectional semifinals. Jackson Wicker ran four times for 61 yards with two scores, caught a 15-yard pass, and added two tackles and an interception in Logansport’s 49-22 win over Jay County. Carlos Echols Jr. had four receptions for 54 yards with a touchdown, two tackles, and returned a kickoff 99 yards for another tally in the Bearcats’ 28-27 win over Yorktown. Matt’s pick: Logansport 39, Muncie Central 21.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 21
Danville (11-0) at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (9-2): The No. 3 Trojans captured the 2020 Class 3A state championship with a 42-14 win over No. 7 Danville. Matt’s pick: Bishop Chatard 33, Danville 26.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 22
Mooresville (7-4) at Indianapolis Roncalli (9-2): The Pioneers edged No. 2 Roncalli, 17-9, in the 2023 sectional semifinals. Matt’s pick: Roncalli 36, Mooresville 8.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 23
East Central (9-2) at Columbus East (7-4): The Olympians claimed a sectional title in 2014 with a 28-9 win over No. 4 East Central. Matt’s pick: East Central 46, Columbus East 11.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 24
Evansville Harrison (5-6) at Heritage Hills (9-2): This marks the first meeting on the gridiron between the Warriors and No. 11 Heritage Hills. Matt’s pick: Heritage Hills 39, Evansville Harrison 11.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 25
Andrean (10-1) at Twin Lakes (8-3): The No. 2 59ers picked up a regional championship in 2002 with a 29-20 win over Twin Lakes. Sol Belloso managed three carries for 53 yards with a touchdown and completed both of his passes for five yards in Andrean’s 49-0 win over Benton Central. DJ Guthrie finished with three receptions for 85 yards with a touchdown and one tackle in the Indians’ 63-25 win over Hammond Bishop Noll. Matt’s pick: Andrean 42, Twin Lakes 23.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 26
West Noble (10-1) at Angola (8-3): The No. 13 Chargers recorded a 14-7 win over Angola on October 9. Brogan Parks carried the ball six times for 27 yards with three scores and racked up eight tackles with four for loss and four sacks in West Noble’s 50-15 win over Jimtown. Cooper Weisenauer accounted for seven rushes for 51 yards with a touchdown, two catches for 11 yards, and nine tackles in the Hornets’ 28-7 win at Fairfield. Matt’s pick: West Noble 22, Angola 18.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 27
Heritage (8-3) at Bluffton (11-0): The No. 7 Tigers were a 16-0 winner against Heritage on October 2. Lucas Taylor rambled nine times for 59 yards with a touchdown in the Patriots’ 20-17 win over No. 11 Adams Central. Axton Beste contributed eight rushes for 76 yards with two scores and completed 4-of-10 for 60 yards with another touchdown in Bluffton’s 54-14 win over Norwell. Matt’s pick: Bluffton 38, Heritage 12.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 28
Hamilton Heights (8-3) at West Lafayette (4-7): The Huskies managed a 38-0 win over West Lafayette on October 16. AJ Flanagan carried the ball 17 times for 77 yards and caught two passes for 22 yards with a touchdown in Hamilton Heights’ 30-6 win over Western. Chase Ostrom ended with seven receptions for 82 yards with two scores in the Red Devils’ 54-26 upset of No. 9 Maconaquah. Matt’s pick: Hamilton Heights 37, West Lafayette 13.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 29
Western Boone (8-3) at Tri-West (9-2): The No. 10 Bruins rolled past Western Boone, 42-20, on August 21. Matt’s pick: Tri-West 25, Western Boone 20.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 30
Lawrenceburg (10-1) at Batesville (9-2): The No. 5 Tigers roared to a 35-20 win over Batesville on September 25. Matt’s pick: Lawrenceburg 38, Batesville 14.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 31
Indian Creek (10-0) at Sullivan (6-5): The No. 4 Braves came away with a 21-14 win over Sullivan during the 2024 campaign. Matt’s pick: Indian Creek 29, Sullivan 7.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 32
Evansville Memorial (11-0) at Evansville Mater Dei (9-2): The top-ranked Tigers pulled away for a 52-21 win over No. 8 Mater Dei on September 11. Matt’s pick: Evansville Memorial 41, Mater Dei 18.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 33
Knox (5-6) at Wheeler (10-1): The No. 11 Bearcats suffered a 30-20 loss to Knox in the 2001 sectional quarterfinals. Ashton Walker raced 11 times for 80 yards with three scores and tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass in the Redskins’ 51-7 win over LaVille. Noah Helmer tallied 11 tackles and an interception in Wheeler’s 35-0 win against Rensselaer Central. Matt’s pick: Wheeler 45, Knox 21.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 34
Eastside (10-0) at Rochester (6-5): Ty Sebert rolled up 14 tackles with two for loss in the No. 4 Blazers’ 41-13 win over Bremen. Trenton Meadows rambled 18 times for 86 yards with two scores in the Zebras’ 36-13 triumph at Central Noble. Matt’s pick: Eastside 49, Rochester 14.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 35
Oak Hill (6-5) at Lewis Cass (8-3): The Kings celebrated a sectional title in 2008 with a 53-27 win over Oak Hill. Oliver Mills contributed six tackles in the Golden Eagles’ 35-26 win over Delphi. Eli Grist added eight carries for 72 yards with a touchdown in Lewis Cass’s 50-19 win over Tipton. Matt’s pick: Lewis Cass 33, Oak Hill 11.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 36
Hagerstown (11-0) at Lapel (10-1): The No. 6 Bulldogs earned a sectional crown in 2008 with a 40-21 win against No. 10 Hagerstown. Nick Tinkle caught three passes for 19 yards and racked up 11 tackles with two for loss in the Tigers’ 33-16 win over Shenandoah. Reed Hamilton hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass and chipped in three tackles and a sack in Lapel’s 47-0 win against Alexandria. Matt’s pick: Lapel 34, Hagerstown 24.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 37
Indianapolis Lutheran (10-0) at Eastern Hancock (11-0): The No. 3 Saints celebrated a Class 1A regional title in 2014 with 21-19 win over No. 5 Eastern Hancock. Matt’s pick: Eastern Hancock 30, Indianapolis Lutheran 26.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 38
Monrovia (5-6) at South Putnam (11-0): The Bulldogs crushed No. 2 and defending Class 1A state champion South Putnam, 46-12, during the 2014 season. Matt’s pick: South Putnam 47, Monrovia 10.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 39
Brownstown Central (11-0) at Switzerland County (5-6): The No. 1 and defending state runner-up Braves blanked Switzerland County, 55-0, in the 2025 sectional final. Matt’s pick: Brownstown Central 51, Switzerland County 6.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 40
Linton-Stockton (3-8) at North Posey (10-1): The Miners raced past No. North Posey, 47-17, in the 2020 sectional semifinals. Matt’s pick: North Posey 46, Linton-Stockton 8.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 41
West Central (10-1) at North Judson (10-1): The No. 4 Bluejays soared to a 54-0 win over No. 13 West Central in the 2020 sectional quarterfinals. Connor Huber went 3-of-5 for 85 yards with a touchdown and rushed 11 times for 56 yards with another tally in the Trojans’ 38-8 win over North Newton. Zander Nowak chipped in a 24-yard reception, eight tackles with two for loss, and a fumble recovery in North Judson’s 48-20 win over Winamac. Matt’s pick: North Judson 41, West Central 14.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 42
Lafayette Central Catholic (5-6) at Clinton Prairie (7-4): The Knights downed Clinton Prairie, 45-14, in the 2019 sectional semifinals. Jackson Newkirk came up with three catches for 41 yards with two scores in Lafayette Central Catholic’s 54-0 win over Tri-County. Alex King registered four receptions for 77 yards with a touchdown and six rushes for 43 yards with a second score in the Gophers’ 47-8 win over North White. Matt’s pick: Lafayette Central Catholic 37, Clinton Prairie 9.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 43
Caston (9-2) at Pioneer (11-0): The No. 1 and defending state runner-up Panthers managed a 35-7 win over No. 12 Caston on September 11. Logan Mollenkopf completed 4-of-6 for 85 yards with a touchdown and ran six times for 70 yards with another tally in the Comets’ 55-22 win over Clinton Central. Colten Long romped 13 times for 79 yards and caught a 12-yard pass in Pioneer’s 50-20 win at Sheridan. Matt’s pick: Pioneer 49, Caston 16.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 44
Fremont (8-3) at South Adams (9-2): The No. 5 Starfires cruised to a 64-0 win over No. 15 Fremont in the 2022 sectional quarterfinals. Rylan Martin accounted for three receptions for 59 yards with a touchdown, three rushes for 36 yards, and eight tackles in the Eagles’ 32-26 win over Northfield. Cam Bauman galloped three times for 84 yards with two scores and added two tackles in South Adams’ 70-7 win at Southwood. Matt’s pick: South Adams 35, Fremont 15.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 45
Knightstown (8-2) at Tri (6-5): The No. 10 Panthers crushed Tri, 49-0, on October 2. Matt’s pick: Knightstown 38, Tri 14.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 46
Milan (9-2) at North Decatur (9-2): The No. 8 Indians clobbered North Decatur, 56-7, on September 4. Matt’s pick: Milan 25, North Decatur 21.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 47
Riverton Parke (10-0) at Cloverdale (8-3): The No. 2 Panthers registered a 33-13 win over Cloverdale a year ago. Matt’s pick: Riverton Parke 41, Cloverdale 16.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 48
Forest Park (6-5) at North Daviess (11-0): The Rangers and No. 3 North Daviess have never met before on the football field. Matt’s pick: North Daviess 47, Forest Park 12.
