=CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 2
FORT WAYNE SNIDER (7-2) AT ELKHART (8-1)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Rice Field.
COACHES: Kurt Tippmann, 157-39 in 16th season at Fort Wayne Snider. Travon Curry, 8-1 in first season at Elkhart.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First get together on the gridiron.
LAST CONTEST: Fort Wayne Snider beat Fort Wayne Wayne, 21-8. Elkhart beat South Bend Adams, 55-14.
UP NEXT: Fort Wayne Snider goes to No. 10 Carroll (Fort Wayne) (7-2) or hosts Fort Wayne Northrop (2-7). Elkhart travels to Carroll (Fort Wayne) or Fort Wayne Northrop.
TOP PERFORMERS: Braylon Burton ran 21 yards for a touchdown for the Panthers against Fort Wayne Wayne. Connor Dow had five carries for 65 yards with two scores for the No. 6 Lions against Adams.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Elkhart is one of the top teams in Class 6A. They have very talented players and have continued to play well all season. It’s impressive that their only loss was by one point (13-12 to Concord) in game one, and they’ve have been rolling ever since. They are big on the offensive and defensive lines, so this will be a huge challenge for our undersized group. They have an experienced quarterback (Quinn Rost) with very talented, hard running backs. We have to stop their run game first and foremost. They have a deep threat at wide receiver and will be a matchup issue for our secondary. Defensively, they cause a lot of disruption with their scheme. We have to sort it out and get hats on hats to be successful. The kicking game is going to be huge as both teams have good kickers.” – Fort Wayne Snider’s Kurt Tippmann.
“Snider is a good, well-coached football team with some serious ball players all over the field. We will have to play disciplined football all night Friday night and execute our assignment each play. It will also be a physical game, so we have to be the more physical team on Friday night. I like how we match up with them, and I am looking forward to a slugfest at Rice Field on Friday night.” – Elkhart’s Travon Curry.
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 8
FRANKLIN CENTRAL (5-3) AT COLUMBUS NORTH (8-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Andress Field.
COACHES: Jayson West, 16-22 in fourth season at Franklin Central, 139-60 in 17th season overall. Logan Haston, 18-13 in third season at Columbus North.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Franklin Central, 14-11, on Nov. 1, 2019 in Class 6A sectional semifinal.
LAST CONTEST: Franklin Central lost to Westfield, 44-7. Columbus North beat Terre Haute South, 48-24.
UP NEXT: Franklin Central travels to Center Grove (5-4) or entertains Jeffersonville (6-3). Columbus North plays at Center Grove or Jeffersonville.
TOP PERFORMERS: Barrett Craciunoiu hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass for the Flashes against No. 3 Westfield. Asher Ratliff went 17-of-27 for 210 yards with three scores for the No. 7 Bull Dogs against Terre Haute South.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We are playing a team that is very similar to us matchup wise. So, we will have to be very good in all three phases, create three-four big plays on offense or special teams, and play solid team defense to have a chance to win against a very good Columbus North football team.” – Franklin Central’s Jayson West.
“Franklin Central is a very well-coached team that plays in a highly competitive conference. We will need to match their speed and intensity from the very start of the game. We’ve been battled-tested throughout the season, and our guys are poised to embrace the moment and take care of business.” – Columbus North’s Logan Haston.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 11
CONCORD (9-0) AT FORT WAYNE NORTH (5-4)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Chambers Field.
COACHES: Craig Koehler, 71-34 in 10th season at Concord. Ben Johnson, 18-21 in fourth season at Fort Wayne North.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Concord, 28-19, on October 30, 2015, in Class 5A sectional semifinal.
LAST CONTEST: Concord beat Plymouth, 42-14. Fort Wayne North lost to Carroll (Fort Wayne), 38-22.
UP NEXT: Concord hosts No. 9 Warsaw (6-3) or Goshen (0-9), Fort Wayne North entertains Warsaw or goes to Goshen.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jaron Thomas scampered nine times for 78 yards with two touchdowns for the top-ranked Minutemen against Plymouth. Maalik Moore caught six passes for 76 yards with a score for the Legends against No. 10 Carroll (Fort Wayne).
COACHES’ CORNER: “We have to be able to establish the run which will allow us to find rhythm in the pass game. We would prefer a grinding type of game against them. They have incredible big play capability which has the potential to make the game chaotic. It could be a long night if we do not tackle well.” – Concord’s Craig Koehler.
“We cannot give up big plays. We must stop the run because they have a good running back (Jaron Thomas). We must win the line of scrimmage; They have great size up front, so we must be physical. When we have the ball on offense, we must score and not turn the ball over. We must win the special teams and not give up a big play and make a big play on special teams when we have the opportunity. Their quarterback (Bo Brunner) is good. He has a nice arm and can run. We got to mix up coverages to keep him guessing and make sure we rally to him if he decides to run the ball.” – Fort Wayne North’s Ben Johnson.
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 16
CASTLE (7-2) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (6-2)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Weigleb Stadium.
COACHES: Doug Hurt, 141-76 in 19th season at Castle. James Bragg, 43-28 in seventh season at Floyd Central.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Castle, 42-28, on November 4, 2016, in Class 5A sectional final.
LAST CONTEST: Castle lost to Evansville Memorial, 28-21. Floyd Central beat New Albany, 55-0.
UP NEXT: Castle entertains Evansville North (4-5) or New Albany (3-6). Floyd Central hosts Evansville North or goes to New Albany.
TOP PERFORMERS: Boden Morgan completed 18-of-29 for 164 yards for the No. 8 Knights against No. 1 (Class 3A) Evansville Memorial. Sebastion Robertson managed 18 carries for 147 yards with two scores for the Highlanders against New Albany.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We have been focusing on techniques issues and missed assignments. We have worked as much on ourselves as we have the opponent. Both are important, but we need to be hitting our stride and continuing to eliminate mistakes. Floyd Central has great balance offensively. They have a 1,000-yard rusher (Sebastion Robertson) and a quarterback (Jack Mull) that is approaching 1,500 yards. We have to do our best to slow them down and have an outstanding performance from our special teams’ units. We have worked a great deal with those units to make sure that we do win the battle of field position and that we give ourselves a chance to be successful. I think we need to continue to seek balance on offense. Our running game has been consistent all year, but we need to continue to diversify and be able to push the ball down the field. In the playoffs, teams are going to make you play left-handed and we have to be willing and able to move the ball using alternative means and different personnel.” – Castle’s Doug Hurt.
“We need to make sure we have no missed tackles, are able to control the clock, and get them into second down and long situations.” – Floyd Central’s James Bragg.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 19
EAST NOBLE (9-1) AT LEO (8-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Lions Field.
COACHES: Alex Stewart, 9-1 in first season at East Noble, 63-40 in 10th season overall. Jason Doerffler, 27-9 in third season at Leo, 50-67 in 11th season overall.
PREVIOUS MEETING: East Noble, 35-29, on September 20, 2024.
LAST CONTEST: East Noble beat Fort Wayne South, 45-7. Leo beat DeKalb, 37-6.
UP NEXT: East Noble or Leo hosts Fort Wayne Wayne (4-5) or travels to Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (5-5).
TOP PERFORMERS: Dylan Krehl tallied 10 rushes for 164 yards with two touchdowns for the No. 2 Knights against Fort Wayne South. Rashaad Martin carried the ball three times for 108 yards with two scores for the No. 10 Lions against DeKalb.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We have a lot of respect for the Leo football program. They have a great team and they’ve had an outstanding season. They are 8-2 and have lost two games by a combined nine points. They are very well-coached and their coaches do a great job of utilizing their playmakers. We anticipate a huge crowd from both sides, and it should be an exciting atmosphere for playoff football.” – East Noble’s Alex Stewart.
“East Noble is a very strong football program that prides itself in playing a very physical style of football on both sides. They are well-coached and a very disciplined football team. We will have to take care of the football and run the ball effectively. We will also have to play great defense. They have a very explosive offense with a great running back (Dylan Krehl) and a great quarterback (Rylee Biddle). We expect a great battle on Friday and were excited about getting another opportunity to play East Noble.” – Leo’s Jason Doerffler.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 20
LOGANSPORT (9-1) AT LEBANON (8-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Lebanon Football Field.
COACHES: Mike Johnson, 45-47 in ninth season at Logansport, 259-125 in 34th season overall. Jeff Smock, 47-35 in eighth season at Lebanon.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Logansport, 16-0, on November 8, 1924.
LAST CONTEST: Logansport beat Muncie Central, 35-13. Lebanon beat Culver Academy, 35-32.
UP NEXT: Logansport entertains Marion (5-4) or Huntington North (7-3). Lebanon travels to Marion or hosts Huntington North.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chris Del Valle accounted for 17 carries for 118 yards with three touchdowns for the Berries against Muncie Central. Colton Pollard caught six passes for 115 yards with two scores for the Tigers against Culver Academy.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Lebanon is an outstanding football team in all phases of the game. We will have to play great run and pass defense to try to slow their offensive attack which is well balanced. We must be disciplined in pass coverage and be able to tackle well against some very good backs and quarterback who is capable of running the ball. We must find a way to move the ball against their defense which has played extremely well over the last seven ball games of the season.” – Logansport’s Mike Johnson.
“Logansport has a really good football team. Offensively for us, the keys are to eliminate turnovers, establish our run game, and continue to be effective on third down. Their defense promotes some challenges with their overall team speed and physicality. Defensively, the keys are to force them into second-third down and long situations. Their offense does a really great job of getting off the ball up front and moving the line of scrimmage. Their running backs run hard behind that offensive line and that presents challenges because they can certainly make explosive plays in the passing game if you get too nosy on the run and don’t mind your keys.” – Lebanon’s Jeff Smock.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 27
WEST LAFAYETTE (7-3) AT NORTHWESTERN (9-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Tiger Field.
COACHES: Shane Fry, 123-26 in 12th season at West Lafayette. Caleb Small, 9-1 in first season at Northwestern.
PREVIOUS MEETING: West Lafayette, 51-22, on October 14, 2016.
LAST CONTEST: West Lafayette beat Frankton, 49-7. Northwestern beat Benton Central, 49-12.
UP NEXT: West Lafayette hosts No. 8 Maconaquah (10-0) or travels to Twin Lakes (5-5). Northwestern plays at Maconaquah or Twin Lakes.
TOP PERFORMERS: Dawson Martin rambled 10 times for 96 yards with a score for the Red Devils against Frankton. Brock Shank went 15-of-21 for 241 yards with five touchdowns for the Tigers against Benton Central.
COACHES’ CORNER: “In order for us to compete with Northwestern, we must be able to slow down their passing attack. Their quarterback, Brock Shank, does a tremendous job distributing the ball to several talented wide receivers. We also need to take care of the ball on offense as they are one of the most aggressive teams we have seen. As always, special teams will be crucial in deciding the game. We must be solid on all special teams and play smart disciplined football.” – West Lafayette’s Shane Fry.
“For us to have success this week, it will take great discipline throughout all aspects of the game. Coach Fry runs one of the best programs in the state of Indiana, and they have some very talented and savvy football players across their roster. It will be vital for us to start the game effectively and efficiently on both sides of the ball.” – Northwestern’s Caleb Small.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 32
SOUTHRIDGE (8-2) AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (10-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Enlow Field.
COACHES: Scott Buening, 111-36 in 12th season at Southridge, 123-64 in 16th season overall. John Hurley, 147-70 in 17th season at Evansville Memorial.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First contest on the football field.
LAST CONTEST: Southridge beat Mount Vernon (Posey), 55-35. Evansville Memorial beat Evansville Mater Dei, 34-14.
UP NEXT: Southridge or Evansville Memorial goes to No. 3 Heritage Hills (9-1) or Vincennes Lincoln (4-6).
TOP PERFORMERS: Justin Leathers accumulated nine rushes for 151 yards with four touchdowns for the Raiders against Mount Vernon (Posey). Dylan Kendrick recorded 17 carries for 156 yards with two scores for the top-ranked Tigers against No. 9 Evansville Mater Dei.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Evansville Memorial has established themselves as one of the elite football programs in the state of Indiana. They have been success factored up and won a (Class 4A) state title while success factored up and our now back in Class 3A. They are very deserving of all the accolades they have received this year, and to have an undefeated season in the SIAC (Southern Indiana Athletic Conference) is tremendously difficult to do. They are a very balanced team in that they are very good in all three phrases and have great balance offensively in how effective they are both running and passing the ball and they have the ability to generate explosive plays in both. Defensively, they are fast, athletic, and aggressive and put pressure on your in many ways. We are excited about the challenge and opportunity ahead and look forward to competing with one of the elite programs in the state.” – Southridge’s Scott Buening.
“This will be the first-ever meeting between Southridge and Memorial. Southridge is a well-coached football team that plays with great confidence. Coach Buening and his staff excel at preparing their players for big games. It will be an exciting atmosphere on Friday night at Enlow Field. To succeed, we need to stop the run, protect the football, minimize penalties, and make big plays on both sides of the ball.” – Evansville Memorial’s John Hurley.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 34
WESTERN BOONE (8-2) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (9-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, LaRocca Field.
COACHES: Justin Pelley, 108-37 in 12th season at Western Boone. Brian Nay, 58-27 in seventh season at Lafayette Central Catholic.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First time playing football.
LAST CONTEST: Western Boone beat North Putnam, 56-27. Lafayette Central Catholic beat Delphi, 63-21.
UP NEXT: Western Boone hosts Lewis Cass (5-5) or North Montgomery (4-6). Lafayette Central Catholic travels to Lewis Cass or North Montgomery.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jacob Smith registered 16 carries for 99 yards with two scores for the Stars against North Putnam. Joey Metzger caught four passes for 118 yards for the No. 1 Knights against Delphi.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We are looking forward to taking on the number one team ranked in Class 2A in LCC. They will be well-coached and exploit any weaknesses that we may have on both offense and on defense. We will need to control the football and keep their offense off the field in order to have a chance to win Friday night. Our special teams have been ‘special’ thus far, so we must win that one-third of the game as well.” – Western Boone’s Justin Pelley.
“We will need another great week of improvement Monday through Thursday if we’re going to put our best foot forward on Friday. Coach Pelley has a Hall of Fame pedigree at a young age already, and we know the Stars will be extremely well-prepared and ready to play.” – Lafayette Central Catholic’s Brian Nay.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 39
SOUTH VERMILLION (10-0) AT LINTON-STOCKTON (8-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Williams Field.
COACHES: Greg Barrett, 53-28 in eighth season at South Vermillion, 110-62 in 16th season overall. Brian Oliver, 122-27 in 12th season at Linton-Stockton.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Linton-Stockton, 47-21, on October 21, 2022 in Class 2A sectional quarterfinal.
LAST CONTEST: South Vermillion beat North Posey, 38-36. Linton-Stockton beat Sullivan, 30-7.
UP NEXT: South Vermillion entertains Brown County (6-4) or Greencastle (4-6). Linton-Stockton goes to Brown County or Greencastle.
TOP PERFORMERS: Parker Weir registered eight receptions for 241 yards with three touchdowns for the No. 6 Wildcats against North Posey. Hayden Feltner had a 10-yard catch for a score for the No. 7 Miners against Sullivan.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We have to play mistake-free and take advantage of every opportunity we get. This is the most coveted program in the Wabash Valley. Coach Oliver and his staff have done an outstanding job creating a winning culture. This is exactly what we at South Vermillion are trying to do. His kids play tough, hard, and to the whistle. We need to be explosive on offense and win the turnover battle. If we do this, we give ourselves a chance.” – South Vermillion’s Greg Barrett.
“Coach Barrett has done a tremendous job at SV. He has built a very good program there. He has a great team that is very sound in all three phases of the game. His quarterback, Dom Garzolini, is very accurate and you can tell he is a student of the game. He has some great wide receivers who can make plays that will create matchup issues for us. This should be a great environment at the Roy. We must take care of the football and not give up the big plays. Line play is always a factor in big games like this one.” – Linton-Stockton’s Brian Oliver.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 40
PAOLI (10-0) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (10-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Blevins Stadium.
COACHES: Neil Dittmer, 41-13 in fifth season at Paoli. Reed May, 310-64 in 32nd season at Brownstown Central.
LAST MEETING: Brownstown Central, 42-14, on August 19, 2016.
LAST CONTEST: Paoli beat Eastern (Pekin), 42-0. Brownstown Central beat Switzerland County, 50-8.
UP NEXT: Paoli or Brownstown Central travels to Salem (5-5) or Tell City (5-5)
TOP PERFORMERS: Fletcher Cole was 5-of-6 for 127 yards with two touchdowns for the No. 5 Rams against Eastern (Pekin). Gregory Hutcheson came up with 13 carries for 66 yards with a score for the No. 2 Braves against Switzerland County.
COACHES’ CORNER: “If we are going to come away with a victory Friday against Brownstown Central, it’s going to come down to limiting mistakes and turnovers, being excellent in all three phases of the game, and being physical every snap for all four quarters.” – Paoli’s Neil Dittmer.
“Paoli is an outstanding team. Coach Dittmer and his staff do a great job running their triple option offense and 3-4 defense. They are not only well-coached, but they have 20 starters returning from their 2023 team that went 10-2. To be successful, we must be disciplined on defense. We must play our option responsibilities and not get fooled on their play action passes. Offensively, we need to move the ball which will help our defense and as in any big game, play turnover-free and win the special teams’ battle. It should be a great atmosphere and a great game on Friday.” – Brownstown Central’s Reed May.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 42
PIONEER (7-3) AT CARROLL (FLORA) (10-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Carroll Field.
COACHES: Adam Berry, 87-24 in ninth season at Pioneer. Blake Betzner, 42-7 in fourth season at Carroll.
LAST MEETING: Pioneer, 74-0, on October 26, 2018 in Class 1A sectional semifinal.
LAST CONTEST: Pioneer beat Caston, 20-7. Carroll beat Frontier, 49-21.
UP NEXT: Pioneer hosts Tri-County (7-3) or Taylor (5-5). Carroll (Flora) goes to Tri-County or Taylor.
TOP PERFORMERS: Micah Rans totaled 21 carries for 192 yards with three scores for the Panthers against Caston. Eli Falkenburg ended with a pair of touchdown receptions for the No. 2 Cougars against No. 8 Frontier.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Carroll is a great team that has had a lot of success and experience in big games. They are a fundamentally sound team that does not make a lot of mistakes. We know their coaching staff is going to have a great game plan and know it’s going to be a battle on Friday night. Offensively, we have to limit our penalties. We had way too many in week one of sectionals that stalled some of our drives. Our offensive line is also going to have a great night with communication. Carroll does a nice job of switching things up, and can cause problems if we are not communicating. Their offense has a very effective running and passing attack with weapons all over the field. Our defense is going to have to read their keys and do their job. We cannot guess what we think they are going to do. We have to read and react and get 11 guys to the football to get them down. We cannot give up the big plays and have to make them drive the field for us to be successful.” – Pioneer’s Adam Berry.
“Pioneer is and has been one of the top Class 1A football programs in the state for many years. Our young men are excited to play Pioneer and all the tradition that goes a long with them. They are very well-coached and do things the right way. They have some really good athletes and their line gets off the ball very fast. We are hoping to just play a clean game and limit bad plays and penalties. This should be a great Class 1A football game. It’s going to be a beautiful night with a big crowd and a great atmosphere, so we’re excited for our team to get this experience.” – Carroll’s Blake Betzner.
