BY PAUL CONDRY AND MATT KOPSEA
(ALL GAMES ON FRIDAY)
CARMEL (4-2) AT BEN DAVIS (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Giants Stadium.
COACHES: John Hebert, 24-9 in third season at Carmel. Mike Kirschner, 87-36 in 11th season at Ben Davis, 101-62 in 15th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Carmel beat North Central (Indianapolis), 10-9. Ben Davis beat Lawrence North, 41-8.
LAST MEETING: Carmel, 40-36, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Carmel has not had a losing season since going 4-6 in 1997. Ben Davis is looking for its first 7-0 start since 2001.
COACH TALK: “We are going to have to play error-free on Friday. Carmel is coming off three straight wins and does not make many mistakes. They have a great defense that is only giving up 17 points per game, so our offense will be tested.” – Ben Davis’ Mike Kirschner.
CHURUBUSCO (6-0) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Cougar Field.
COACHES: Paul Sade, 35-15 in fifth season at Churubusco. Greg Moe, 7-9 in second season at Central Noble, 62-44 in 11th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Churubusco beat Fremont, 61-0. Central Noble beat Lakeland, 49-14.
LAST MEETING: Churubusco, 42-6, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Churubusco has not allowed a point in eight straight quarters. Central Noble has not experienced a winning season since finishing 6-5 in 2007.
COACH TALK: “Central Noble is the most physical team we have faced all year and has four athletes faster than our fastest player. We will need to prepare mentally to get hit on every play from kids that are much bigger than ours. If we are going to have a chance, we need to find a way to contain (running back) Breeon Burgess.” – Churubusco’s Paul Sade.
CONCORD (6-0) AT PLYMOUTH (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, The Rock Pile.
COACHES: Craig Koehler, 20-7 in third season at Concord. John Barron, 108-44 in 14th season at Plymouth.
LAST CONTEST: Concord beat Jimtown, 41-7. Plymouth beat Wawasee, 34-6.
LAST MEETING: Concord, 19-18, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Concord’s last 7-0 start came in 2010. Over its three contests, Plymouth has allowed just six points in each quarter.
COACH TALK: “We have got to play with great eye discipline on defense. We also are going to have to be able to get off blocks out in space. Offensively, we will need to pick up their various pressure looks that they will bring at us.” – Concord’s Craig Koehler.
“To have success vs. Concord, we will have to have very good execution with our option game, find a way to slow down their running game, and limit the big play.” – Plymouth’s John Barron.
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (5-1) AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. CDT, Enlow Field.
COACHES: Andy Owen, 72-44 in 11th season at Evansville Central. John Hurley, 65-52 in 10th season at Evansville Memorial.
LAST CONTEST: Evansville Central beat Evansville Harrison, 48-13. Evansville Memorial beat Evansville Reitz, 41-21.
LAST MEETING: Evansville Central, 21-14, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Evansville Central’s last four losses have all been to Evansville Reitz. Evansville Memorial has not started a season with seven straight wins since 1989.
COACH TALK: “Central will have to run the ball well. We must not turn the ball over and must be great in the kicking game. Memorial is a great team. It will be a tremendous atmosphere in Evansville this Friday.” – Evansville Central’s Andy Owen.
“We will have to play a sound fundamental game Friday to have an opportunity for success. Central is an explosive football team who has the ability score from anywhere. Defensively, we will need to stop the run and eliminate big plays. Offensively, we need to be able to run the ball, be efficient in the passing game, and have perfect ball security.” – Evansville Memorial’s John Hurley.
HAGERSTOWN (5-1) AT CENTERVILLE (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Craig Field.
COACHES: Scott Snodgrass, 37-32 in seventh season at Hagerstown, 46-92 in 14th season overall. Kyle Padgett, 8-8 in second season at Centerville.
LAST CONTEST: Hagerstown beat Tri, 48-12. Centerville beat Northeastern, 14-0.
LAST MEETING: Hagerstown, 28-7, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Hagerstown has not celebrated a sectional crown since 2010. Centerville is looking for its first six-game winning streak since 2011.
COACH TALK: “We must most definitely win the turnover battle. They are big and strong up front, so we will have to make sure to block well and finish blocks. Our pursuit must be excellent and we must tackle well when we arrive to the ball carrier. I also feel that special teams will be key this week. For the most part, we must continue to make progress improving on the details as we have over the last several weeks. If we are better this week than we were last week, I think we have a good chance to succeed. Centerville is a tough team and is playing very well. They have caused a lot of situations that others would consider luck (forced fumbles, interceptions, big kick returns, etc.) through great effort and solid technique. I expect an intense and physical game on their field as it is their homecoming game as well.” – Hagerstown’s Scott Snodgrass.
“The key to this game will be controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They have a very explosive offense that likely cannot be stopped, but we do hope to contain. If our offense can stay on the field and move the chains, we will be in a position to win this game. I also expect special teams to play a big factor in this game.” – Centerville’s Kyle Padgett.
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (5-1) AT TRITON CENTRAL (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Bud Mendenhall Field.
COACHES: Ott Hurrle, 174-128 in 26th season at Indianapolis Scecina, 175-137 in 28th season overall. Tim Able, 39-16 in fifth season at Triton Central, 164-114 in 25th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Indianapolis Scecina beat Indianapolis Lutheran, 26-15. Triton Central beat Indianapolis Ritter, 28-21.
LAST MEETING: Indianapolis Scecina, 29-28, in two overtimes on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Indianapolis Scecina is averaging 34.2 points per game. Triton Central is allowing just 11.2 points per contest.
COACH TALK: “Triton Central is a very well-coached, patient team. We will need to prevent the big plays and try our best to keep their offense off the field. They throw a lot of formations at you, so we will need to be diligent in reading our defensive keys.” – Scecina’s Ott Hurrle.
“The Scecina Crusaders are a pass heavy offense with great speed and an elite passer. Mac Ayres threw the ball more than 40 times against Roncalli. He has the most accurate arm we have faced. His height allows him to see over the rushing defenders. Our challenge this week is to control the pass which will be a supreme test. However, Scecina coach Hurrle has always prided themselves on a stout run game. Their defensive speed and pursuit to the football is the best we have faced this year. The only team they struggled to defend was elite power Roncalli. They are undefeated in conference this season, not by accident but through hard work and being detail oriented program.” – Triton Central’s Tim Able.
KNOX (6-0) AT PIONEER (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, The Pit.
COACHES: John Hendryx, 21-9 in third season at Knox, 196-85 in 25th season overall. Adam Berry, 20-1 in second season at Pioneer.
LAST CONTEST: Knox beat LaVille, 19-0. Pioneer beat Triton, 62-8.
LAST MEETING: Pioneer, 48-6, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Knox is going for its first seven game winning streak to start the season since 1976. Pioneer is looking for its 32nd straight regular-season victory.
COACH TALK: “For us to win against Pioneer, we can’t make any mistakes. We can’t turn the ball over, have any penalties, missed assignments, or alignments. They are an amazing team that will never beat themselves.” – Knox’s John Hendryx.
“Knox is the most physical team that we have faced so far this season. We will have to match their intensity and our offensive line has to stay low. We will also have to tackle better than we have the last two weeks and will have to get all 11 guys to the ball carrier.” – Pioneer’s Adam Berry.
MONROE CENTRAL (6-0) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Knarr Field.
COACHES: John Hochstetler, 40-22 in sixth season at Monroe Central, 127-105 in 21st season overall. Jim O’Hara, 30-11 in fourth season at Eastern Hancock, 117-59 in 16th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Monroe Central beat Wes-Del, 29-0. Eastern Hancock beat North Decatur, 38-21.
LAST MEETING: Monroe Central, 34-13, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Monroe Central has surrendered just six points over its last four games. Jim O’Hara led Indianapolis Cathedral to the 1996 Class 4A state championship.
COACH TALK: “We have a real challenge in Eastern Hancock. They are very talented and well coached. They have a strong senior group that leads and plays hard. This being a road game makes the challenge even greater. Should make for a great matchup.” – Monroe Central’s John Hochstetler.
NEW PRAIRIE (5-1) AT MISHAWAKA MARIAN (4-2)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Otolski Field.
COACHES: Russ Radtke, 54-13 in sixth season at New Prairie, 344-133 in 41st season overall. Reggie Glon, 160-100 in 24th season at Mishawaka Marian.
LAST CONTEST: New Prairie beat South Bend Riley, 42-32. Mishawaka Marian lost to Bremen, 21-14.
LAST MEETING: Mishawaka Marian, 21-17, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Russ Radtke has not experienced a losing campaign on the field since Connersville posted a 2-7 mark in 1990. Marian has not won a home game against New Prairie since 1997.
COACH TALK: “Mishawaka Marian is always a fun team to prepare for. Coach Glon and his staff will, without a doubt, have their players ready to play. To win Friday night, we must do a better job at not leaving points out on the field. Turnovers and failing to score in the red zone caused us to let the game slip away last year. We will need to make sure we are in the correct defenses, play aggressively, and force them to punt. Special teams will need to be at their best. Field position will be vital to our success.” – New Prairie’s Russ Radtke.
“We have to cut off the self-inflected wounds. We cannot turn the ball over, give up big plays, and have so many penalties if we want to have a chance to win this week. New Prairie is a very well-coached disciplined team which plays hard for 48 minutes. We must match that to have a chance. This has become one of our better rivalry games on our schedule.” – Marian’s Reggie Glon.
SHELBYVILLE (5-1) AT NEW PALESTINE (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Kelso Stadium.
COACHES: Patrick Parks, 124-118 in 23rd season at Shelbyville. Kyle Ralph, 56-3 in fifth season at New Palestine.
LAST CONTEST: Shelbyville beat Yorktown, 29-28. New Palestine beat Greenfield-Central, 59-3.
LAST MEETING: New Palestine, 70-20, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: In its last four matchups against New Palestine, Shelbyville has been outscored, 231-23. New Palestine has not been shutout since a 7-0 loss to Greenfield-Central in 2010.
COACH TALK: “In order to beat New Pal, we will need to match their physicality on both sides of the ball. They really pride themselves on being the most physical team on the field. We have to be willing to put it all on the line and execute in all facets of the game with great physicality. Offensively, we have to keep ourselves on schedule and not get behind the chains. First down is very important and we have to stress going north and south and really limiting any negative plays. Obviously, we need to protect the football. New Pal is very good at taking the ball away and capitalizing on any good field position. Defensively, we have to stop the run first. New Pal is a physical run first team, who can throw the ball well, so we have to take away that aspect of the game or at least limit it. Along the same lines. we have to eliminate the ‘big’ play. They can strike with the pass or the run from anywhere on the field. It’s a big challenge that we have to take head on.” – Shelbyville’s Pat Parks.
“In order to beat Shelbyville, we have to play a complete football game. They are again very well coached. Coach Parks has been doing a tremendous job over there and have some very good athletes. They also have a very large and powerful line on both sides of the ball. We have to play physical and keep their athletes corralled in space to be successful on defense. On offense, we must continue to grow up and execute our game plan well, Shelbyville can put up a lot of points very quickly, so when our offense has the ball, we have to score points and protect the football so their offense can’t have extra opportunities.” – New Palestine’s Kyle Ralph.
SHERIDAN (5-1) AT TIPTON (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Tipton Field
COACHES: Larry Wright, 405-187 in 52nd season at Sheridan, 406-190 in 53rd season overall. Aaron Tolle, 92-52 in 13th season at Tipton.
LAST CONTEST: Sheridan beat Taylor, 64-13. Tipton beat Northwestern, 56-7.
LAST MEETING: Sheridan, 14-10, on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Sheridan is averaging 41 points per game. Tipton is going for a 7-0 start for the first time since 1997.
COACH TALK: “In order for the Blue Devils to be successful on Friday vs. Sheridan, I think the following needs to happen. We must contain No. 30 (Joe Callahan) in Sheridan’s run game. He is a very tough and versatile back that is capable of grounding out yards. We must contain him especially on first down. We must be very solid in pass protection. Sheridan will bring a variety of blitzes in order to slow down our passing game. We have to keep our quarterback (K.J. Roudebush) in a clean pocket. The team with the fewest penalties and turnovers usually win these kinds of games. We must also be disciplined and protect the ball.” – Tipton’s Aaron Tolle.
SILVER CREEK (6-0) AT NORTH HARRISON (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, North Harrison Field.
COACHES: John Dablow, 17-10 in third season at Silver Creek, 34-54 in ninth season overall. Mark Williamson, 34-25 in sixth season at North Harrison, 50-43 in ninth season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Silver Creek beat Clarksville, 56-14. North Harrison beat Eastern (Pekin), 40-14.
LAST MEETING: North Harrison, 14-13, in overtime on September 30, 2016.
DID YOU KNOW: Silver Creek has never started 7-0 and needs just one more win to reach the most in program history for a season. North Harrison has won four of the previous six meetings in the series.
COACH TALK: “We need to slow down their run game, prevent the big play, and try to keep their offense off the field by getting first downs.” – Silver Creek’s John Dablow.
“We must continue to have great ball security to have a chance to win this game. Silver Creek is a huge challenge. This is our homecoming game with two undefeated teams. The weather forecast is perfect for football. Not every high school player gets to experience the kind of atmosphere that we will have here this Friday night. Our players understand this.” – North Harrison’s Mark Williamson.
