CARROLL (FLORA) (8-0) AT SHERIDAN (6-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Wright Stadium.
COACHES: Blake Betzner, 28-6 in third season at Carroll. Larry Wright, 452-208 in 58th season at Sheridan, 453-211 in 59th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Carroll beat Clinton Prairie, 43-7. Sheridan lost to Eastern (Greentown), 19-14.
UP NEXT: Carroll (Flora) travels to Tri-County. Sheridan hosts Hagerstown.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Sheridan, 19-18, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Luke Tanner tossed for 172 yards and three touchdowns for the No. 3 (Class 1A) Cougars against Clinton Prairie. Nolan Page ran six times for 106 yards for the No. 9 (Class 1A) Blackhawks against Eastern (Greentown).
COACHES’ CORNER: “Sheridan has been a team that we have lost to in the final minutes the past two seasons. We know they are going to be extremely well-coached and will play hard every snap. We have to go to their home field and play on their senior night for the (Hoosier Heartland) conference championship, so we know that we will have to be playing at a high-level Friday night. Coach Wright always has his teams ready to play, and this game will be no different. Should be a really fun game to be a part of for our young men.” – Carroll’s (Flora) Blake Betzner.
“Carroll is a very good football team. We must stop their running backs or at least slow them down. Then, they will go to the pass. If we slow that down, they will go back to the run with (Keegan) Ellis, who is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, We must first stop the run and then try to slow down their passing attack as well.” – Sheridan’s Larry “Bud” Wright.
CENTER GROVE (7-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (6-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Butler Bowl.
COACHES: Eric Moore, 243-75 in 25th season at Center Grove, 291-80 in 29th season overall. Bill Peebles, 58-15 in sixth season at Cathedral, 132-80 in 19th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Center Grove beat Lawrence North, 43-23. Cathedral beat Indianapolis Roncalli, 42-0.
UP NEXT: Center Grove entertains Franklin Central on October 27. Cathedral hosts North Central (Indianapolis) on October 27.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Center Grove, 33-10, on November. 18, 2022 in Class 6A semistate.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matthew Yoder carried the ball 31 times for 138 yards with two scores for the No. 2 (Class 6A) Trojans against Lawrence North. Jalen Bonds rambled 19 times for 141 yards for the No. 7 (Class 6A) Irish against Indianapolis Roncalli.
COACHES’ CORNER: “This game (even when people do not want to admit it) is the biggest game in the state. Both teams have difficult schedules week in and week out over the first eight weeks. This game will feature the two best quarterbacks (Center Grove’s Tyler Cherry and Cathedral’s Danny O’Neil in the state and Midwest, who have featured their talents against the best teams in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee as well as Indiana. As always, both of these teams will be at their best, and it is sure to be a great game. Cathedral possess the intense defense that may be the best tackling defense in the state. The Center Grove offense is high powered and can strike from anywhere at any time. For the Trojans to win, we can’t have any turnovers. We have to move the chains, control third downs, and don’t give up the big plays. We have to keep Tyler Cherry standing and throwing to all of our receivers, tackle with consistency, and make a big play somewhere on special teams. However, the most important thing is to have fun playing in the Butler stadium realizing that the playoffs start next week.” – Center Grove’s Eric Moore.
“Center Grove is the typical tough, hard-nosed, talented, and well-coached team that they have always been under Coach Moore. We are going to have to play a very clean and fundamentally sound game to have a chance to win. Defensively, we need to be gap-sound up front and limit the big play. Offensively, we need to be efficient and move the chains. Converting third downs is always tough against Center Grove. It should be a great environment at Butler Bowl on Friday night.” – Cathedral’s Bill Peebles.
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (5-3) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (7-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Spuller Stadium.
COACHES: Sherwood Haydock, 13-28 in fourth season at Fort Wayne Wayne, 208-189 in 36th season overall. Kurt Tippmann, 144-37 in 15th season at Fort Wayne Snider.
LAST CONTEST: Fort Wayne Wayne beat Fort Wayne North, 18-12. Fort Wayne Snider beat Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 33-13.
UP NEXT: Fort Wayne Wayne plays at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. Fort Wayne Snider hosts Anderson on October 27.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Fort Wayne Snider, 49-7, on September 23, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kimar Nelson came up with 26 carries for 153 yards with three touchdowns for the Generals against Fort Wayne North. Uriah Buchanan had 33 rushes for 254 yards with three touchdowns for the No. 2 (Class 5A) Panthers against Bishop Dwenger.
COACHES’ CORNER: “To slow down Snider’s offense, we must penetrate to stop their running game while making sure we contain the quarterback. Their defense is very good, so we must limit our turnovers and think fourth and two so we can convert on fourth down. This would be a major upset if we pulled this off. This will be a good measuring stick for us heading into the playoffs.” – Fort Wayne Wayne’s Sherwood Haydock.
“Wayne is a very talented team that presents lots of challenges for our team on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they put a lot of pressure on the offense by putting lots of players in the box and manning up the wide receivers. They are extremely aggressive and run to the ball very well. Offensively, they have fast and elusive players and an offensive scheme that is difficult to defend. They have speed in all areas and Coach Haydock does a great job of having his team prepared for each game. We will have to do a good job of blocking their guys and trying to get hats on the all of the people at or near the line of scrimmage. Defensively, we will have to be disciplined in coverage and gap assignments in trying to line up vs. all of their formations. The kicking game will be extremely important as well.” – Fort Wayne Snider’s Kurt Tippmann.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (7-1) AT BROWNSBURG (8-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Roark Stadium.
COACHES: Michael Kelly, 33-8 in fourth season at Hamilton Southeastern, 47-24 in seventh season overall. John Hart, 68-17 in eighth season at Brownsburg, 335-98 in 39th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Hamilton Southeastern beat Franklin Central, 19-3. Brownsburg beat Noblesville, 27-22.
UP NEXT: Hamilton Southeastern travels to Fort Wayne Northrop on October 27. Brownsburg plays at Indianapolis Ben Davis on October 27.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Hamilton Southeastern, 31-28, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Osiecki racked up 12 tackles for the No. 4 (Class 6A) Royals against Franklin Central. Jake Dunn went 6-of-12 for 128 yards with a touchdown and ran 13 times for 92 yards with another score for the No. 1 (Class 6A) Bulldogs against Noblesville.
COACHES’ CORNER: “For us to be successful this week, we must control the line of scrimmage, limit their big plays, and match their speed and physicality. Brownsburg is strong in all three phrases of the game, so we need to play great team football.” – Hamilton Southeastern’s Michael Kelly.
“I think Hamilton Southeastern has one of the best wide receivers (Donovan Hamilton) in the country. His big plays change games for them. We will have to be more physical than we were this past Friday. We gotta be the hammer, not the nail. Weather may come in to play like last Friday. If so, ball security will be a huge concern.” – Brownsburg’s John Hart.
MADISON-GRANT (6-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (7-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Alexandria.
COACHES: Brady Turner, 28-32 in sixth season at Madison-Grant. Pete Gast, 68-87 in 15th season at Alexandria, 83-122 in 20th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Madison-Grant lost to Eastbrook, 22-8. Alexandria beat Frankton, 35-0.
UP NEXT: Madison-Grant travels to Northfield. Alexandria hosts Bluffton.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Madison-Grant, 65-21, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Andy Stanley registered nine rushes for 37 yards with a score for the No. 10 (Class 1A) Argylls against No. 8 (Class 2A) Eastbrook. Gabe McGuire hauled in seven passes for 122 yards with two touchdowns and also intercepted a pass for the No. 7 (Class 2A) Tigers against Frankton.
COACHES’ CORNER: “To win Friday night, it will take us tackling their athletes when they get the ball. They have great speed and athletes on offense and we have to run to the ball and get multiple hats to the ball carrier. Offensively, we have to take care of the ball, use clock management, and make every position count.” – Madison-Grant’s Brady Turner.
“In order to win Friday, we’re going to have to match Madison-Grant’s physical style of play. This is a great game number nine to play in order to prepare us going into sectional play. Madison-Grant is strong and loves to run the ball. On defense, they tackle and pursue well. I feel we have played with that same style of play this year, so this will be a great matchup. We need to hit a few big plays Friday. (Running back) Carson Cuneo, (wide receiver) Gabe McGuire, and (wide receiver) Collin Johns provide big plays for us each week and quarterback Brady Gast has been very efficient, completing over 70 percent of his passes this season.” – Alexandria’s Pete Gast.
MACONAQUAH (6-2) AT ROCHESTER (6-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Barnhart Field.
COACHES: Tyler Campbell, 14-12 in third season at Maconaquah. Ron Shaffer, 21-7 in third season at Rochester.
LAST CONTEST: Maconaquah beat Wabash, 55-13. Rochester beat Southwood, 41-0.
UP NEXT: Maconaquah entertains Northwestern. Rochester goes to Winamac or Lafayette Central Catholic on October 27.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Rochester, 38-14, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Braxton Birner was 13-of-25 for 187 yards with three touchdowns and ran eight times for 60 yards for the Braves against Wabash. Alex Deming carried the football 16 times for 118 yards with a score for the Zebras against Southwood.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Simply put to beat Rochester, we will have to play an excellent game in all three phases. Defensively, we must meet or exceed their level of physicality while also playing sound football. Our guys must hone in on their keys to find the football, and not get lost in all the eye candy that Coach Shaffer has in his offense. Offensively, we have to stay ahead of the chains and continue to get first downs. Explosive plays are great, but sustained drives are the key to our success offensively this week. We have to limit negative plays and mental errors to give us the best chance at scoring. Finally, in the kicking game, we must be sound and consistent. We have to keep the ball inbounds on kickoffs and cover well on kickoffs and punts to try to give our defense a long field to defend. In the return phases, we have to do everything we can to maximize our field position.” – Maconaquah’s Tyler Campbell.
MISSISSINEWA (8-0) AT EASTBROOK (6-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Adamson Stadium.
COACHES: Kyle Buresh, 30-12 in fourth season at Mississinewa. Jeff Adamson, 314-98 in 35th season at Eastbrook.
LAST CONTEST: Mississinewa beat Elwood, 49-0. Eastbrook beat Madison-Grant, 22-8.
UP NEXT: Mississinewa plays at Western. Eastbrook travels to Frankton.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Mississinewa, 28-6, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ethan Wortinger ran 11 times for 69 yards with a score for the No. 7 (Class 4A) Indians against Elwood. Gage Engle tallied 40 carries for 178 yards with two touchdowns for the No. 8 (Class 2A) Panthers against No. 10 (Class 1A) Madison-Grant.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Coach Adamson has built an outstanding program in his historic career at Eastbrook. We’ll have to be locked in mentally and physically against an Eastbrook team that has improved significantly over the course of the season and is playing very confidently. We will have to do a great job taking care of the football on offense and create takeaways on defense. We must win the battle up front, win the explosive play battle, and be outstanding on special teams. We will have to be disciplined and have all 11 players doing their job on defense and stay on schedule with drives on offense.” – Mississinewa’s Kyle Buresh.
“Mississinewa has big, strong linemen and a lot of speed at every skill position. (Quarterback) Nolan Quaderer has been as accurate throwing the ball as any quarterback we’ve faced in several years. We will need to be creative in trying to get some pressure on him because he can also hurt you running the ball. Mississinewa’s defensive coordinator, Jeremy Lochner, has done a tremendous job building a defense that is stout against the run and tough to throw against, too. We will need to find ways to consistently run the ball and, hopefully, hit a few play-action passes to get on the scoreboard. We will need to generate a big play or two on our special teams as well.” – Eastbrook’s Jeff Adamson.
NORTH HARRISON (6-2) AT PROVIDENCE (8-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Murphy Stadium.
COACHES: Mark Williamson, 73-51 in 12th season at North Harrison, 89-69 in 15th season overall. Daniel McDonald, 26-15 in fourth season at Providence.
LAST CONTEST: North Harrison beat Clarksville, 35-8. Providence beat Corydon Central, 51-13.
UP NEXT: North Harrison entertains Scottsburg. Providence goes to Eastern Greene.
PREVIOUS MEETING: North Harrison, 21-14, on October. 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Colton McKinney tallied five carries for 99 yards with a touchdown for the Cougars against Clarksville. Brian Wall came up with three catches for 121 yards with a score for the No. 4 (Class 1A) Pioneers against Corydon Central.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Providence is the highest scoring team in Indiana after eight games. We must control the ball and clock with no turnovers. This is a tough considering that their defense has given up just eight points per game after eight weeks.” – North Harrison’s Mark Williamson.
“North Harrison is a very physical team which does a great job running the football. We have to be the more physical team, so all 11 men on defense have to do their jobs. On offense, our offensive line needs to finish their blocks until the whistle and our running backs need to finish their runs falling forward. Every yard will matter.” – Providence’s Daniel McDonald.
NORTH WHITE (8-0) AT WEST CENTRAL (7-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, West Central.
COACHES: Kirk Quasebarth, 28-36 in seventh season at North White. Marc Hall, 36-63 in 10th season at West Central, 49-81 in 13th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: North White beat North Newton, 66-0. West Central beat Frontier, 54-12.
UP NEXT: North White hosts Caston. West Central travels to Taylor.
PREVIOUS MEETING: West Central, 34-14, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Eli Quasebarth ran seven times for 248 yards with six scores and completed both of his passes for five yards for the No. 7 (Class 1A) Vikings against North Newton. Connor Marlatt was 6-of-8 for 125 yards with two touchdowns and ran 13 times for 96 yards with another score for the Trojans against Frontier.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We must play assignment football vs. West Central. They run their offense very well led by their quarterback (Connor Marlatt). We must take care of the ball on offense and limit mistakes, such as turnovers and penalties. If we can do these things, we have a chance to come out on top.” – North White’s Kirk Quasebarth.
“In order for us to come out on top on Friday, it is going to take a great team effort. Offensively, we will need to take care of the football and sustain our blocks to make room for our ball carriers to get yards. Defensively, we will have to have our best game of the year to slow down their quarterback (Eli Quasebarth) and running back (C.J. Hunt). The two of them have put up a lot of stats and scored a lot of points this year. We will have to be at our best to hopefully slow them down enough to come away with the win. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and allow for both teams to play at their best.” – West Central’s Marc Hall.
NORTHRIDGE (7-1) AT WARSAW (7-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Fisher Field.
COACHES: Chad Eppley, 25-11 in third season at Northridge. Bart Curtis, 46-16 in sixth season at Warsaw, 247-118 in 33rd season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Northridge beat Plymouth, 40-14. Warsaw beat Goshen, 42-7.
UP NEXT: Northridge goes to Logansport. Warsaw entertains Carroll (Fort Wayne) on October 27.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Warsaw, 35-21, on October 14, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brady Scholl tossed a pair of touchdown passes for the No. 3 (Class 4A) Raiders against Plymouth. Quinton Brock rambled 85 yards for a score for the Tigers against Goshen.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We need to stop the run and control the line of scrimmage. We also need to create turnovers and limit costly penalties.” – Northridge’s Chad Eppley.
“We have to play each snap with our hearts, minds, and bodies. There will roughly 140 – 150 ‘snaps’ Friday night, so each one matters and each one could be the snap that makes the difference in the final outcome of the contest. We just never know which one(s) they will be, so that’s why ‘every snap matters.’ The overall health of our team is probably similar to most teams heading into game nine. We’re hobbling a bit in some areas, lost some key personnel early in game one, and have struggled to get through this on the offensive line. We will line up Friday night with who we have and slug it out with Northridge to the best of our ability. Turnovers will play a huge factor Friday night. Fumbles, in particular, have been a curse for the Tigers this season for some reason. We made it through the Goshen game with zero turnovers and trusting to continue this trend. If we give ‘Ridge extra possessions, it is not going to go well for the Tigers Friday night. There are some similarities between the two teams matching up Friday night at Fisher Field.” – Warsaw’s Bart Curtis.
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