BLUFFTON (6-0) AT HERITAGE (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Patriot Field.
COACHES: Brent Kunkel, 45-27 in seventh season at Bluffton. Casey Kolkman, 17-17 in fourth season at Heritage, 63-76 in 14th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Bluffton beat Southern Wells, 56-3. Heritage beat Lapel, 28-14.
UP NEXT: Bluffton entertains Adams Central. Heritage goes to Southern Wells.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Heritage, 31-20, on September 30, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chris Kramer returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown for the No. 1 (Class 2A) Tigers against Southern Wells. Caleb Abbott scampered 16 times for 105 yards with two scores for the Patriots against Lapel.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Heritage is the best team that we have played so far this season. They are extremely well-coached, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Their quarterback Kobe Meyer is a very talented player who can hurt you with his arm and his legs. For us to come away with a win, we are going to have to contain him and prevent them from making the big play. Offensively, it is going to be a challenge for us to move the ball against their talented defensive front. We are going to have to rely on what has gotten us to this point, taking care of the ball, grinding the clock, and making plays when they present themselves. It is going to be a big challenge for us. They have 27 seniors and it’s their senior night. We are on the road as the number one ranked team. The atmosphere is going to be fun, but these are the games that you want to be a part of. Looking forward to the challenge!” – Bluffton’s Brent Kunkel.
“Bluffton is a well-coached team that plays hard and with enthusiasm. As a young team, they won a sectional last year and have carried that into this season, as they are now 6-0. Defensively, like always for us, we must stop the run. Whether it’s their heavy personnel run game, one-back run game, or quarterback run game, they do all well and we must not allow them to get their offense going on the ground. After that, we need to put pressure on the quarterback, force him to make quick decisions, and keep him on the run. Offensively, we must continue to possess the ball. We doubled the time of possession on Lapel last week and kept their dangerous offense off the field. We must do the same against Bluffton by establishing the run and being efficient with the pass. Last, but not least, we must win every aspect of special teams. In a game against a quality opponent, special teams can make or break a team,” – Heritage’s Casey Kolkman.
CARMEL (4-2) AT BEN DAVIS (5-1)
KIKCOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Giant Stadium.
COACHES: John Hebert, 78-29 in ninth season at Carmel. Russ Mann, 5-1 in first season at Ben Davis.
LAST CONTEST: Carmel beat North Central (Indianapolis), 27-6. Ben Davis beat Lawrence North, 62-14.
UP NEXT: Carmel hosts Warren Central. Ben Davis travels to Lawrence Central.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Carmel, 21-14, on September 30, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Norvil Tucker tallied 11 carries for 139 yards with three touchdowns for the No.9 (Class 6A) Greyhounds against North Central (Indianapolis). Zane Skibinski caught three passes for 34 yards with two scores for the No.3 (Class 6A) Giants against Lawrence North.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Ben Davis is an excellent football team in every way. Their defense is aggressive and fast and their offense is multi-faceted and very explosive. We will have to execute our game plan very well to have a chance to win. We will need to control the football on offense, limit penalties, play great team defense, and create favorable field position throughout. This will be a great test for our team.” – Carmel’s John Hebert.
“We have to come out fast. It was nice to start fast against Lawrence North, Pike, and Avon. If necessary, we need to make adjustments early because Carmel always puts itself in position to win. We need to utilize our ‘Hudl’ tent and identify what is new about Carmel, what their game plan is, and make the necessary adjustments.” – Ben Davis’s Russ Mann.
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-0) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Reitz Bowl.
COACHES: John Hurley, 134-66 in 16th season at Evansville Memorial. Cory Brunson, 24-15 in fourth season at Evansville Reitz, 58-55 in 11th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Evansville Memorial beat Evansville Bosse, 27-26. Evansville Reitz beat Castle, 38-17.
UP NEXT: Evansville Memorial entertains Vincennes Lincoln. Evansville Reitz hosts Evansville Bosse.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Evansville Reitz, 27-18, on September 30, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Donavan Baker raced 10 times for 51 yards with a score for the No.3 (Class 4A) Tigers against Evansville Bosse. Troy Davis Jr. scampered 21 times for 181 yards with a score for the No. 2 (Class 4A) Panthers against Castle.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Reitz is a football team that plays a physical style of football and is well-coached. Coach Brunson and his staff are excellent at preparing the team for important games. The Reitz Bowl on Friday will have a playoff-like atmosphere. To win, we need to focus on stopping the run, protecting the ball, avoiding penalties, and making big plays on both sides of the ball.” – Evansville Memorial’s John Hurley.
“The atmosphere for this game will be great. We need to do all the little things right. Take care of the football, cut back silly penalties, and be a disciplined football team. If we can do those things, then we just need to make the plays when needed.” – Evansville Reitz’s Cory Brunson.
HOBART (5-1) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. CDT, Hanover.
COACHES: Craig Osika, 50-18 in sixth season at Hobart. Brian Parker, 48-16 in sixth season at Hanover Central.
LAST CONTEST: Hobart beat Lowell, 51-14. Hanover Central beat Munster, 56-21.
UP NEXT: Hobart hosts Hammond Morton. Hanover Central travels to Andrean.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First get together on gridiron.
TOP PERFORMERS: TJ Caldwell came up with five receptions for 132 yards with three touchdowns for the Brickies against Lowell. Caiden Verrett managed seven rushes for 169 yards with four scores for the No. 3 (Class 3A) Wildcats against Munster.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We have to play a complete game in all three phases. We have yet to be able to do that this year. We must consistently win first downs on defense and eliminate negative plays on offense. If we put all three phases of the game together and play 48 minutes of football the way we can, we will put ourselves in a position to win.” – Hobart’s Craig Osika.
“I believe for us to be successful this upcoming Friday, we will have to play close to mistake-free football in all three phases of the game. Hobart is an excellent team that is very well-coached, has good size, and very good team speed. As always, winning the battle in the trenches and having the edge in the turnovers-takeaways is paramount in a game where the two teams are so evenly matched.” – Hanover Central’s Brian Parker.
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (6-0) AT MONROVIA (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Hadley Field.
COACHES: Dave Pasch, 144-53 in 16th season at Indianapolis Lutheran, 209-110 in 27th season overall. Andy Olson, 20-21 in fourth season at Monrovia.
LAST CONTEST: Indianapolis Lutheran beat Indianapolis Scecina, 42-14. Monrovia beat Beech Grove, 45-18.
UP NEXT: Indianapolis Lutheran hosts Speedway. Monrovia travels to Cascade.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Indianapolis Lutheran, 52-6, on September 30, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Braydon Hall ran 14 times for 151 yards with a touchdown and caught two passes for 64 yards with another tally for the top-ranked and two-time defending Class 1A Saints against Scecina Memorial. Asher Clements racked up six rushes for 133 yards with a score for the Bulldogs against Beech Grove.
COACHES’ CORNER: “This will be a great game between two very good football teams. Monrovia returns a ton of experience on both sides of the football from last year’s team. To beat a well-seasoned team in big games, teams must play first with composure and poise, then execute. Field position will be critical, and that is often dictated by turnovers and special teams play. For Lutheran to win, we must play a complete game of complimentary football.” – Indianapolis Lutheran’s Dave Pasch.
“We certainly are facing one of the best teams in the state of Indiana. They are extremely talented, along with being very well-coached. In order to beat these guys, we will have to limit our mistakes. Up front, we need to assert ourselves and make some good plays with our backs. Ball control will certainly be a factor in this game. Keeping Lutheran’s explosive offense off the field will be a goal of ours. Defensively, we’ll do our best to bend and not break. We need to make them have 10+ play drives, and hopefully take advantage a mistake or two. We have nothing to lose, so our boys will be flying around, and trying to pull the upset.” – Monrovia’s Andy Olson.
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (4-2) AT TRITON CENTRAL (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Mendenhall Stadium.
COACHES: Ott Hurrle, 228-148 in 32nd season at Scecina, 229-157 in 34th season overall. Tim Able, 95-36 in 11th season at Triton Central, 220-134 in 30th season overall.
LAST OUTING: Scecina lost to Indianapolis Lutheran, 42-14. Triton Central beat Indianapolis Ritter, 48-14.
UP NEXT: Scecina entertains Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Triton Central plays at Beech Grove.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Triton Central, 10-7, on November 4, 2022, in Class 2A sectional final.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nick Bozzelli recorded 12 tackles and a quarterback sack for the No. 8 (Class 2A) Crusaders against Lutheran. Mason Compton caught two passes for 89 yards with a score for the No. 2 (Class 2A) Tigers against Cardinal Ritter.
COACHES’ CORNER: “In order for us to compete, we must get back to playing football the way it is intended to be played by blocking and tackling with enthusiasm. We need to work hard this week in practice.” – Scecina’s Ott Hurrle,
“Scecina is always one of our toughest challenges each year and this year is no different. They have a great staff that always gets the most out of the players they have. They are solid in all three phrases of football. We must make the key plays at the key moments to succeed.” – Triton Central’s Tim Able.
LAKELAND (5-1) AT WEST NOBLE (6-0)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Charger Field.
COACHES: Ryan O’Shea, 13-23 in fourth season at Lakeland. Monte Mawhorter, 113-135 in 25th season at West Noble.
LAST CONTEST: Lakeland beat Central Noble, 49-6. West Noble beat Garrett, 34-15.
UP NEXT: Lakeland hosts Fairfield. West Noble goes to Churubusco.
PREVIOUS MEETING: West Noble, 7-6, on September 30, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brayden Holbrook was 11-of-13 for 207 yards with a touchdown and ran four times for 13 yards and another tally for the Lakers against Central Noble. Drew Yates carried the ball 11 times for 132 yards with a touchdown and completed 5-of-8 for 77 yards with another score for the Chargers against Garrett.
COACHES’ CORNER: “It’s going to take us taking advantage of opportunities on offense and capitalizing on any mistakes West Noble may make. We cannot afford to make mistakes of our own and must play a clean game. We also need to control the line of scrimmage and not let their dangerous running back (Estil Pruitt) and quarterback (Drew Yates) get loose and make big plays.” – Lakeland’s Ryan O’Shea.
“We will treat this week as the game to win the conference. This game is no different in what we need to do to win. We must hold our own at the line of scrimmage and we have to be able to tackle in the open field their talented athletes. Limit our turnovers and penalties. I don’t feel we have played a complete game yet.” – West Noble’s Monte Mawhorter.
MERRILLVILLE (5-1) AT VALPARAISO (4-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. CDT, Viking Field.
COACHES: Brad Seiss, 67-33 in ninth season at Merrillville, 80-50 in 12th season overall. Bill Marshall, 56-13 in sixth season at Valparaiso.
LAST CONTEST: Merrillville beat LaPorte, 40-0. Valparaiso lost to Crown Point, 19-14.
UP NEXT: Merrillville travels to Lake Central. Valparaiso plays at Portage.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Valparaiso, 15-14, on November 11, 2022 in Class 5A regional final.
TOP PERFORMERS: JQ Johnson rambled 22 times for 180 yards for the No.4 (Class 5A) Pirates against LaPorte. Before leaving with a leg injury, Travis Davis carried the ball 19 times for 132 yards with a score for the No. 6 (Class 5A) Vikings against No. 4 (Class 6A) Crown Point.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We have tremendous respect for the Valparaiso football program. Coach Marshall does a great job. They have great players and great coaches. Merrillville vs. Valparaiso in week seven is always a big game that people take note of. They’re the defending Class 5A state champs that knocked us out of the playoffs last year (15-14), so we’ll be excited and ready to go.” – Merrillville’s Brad Seiss.
“To come away with a victory this week, we will need to focus our attention on maintaining drives offensively. Defensively, we will need to keep the Merrillville quarterback (Dontae Pope) in the pocket and minimize big plays. All together it is about how we respond to a hard fought, loss last week.” – Valparaiso’s Bill Marshall.
MISHAWAKA (5-1) AT NORTHWOOD (4-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Andrews Field.
COACHES: Keith Kinder, 50-16 in sixth season at Mishawaka. Nate Andrews, 77-31 in 10th season at NorthWood, 117-70 in 17th season overall.
LAST CONTEST: Mishawaka beat Warsaw, 34-11. NorthWood beat Plymouth, 42-7.
UP NEXT: Mishawaka entertains Concord. NorthWood travels to Wawasee.
PREVIOUS MEETING: NorthWood, 14-6, on September 30, 2022.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ethan Bryce hauled in a 59-yard touchdown pass for the No. 5 (Class 5A) Cavemen against Warsaw. Landon Perry carried the ball eight times for 74 yards with a touchdown and caught two passes for 24 yards with another tally for the Panthers against Plymouth.
COACHES’ CORNER: “We’re excited about the opportunity to play a great NorthWood team. They are incredibly talented and very well-coached. We have to continue to play with great mental focus and physical discipline. Last year, we gave up a kick return for a touchdown, snapped it over our punter’s head, and fumbled in plus territory. We cannot do those things again this year or the result will be the same.” – Mishawaka’s Keith Kinder.
“We must play our best football. We have to find a way to get some takeaways, win the kicking game, and match their physicality.” – NorthWood’s Nate Andrews.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY (6-0) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (5-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EDT, Straley Field.
COACHES: Stephen Moriarty, 47-24 in seventh season at Tippecanoe Valley. Shane Fry, 112-20 in 11th season at West Lafayette.
LAST CONTEST: Tippecanoe Valley beat Jimtown, 35-14. West Lafayette beat Benton Central, 49-14.
UP NEXT: Tippecanoe Valley goes to John Glenn. West Lafayette hosts Twin Lakes.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First contest in football.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nathan Parker accumulated 23 carries for 166 yards with three scores and also completed a two-yard pass for the No. 7 (Class 3A) Vikings against Jimtown. Carson Kitchel completed 18-of-22 for 232 yards with four touchdowns for the No. 2 (Class 3A) Red Devils against Benton Central.
COACHES’ CORNER: “To come away with a victory Friday night against West Lafayette is to slow down their offense. Make them have a couple three and outs. They are very good at moving the ball with their quick tempo offense. We need to win the turnover race. Not turning the ball over will give a better chance of winning the game. On offense, we need to be able to move the ball. Being able to get the second level linebackers blocked is one of our goals this week. That will be one of the keys to us moving the ball. West Lafayette is a very good football team with a lot of weapons.” – Tippecanoe Valley’s Steve Moriarty.
The keys for us to beat Tippecanoe Valley Friday night are to limit their big plays, win the turnover battle, and be great on special teams. They are an outstanding football team with a ton of really good seniors. We will have our hands full.” – West Lafayette’s Shane Fry.
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