CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 2
PENN (8-1) AT WARSAW (6-3)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Fisher Field (WGCS, 91.1 FM, WTRC, 1340 AM, 95.3 FM).
COACHES: Cory Yeoman, 105-24 in 10th year at Penn. Phil Jensen, 76-59 in 13th year at Warsaw, 105-71 in 17th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Penn beat South Bend Adams, 30-13, Oct. 12. Warsaw lost to Concord, 34-9, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Penn 41-40, Warsaw 40-41.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Penn, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Penn, 10-7, sectional, Oct. 27, 2000.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Carroll (F.W) or LaPorte in semifinals.
MATT KOPSEA'S PICK: Penn 34, Warsaw 14.
SECTIONAL 3
HOMESTEAD (9-0) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (9-0)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Spuller Stadium.
COACHES: Chad Zolman, 80-19 in 9th year at Homestead. Kurt Tippmann, 37-11 in 4th year at Fort Wayne Snider.
LAST OUTING: Homestead beat New Haven, 24-13, Oct. 12. Fort Wayne Snider beat Fort Wayne Wayne, 34-3, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Homestead 42-39, Fort Wayne Snider 39-42.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Fort Wayne Snider, 9-2.
LAST MEETING: Fort Wayne Snider, 37-29, sectional, Nov. 5, 2010.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Kokomo or F.W. Wayne in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We need to play at a very high level. We cannot make mistakes in penalties, fumbles, blown assignments, etc. We have to be assignment sound and very physical. They love the run game and are very good up front. We have to get off blocks and tackle well. Defensively, they are very fast and well coached. We need to be patient and take what is available. We are excited for this opportunity." – Homestead coach Chad Zolman.
MATT'S PICK: Snider 32, Homestead 27.
SECTIONAL 5
WARREN CENTRAL (4-5) AT CARMEL (8-1)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Greyhound Stadium.
COACHES: Steve Tutsie, 27-9 in 3rd year at Warren Central. Kevin Wright, 31-4 in 3rd year at Carmel, 165-58 in 19th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Warren Central lost to Center Grove, 8-5, Oct. 12. Carmel lost to Ben Davis, 13-7, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Warren Central 45-36, Carmel 37-44.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Warren Central, 11-8.
LAST MEETING: Carmel, 10-7, overtime, Sep. 29, 2012.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Lawrence Central or Southport in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We need to be able to convert our opportunities and score touchdowns once we get in the red zone." Warren Central coach Steve Tutsie.
"To win Friday night, we will have to be fundamentally sound in all three phases of the game. On offense, we must make first downs and take advantage of our red zone opportunities. Defensively, we can't give up the big play. Forget their record, Warren is one of the best teams in Indiana, and their defense is the best we have played this year. The last three times we have played it has gone down to the last play. Ultimately, we just have to find a way to win." – Carmel coach Kevin Wright.
MATT'S PICK: Carmel 14, Warren Central 10.
SECTIONAL 6
BEN DAVIS (8-1) AT PIKE (6-3)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Pike Stadium.
COACHES: Mike Kirschner, 46-21 in 6th year at Ben Davis, 60-47 in 10th year overall. Derek Moyers, 50-18 in 6th year at Pike, 84-48 in 12th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Ben Davis beat Carmel, 13-7, Oct. 12. Pike beat Franklin Central, 21-6, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Ben Davis 40-41, Pike 40-41.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Ben Davis, 9-2.
LAST MEETING: Ben Davis, 24-0, Aug. 24, 2012.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Zionsville or Brownsburg in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We are playing a very athletic and talented football team on Friday. We must find a way to disrupt their offensive flow and control the line of scrimmage on offense." – Ben Davis coach Mike Kirschner.
"In order for us to compete with the Giants and have a chance in this game, we must take care of the football! We must also win the battle at the line of scrimmage and limit their big play ability." – Pike coach Derek Moyers.
MATT'S PICK: Ben Davis 20, Pike 17.
ZIONSVILLE (7-2) AT BROWNSBURG (9-0)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Roard Stadium.
COACHES: Larry McWhorter, 146-53 in 17th year at Zionsville. Brett Comer, 46-29 in 7th year at Brownsburg.
LAST OUTING: Zionsville beat Avon, 31-23, Oct. 12. Brownsburg beat Fishers, 31-0, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Zionsville 38-43, Brownsburg 36-45.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Zionsville, 9-4.
LAST MEETING: Brownsburg, 14-0, Oct. 5, 2012.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Ben Davis or Pike in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "Things have not changed much since our first game with the Bulldogs. We must find a way to get them out of rhythm on offense and prevent the big play that we did not do in game one. Offensively, we will have to have some balance in our attack because we were not able to consistently run against their great defense." – Zionsville coach Larry McWhorter.
"We will need to continue to play great defense and be opportunistic with the ball. Maintaining drives will also be very important this Friday as Zionsville has a dangerous offense. Our kicking game has served us well this season and will need to be very solid. Rain or shine, we expect a great effort from the Eagles!" – Brownsburg coach Brett Comer.
MATT'S PICK: Brownsburg 23, Zionsville 16.
SECTIONAL 7
MARTINSVILLE (7-2) AT CENTER GROVE (8-1)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Center Grove Field.
COACHES: Fred Kutruff, 32-28 in 6th year at Martinsville, 118-71 in 18th year overall. Eric Moore, 124-48 in 14th year at Center Grove, 172-53 in 18th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Martinsville beat Plainfield, 42-0, Oct. 12. Center Grove beat Warren Central, 8-5, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Martinsville 37-44, Center Grove 41-40.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Center Grove, 9-1.
LAST MEETING: Center Grove, 20-7, sectional, Oct. 20, 2006.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Bloomington North or Franklin in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "Martinsville has the most dynamic passing game that we have faced all year. The Trojan defense is one of the best in the state, so that makes for a great high school battle. I'm hoping that the CG running game can shorten the game and the CG defense can get a turnover. It has been 7 years since the two schools have played, so there is a great amount of hype going into the game." – Center Grove coach Eric Moore.
MATT'S PICK: Center Grove 35, Martinsville 31.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 10
HOBART (7-2) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (8-1)
GAME TIME: 7 pm CT, Fred Jones Field.
COACHES: Ryan Turley, 10-10 in 2nd year at Hobart. Brad Stewart, 10-9 in 2nd year at Kankakee Valley.
LAST OUTING: Hobart beat Highland, 50-7, Oct. 12. Kankakee Valley beat Munster, 31-21, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Hobart 41-40, Kankakee Valley 38-43.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Hobart, 4-3.
LAST MEETING: Kankakee Valley, 27-21, Sep. 7, 2012.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Lowell or Mishawaka in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "In order for the Bricks to be successful in the playoffs, we will have to play 48 minutes of Brickie Football! That means that we need to be the most physical team for four quarters. We must block and tackle better than our opponents if we plan on advancing in the sectional." – Hobart coach Ryan Turley.
"For Kankakee Valley to win this Friday, we will need to stave off the initial onslaught, control the clock, and not turn the ball over. It will be a tremendously emotional game for both teams, and we will need to adjust to the opponent and respond to the energy that the fans will bring." – Kankakee Valley coach Brad Stewart.
MATT'S PICK: Kankakee Valley 24, Hobart 20.
LOWELL (5-4) AT MISHAWAKA (6-3)
GAME TIME: 8 pm ET, Steele Stadium (WTMK, 88.5 FM).
COACHES: Keith Kilmer, 16-13 in 3rd year at Lowell. Bart Curtis, 43-15 in 5th year at Mishawaka, 154-82 in 22nd year overall.
LAST OUTING: Lowell lost to Andrean, 20-19, Oct. 12. Mishawaka beat South Bend Washington, 44-30, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Lowell 44-36, Mishawaka 41-40.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Mishawaka, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Mishawaka, 35-14, sectional, Oct. 21, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Hobart or Kankakee Valley in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We need to play with discipline on both offense and defense. If we can limit the big plays on defense and control the line of scrimmage on offense, we'll be able to put ourselves in position to achieve success." – Lowell coach Keith Kilmer.
"To win on Friday, we must match Lowell's physicality, intensity, and toughness for 48 minutes in all phases of the game. They will play this way from minute No. 1 through minute No. 48. We must do this as well." – Mishawaka coach Bart Curtis.
MATT'S PICK: Mishawaka 33, Lowell 21.
SOUTH BEND CLAY (5-4) AT NEW PRAIRIE (8-1)
GAME TIME: 6:30 pm CT, Amzie Miller Field.
COACHES: Joe Szajko, 20-21 in 4th year at South Bend Clay. Russ Radtke, 8-1 in 1st year at New Prairie, 298-121 in 36th year overall.
LAST OUTING: South Bend Clay lost to Elkhart Central, 31-21, Oct. 12. New Prairie beat Knox, 53-13, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: South Bend Clay 33-48, New Prairie 30-51.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: New Prairie, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: New Prairie, 7-6, Aug. 29, 2008.
UP NEXT: Winner plays S.B. Washington or S.B. Riley in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We must do our job both on defense and offense every play on every down." – S.B. Clay coach Joe Szajko.
"The keys to winning this Friday's game are making good reads offensively and being ready for anything they will throw at us defensively. Offensively, we must be turnover free and not allow the Colonials to capitalize on mistakes. Defensively, we must be diligent about making necessary adjustments to be able to defend both the pass and run attacks that the Colonials have shown throughout the season. Overall, we must force them to play our game and not allow them to play theirs." – New Prairie coach Russ Radtke.
MATT'S PICK: New Prairie 32, Clay 29.
SECTIONAL 11
CONCORD (7-2) AT EAST NOBLE (7-2)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, East Noble Field.
COACHES: Tim Dawson, 162-103 in 24th year at Concord. Luke Amstutz, 7-2 in 1st year at East Noble, 33-17 in 5th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Concord beat Warsaw, 34-9, Oct. 12. East Noble beat Bellmont, 51-10, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Concord 36-45, East Noble 38-43.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Concord, 12-6.
LAST MEETING: Concord, 43-16, sectional, Oct. 28, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Angola or Northridge in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "They are the real deal. They run the spread, no huddle offense with a lot of confidence! I am also very impressed with their defense, especially their linebackers. We must finish offensive drives with points and limit their offensive touches. Our special teams must continue to play well also." – Concord coach Tim Dawson.
MATT'S PICK: Concord 37, East Noble 33.
SECTIONAL 15
COLUMBUS EAST (9-0) AT EAST CENTRAL (7-2)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Trojan Field.
COACHES: Bob Gaddis, 116-28 in 12th year at Columbus East, 234-128 in 34th year overall. Tim Behlmer, 16-4 in 2nd year at East Central, 41-13 in 5th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Columbus East beat Bedford North Lawrence, 35-31, Oct. 12. East Central lost to Indianapolis Roncalli, 20-13, overtime, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Columbus East 30-51, East Central 37-26.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Columbus East, 6-2.
LAST MEETING: Columbus East, 27-17, sectional, Oct. 28, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays South Dearborn or Connersville in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We will need to travel to their place and match their intensity. I expect them controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to be a huge factor. As always, field position, turnovers, and penalties will be huge. We expect it to come down to the fourth quarter." – Columbus East coach Bob Gaddis.
"Our special teams were anything, but special last week against Roncalli. We feel it cost us the game, so we are working hard to fix it. Columbus East is a very solid aggressive football team. I stress that they are a team this year with many players doing a great job. Our job Friday night will be just that, to play as a team in all three parts of the game, offense, defense, and special teams. We will have to overcome some major injury problems that will force us to adjust some position players. But the game will still come down to who wins play after play on the line of scrimmage. We feel very good about our game plans and will be ready to go." – East Central coach Tim Behlmer.
MATT'S PICK: Columbus East 27, East Central 23.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 18
LAKELAND (8-1) AT HERITAGE (7-2)
GAME TIME: 7:30 pm ET, Heritage Field.
COACHES: Keith Thompson, 50-30 in 8th year at Lakeland. Dean Lehrman, 17-13 in 3rd year at Heritage.
LAST OUTING: Lakeland lost to Churubusco, 38-16, Oct. 12. Heritage beat Garrett, 56-20, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Lakeland 32-49, Heritage 39-41.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Heritage, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Heritage, 13-10, sectional, Oct. 24, 2008.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Tippecanoe Valley or West Noble in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: 'The Lakers have a tall order this week in Monroeville. Heritage has a great defense that has shut down the likes of Leo and Garrett. They fly to ball and send everyone, including the cheerleaders. Our offensive line must rebound from a poor showing against Busco to have a chance to win. On offense, they have probably the best quarterback we have seen all season in (Conner) Sheehan. They also have a couple very athletic backs in Knapke and Lockett that have caused all kinds of problems for defenses." – Lakeland coach Keith Thompson.
"The Lakers are very well coached by Keith Thompson and play a very physical brand of football. They come at you with a swarming 3-5-3 defense loaded with multiple blitz packages. They also hide the ball very well in that Wing-T offense. The Lakeland program is steeped with tradition and we have nothing but respect for this week's opponent. We will need to continue to spread the ball on offense among our multiple weapons. Wil Knapke and Brenton Lockett each have 92 carries and 1500 yards rushing combined. Conner Sheehan has passed for nearly 1500 yards and managed to spread those receptions equally among four receivers, Ben Gibson, Zachary Toles, Knapke , and Lockett. Jacob Roop is also a threat from the fullback position. That offense is averaging nearly 40 points per game, while the defense is giving up around 10 points per game. The defense is lead by MLB Tim Brandt, some big D-linemen in Tyler Chrisman (6'2" - 294), Landon Ternet (6'6" - 282), and Bradley Scott (6'5" - 200). Cole Gerardot (4 INTs), and Derek Franke anchor a strong secondary along with Toles, Knapke, and Lockett. Basically, we must win the take-away battle and not turn the ball over against Lakeland's smothering, physical defense." – Heritage coach Dean Lehrman.
MATT'S PICK: Heritage 31, Lakeland 24.
SECTIONAL 20
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (8-1) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (6-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 pm ET, Gordon Straley Field.
COACHES: Mitch Street, 17-4 in 2nd year at Hamilton Heights. Marshall Overley, 81-54 in 12th year at West Lafayette.
LAST OUTING: Hamilton Heights beat Peru, 75-13, Oct. 12. West Lafayette lost to Lafayette Central Catholic, 24-14, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Hamilton Heights 39-42, West Lafayette 48-33.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: West Lafayette, 20-19, sectional, Nov. 4, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Southmont or Crawfordsville in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We are going to have to stop the surge out of their defensive lineman and linebackers. They are athletic and physical, and we must make sure we have a body for a body in order to do the things we need to do to move the ball offensively. Defensively, we must be able to contain their running game. I think their running back, (Maurice) Woodard, is a very talented runner, and we must contain him in order to slow their offense down. Finally, I think the special team's game is an area in which we must win. It's been advantage for us in most games this year, and that must continue." – Hamilton Heights coach Mitch Street.
"The Huskies are a very athletic team with great speed. For us to win, we have to control the ball and limit their big plays. That means we have to make tackles. Big plays come from missed tackles. Athletes with speed make you miss tackles. We have to play the angle of pursuit well." – West Lafayette coach Marshall Overley.
MATT'S PICK: Hamilton Heights 33, West Lafayette 23.
SECTIONAL 21
INDIANAPOLIS BISHOP CHATARD (7-2) AT DANVILLE (7-2)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Danville Field.
COACHES: Vince Lorenzano, 117-23 in 10th year at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, 177-92 in 22nd year overall. Russell Sumner, 12-8 in 2nd year at Danville.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard beat Indianapolis Tech, 34-7, Oct. 12. Danville beat Tri-West, 40-35, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 43-28, Danville 41-40.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, 10-0.
LAST MEETING: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, 42-0, sectional, Oct. 28, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Indianapolis Northwest or Indianapolis Brebeuf in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We must take advantage of our opportunities and match their physicality. In the end it's about the most basic fundamentals of football - who blocks and tackles most effectively." - Danville coach Russ Sumner.
MATT'S PICK: Bishop Chatard 39, Danville 20.
CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 25
ANDREAN (7-2) AT WHEELER (6-3)
GAME TIME: 7 pm CT, Wheeler Field.
COACHES: Phil Mason, 40-18 in 5th year at Andrean, 73-55 in 12th year overall. Tony Klimczak, 6-3 in 1st year at Wheeler.
LAST OUTING: Andrean beat Lowell, 20-19, Oct. 12. Wheeler beat Calumet, 62-14, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Andrean 42-39, Wheeler 43-38.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Wheeler, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Wheeler, 12-7, sectional, Oct. 21, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Boone Grove or Lake Station in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "We need to play hard and get off to a fast start. We must avoid turnovers, penalties, and play great defense." – Andrean coach Phil Mason.
MATT'S PICK: Andrean 29, Wheeler 27.
SECTIONAL 26
BREMEN (6-3) AT LEWIS CASS (8-1)
GAME TIME: 7:30 pm ET, Owens Field.
COACHES: Bob Holmes, 28-8 in 3rd year at Bremen, 94-79 in 17th year overall. Scott Mannering, 197-97 in 27th year at Lewis Cass.
LAST OUTING: Bremen beat John Glenn, 34-24, Oct. 12. Lewis Cass beat Western, 21-20, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Bremen 42-39, Lewis Cass 40-41.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Lewis Cass, 2-1.
LAST MEETING: Bremen, 28-6, sectional, Nov. 4, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Fairfield or Prairie Heights in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "For us to be successful this week, we are going to have to try and contain a very good and well coached Cass team. We must win the battle of field position, turnovers, and be mentally ready to play each and every down. Our offense needs to move the chains and shorten the game to keep the Kings offense off the field. We must play with passion the entire game." – Bremen coach Bob Holmes.
"Bremen is Bremen. They are always a physical, well coached team. They do not beat themselves with turnovers and unnecessary mistakes. The Bremen players compete at the highest level against the toughest competition. We have seen this the past two weeks against Jimtown and John Glenn, both games they played excellent second halves. For us to win, we will have to play mistake free football. Our defense will be challenged against their power running game, and that is a big concern. Our offense will need to control time of possession and the line of scrimmage." – Lewis Cass coach Scott Mannering.
MATT'S PICK: Cass 34, Bremen 32.
SECTIONAL 27
OAK HILL (8-1) AT CHURUBUSCO (8-1)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Churubusco Field.
COACHES: Bud Ozmun, 88-58 in 14th year at Oak Hill. Lee Etzler, 83-39 in 11th year at Churubusco.
LAST OUTING: Oak Hill beat Mississinewa, 41-0, Oct. 12. Churubusco beat Lakeland, 38-16, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Oak Hill 34-47, Churubusco 37-44.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: No meetings.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Elwood or Madison-Grant in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "For us to win Friday night, we are going to have to play great team defense. Churubusco has an outstanding running back in Jason Nicodemus, one of the state's leading rushers. We will need to be at our best to try to slow him down. Offensively, we will need to get into a rhythm early and stay balanced in our attack. This should be a game that comes down to the wire and exciting for all our fans." – Oak Hill coach Bud Ozmun.
"Oak Hill is a very talented team especially on the offensive side of the ball. They average 48 points a game and do a great job of sharing the ball in their running game between the fullback and both halfbacks. Their quarterback is also talented, and they have a very dangerous receiver in Matt McDivitt. It will be very difficult for us to keep their offense in check the entire night with all of the weapons they have. Hopefully, we can slow them down from time to time and put them into a few punting situations. As always in a game like this, our offensive possessions will be extremely important. We see this as a relatively high scoring football game, so we will need to score points on a consistent basis." – Churubusco coach Lee Etzler.
MATT'S PICK: Churubusco 32, Oak Hill 31.
SECTIONAL 32
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (7-2) AT SOUTHRIDGE (6-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 pm ET, Raider Field.
COACHES: Mike Goebel, 155-48 in 16th year at Evansville Mater Dei. Kelly Murphy, 66-30 in 8th year at Southridge, 96-73 in 15th year overall.
LAST OUTING: Evansville Mater Dei lost to Evansville Reitz, 42-35, Oct. 12. Southridge beat Gibson Southern, 35-21, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Evansville Mater Dei 36-45, Southridge 45-36.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Evansville Mater Dei, 5-3.
LAST MEETING: Evansville Mater Dei, 39-21, sectional, Nov. 4, 2011.
UP NEXT: Winner plays South Spencer or Sullivan in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "As far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a perfect game. There are always ups and downs during a game. First, we must handle those dynamic changes well and keep moving forward. We have played Mater Dei four out of the last five years. In the two games we won, we stayed in the ball game and gave ourselves a chance to win at the end. Last year, we did not hang tough and they won running away. Keeping turnovers and penalties down will be keys." – Southridge coach Kelly Murphy.
MATT'S PICK: Mater Dei 36, Southridge 33.
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL 33
SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (7-2) AT WHITING (9-0)
GAME TIME: 7 pm CT, Ray Gallivan Stadium.
COACHES: Dan Klimczak, 7-2 in 1st year at South Central (Union Mills), 66-13 in 7th year overall. Jeff Cain, 131-71 in 19th year at Whiting.
LAST OUTING: South Central (Union Mills) beat River Forest, 38-14, Oct. 12. Whiting beat Lake Station, 33-8, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: South Central (Union Mills) 32-49, Whiting 30-51.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Whiting, 13-3.
LAST MEETING: Whiting, 40-6, Sep. 7, 2012.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Culver or West Central in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS: "For us to win Friday, we are going to have to be able to sustain drives and limit the big plays. Whiting is a team with big play potential on every down, so we will have to keep their offense off the field by sustaining drives. In addition, we will have to play turnover free football while making sound tackles on defense. These are all the things we failed to do in week four." – South Central coach Dan Klimczak.
"We will need to slow their run game down. South Central has been very strong over the last five games and brings all that momentum into the tournament. Their quarterback and running back run the ball hard, and their offense is very efficient. Their quarterback can hurt you with the pass if you allow him to." – Whiting coach Jeff Cain.
MATT'S PICK: Whiting 38, South Central 30.
SECTIONAL 37
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (6-3) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (6-3)
GAME TIME: 7 pm ET, Cambridge City Lincoln Field.
COACHES: Ott Hurrle, 136-107 in 21st year at Indianapolis Scecina, 137-116 in 23rd year overall. Phil Renforth, 43-68 in 11th year at Cambridge City Lincoln.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Scecina beat Indianapolis Lutheran, 49-20, Oct. 13. Cambridge City Lincoln lost to Hagerstown, 54-7, Oct. 12.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Indianapolis Scecina 45-36, Cambridge City Lincoln 32-48.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: No meetings.
UP NEXT: Winner plays Knightstown or Indiana Deaf School in semifinals.
COACHES COMMENTS:
"In order for Scecina to compete with the Cambridge City Golden Eagles, we will need to apply constant pressure on their explosive offense, and contain, Tyler Brown, who is an excellent running back. Offensively, we will need to control the line of scrimmage." – Scecina coach Ott Hurrle.
"To beat Scecina, we need to pay mistake free. They will take advantage of turnovers and miscues. We will also need to play aggressive on defense and make tackles. They have three or four quality running backs that are very good. On offense, we have to sustain drives and be efficient with our game. We need to finish drives and put points on the board." – Cambridge City coach Phil Renforth.
MATT'S PICK: Scecina 35, Cambridge City 24.
