Greenfield-Central (0-5, 0-3) at New Palestine (5-0, 3-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: New Palestine leads the all-time series 20-5. The Dragons won last year’s matchup 59-3 and have outscored the Cougars 331-51 in the last five years.
Last week: New Palestine outlasted Pendleton Heights, pulling away in the second half for a 42-21 victory. Greenfield-Central lost a heartbreaker at Shelbyville, 28-27.
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Sagarin ratings: New Palestine 110.50 (second), Greenfield-Central 30.69 (222nd)
Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Zach Neligh, RB Charlie Spegal, WR Colby Jenkins, WR Matt Brown, OL/DL Austin Keele, OL/DL Kyle King, LB Luke Ely, DB Luke Canfield, WR/DB Maxen Hook, DB Brody Luker; Greenfield-Central — QB Gehrig Slunaker, OL/DL Tate Helm, RB/LB Turk Faitele, WR Jake Vance, OLB Tyler Antic; CB/WR/RB Jaden Brown, RB/FS Emmet Houser
What to look for: This is a big mismatch on paper, with the Dragons rolling to a 5-0 start and the Cougars still searching for their first win. Greenfield-Central had positives in last week’s loss, namely quarterback Gehrig Slunaker and his continued improvement. Pendleton Heights had success throwing against the Dragons, so expect the Cougars to try to do the same. The big questions in this game are how big the final margin will be and how many yards and touchdowns New Palestine’s Charlie Spegal will run for. The Dragons should roll to their sixth win.
Mt. Vernon (2-3, 1-2) at Pendleton Heights (4-1, 2-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: Pendleton Heights leads the all-time series 29-22 and won last year’s game, 23-21. Mt. Vernon beat the Arabians twice in 2016, and the teams split wins in 2015.
Last week: Pendleton Heights was defeated for the first time this season, falling 42-21 against New Palestine. Mt. Vernon fell to Delta, 45-14.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 55.21 (119th), Pendleton Heights 82.19 (25th)
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Tyson Harley, RB/OLB Dylan Cole, WR Braxton Trittipo, WR DaRell Jackson, TE/DE Max Burhenn, DE P.J. Sterrett; Pendleton Heights — QB Christian Conkling, RB Kamden Early, WR/DB Eli Pancol, WR/DB Anakin Allison, OL/DL Tremor Bynum, RB/LB Jarod Miller
What to look for: Mt. Vernon could use a bounce-back win after big losses to New Palestine and Delta. Pendleton Heights isn’t a team they want to run in to right now, as the Arabians are one of the strongest HHC teams and looking for a bounce-back of their own after staying close to the Dragons through a half of football. Dylan Cole should be able to run the ball effectively for Mt. Vernon, while the key challenge for the Marauders is stopping Eli Pancol and Anakin Allison. Pancol is the big name, a Duke commit, but Allison shredded the Dragons defense a week ago. How the Marauders secondary handles the passing attack of Pendleton Heights will determine the outcome of this one.
Eastern Hancock (2-3, 1-0) at South Decatur (2-3, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: Eastern Hancock leads the all-time series 10-5. The Royals won last year’s game 53-7, while the Cougars won 30-26 in 2016. The Royals had won the five previous meetings before the 2016 loss.
Last week: Eastern Hancock had a tough loss, falling 21-8 to rival Knightstown. South Decatur picked up a 20-18 win against Edinburgh.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock 14.80 (270th), South Decatur 5.71 (298th)
Players to watch: Eastern Hancock — QB Houston Swan, RB/DB Victor Olivo, RB/LB Garrett Friesen, RB/LB Jacob Johnson, OL/DL Alexander Burton, OL/DL Brady Stephens, OL/DL Tyler Vandervliet, WR/DB Cole Rainbolt; South Decatur — QB Wyatt Gatewood, RB Jacobi Shook, WR/DE Trent Knobbe, LB Clayton McNealy, DE/MLB Shaun Walterman
What to look for: The Royals, after winning their first two games, have dropped three straight, including a tough rivalry loss to Knightstown. Eastern Hancock has been turning the ball over at an alarming rate, with nine interceptions and 12 lost fumbles. South Decatur is one of the worst teams in the state in Sagarin ratings, which should provide the Royals a chance to get back on track. Eastern Hancock was held significantly below their average rush yards per game by Knightstown. Look for the Royals to try to re-establish their running game against the hosts.
