New Palestine (7-0, 5-0) at New Castle (4-3, 2-3)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: New Palestine leads the all-time series 5-0. The Dragons won last year 56-24, and have outscored the Trojans 313-41 in those five meetings since 2014.
Last week: New Palestine cruised again, topping Shelbyville 77-7. New Castle lost to Mt. Vernon 43-16.
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Sagarin ratings: New Palestine 106.42 (second), New Castle 52.09 (130th)
Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Zach Neligh, RB Charlie Spegal, WR Colby Jenkins, OL/DL Kyle King, LB Luke Ely, DB Luke Canfield, WR/DB Maxen Hook, DB Ryker Large, DB Brody Luker; New Castle — QB Drew Barber, RB/LB Gage Burk, WR Luke Bumbalough, WR Triston Chesher, DE Trenton Williams
What to look for: New Palestine should have a fairly easy road to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the HHC against New Castle, who was blown out last week at Mt. Vernon. The Trojans high-powered offense came to a grinding halt, as Mt. Vernon intercepted Drew Barber, who had been picked off once all year prior, five times, returning two for touchdowns. The Dragons offensive juggernaut keeps rolling, with Charlie Spegal continuing to put up nation-leading numbers on the ground. Spegal is 12th in the nation in rush yards and first in rushing touchdowns, seven ahead of second place. Expect to see another 200-yard, 5 or 6 TD performance from the Dragons’ standout runner, and another huge margin of victory for the team.
Eastern Hancock (3-4, 1-1) vs. Shenandoah (6-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: Shenandoah leads the all-time rivalry series, 28-18. Shenandoah has won two games in a row against the Royals, including last year’s 67-13 blowout win.
Last week: Eastern Hancock fell to ranked Monroe Central, 30-16. Shenandoah beat Northeastern 55-0.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock 23.64 (250th), Shenandoah 72.22 (41st)
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; Shenandoah — QB Peyton Starks, RB/LB Dallas Pugsley, RB/CB Gabe Young, DE Christian McDole, SS Hayden Lohrey
What to look for: Shenandoah, ranked No. 7 in Class 2A, is on a six-game winning streak, while the Royals are coming off a loss to a ranked Muncie Central. Eastern Hancock will be looking for some payback after last year’s 67-13 road loss to the Raiders, which will likely hinge on how well the Royals defense plays. The Raiders have a powerful offense, averaging 48.5 points per game while passing for 158 yards per game and rushing for 275 yards per game. It’s another tough matchup for the Royals, who will need to limit turnovers — they have 13 INTs and 13 fumbles lost this year — and have success in the running game with Victor Olivo to keep close to the Raiders.
Mt. Vernon (4-3, 3-2) vs. Shelbyville (1-6, 1-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon leads the all-time series 12-10. The teams split games last year, with the Golden Bears winning in the regular season, 35-28, and the Marauders winning in sectional play, 30-14.
Last week: Mt. Vernon picked up a second straight big conference win, topping New Castle 43-16. Shelbyville was beaten 77-7 by New Palestine.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 64.81 (75th), Shelbyville 21.00 (259th)
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Tyson Harley, RB/OLB Dylan Cole, RB/DB Rylan Cole, WR Braxton Trittipo, WR DaRell Jackson, TE/DE Max Burhenn, DE P.J. Sterrett; Shelbyville — QB Riley Stevens, RB Matthew Merritt, WR Dom Willman, S Elijah Simms
What to look for: These teams are on opposite trajectories right now. Mt. Vernon is coming off back-to-back impressive wins against Pendleton Heights and New Castle, while Shelbyville has been outscored 143-7 the last two weeks. The trends should continue, as Mt. Vernon should roll past the Golden Bears in their last home game of the regular season. The Marauders defense has been firing on all cylinders, compiling 9.5 sacks two weeks ago and 5 INTs last week. The defense should have no trouble stopping Shelbyville and backup QB Riley Stevens. Look for the Mt. Vernon offense to have a lot of success throwing the football to open up a lead, and the run game should have a good as well. Mt. Vernon should win by a large margin.
Greenfield-Central (0-7, 0-5) at Delta (5-2, 4-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central has never beaten Delta, as the Eagles lead the all-time series 26-0. Last year, Delta beat the Cougars 41-14.
Last week: Greenfield-Central lost to Yorktown, 47-17. Delta is coming off its first conference loss of the year, a 35-16 setback against Pendleton Heights.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield-Central 34.16 (212th), Delta 76.53 (42nd)
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central — QB Gehrig Slunaker, WR/FS Jake Vance, OL/DL Tate Helm, OLB Tyler Antic; CB/WR/RB Jaden Brown, RB/FS Emmet Houser; Delta — QB Brady Hunt, RB/S Wesley Woodin, RB/S Zach Garner, WR/CB Cameron Levers, DE Nate Southerland, CB Tyler Gilland
What to look for: The Cougars have never defeated Delta and don’t look likely to change that this year. This has been a disappointing and challenging season for Greenfield-Central, who are on an interim coach and have been in just one close game this season, a one-point loss to Shelbyville. The team is building for the future, though, and even with a first winless season since 2005 looking possible, there are bright spots as freshman QB Gehrig Slunaker keeps getting ore experience and the very young roster keeps getting game time. Delta should cruise to another HHC win here, getting back on track, but expect the Slunaker and Jake Vance connection to keep hitting for Greenfield-Central, as the two have connected for 545 yards and 4 TDs and seem to be developing more and more chemistry as the season progresses.
