footbaLL WEEK 2 PREVIEW
New Palestine (1-0) vs. Center Grove (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: The Dragons and Trojans have never met previously. This is New Palestine’s first game ever against a Class 6A team. The Dragons come in ranked No. 2 in Class 5A. Center Grove is No. 9 in Class 6A.
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Last week: New Palestine dominated then-No. 8 Kokomo at home, rolling to a 70-0 halftime lead en route to a 77-0 win. Center Grove lost to Class 6A No. 1 Warren Central 27-15.
Sagarin ratings: New Palestine 104.02 (third), Center Grove 92.42 (ninth)
Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Zach Neligh, RB Charlie Spegal, WR Colby Jenkins, WR Matt Brown, OL/DL Austin Keele, LB Luke Ely, DB Luke Canfield, DB Maxen Hook; Center Grove — QB Jackson Moore, RB Carson Steele, RB/WR Sam Hohlt, DL Lucas Hunter, K Luke Eckert
What to look for: New Palestine is coming off an utterly dominant opener, rolling over a Kokomo team that came in ranked in the top 10 in Class 5A, while Center Grove fell behind 20-0 early to Warren Central and couldn’t close the gap enough in an opening loss. The Trojans gave up a big rushing day to Warren Central’s Romeir Elliott last week, allowing 148 yards and 2 TDs on 13 carries. Dragons running back Charlie Spegal is coming off a record-setting night, carrying 18 times for 222 yards and 7 TDs. This game will be a good test of how good the Dragons really are, as the Trojans are still rated in the top 10 in the Sagarin ratings despite the loss last week.
Mt. Vernon (1-0) vs. Marion (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: This is the eighth year in a row the Marauders and Giants will meet. Mt. Vernon is 5-2 in that time, winning the first five games of the series and losing the past two years. The games between the teams are usually high-scoring, with Marion winning last year 40-16.
Last week: Mt. Vernon won on the road at Hamilton Heights 43-14. Marion won its home opener 47-0 against Huntington North.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 61.90 (97th), Marion 74.32 (42nd)
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Tyson Harley, RB Kenny Dobbins, WR Braxton Trittipo, DE Max Burhenn, DE PJ Sterrett, OLB/RB Dylan Cole; Marion — QB Keshaun Taylor, RB Khalid Stamps, WR/CB Isaiah Hamilton, LB Xavier Gee, WR/DB Brayden Burke
What to look for: Both teams rolled through their opener last week, a promising start to the season for each. The battle for a 2-0 start will likely be decided by which defense steps up this week. Mt. Vernon’s forced seven turnovers against Hamilton Heights, while Marion allowed -4 yards rushing and just 4 completed passed out of 16 attempts against them. These teams have a history of high-scoring games between them, so impact players like Max Burhenn from Mt. Vernon and Xavier Gee from Marion could play a big role in the outcome.
Eastern Hancock (1-0) vs. Wes-Del (0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Recent history: The Royals have dominated Wes-Del this decade. Wes-Del won in 2010, and the Royals won every year from 2011 to 2015, the last time the teams played one another. Eastern Hancock has blown out the Warriors each of the last five times they met, including a 42-0 win in the 2015 meeting.
Last week: Eastern Hancock opened its season with a 28-14 win against Northwestern. Wes-Del fell to Alexandria-Monroe 27-8.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock 50.74 (160th), Wes-Del 25.63 (277th)
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, WR/DB Cole Rainbolt; Wes-Del — QB Mason Whitted, QB/DB Eric Harlan, WR/LB Jake Sutton, WR/DB Nate Steele
What to look for: Eastern Hancock used a strong running attack and timely defense to get a victory in its opener, while Wes-Del struggled offensively in a lopsided Week 1 loss. The Royals used a running back by committee approach, with three backs getting at least 14 carries and combining for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Expect the Royals to do more of the same, allowing freshman QB Houston Swan more time to acclimate. Eastern Hancock has a favorable matchup here to get to 2-0 on the season.
Greenfield-Central (0-1) at Whiteland (1-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Recent history: The Cougars and Warriors have not met since 1970. Greenfield-Central has won both games between the teams.
Last week: Greenfield-Central opened its season with a shutout loss to Evansville Central, falling 42-0. Whiteland pulled off a huge upset in Week 1, defeating defending state champion Columbus East 26-20.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield-Central 43.25 (201st), Whiteland 77.76 (32nd)
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central — QB Gehrig Slunaker, OL/DL Tate Helm, RB/LB Turk Faitele, CB/WR/RB Jaden Brown, RB/FS Emmet Houser; Whiteland — QB Iyan Pelfree, RB Jake Perry, DL Alex Reed, LB Jacob Schultz, DB Jacob Brown
What to look for: Greenfield-Central got off to a rough start to the season, struggling to find any offense in a shutout loss. Things don’t get much easier this week, with Whiteland coming off a huge upset over the defending Class 5A champions. The Cougars’ offense will need to find its footing fast, as Whiteland’s Jake Perry, who rushed for 198 yards against Columbus East, could help the Warriors control the game.
