Pendleton Heights (3-1, 2-0) at New Palestine (4-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Jed Richman, 20-16 in 4th year at Pendleton Heights, 55-46 in 10th year overall. Kyle Ralph, 78-4 in 7th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: New Palestine leads the all-time series, 19-13, and has won seven straight against the Arabians. The Dragons won last year’s meeting, 42-21.
Sagarin ratings: New Palestine, 100.33, 8th overall, 2nd in 5A. Pendleton Heights, 71.51, 53rd overall, 9th in 4A.
Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Lincoln Roth, RB Charlie Spegal, DL Kyle King, LB Aven Jones, LB Richard Clevenger, DB Maxen Hook, DB Brody Luker; Pendleton Heights — QB Kirby Hess, RB Kamden Earley, WR Tristan Ross, LB Caden McClain, DB Clay Britt
What to look for: The Arabians have given the Dragons a game the past two years, keeping things closer than most teams have been able to. This is a very different Pendleton Heights team, though, missing the playmakers of previous years. New Palestine has been playing below their standard of excellence since a big Week 2 win against Center Grove, misfiring on offense against Yorktown and being slowed by penalties last week against Mt. Vernon. If the Dragons play their game, this could have a running clock in the second half. If New Palestine plays sloppy, this could be a closer game, as last year’s matchup was for a few quarters. The Dragons should win by several scores again regardless, moving to 5-0.
Delta (4-0, 2-0) at Mt. Vernon (3-1, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Chris Overholt, 24-14 in 4th year at Delta. Mike Kirschner, 10-5 in 2nd year at Mount Vernon, 119-67 in 17th year overall.
Recent history: Delta holds a 21-15 series lead over the last 35 years. The Eagles won last year’s matchup, 45-14.
Sagarin ratings: Delta, 84.93, 18th overall, 1st in 4A. Mount Vernon, 58.49, 100th overall, 22nd in 4A.
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Gehrig Slunaker, RB/FS Rylan Cole, OL/LB Charlie Moore, WR Ashden Gentry, WR Dawan Langston, TE/LB Luke Rappe; Delta — QB Brady Hunt, WR Wesley Stitt, RB Javaughn Whitfield, WR/FS Cameron Levers, OLB Conner Bedwell
What to look for: The Mt. Vernon defense is in for another tough test, facing a high-powered Delta running attack that is averaging 339 yards on the ground each game. This marks the third straight week facing a run-heavy team, and all three have vastly different looks between the wishbone of Greenfield-Central, New Palestine’s Charlie Spegal and now a two-headed running attack with the Eagles. Delta has two players averaging more than 10 yards per carry and over 100 yards per game in Wesley Stitt and Javaughn Whitfield, and they can throw the ball, too. The Marauders will need to limit big plays and their own mistakes — turnovers, penalties — to stick with Delta. The Eagles should be considered favorites, but don’t be shocked if the Marauders keep things close or pull out a big home win.
Shelbyville (0-4, 0-2) at Greenfield-Central (0-4, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Michael Clevenger, 1-13 in 2nd year at Shelbyville, 12-23 in 4th year overall. Travis Nolting, 0-4 in 1st year at Greenfield, 60-32 in 9th year overall.
Recent history: Shelbyville leads the series 24-11 over the past 35 years. The Golden Bears narrowly edged the Cougars in 2018, 28-27.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield, 30.91, 213th overall, 47th in 4A. Shelbyville, .05, 299th overall, 60th in 4A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central — QB/DB/P Lance McKee, QB Brodie Mayberry, FB/LB Bradon Nelson, TE/LB Tyler Antic, DB Chris O’Connor, RB/LB Brayden Herrell; Shelbyville — QB Riley Stevens, WR Collin Miltz, TE/LB Jett Kolls, DB Ronaldo Rodriguez
What to look for: This is a battle of two teams who desperately need to get on the winning side of the scoreboard. Last year’s game was a nailbiter, a 28-27 Shelbyville win that is the only victory either team has had in more than a year. The Cougars should be considered a pretty heavy favorite here, putting them in strong position to finally snap a long losing streak. Both teams have struggled, but the Cougars have made progress while Shelbyville appears to be moving in the wrong direction, having been outscored 256-7 and not scoring since the first quarter of the season. The Bears have allowed 1,195 rushing yards on just 98 carries this season, allowing an average of 12.2 yards per carry. That bodes well for the Cougars’ wishbone attack, which has had some success but is still growing. Greenfield-Central should have its best offensive outing of the season and should get its first win since 2017.
Knightstown (3-1) at Eastern Hancock (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Chad Montgomery, 12-3 in 2nd year at Knightstown. Doug Armstrong, 6-8 in 2nd year at Eastern Hancock, 103-87 in 18th year overall.
Recent history: The Royals lead the series in the past 35 years, 21-18. Knightstown won last year’s game, 21-8.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock, 40.31, 169th overall, 24th in 2A. Knightstown, 28.76, 222nd overall, 21st in 1A.
Players to watch: Eastern Hancock — QB Houston Swan, RB/DB Victor Olivo, WR/FS Cole Rainbolt, RB/LB Garrett Friesen, DL Tyler Vandervliet, WR/DB Zach Arnold, WR/DB Cayden Sotelo, WR J.P. Fuchs; Knightstown — QB Chase Richmond, RB/DB Nick Walsh, DL Max Muncy, OL/DL Liam Orcutt
What to look for: This game hinges on which Eastern Hancock team shows up. If the Royals play like they did the first three weeks of the season, they should win comfortably against their rivals. If they play like they did in a loss to Heritage Christian, where they almost beat themselves with turnovers, they could find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard. Houston Swan should bounce back from a tough night a week ago, and the Eastern Hancock defense should be more successful slowing the run than they were a week ago. The Royals had won three straight against the Panthers before last year’s game — expect to see Eastern Hancock get back on the winning track tonight.
