New Castle (2-5, 1-4) at New Palestine (7-0, 5-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle York, 13-15 in 3rd year at New Castle. Kyle Ralph, 81-4 in 7th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: New Palestine leads the all-time series, 6-0. The Dragons won last year’s matchup against the Trojans 56-14.
Sagarin ratings: New Palestine, 99.21, 5th overall, 2nd in 5A. New Castle, 38.26, 185th overall, 44th in 4A.
Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Lincoln Roth, RB Charlie Spegal, DL Kyle King, LB Aven Jones, LB Richard Clevenger, WR Blake Austin, WR/DB Maxen Hook, DB Brody Luker; New Castle — QB William Grieser, WR Tytus Ragle, WR/DE Brandon Matney, WR Dakota Durick, LB JaMorion Taylor
What to look for: The New Palestine train should keep on rolling this week, as this sets up to be another blowout for the Dragons in their final home game of the regular season. The Trojans have been struggling this year, getting blown out by most of their HHC counterparts. The Dragons, meanwhile, are winning by an average of 44 points per contest. Charlie Spegal and Lincoln Roth will likely both have huge first halves on the ground, while the Red Rage defense should have little issue controlling the Trojans offense. Expect to see a typical New Palestine game, with starters exiting early in the second half with a running clock finishing up the game.
Mt. Vernon (5-2, 3-2) at Shelbyville (0-7, 0-5)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Mike Kirschner, 12-6 in 2nd year at Mt. Vernon, 121-68 in 17th year overall. Michael Clevenger, 1-16 in 2nd year at Shelbyville, 12-26 in 4th year overall.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon leads the series 14-10 in the past 35 years. The Marauders won last year’s sectional game against the Golden Bears, 56-0.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon, 65.59, 72nd overall, 16th in 4A. Shelbyville, 3.14, 302nd overall, 61st in 4A.
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Gehrig Slunaker, RB/FS Rylan Cole, OL/LB Charlie Moore, WR Ashden Gentry, WR Dawan Langston, RB/DB Keagan LaBelle; Shelbyville — QB Ethan Bohman, RB Skyler Pickett, TE/LB Jett Kolls, DB Ronaldo Rodriguez
What to look for: These teams are trending in almost entirely opposite directions, which should lead to another lopsided result. The Marauders, fresh off a 41-point win against New Castle, are poised for a second straight offensive explosion against a struggling Golden Bears defense. The Shelbyville offense is still looking for its first touchdown of the season, as their only points of the year came early in a Week 1 loss on a kickoff return. The Marauders should be able to put this game away early to stay within striking distance of another second-place HHC finish.
Delta (6-1, 4-1) at Greenfield-Central (1-6, 1-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Chris Overholt, 26-15 in 4th year at Delta. Travis Nolting, 1-6 in 1st year at Greenfield, 61-34 in 9th year overall.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central has never beaten Delta, as the Eagles hold a 27-0 edge against the Cougars. Delta won last year’s game 45-14.
Sagarin ratings: Delta, 79.2, 31st overall, 2nd in 4A. Greenfield, 35.35, 195th overall, 45th in 4A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central — QB Brodie Mayberry, FB/LB Bradon Nelson, TE/LB Tyler Antic, DB Chris O’Connor, RB/LB Brayden Herrell; Delta — QB Brady Hunt, WR Wesley Stitt, RB Javaughn Whitfield, WR/FS Cameron Levers, OLB Conner Bedwell
What to look for: Delta, coming off its first loss of the year, will be looking to rebound and build momentum heading into a big Week 9 matchup with New Palestine. The Eagles have a potent rushing attack, already over 1,800 yards on the year, and should be able to control the clock against the Cougars better than many teams have this season. Greenfield-Central’s wishbone offense will have some room to run, but this game is likely to be another lopsided loss for the hosts, setting up a clash for a share of the HHC title next week for the Eagles.
Eastern Hancock (6-1, 2-0) at Shenandoah (5-2, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Doug Armstrong, 9-8 in 2nd year at Eastern Hancock, 106-87 in 18th year overall. Jordan McCaslin, 24-7 in 3rd year at Shenandoah.
Recent history: Shenandoah holds a 24-16 lead in the series over the past 35 years. The Raiders rolled past the Royals last season, 47-8.
Sagarin ratings: Shenandoah, 43.93, 162nd overall, 23rd in 2A. Eastern Hancock, 43.93, 161st overall, 22nd in 2A.
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, WR/LB Landon O’Neal; Shenandoah — QB Tanner Goff, RB Josh Farmer, WR/DB Andrew Bennett, WR/SS Blake Surface, MLB Justin Hummel
What to look for: Tonight’s marquee game should be much different from last year, when turnovers and mistakes plagued the Royals in a blowout loss at home against their rivals. Eastern Hancock is a much different team, with an explosive passing offense that has quarterback Houston Swan near the top of the state in multiple categories and a slew of receivers making big plays regularly. The key for the Royals will be protecting the football against a Raiders defense that has caused 15 turnovers this year, led by ballhawk Andrew Bennett, who has four INTs this year. If Swan can avoid mistakes — the only Eastern Hancock loss this year came in a four-interception game from the sophomore against Heritage Christian — the Royals should enter the final week of the season with a 7-1 mark.
