Football Sectional Semifinal Breakdown

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Class 5A

New Palestine (9-0) at Whiteland (6-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coaches: Kyle Ralph, 83-4 in 7th year at New Palestine. Darrin Fisher, 103-64 in 15th year at Whiteland, 164-136 in 29th year overall.

Recent history: New Palestine leads the all-time series against the Warriors, 8-7. They last met in the 2017 regular-season opener, a 19-8 Dragons win.

Sagarin ratings: New Palestine, 98.34, 7th overall, 2nd in 5A. Whiteland, 73.39, 51st overall, 12th in 5A.

Players to watch: New Palestine — QB Lincoln Roth, RB Charlie Spegal, OL/DL Kyle King, OL/DL Matt Brown, LB Aven Jones, DB/WR Maxen Hook; Whiteland — QB Brant Kunz, RB Chase Valentine, RB Dalton Murray, WR/CB Melvin Taylor, WR Desmen Singleton, DE AJ Beil

What to look for: The Dragons start their Class 5A championship defense on the road against a team they haven’t seen since the 2017 opener, Whiteland. The Warriors stack up as one of the best teams the Dragons will have seen to this point, but New Palestine should be able to get through this game and advance to the sectional final against either Franklin or Seymour. The run defenses will be in the spotlight. Everyone knows what Charlie Spegal can do – the Warriors have four running backs who have been highly successful this year. Whiteland has thrown a total of 35 times all year, so look out for the four-headed running attack of Melvin Taylor, Desmen Singleton, Chase Valentine and Dalton Murray, who all have at least 400 yards and four or more touchdowns, while averaging over 8 yards per carry. The Dragons defense has been stellar against the run, though, so while this isn’t likely to be a running clock type of game, New Palestine should be able to slow the Warriors enough to win by a few touchdowns.

Class 4A

Mt. Vernon (8-2) at New Castle (4-6)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coaches: Mike Kirschner, 15-6 in 2nd year at Mt. Vernon, 124-68 in 17th year overall. Kyle York, 15-16 in 3rd year at New Castle.

Recent history: Mt. Vernon leads the all-time series, 7-1. They won this year’s regular-season matchup by a score of 61-20 just four weeks ago.

Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon, 62.31, 79th overall, 17th in 4A. New Castle, 39.8, 176th overall, 44th 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; New Castle — QB William Grieser, RB Tytus Ragle, WR/DE Brandon Matney, WR Dakota Durick, LB JaMorion Taylor

What to look for: This one isn’t likely to be much different from the meeting four weeks ago between the Marauders and Trojans. Mt. Vernon jumped out to a huge early lead and New Castle was forced to throw to try to catch up, attempting 55 passes in the blowout loss. Look for a lot of running out of the Marauders and more of the same from New Castle, making for a slow game even though it could be a running clock in the second half. Mt. Vernon should advance with ease, setting up a likely sectional championship against a Pendleton Heights team they’ve barely edged the past two years.

Pendleton Heights (6-4) at Greenfield-Central (2-8)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coaches: Jed Richman, 23-19 in 4th year at Pendleton Heights, 58-49 in 10th year overall. Travis Nolting, 2-8 in 1st year at Greenfield, 62-36 in 9th year overall.

Recent history: Pendleton Heights leads the series, 25-11. The Arabians won the Sept. 13 game this year, 47-6.

Sagarin ratings: Pendleton Heights, 61.07, 88th overall, 19th in 4A. Greenfield, 27.71, 225th overall, 50th 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; Pendleton Heights — QB Kirby Hess, RB Kamden Earley, RB/LB Joseph Rios, LB Luke Bays, WR/DB Clay Britt

What to look for: Greenfield-Central got a feel-good win a week ago, outlasting Muncie Central in a shootout and earning their first tournament win in several seasons. The 2-8 record may not look pretty, but it represents significant progress for the Cougars. Still, the 2019 season should come to an end in this one, as the teams aren’t much different from a 41-point Arabians win in the middle of the regular season. Look for the hosts to keep the score a bit closer at least through the first half, as the offense has found more and more success in recent weeks. The Arabians will more than likely pull away, though, setting up a big sectional championship clash with Mt. Vernon.

Class 2A

Heritage Christian (9-1) at Eastern Hancock (8-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coaches: Kyle Ray, 25-15 in 4th year at Heritage Christian. Doug Armstrong, 11-9 in 2nd year at Eastern Hancock, 108-88 in 18th year overall.

Recent history: Eastern Hancock has never beaten Heritage Christian, losing all four games against the Eagles. That includes a regular-season game this year, a 38-20 Eagles win on Sept. 13.

Sagarin ratings: Heritage Christian, 53.46, 120th overall, 13th in 2A. Eastern Hancock, 39.45, 180th overall, 25th 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; Heritage Christian — QB Maxwell Milton, RB Colton Brown, WR Harrison Eckel, MLB Peyton Brown, OLB Ethan Lowry

What to look for: It’s been a resurgent season for Eastern Hancock, but one of the two teams that topped them in 2019 awaits tonight. The Royals struggled holding onto the football against the Eagles in the regular-season setback, throwing four interceptions, but they also struggled defending the run. Heritage Christian comes into this game as favorites despite being on the road, although not by much. The Royals will need to play a clean game offensively, and find a way to slow down sophomore running back Colton Brown, who ran 34 times for 270 yards in the Sept. 13 game. Brown hasn’t slowed down, rushing for 1,637 yards and 21 TDs on the season. This will likely be the best game of the night, and should come down to the final possession or two. The Eagles have the slight edge, but don’t be shocked at all if the Royals get through to the sectional final.