This week, Eastside is one win away from making it to the program’s first ever trip to the state finals as they take on perennial power Andrean out of Merrillville. During Eastside’s 21-14 win over Eastbrook, Eastside ran for 268 yards led by Laban Davis’ 213 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. For Andrean, junior Drayk Bowen ran for 99 yards and 3 touchdowns and recorded a pick 6 in a 35-8 win over LaVille. 

Andrean’s defense has held their opponents to single digits in each of their last 4 games (16 points total). But can this Fighting 59ers defense slow down Laban Davis enough to keep it a manageable game for their athletic offense? Eastside is in this situation for a reason beating the two best teams in 2A according to rankings in Bishop Luers and Eastbrook. They’ve done this by winning the line of scrimmage and playing great defense. Andrean has only been held below 200 yards passing 6 times this season and below 250 yards of total offense just once this season. 

Key players to watch 

Andrean

Sophomore QB Scott Ballentine 2,569 yards passing 26 TD passes 

Junior RB/LB Drayk Bowen 743 yards rushing 15 touchdowns 3 interceptions 

Senior WR Robert Ballentine 443 receiving yards 4 touchdowns 

Eastside 

Laban Davis 1,571 passing yards 20 touchdown passes and 2,152 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns 

Dax Holman 858 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and 80 total tackles 

Carson Jacobs 61 tackles 

Blair Munsey 4 picks and 61 tackles 

Dakota Reed 81 tackles 3 sacks 1 interception 

Kyler Bigbee 5.5 sacks and 72 tackles