As the Indiana high school football regular season enters its final three weeks, two Indianapolis-area teams with one loss each will square off on Friday night.  Eyes will be on matchup between two 6A powers Lawrence North (4-1) v. Warren Central (5-1) in what should be a slugfest.

The Warriors have a potent offense.  The team has put up over 30 points on the board in each of their last five games, including 57 against Ben Davis.  They are led by quarterback Prince Powell, a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands who recently received his first Division I offer from Northern Illinois.  Powell is 64-103 for 905 yards and 10 touchdowns with just two interceptions through the first six games.  He also has 61 carries for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground.

“The season so far has been great,” Powell said. “Coach (Kirschner) has changed the culture and the team is buying into it. If we can stay healthy and stay focused I believe it will be great. I think we can reach the state title because I know what we are capable of doing. We have the fight and the never-give-up attitude. We all want to play for each other no matter the battle. I’m not looking past any team.”

Powell has an array of weapons to throw to at all of the receiver positions.  Joe Walker, a 6’5 215 wideout, is one of the top 2023 prospects in the state.  Walker has offers from Indiana, Pittsburgh, Purdue and Toledo. 

“He seems like their biggest threat offensively,” Lawrence North linebacker Romaro Warren said.  “We plan for each game the same, looking at tendencies, and keys that will get us an edge on our opponent.”

Wide receiver Quintin Delgado-Prado is another tall target at 6’1 163 and one of the state’s underrated senior wideouts. Warren Central also has the defense to back up their offensive firepower, led by defensive end DeJuan Echoles, a rangy defensive lineman and Ball State commit.

Front and center for the Warriors defensively will be Lawrence North wide receiver Omar Cooper, a national recruit who has committed to Indiana.  Cooper caught the game-winning touchdown with five seconds left last week in a 26-24 thrilling win over Ben Davis. 

“Omar (is their best player), no doubt and no need to explain,” Echoles said.  “We’ve been watching a lot of film.  I think we have a chance because our players make each other better each day at practice.”

Along with Cooper, keep an eye on receivers Israel Jackson and David Ragas.  Jackson is a speedy sophomore wideout who Coach Pat Mallory is excited about.  Running back Ali Richardson is a tough and physical runner who has 110 carries for 501 yards and 7 touchdowns, and plays a big role in the offense.  Sophomore quarterback Montez Jones was 14-24 for 249 yards and three touchdowns last week. 

Defensively, the Wildcats are led by defensive end Danny Royster, a Ball State commit.  Royster had seven tackles and a sack in last week’s win over Ben Davis.  Linebacker Josh Noble had nine tackles and two pass breakups.  Expect a lot of tackles from 6’1 220 linebacker Romaro Warren as well.