Plenty of good games were on tap last Friday, as the IHSAA football sectionals kicked off for several teams. An instant classic unfolded between Leo and East Noble, and gave fans exactly what playoff football is all about. It’s still evident that class 3A is still the best football top to bottom and the playoffs are giving us some exciting matchups. Week 10 provided a ton of highlights and foresight as to what to look for in week 11.

Hobart took Griffith to the woodshed in their sectional opener. A 72-10 victory, should give the Brickies the confidence to repeat as Sectional 17 champions. It wont come easy. Lowell and Gary West Side are formidable opponents as Hobart will likely face the winner of that game in the sectional championship.

Leo is still undefeated. The Lions are our preseason pick to represent the north side of the 4A bracket in the state championship. It wont happen without some tough games on the way. East Noble gave them all they could handle last Friday. In a game for the ages, the Lions prevailed. Down 3-points, with under two minutes left in the game, quarterback Jackson Barbour and receiver Kaeden Miller became Leo Legends.

The Zionsville Eagles looked all but finished during the regular season. Going into sectional play with a 4-5 record, some folks would panic. Not this squad. In 2020, the Eagles started their class 5A state championship appearance run with an identical record before winning three state heading into the finals. A 45-0 win over McCutcheon on Friday is all you need to know about Zionsville’s chances to make another run. In what is likely the game of the week in class 5A, the Eagles will travel to take on 8-1 Harrison West Lafayette in round two of Sectional 12.

When hall of fame coach Mike Kirschner left Mount Vernon to return to his alma mater to coach, we highlighted new coach Vince Lidy in an article during the offseason. It was then, Indiana Preps was assured the Marauders would continue their winning ways. An 8-1 regular season finish and a hot start in sectional 21, it is clear Mount Vernon is in good hands. A third consecutive sectional championship seems inevitable.

What a season the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings are having. A 10-0 start for the first time since 1981. This season is also the first time since 1983, that Vikings have recorded double digit wins. There’s a ton of buzz about Steve Moriarty’s program, starting with sensational sophomore Wade Jones. The 6’5 185-pound defensive back has snagged 10 interceptions on the year. No matter what happens on Friday when the Vikings face a tough team in Mishawaka Marian, coach Mo has his team trending in the right way.