David Jacobs

Eight weeks through the IHSAA football season, one question remains: where has the time gone? 

With the sectionals pairing show broadcasted on Oct. 13, many throughout the state have just about three weeks left of their football careers. For 12 lucky teams, well over a month of football remains. 

Scoreboard Watchin’ 

During week eight, it felt as if one-sided high-scoring affairs were abundant. 

In this week’s most lopsided score, North Decatur blew by Edinburgh 82-0, while Lafayette Central Catholic was not far behind with a 79-0 embarrassment of Benton Catholic. 


During their 79-0 victory, senior quarterback Bobby Metzger threw for 241 yards and six touchdowns as junior lineman Tage Sidler found the endzone from four yards out for the cherry on top.

Extending to 8-0 behind their sophomore duo of quarterback Aiden Robinson and running back Marcell Sims, Maconaquah toppled Wabash 76-0 to continue their dominant play this season. 

Running just 33 offensive plays, Heritage bested Southern Wells 70-0 behind five touchdown passes from senior quarterback Eli Tigulis. 

1A power North Judson San-Pierre routed Caston 69-3 behind the efforts of senior running backs Kole Wilcox and Brock Benson who combined for 361 yards and 7 touchdowns on 20 attempts. North Judson has continued to look like the team to beat in 1A behind their powerful and efficient run game. 

As for the high-scoring shootouts, two stood above the rest. 

Hammond Morton bested Hobart 61-58 in a double-overtime thriller as running back Dashawn Woods boasted the game-winning carry with a 10-yard score in the extra time. 

Unsurprisingly, Brebeuf Jesuit once again had an incredible offensive output with a 68-57 victory over Bloomington South. 

In the victory, senior quarterback Maverick Geske threw for 559 yards and three touchdowns while senior runningback CJ Harris added 167 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Now at 6-2, the Braves are averaging 48 points per game but giving up nearly 43 points each outing. 

With all the fireworks, there were a few games that had less than 14 combined points. 

Taylor beat Tri-Central 7-6 in a less-than-thrilling exhibition of two lackluster teams this season. Additionally, South Bend Adams topped South Bend Riley 7-6 thanks to a 38-yard first-quarter touchdown pass from Anthony Gubi to Cleal Kimbrough. 

As for the lowest-scoring matchup of the week —- Andrean shut out Hanover Central 3-0. The 59ers relied on ball control and sure tackling in the win over the high-powered Wildcats, holding senior Caiden Verrett to just 66 yards on 16 attempts — his lowest total on at least 10 attempts since Hammond Morton held him to 88 yards on 17 attempts in week two of last season. 

6A State Talk 

In its 11-year history, just four different schools have won the title: Center Grove, Ben Davis, Carmel and Warren Central. 

This year, things feel different. 

Four teams that can break the trend: Lawrence North, Westfield, Brownsburg and Crown Point.

Lawrence North is fielding its best football team, ever. Despite some shaky quarterback play at times from senior Tanner Aspeslet, the Wildcats have the offensive weapons and energetic defense to get them to Lucas Oil Stadium. 

In their convincing 34-21 victory over Center Grove, the ‘Cats saw sophomore Izayveon Moore rush for 235 yards and four touchdowns on 23 attempts while sophomore receiver Monshun Sales hauled in six catches for 113 yards in the effort. 

Westfield has had a couple of cracks at the state title against Center Grove in both 2020 and 2021 — falling short both times. 

Three years removed from their last appearance, the Shamrocks are primed for a deep run once again. 

Averaging 30 points per game on the season, Westfield leans on junior runningback Deacon King and stout defensive play led by senior linebacker Mikeah Webster to win them games. 

The Shamrocks may not have any eye-popping stat to help the Westfield state case, but it should not be understated the importance of their seniors this year being freshmen when they last met Center Grove in the championship. 

A steady run game, hard-nosed defense and a veteran locker room can get take them a long way. 

The number one team in the land, Brownsburg is no stranger to good regular seasons. What Brownsburg is a stranger to? Deep playoff runs. In the six-class format, the farthest Brownsburg has gone was a sectional championship run in 2021. 

While the Bulldogs have just as much talent under the same coach, one difference is that they continue to find ways to win. Going down 14-0 against Zionsville, Brownsburg would go down to win 66-28. Going down 15-0 against Noblesville, the Bulldogs came back to win 22-18. 

One thing that will be a question come playoffs: will Brownsburg overcome these slow starts? 

Another team that has prior experience in Lucas Oil, is the reigning 6A runner-ups of Crown Point. 

Following a 38-10 loss to Ben Davis last season in the championship game, the Bulldogs return seniors quarterback Noah Ehrlich and running back Larry Ellison from the runner-up squad and have averaged 44.5 points per game throughout this season. 

While the Bulldogs are a team that is forced to take a big leap in their competition once they reach regionals and semi-state, this team showed they can make it last year — they may even bring some hardware back to the 219 this season. 

Quick Pick: Favorite Sectional Match Ups

1A: Providence vs Springs Valley

2A: Heritage Christian vs Indy Lutheran

3A: Heritage Hills vs Gibson Southern

4A: Danville vs Brebeuf Jesuit

5A: Castle vs Floyd Central

6A: FW Snider vs Elkhart

Quick Pick: Mr. Football Winners

QB: Noah Ehlrich, Crown Point 

RB: Jaron Thomas, Concord

WR: Taylor Clark, Brebeuf Jesuit 

TE: Brock Schott, Leo 

OL: Cameron Gorrin, HSE

DL: Michael Thacker, New Palestine

LB: Evan Saevre, Columbus North

DB: Madden Beriault, Warren Central 

K: Joel Garrido, Lafayette Jeff

P: Mason Pressits, Noblesville