The regular season has come to a close, and the Indiana High School football sectional round is about to begin. The mission is clear: win, or go home.
One question looms large—will fans witness two familiar teams face off for the fourth consecutive year, this time in a different class? Lutheran and Adams Central, who battled in the Class A state championship the past three seasons, have both moved up to Class 2A due to the IHSAA’s success factor, with the Saints dominating Adams Central in their previous meetings.
What can we expect in the Class 2A sectional tournament? Indiana Preps takes a look at the IHSAA State Football Playoffs in this edition of Four Downs.
Are we assured a Lutheran vs. Adams Central state championship game?
While anything can happen in the postseason, a fourth consecutive Lutheran vs. Adams Central championship is far from guaranteed. Class 2A boasts several quality programs, and both teams face tough competition early in the tournament. Lutheran, despite moving up, faces a challenging first-round matchup against Heritage Christian, a 7-2 team that can throw the ball and rack up points, having scored 40 or more in six games this season.
Adams Central opens against Bluffton, a familiar opponent they defeated 49-24 earlier this month. While both teams are strong contenders, the road to Lucas Oil Stadium is far from certain for either of them.
If we don’t see Lutheran or Adams Central, who could we see, and who has a chance to win?
Lutheran remains the favorite in Class 2A until proven otherwise. With Jackson Willis at quarterback, D’Marco Wilson’s impact at running back, and a stout defense, the Saints are formidable. However, if not Lutheran or Adams Central, there are several other teams to watch.
Reed May’s Brownstown Central squad has been impressive, led by running back Gregory Hutcheson, who averages over 100 yards per game. Undefeated Northeastern also poses a threat with offensive weapons. Western Boone and Lafayette Central Catholic are two more dangerous teams from the north, although they could potentially face off in the second round, eliminating one of them early.
Who is an under-the-radar team that could shock the state?
There are several possibilities, but Greencastle stands out as a potential surprise. Despite a less-than-stellar record, the Tiger Cubs played their first full-strength game last week and looked much improved. Brayden Monroe and Cam Pingleton are playmakers who can change the outcome of a game, and their impact was evident in last week’s win against North Putnam. Sophomore quarterback Cole Stephens also has the ability to air it out, and with a favorable early draw, Greencastle could make a run for a sectional championship and beyond.
What is the most intriguing sectional in Class 2A?
While Sectional 34, featuring North Putnam, Lafayette Central Catholic, and Western Boone, is strong, Sectional 38 is particularly intriguing. Lapel has an explosive quarterback in Devin Craig, who can ignite their offense, but they face undefeated Northeastern, a team looking to claim its first-ever sectional title. Centerville and Eastern Hancock will clash in a game that could light up the scoreboard, both hungry for a shot at Northeastern. On the bottom half, Triton Central, led by head coach Tim Able, showed their potential earlier this season by upsetting Lutheran. Shenandoah will also be looking to play spoiler in what could be a wide-open sectional.