The high school football season is often said to be the fastest three months of the year, and this sentiment holds true as the IHSAA regular season comes to a close.
With the final week of the season approaching, many players have just a few days left in their football careers. However, the last week of the season delivered upsets, high-scoring games, and several conference titles.
Scoreboard Watchin’
There were many lopsided scores across the state, with Cascade securing the largest margin of victory in their 70-0 rout of Owen Valley.
Junior quarterback Brady Trebley led Cascade with an impressive 10-of-12 passing for 345 yards and five touchdowns. His favorite target, junior receiver J.T. Roshong, hauled in five catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard bomb—the longest completion of the game.
Defensively, Cascade dominated, holding Owen Valley to just 1.3 yards per carry, with freshman linebacker Timothy Turner Jr. leading the way with 12 solo tackles.
While Cascade claimed the largest margin of victory, East Noble had the highest-scoring game, trouncing Bellmont 75-7. Junior quarterback Rylee Biddle threw for 164 yards and four touchdowns, while the Knights’ run game exploded for 340 yards on 23 attempts. Sophomore running back Alex Phillips led the way with 112 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries.
Defensively, senior defensive back Logan Hatton added a highlight, returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
In terms of low-scoring games, only two matchups across the state totaled fewer than 20 points. West Vigo edged Sullivan 12-7, with senior running back Jacob Dewey rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tindley squeaked by Washington 11-6 for the lowest-scoring game of the week.
Down Goes Brownsburg
The previously top-ranked team in the state, Brownsburg, couldn’t overcome their notorious slow start in a 30-23 loss to Hamilton Southeastern.
Throughout the season, the Bulldogs found themselves in early holes, trailing 13-8 against Westfield before Branden Sharpe’s kickoff return touchdown saved the game in a 17-13 victory. They followed this with another slow start, falling behind 14-0 against 3-6 Zionsville before roaring back for a 66-28 win. Even against 2-7 Noblesville, Brownsburg trailed 15-0 late but managed a 22-18 victory.
However, their comeback magic ran out against Hamilton Southeastern after falling behind 20-0 in the first half. Senior quarterback Chandler Weston put up 185 yards in the upset effort, but Brownsburg’s late attempt to tie the game at 23-23 fell short. Pittsburgh commit Mason Alexander sealed the win for HSE with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, while the Royals’ defense intercepted both Brownsburg quarterbacks, senior Iosua Stephens and sophomore Oscar Frye.
Despite the loss, Brownsburg shares the HCC title with Westfield.
Sectionals: Teams with Momentum
Ben Davis (4-5)
The reigning 6A champs and preseason number one started slow, going 1-5 in their first six games. However, after a 58-28 loss to Lawrence North, the Giants bounced back with wins over Carmel (58-30), Lawrence Central (27-7), and North Central (44-14), entering sectionals on a three-game win streak. Ben Davis opens sectionals against Pike, a team they beat 38-14 in Week 3, as they look to repeat as state champions.
South Putnam (7-2)
After starting 1-2, South Putnam reeled off six straight wins heading into the postseason. The Eagles’ defense has been lights-out during the streak, allowing just 4.5 points per game. Senior quarterback Wyatt Mullin has been efficient, with 16 touchdowns and only one interception, while sophomore running back Ty Benton has racked up 829 yards and 14 touchdowns. South Putnam’s balanced offense and stingy defense make them a force in Class 1A.
Decatur Central (6-2-1)
The reigning 5A runner-up started the season 1-2-1 but has since rattled off five consecutive wins. Led by a talented junior class, including do-it-all athlete Kashmir Hicks, Decatur Central is hitting its stride at the right time. Hicks has 296 rushing yards, 713 receiving yards, 13 offensive touchdowns, four interceptions, and two return touchdowns, making him a Mr. Football candidate. The Hawks enter the playoffs as dangerous 5A contenders.
Triton Central (7-2)
Triton Central also started 2-2 before winning five straight to close the regular season. Senior quarterback Sam Collier has been sharp, with 15 touchdowns and just one interception, while the Tigers’ ground game features a trio of backs: juniors Braden Brown and Bo West, and sophomore Kade Stephens. On defense, senior lineman Colton Crawford leads with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Triton Central faces Union County in the first round of sectionals as a sleeper 2A contender.
Sectionals: Teams Losing Momentum
Center Grove (5-4)
Despite being one of the top teams in the state, Center Grove is entering the postseason on a three-game losing streak. After a 5-1 start, the Trojans have struggled down the stretch but still have the talent and coaching to make a deep run.
Guerin Catholic (4-5)
After starting 3-0, Guerin Catholic has gone 1-5 over the final six games of the regular season. However, the Golden Eagles boast one of the top quarterback-wide receiver duos in the state with seniors Malcolm Houze and Hayden Cler, and their run game, led by junior Jack Linden, remains a strength.
Record Watch: Single-Season Passing
Current Record Holder: Jake Schiff, 4,468 yards (Evansville Mater Dei)
Name to Watch: Maverick Geske, 3,385 yards (Brebeuf Jesuit)
If Geske continues his season average of 376 yards per game and leads Brebeuf past sectionals, he could break the record by the start of the fourth quarter in the sectional championship. However, getting past Danville in round one will be a tough challenge.
Quick Picks: Sleeper Contender for Each Class
1A: South Putnam
2A: Monrovia
3A: Gibson Southern
4A: Roncalli
5A: Warsaw
6A: Columbus North