David Jacobs

While big schools across Indiana received a bye week to rest up for the path to Lucas Oil Stadium, 1A-4A teams dove headfirst into sectional action with a mix of blowouts and dramatic finishes.

Scoreboard Watchin’

Among the lopsided scores, Riverton Parke’s 70-0 rout of Parke Heritage in their 1A Sectional 45 opener stood out. The Panthers dominated the ground game, rushing for 360 yards and all 10 of their touchdowns on 36 attempts. Senior running back A.J. Goff led with 115 yards and four touchdowns on just five attempts, while five other players also found the end zone. Defensively, Riverton Parke snagged five interceptions and held Parke Heritage to only 45 rushing yards on 29 attempts.

Huntington North claimed the highest score of the week, topping Frankfort 77-8 in 4A Sectional 20 action. The Vikings recorded five interceptions and three return touchdowns (one punt, one kickoff, and one interception).

For the week’s highest game total, Alexandria-Monroe defeated Wabash 73-48 in a 2A Sectional 36 shootout. Alexandria-Monroe capitalized on a 27-point second quarter with junior quarterback Brady Gast completing 12 of 16 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns. Junior receiver Mason Fuller racked up 162 yards and three touchdowns, while junior running back Clayton Martin contributed 209 yards and four touchdowns on just 15 attempts.

In a valiant effort for Wabash, sophomore quarterback Haiden McWright threw for 394 yards and three touchdowns, while junior running back Noah Baldwin did a bit of everything with 173 rushing yards and a score, 80 receiving yards and a score, and 76 kick return yards.

Catch ‘Em if You Can

Cascade continued its undefeated season with a 55-14 victory over Crawfordsville in 3A Sectional 29. The Cadets ran wild, amassing 387 yards and four touchdowns on just 23 attempts. Three running backs surpassed 120 yards:

  • Tyler Hege, Sr: 5 attempts, 135 yards, 1 TD
  • Toby Savini, Jr: 7 attempts, 130 yards, 2 TD
  • Dayton Mink, Jr: 10 attempts, 123 yards, 1 TD

Quarterback Brady Trebley added 132 passing yards and three touchdowns. Cascade looks primed for a deep 3A title run.

Game of Inches

Twelve games last week ended with one-score margins, with two games decided by just one point. Eastern Greene edged Greenwood Christian Academy 28-27 in 1A Sectional 47. After a scoreless first quarter, the Thunderbirds took a 14-7 halftime lead, only for the Cougars to even the score at 21 by the start of the fourth. An Ayden Deckard touchdown reception put Eastern Greene up 28-21, but a Trey Dopson rushing score appeared to be the equalizer until a missed PAT ultimately cost the Cougars the game.

In an overtime thriller, Brebeuf held off Danville 50-49 in one of the most talked-about games of the year. Running back C.J. Harris tallied 167 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Maverick Geske threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns of his own. The back-and-forth game, featuring a Hail Mary, a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback, and a game-tying lateral play, ended controversially.

After going up by six in overtime, Danville needed just one final defensive stand to prevent Brebeuf from scoring. On fourth down, Geske was in the grasp of several linemen when he lateraled to another player who was quickly tackled. As Danville began celebrating, even starting postgame handshakes, officials called a penalty for too many players on the field, ruling Danville had rushed out seconds too soon. The ensuing replay allowed Brebeuf to secure the win.

Ten Boxscore Studs

Only MaxPreps-submitted stats were considered.

  1. Devin Craig, QB, Jr, Lapel: 30-35, 374 yards, 4 TD
  2. Brock Shank, QB, Sr, Northwestern: 15-21, 241 yards, 5 TD
  3. Aiden Robinson, QB, So, Maconaquah: 22-29, 319 yards, 5 TD
  4. Angelo Lanucilli, RB, Sr, Churubusco: 25 attempts, 226 yards, 3 TD
  5. Caden Kramer, RB, Jr, Southridge: 17 attempts, 248 yards, 2 TD
  6. Reed Robinson, RB, Jr, New Prairie: 7 attempts, 173 yards, 5 TD
  7. Javione Harris, RB, Jr, Taylor: 15 attempts, 210 yards, 2 TD
  8. Parker Weir, WR, Sr, South Vermillion: 8 receptions, 241 yards, 3 TD
  9. Fuddy Kire, WR, Sr, Maconaquah: 10 receptions, 171 yards, 4 TD
  10. Garrett Boling, WR, Jr, Scottsburg: 3 receptions, 137 yards, 3 TD

Quick Pick: Favorite Sectional Semi-Final Match-Up in Each Class

  • 1A: Riverton Parke (7-3) @ North Vermillion (9-1)
  • 2A: Lapel (7-3) @ Centerville (9-1)
  • 3A: Evansville Memorial (10-0) @ Southridge (8-2)
  • 4A: East Noble (9-1) @ Leo (8-2)
  • 5A: Concord @ Fort Wayne North Side (5-4)
  • 6A: Franklin Central (5-3) @ Columbus North (8-1)