With two teams that have playmakers on both sides of the football, Friday’s Class 5A Sectional 13 opener between Plainfield and New Palestine has the makings of being a competitive contest.

The top ranked Dragons (9-0) average 52 points per game and have surrendered an average of 3.6 per game, while the Quakers (7-2) average 30 points per game and allow just over 16 per contest.

Two names that fans may want to familiarize themselves with early are Luke Starnes, of Plainfield, and New Palestine’s Mason Oglesby.

Ogeslby proves to be the real deal

Ogeslby has been a nice compliment to an already high powered offense for the Dragons this season, picking up right where he left off last year.

A season ago, he helped lead New Palestine to an undefeated season and a Class 4A state title, while amassing close to 400 yards of offense and being a force defensively despite missing some action due to injuries.

Not bad for a player who vowed to play another sort of futbol for the rest of his life.

“I got into Football when I was six years old before I started playing football. I swore I was gonna play soccer for the rest of my life, but once I put on those pads I knew football was my sport,” he told Indiana Preps.

This season, Ogelsby has found another gear for the Dragons. He has rushed twice for 101 yards and a touchdown and has reeled in 25 catches for 344 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, the junior has 21 total stops, six tackles for a loss, a sack, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and a blocked point after attempt.

With over a dozen offers ranging from schools in the ACC, Big Ten, MAC and Big 12, the sky is the limit for Ogelsby.

“I attribute my success to the man up above because without the Lord. I wouldn’t be in this situation. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised to be here because when I look back, I see how hard I worked constantly day in and day out to stand out from others,” Ogelsby said.

Plainfield’s Starnes ready to run for Quakers

It has been said that to win in October and November, teams need to be able to line up and run the football.

And, for Plainfield, that means putting the ball in the belly of running back Luke Starnes. During the regular season, Starnes rushed for 1,321 yards and reeled in 194 receiving yards en route to finding the end zone 14 times, helping the Quakers to a 7-2 record.

“I feel like we’re in a great position to be successful in the post-season. Our season has gone close to our expectations and we are going to play our best football going into Friday,” Starnes said.

The Quakers opened the season 5-0 and have been 2-2 down the stretch heading into the playoffs. Despite the stumble, Starnes is confident in his team.

“Something that stands out to me is how our team plays for each other. We had a lot of early success this season, but with guys becoming banged up it starts to get harder to put your all into the game. We’ve learned to find a second wave of energy for the post season and that energy comes from playing for your brother,” Starnes said.

He knows what the Dragons have coming into the game, and Starnes admits Plainfield has to be ready up front on both sides of the ball.

“It’s gonna take all of us to get it done. The game is going to rest on both sides of the ball up front. We have to be successful running the ball and we need to stop the run on the defensive side. We’re going to have to catch the ball when we throw it,” he said.

With a successful career already under his belt, there’s one thing left for Starnes to achieve.

“I feel like the only thing left that I really need is a sectional. I’m okay with my stats and my records, but the cherry on top would be to win a sectional or better with the boys I’ve been playing with my whole life,” Starnes said.