Cutdown night. Predictions on Central Indiana high school football sectional semifinal games

It is cutdown week. A lot of high school football teams will fall by the wayside this week with sectional semifinal games on tap.

I was 23-1 on predictions last week (pause for applause) to improve to 322-65 (83.2%) on the season. Here are predictions on all of this week’s Central Indiana games (kickoff at 7 p.m. Friday unless noted):

Zionsville (3-6) at Westfield (7-2), Class 6A Sectional 3: Is No. 6 Westfield, a state finalist last year and five-time defending sectional champ, poised to make another tournament run? The Shamrocks could see No. 2 Carmel next week but must first defeat Hoosier Crossroads Conference rival Zionsville for a second time. Westfield won the first meeting 27-3 but did trail 3-0 at halftime. Zionsville has a three-game losing streak but was competitive in losses to Avon and Fishers the past two weeks. Westfield 24, Zionsville 14.

Harrison (West Lafayette) (4-5) at Carmel (8-1), Class 6A Sectional 3: Second-ranked Carmel got a scare from Lawrence Central in the final regular season game, pulling out a 36-33 win over the Bears. Outside linebacker Dane Bathurst did not play in that game, which certainly is a factor. The Duke commit has 58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks in eight games. Harrison’s passing attack can be dangerous, led by senior quarterback Lannon Nicoloff (71.4% passer, 1,919 passing yards, 22 TDs). Carmel 45, Harrison 13.

Hamilton Southeastern (5-4) at Homestead (6-3), Class 6A Sectional 4: The Royals hit the road to Fort Wayne for the second consecutive year to see Homestead. Last year’s game was surprisingly close – a 20-14 HSE win. Freshman Deaken Johnson has stepped in and performed well for the Royals, throwing for 920 yards and seven TDs since Terry Walker III was lost for the season with a knee injury. Junior Adam Hoog leads the defense with 86 tackles. HSE 31, Homestead 14.

Fishers (6-3) at Noblesville (1-8), Class 6A Sectional 4: This is one of several rematches from the regular season. Fishers won 42-17 in early September, the 10th consecutive win over the Millers going back to the 2016 regular season. Senior Vincent Rozzi is having an unbelievable season for the Tigers, making 63 catches for 1,149 yards and 14 TDs in nine games. Fishers 38, Noblesville 17.

Ben Davis (3-6) at Avon (5-4), Class 6A Sectional 5: These teams met in Week 2 as Avon ran for 268 yards in a 35-14 win. It has been a struggle on the defensive side of the ball this season for the Giants, who are allowing 34.9 points per game. Avon can stress defenses through the air with quarterback Jace Cameron (1,595 passing yards, 13 TDs) and receiver Shawn Curry (47 catches, 748 yards, seven TDs) and on the ground with junior running back Andre Warfield (1,023 rushing yards, 11 TDs). The Ben Davis offense can be dangerous, though, led by freshman quarterback Gabe Kennett (1,282 passing yards, 17 TDs), senior receiver Davion Davis (41 catches, 797 yards, 10 TDs) and senior running back Jazz Coleman (407 yards). Avon 33, Ben Davis 25.

Brownsburg (9-0) at Pike (3-6), Class 6A Sectional 5: The No. 1 Bulldogs’ attempt at a 6A repeat championship starts here, against an opponent they have not played since 2021. Brownsburg, averaging 36.2 points per game, is led on offense by junior Oscar Frye (1,662 passing yards, 22 TDs), senior A.J. Jobe (831 rushing yards, eight TDs) and junior Branden Sharpe (38 catches, 720 yards, 10 TDs). Pike is building. Junior Bobby Thomas (803 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and sophomore Mychael Lewis (741 passing yards, four TDs; 438 rushing yards, four TDs) have given opponents problems. Brownsburg 34, Pike 14.

North Central (2-7) at Decatur Central (7-2), Class 6A Sectional 6: Can eighth-ranked Decatur Central make a run in 6A a year after winning a 5A state title? The Hawks have the experience and speed, led by senior receiver and IU commit Kasmir Hicks (21 catches, 334 yards, two TDs; 525 rushing yards, eight TDs). North Central is building something under first-year coach Collin Coffer, who has an offense led by sophomore Chase Grove (1,790 passing yards, 19 TDs). Decatur Central 45, North Central 21.

Lawrence Central (4-5) at Lawrence North (7-2), Class 6A Sectional 6: No. 7 Lawrence North defeated the Bears 34-27 in Week 1. Last year the Wildcats won by a touchdown in the opener and then defeated Lawrence Central by 31 in the first round of the sectional. The Wildcats’ offensive playmakers are tough to stop: junior running back Izayveon Moore (1,452 rushing yards, 29 TDs) and receiver Monshun Sales (35 catches, 782 yards, nine TDs), and sophomore quarterback Darian Prather (1,525 passing yards, 18 TDs). The Bears have some offensive playmakers of their own and nearly defeated No. 2 Carmel two weeks ago, falling 36-33. That should get Lawrence North’s attention. The Bears are led by seniors Santana Allen (1,600 passing yards, 24 TDs; 257 rushing yards, two TDs) and Albert Gooden III (933 rushing yards, seven TDs). These teams have met 15 times in the tournament with Lawrence North winning nine. Lawrence North 41, Lawrence Central 35.

Southport (1-8) at Tech (4-5), Class 6A Sectional 7: One of the benefits of the blind draw is one of these teams has a chance to win a first-round sectional game. One of the drawbacks is one of these teams will play Warren Central next week. Southport 21, Tech 14.

Warren Central (5-4) at Perry Meridian (2-7), Class 6A Sectional 7: Warren Central has one of the best current sectional situations with two weeks to prepare for a regional matchup, likely against Center Grove. Junior receivers Zechariah Wallace (34 catches, 590 yards, eight TDs), Keyshawn Williams-Jarrett (27 catches, 540 yards, four TDs) and Mykell Tanner (36 catches, 413 yards, three TDs) have emerged for the Warriors this season. Warren Central 42, Perry Meridian 13.

Jeffersonville (4-5) at Center Grove (8-1), Class 6A Sectional 8: Should be no issues here for fourth-ranked Center Grove, who have won 14 consecutive sectional titles. Just stay healthy and get ready for next week. Center Grove 52, Jeffersonville 12.

Columbus North (4-5) at Franklin Central (4-5), Class 6A Sectional 8: Franklin Central scored late for a 21-17 win last year when these teams met in the same round. Both teams were 4-2 and come in with three-game losing streaks. Franklin Central quarterback Connor Moreland has 1,613 passing yards and 19 TDs and sophomore receiver Markell Bailey 25 catches for 452 yards and 11 TDs in eight games. Columbus North quarterback Asher Ratliff has 2,459 passing yards and 27 passing TDs. His top target is IU commit Parker Elmore (58 catches, 927 yards, 13 TDs). Franklin Central 28, Columbus North 26.

Cathedral (6-3) at Anderson (1-8), Class 5A Sectional 13: Second-ranked Cathedral is a week away from a potential matchup with No. 1 New Palestine. Cathedral 48, Anderson 7.

New Palestine (9-0) at Plainfield (7-2), Class 5A Sectional 13: Can No. 10 Plainfield challenge No. 1 New Palestine? Can any team? This is the Dragons’ first tournament game in 5A since spending 2015-21 playing 5A football and first game against Plainfield. New Palestine allowed just 32 points in the regular season, which broke the school record of 42 allowed by the 2014 team in the regular season. Sam Hirschy has a team-high 4½ sacks to lead a defense that has 22 sacks overall. Plainfield will counter with an offense that is led by senior running back Luke Starnes (1,321 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and junior quarterback Bryce Sebanc (1,716 passing yards, 20 TDs). Junior receiver Zander Nattam (62 catches, 828 yards, 13 TDs) has also been outstanding this season. New Palestine 34, Plainfield 20.

Franklin (4-5) at East Central (7-2), Class 5A Sectional 14: Eighth-ranked East Central has four consecutive sectional championships and nearly knocked off Decatur Central in the regional last year. Junior Colton Bellman (1,220 rushing yards, 10 TDs) leads a rushing attack that averages 262 yards per game. Franklin junior Cori Tonte (1,260 rushing yards, 16 TDs) and senior Blake Smythe (59 tackles, 22 TFLs, four sacks) lead the Grizzly Cubs. East Central 37, Franklin 23.

Columbus East (5-4) at Whiteland (8-2), Class 5A Sectional 14: No. 7 Whiteland rolled to a 42-14 win over Seymour last week in the only 5A game around the state. Whiteland would host East Central next week if that game happens. Whiteland 42, Columbus East 17.

Frankfort (0-9) at Lebanon (8-2), Class 4A Sectional 20: Frankfort has scored just 40 points this season. Lebanon scored 39 points last week in a 39-19 win over Culver Academy. Lebanon 49, Frankfort 7.

Yorktown (7-2) at Beech Grove (4-6), Class 4A Sectional 21: This is potentially one of the most competitive games of the week. The Hornets are led by sophomore quarterback Bishop Moore (1,815 passing yards, 18 TDs), senior running back Caron Parks (1,292 rushing yards, 17 TDs) and junior receiver Tenauri Woods (48 catches, 654 yards, five TDs). Yorktown quarterback Sam Tokar has 1,440 passing yards and 16 passing TDs. Yorktown 32, Beech Grove 26.

Greenfield-Central (6-4) at Pendleton Heights (9-1), Class 4A Sectional 21: Sixth-ranked Pendleton Heights defeated Greenfield-Central 43-14 in Week 4. The Arabians have been balanced on offense this season with junior quarterback Brandt Gray (1,167 passing yards, 12 TDs; 577 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and sophomore running back Joel Weaver (1,107 rushing yards, 18 TDs) carrying the load. Greenfield-Central senior Cooper Hinton has 1,164 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs. Pendleton Heights 37, Greenfield-Central 18.

Danville (6-4) at Roncalli (7-3), Class 4A Sectional 22: No. 5 Roncalli got its tournament run started last week, shaking off Northview by scoring the final 21 points of the game on the way to a 54-32 win. Senior quarterback Collin Ash (1,285 passing yards, 11 TDs; 680 rushing yards, 16 TDs) and receivers Luke Roeder (28 catches, 482 yards, seven TDs) and Alex Jarvis (22 catches, 421 yards, three TDs) lead an offense that has been more diverse this season. Danville juniors Carter Ward (1,341 passing yards, 16 TDs) and Daiton Hood (964 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and senior Drew Rector (22 catches, 573 yards, eight TDs) will test the Roncalli defense. These teams last met in the 1994 3A regional, which Roncalli won 23-21 on the way to a state title. Roncalli 38, Danville 24.

Brebeuf Jesuit (3-7) at Bishop Chatard (8-2), Class 4A Sectional 22, 8 p.m.: Second-ranked Chatard rolled to a 48-14 win over Mooresville in the first round as City offensive player of the year Danny Adams ran for 94 yards and three TDs and caught six passes for 66 yards and another touchdown. Brebeuf got a shot in the arm from the return of Keegan Bouwkamp, who passed for 242 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-14 win over Crispus Attucks. Chatard won the regular season meeting 37-6. Bishop Chatard 41, Brebeuf Jesuit 18.

Shelbyville (5-5) at Bedford North Lawrence (7-3), Class 4A Sectional 23: Interesting game. Bedford North Lawrence quarterback Dayson Kirby is one of the state’s top passers with 2,881 yards and 29 passing TDs. The Stars have four receivers – juniors Jaden Gilbert (48 catches, 690 yards, five TDs), Malakai Goodman (32 catches, 642 yards, three TDs), Parker Kern (41 catches, 581 yards, seven TDs) and Cam Gates (30 catches, 505 yards, five TDs – with at least 500 receiving yards. Shelbyville senior Donavon Martin (1,229 rushing yards, 10 TDs) is tough to stop. Bedford North Lawrence 34, Shelbyville 26.

Charlestown (8-2) at Martinsville (4-6), Class 4A Sectional 23: Martinsville survived a wild one against Greenwood, scoring in the final minute for a 35-31 victory. Junior Chase Davis (1,749 passing yards, 15 TDs), senior Lucas Dewey (1,074 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and junior Landon Cazee (65 catches, 809 yards, eight TDs) lead the Martinsville offense. Charlestown, which lost 56-0 to Martinsville in last year’s first round, has a strong passing game with quarterback Christian Grayson (2,354 passing yards, 21 TDs) and receivers Noah Phillips (42 catches, 829 yards, seven TDs) and Slone Roberts (38 catches, 789 yards, five TDs). Martinsville 45, Charlestown 38.

Cascade (10-0) at Tri-West (7-3), Class 3A Sectional 29: This is the rematch second-ranked Cascade has been preparing for all season … and all offseason. Tri-West defeated the Cadets last year in this same round, 37-35, ending Cascade’s season with just one loss. This version of Cascade is even better, certainly more dominant, than last year’s team. Senior quarterback Brady Trebley (1,612 passing yards, 24 TDs) leads an offense that is more diverse than previous teams. Cascade, looking for its first sectional title since 1992, will have to slow down Louisville commit and junior quarterback Jack Sorgi (2,628 passing yards, 29 TDs) and junior receiver Carter Cummings (61 catches, 949 yards, nine TDs). The Bruins have won all five previous tournament meetings between these programs. Cascade 42, Tri-West 35.

Crawfordsville (5-5) at Guerin Catholic (6-4), Class 3A Sectional 29, 8 p.m.: Guerin Catholic got through a tough first-round opponent with relative ease, defeating Hamilton Heights 36-21. Senior Quentin Klee was 32-for-47 passing for 353 yards and three TDs. Crawfordsville rolled to a 35-0 win over Speedway last week. Guerin Catholic 42, Crawfordsville 13.

Indian Creek (6-3) at Madison (2-8), Class 3A Sectional 31, 7:30 p.m.: Can Indian Creek win its first sectional championship since 2011? The Braves had a favorable draw with a bye and then two-win Madison. Sophomore quarterback Evan Clark has 1,293 passing yards and 11 TDs and 450 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs. Madison defeated Owen Valley 47-14 last week in the first round of the sectional. Indian Creek 40, Madison 14.

Southmont (9-1) at Western Boone (6-4), Class 2A Sectional 34: This is a rematch of Southmont’s 26-23 win earlier this month. Southmont’s Avery Stadler ran for 154 yards that night and has 1,370 rushing yards and 19 rushing TDs on the season. The Mounties average 260 rushing yards per game. Western Boone also has a strong ground game led by senior Jacob Smith (1,637 rushing yards, 24 TDs). The winner here will have to get past either Seeger (9-1) or Lewis Cass (7-3) next week to win a sectional title. Western Boone 26, Southmont 23.

Park Tudor (5-4) at Lutheran (9-1), Class 2A Sectional 37: These programs have met 12 times with sixth-ranked Lutheran winning all but one of those matchups. Park Tudor just did escape against Purdue Poly last week, winning 23-22. Sophomore quarterback Christopher Harris is one of the best playmakers in 2A for the Panthers. Hudson Mills had a huge game last week for Lutheran in a 55-15 win over Covenant Christian with three rushing touchdowns, a touchdown catch and an interception return for a score. Lutheran 43, Park Tudor 12.

Heritage Christian (6-4) at Monrovia (4-6), Class 2A Sectional 37: This could be one of the more competitive games of the night between two programs that have never met. Heritage Christian quarterback Eli Nix is completing 58.1% of his passes for 1,736 yards and 18 TDs and has rushed for 1,143 yards and 16 TDs. The task for Heritage Christian’s defense is slowing down a Monrovia rushing attack that averages 243 yards per game. The Bulldogs’ top three rushers will all be back next year. Monrovia 34, Heritage Christian 31.

Northeastern (9-1) at Triton Central (9-1), Class 2A Sectional 38: No. 7 Triton Central was pushed to the limit last week, scoring in the final seconds for a 22-19 win over a tough Centerville team. The Tigers are led by junior Matthew Wilkins (1,059 passing yards, seven TDs in seven games), senior Braden Brown (1,488 rushing yards, 14 TDs) and senior Zeke Robertson (26 catches for 358 yards and four TDs in eight games). Northeastern wants to put it in the air, led by senior quarterback Marshall Phillips (2,123 passing yards, 24 TDs; 626 rushing yards, 14 TDs). The Knights avenged their only loss last week with a 34-7 win over Shenandoah. Triton Central 24, Northeastern 21.

Lapel (10-0) at Eastern Hancock (6-4), Class 2A Sectional 38: No. 3 Lapel went undefeated in the regular season for the first time, but the Bulldogs had to sweat out a 21-20 win over Eastern Hancock in Week 9. Eastern Hancock’s Eli Manship (55 catches, 705 yards, seven TDs) was a tough cover for Lapel. Senior Devin Craig (2,236 passing yards, 30 TDs) and junior Jack Miller (1,071 rushing yards, 11 TDs) lead the Bulldogs’ offense. Seniors Elijah Edon (1,903 passing yards, 27 TDs) and Mark Kube (1,131 rushing yards, 12 TDs) are players to watch for the Royals. Lapel 27, Eastern Hancock 23.

Tindley (1-7) at Cloverdale (6-4), Class A Sectional 46: Tindley had the bye into the semifinal round, while Cloverdale rolled to a 42-14 win over Clinton Central. This will be Cloverdale’s first winning season since 1996. Junior Keshaun Taylor leads the Clovers with 1,338 rushing yards and 22 TDs. Cloverdale 42, Tindley 7.

Sheridan (6-2) at Clinton Prairie (3-5), Class A Sectional 46: These teams met back in early September – a 40-6 Sheridan win. The Blackhawks are led by senior Alex Cravens (742 rushing yards, eight TDs) and junior Hayden Alexander (727 rushing yards, nine TDs). Clinton Prairie’s three wins are all by shutout. Sheridan 37, Clinton Prairie 16.

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