Class 6A showdowns highlight Week 9 slate

Week 9 of the high school football season is here. Hard to believe. But we have some great matchups coming this week, including a pair of Class 6A showdowns. I was 37-5 again last week to improve to 270-69 (79.6%) on the season. Here is look at predictions on all of the Central Indiana games:

Hamilton Southeastern (7-1) at Brownsburg (8-0): The Hoosier Crossroads Conference is on the line, though the Class 6A top-ranked Bulldogs have already clinched a share. No. 4 Hamilton Southeastern can get a piece of it, too, with a win. HSE knocked off Brownsburg 31-28 last season when both teams came in with 8-0 records. Both teams have first-year starters at quarterback who have played like veterans. Brownsburg senior Jake Dunn has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1,461 yards and 17 TDs and provided a running threat (390 yards, four TDs) alongside senior standout Garrett Sherrell (1,725 yards, 20 TDs). HSE junior Chandler Weston has completed 62% of his passes for 1,078 yards and 13 TDs and run for 191 yards and two TDs. Senior Jalen Alexander has 984 rushing yards 11 TDs and senior Donovan Hamilton 35 catches for 713 yards and eight TDs. Plenty of big-time senior talent in this one and a couple of teams with title aspirations. It’s not out of the realm of possibility they could meet again at Lucas Oil Stadium in several weeks. Brownsburg 31, HSE 28.

Center Grove (7-1) at Cathedral (6-2), at Butler: This rivalry will move to Week 7 next season so this is the last time, at least for the immediate future, these programs will meet at the end of the regular season. Seventh-ranked Cathedral stunned Center Grove last season with a furious fourth-quarter rally for a 40-29 win to snap the Trojans’ 26game winning streak against in-state opponents. But Center Grove came back to dominate the rematch in the semistate, 33-10, on the way to a third consecutive 6A state title. Center Grove has reeled off seven wins in a row with a strong defense, passing game (Tyler Cherry has 1,775 passing yards and 18 TDs on 73.5% completions) and an improving ground game led by Matthew Yoder (637 yards, seven TDs). Cathedral has won four in a row since the Chatard loss and has a quarterback with plenty of experience in these types of games in senior and Colorado commit Danny O’Neil (1,372 passing yards, 23 TDs; 548 rushing yards, eight TDs). The Irish have struggled at times against the pass, which could be an issue against Cherry and Noah Coy (57 catches, 827 yards, 10 TDs). Center Grove 34, Cathedral 24.

Westfield (7-1) at Franklin Central (4-4): Class 6A No. 6 Westfield has bounced back nicely from the 37-7 loss to Brownsburg with wins over Avon and Fishers. The Shamrocks can grab a share of the HCC championship with a win and an HSE win over Brownsburg. This would also be win No. 100 for coach Jake Gilbert during his 13-year tenure at Westfield. Franklin Central quarterback Nevan Tutterow (55.4% completions, 1,525 yards, 12 TDs) and receivers Jayon Harvey (31 catches, 552 yards, three TDs) and William McKinley (23 catches, 402 yards, four TDs) lead the Franklin Central offense. Westfield 24, Franklin Central 20.

Carmel (5-3) at Lawrence Central (3-5): The Greyhounds have been getting it done with a defense led by junior linebacker Jimmie Winbush Jr., senior linebacker Artemas Bryant and others, an offense that has provided just enough and a strong kicking game with Josh Placzek, who booted the gamewinner last week on a 37-yarder in a 1714 win over Warren Central in the final two minutes. Lawrence Central, which is averaging 32.6 points per game, was able to hang in the game with thirdranked Ben Davis last week in a 26-23 loss. Sophomore Terry Walker III was 18-for-33 passing for 313 yards and two TDs and Ahmaad Duff caught six passes for 152 yards and a score. Lawrence Central 26, Carmel 21.

Franklin (5-3) at Decatur Central (6-2): This is a one part of the two games Friday night that will decide the MidState Conference race, which is a current four-way tie at the top. Class 5A No. 7 Decatur Central has won four in a row

A gaggle of Cathedral and Center Grove players reach to catch the ball in the end zone on Nov. 18, 2022 at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis.

since losing to Whiteland and Martinsville. Senior receiver Chris Richmond (30 catches, 536 yards, six TDs) is a major threat on offense and intercepted a pass last week for the Hawks. Franklin beat Decatur Central last year for the first time in 12 years. Decatur Central 30, Franklin 27.

Martinsville (5-3) at Plainfield (6-2): This is the second part of the MidState race as both of these teams are also tied at the top with Franklin and Decatur Central. Class 5A No. 10 Plainfield took it on the chin last week in a 22-8 loss to Whiteland. Martinsville senior Brayden Shrake (1,247 rushing yards, nine TDs for the season) had another big game last week in a 38-35 win over Mooresville. The Quakers have won four in a row this series. Plainfield 35, Martinsville 34.

Monrovia (6-2) vs. Scecina (5-3), at Beech Grove: Monrovia ran for a staggering 573 yards last week in a 42-35 win over Cascade, including two 200yard rushers Brayton Belcher (28 carries for 262 yards and three TDs) and Asher Clements (202 yards and one TD). Scecina is coming off a 41-28 win over Cardinal Ritter as sophomore Eric Montgomery ran for 186 yards and two TDs on 32 carries. Monrovia 35, Scecina 27.

Whiteland (4-4) at Greenwood (4-4): Slate Valentine ran for 192 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries as Whiteland rushed for 362 yards total in a 22-8 victory over Plainfield. Greenwood struggled to stop the run last week in a 35-21 loss to Franklin, which might not bode well against the Warriors, who have won four in a row in this series. Whiteland 35, Greenwood 28.

Zionsville (3-5) at Fishers (5-3): Zionsville has now lost four in a row after a 3-1 start, but is playing a lot of young players in key spots. Fishers is coming off a 28-14 loss to Westfield, though the Tigers did put up 320 yards of offense, including 198 on the ground. Fishers 31, Zionsville 21.

Cincinnati Elder (5-3) at Bishop Chatard (8-0): This will be a significant challenge for Class 3A top-ranked Chatard, which lost 21-16 last season to Elder. The Trojans have been excellent on defense this season, allowing just 9.1 points per game as only two opponents have scored double digits. Cincinnati Elder 24, Bishop Chatard 21.

New Palestine (6-2) at Delta (5-3), 7:30 p.m.: Class 4A No. 4 New Palestine has rebounded from an 0-2 start to win six in a row. The Dragons lean heavily on senior running back Grayson Thomas (1,476 rushing yards, 20 TDs) and senior Kyler Kropp (22 catches, 524 yards, four TDs; 211 rushing yards, four TDs) at the skill positions. Delta has not defeated the Dragons since 2012. New Palestine 33, Delta 20.

Danville (6-2) at North Montgomery (5-3): Danville notched its best win of the season last week in a 21-7 victory over Western Boone. North Montgomery quarterback Ross Dyson has 1,171 passing yards and 11 TDs and 494 rushing yards and eight TDs during his senior season. Danville 23, North Montgomery 16.

East Central (8-0) at Roncalli (3-5): These teams met last year in two classic battles. Roncalli won the first, 21-19, in the regular season, but East Central returned the favor with a 24-21 overtime win in the semistate on the way to a state championship. Senior running back Josh Ringer (1,549 rushing yards, 31 TDs) is well on his way to a big season. East Central 35, Roncalli 13.

For full list of Week 9 Central Indiana predictions, go to indystar.com/ sports.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

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