New football season starts this Friday
All season, high school football coaches will use phrases like ‘We want to get better every week’, ‘We want to be playing our best at the end of the season’, ‘We’re getting ready for the state tourney’, ‘We want to be playing our best when it counts’ or some other version of the same thing. Well, that time is now as the 50th annual IHSAA football state tournament begins this week. A total of 313 teams in six classes will be competing with the ultimate goal of a state championship. Classes 1A-4A begin with sectional games this Friday, while Classes 5A and 6A have the week off. Regionals are Nov. 11, semi-state Nov. 18 and the state championship games on Nov. 25 (Classes 6A, 4A, 2A) and Nov. 26 (Classes 5A, 3A, 1A). Here is a look at the sectionals that include local teams.
CLASS 4A
Plymouth is one of the teams that will be happy to start fresh with an 0-0 record now that the postseason has arrived. The Rockies have made progress with a youthful roster, but unfortunately, have had little success in the win column to show for it. Plymouth (0-9) drew South Bend Saint Joseph (3-6), which has also struggled this year, giving the Rockies optimism for this week’s home game. No. 5-ranked (IFCA Coaches poll) Northwood (9-0) is the sectional favorite and Plymouth’s likely opponent if it wins this week. Northridge (5-4) is the defending sectional champ in Sectional 18.
Stat leaders
Plymouth: Exander Ramirez 812 yds passing, 53% comp., 3 TDS, 373 yds rushing; Kaden Milliser 26 rec; Aiden Blalock 19 rec; Max Lewandowski 16 rec
There are two defending sectional champs in Sectional 17 and Culver Academy would have to play them on back-toback weeks. The Eagles (2-7) face Lowell (6-3) in the opener this Friday. If the Eagles can somehow get past the Red Devils, their likely opponent in the semis would be IFCA eighth-ranked New Prairie (8-1).
Stat leaders
CMA: Michael Mccolgan 691 yds passing, 51%, 3 TDS; Roman Snedeker 14 rec; Evan Gerber 10 rec
Lowell: Riley Bank 1,440 yds rushing, 17 TDS
CLASS 3A
How loaded is Sectional 26? Well, five of the eight teams have five wins or more and seven-time running defending champ Mishawaka Marian isn’t one of them. Fairfield (5-4), out of the rugged Northeast Corner Conference, is and that is who Glenn (5-4) drew in an intriguing opener. The winner likely faces Jimtown (7-2) in the semis.
Stat leaders
Glenn: Aiden Johnson 947 yds passing, 48%, 10 TDS; Ty’ronn Larkin 39 rec, 7 TDS; Chase Miller 23 rec, 3 TDS, 75% passing, 6 TDS
CLASS 2A
Andrean (6-3) and Laville (9-0) are both defending sectional champs, ranked No. 2 and 3 (IFCA), respectively, and this year are both in Sectional 33. These two are on a collision course for a huge semifinal game in Lakeville. The 59ers, led by Notre Dame signee Drayk Bowen, defeated the Lancers, 35-8, on their way to the state title last year. Bremen (5-4) received a favorable draw and has a good chance of reaching the sectional final. First up for the Lions is Wheeler (3-6).
Stat leaders
Laville: Paul Dewiit 1,201 yds rushing, 19 TDS; Owen Smith 11 rec, 6 TDS (through 8 gms); Noah Richhart 315 yds rushing, 5 TDS, 9 rec, 2 TDS (through 8 gms)
Andrean: Drayk Bowen 691 yds rushing, 13 TDS; Billy Henry 1,667 yds passing, 74%, 17 TDS; Patrick Clacks 51 rec, 784 yds, 8 TDS, Jacob Jones 20 rec
Bremen: Lance Moser 1,121 yds rushing, 14 TDS; Tyrus Graverson 27 rec, 4 TDS
Wheeler: Caden Brann 863 yds rushing, 12 TDS
CLASS 1A
In Sectional 41 for Class 1A, fifth-ranked (IFCA) North Judson (8-1) is the defending champ and the favorite again, but two area schools may get a second shot at the Bluejays along the way.
Culver (5-4) has the best record on its side of the bracket and will be heavy favorites when it hosts winless North Newton (0-8). No. 11 (IFCA) Triton (6-3) faces HNAC foe Pioneer (2-7) for second time this season on Friday, but this round it will be at The Pit instead of in Bourbon. If the Trojans get past the Panthers, they will most likely see NJ in the semis.
Stat leaders
Culver: Shane Shuman 1,167 yards, 16 TDS (through 8 gms)
North Newton: Andrew Colovos 600 yds rushing, 5 TDS, Caleb Johnson 14 rec; Cale Ehlinger 14 rec, 4 TDS
Triton: Anthony Schuh 1,512 yds rushing, 26 TDS; Cole Shively 613 yds rushing, 13 TDS, 445 yds passing, 47%, 6 TDS
Pioneer: Rylahn Toloza 827 yds, 13 TDS
North Judson: Aldric Harper 764 yds passing, 57%, 15 TDS, 431 yds rushing, 6 TDS; Brock Benson 826 yds rushing, 8 TDS; Cheyenne Allen 722 yds rushing, 19 TDS