Bull Dogs, Olympians dust off home welcome mats

Tonight’s matchups:

Bloomington North at Columbus East

Game time: 7 p.m.

Last year’s records: Bloomington North 2-8, Columbus East 11-1

Last year’s meeting: Columbus East won 27-0 at Bloomington North

Coaches: Scott Bless is 68-98 in his 17th year, including 53-68 in his 12th year at Bloomington North; Bob Gaddis is 277-131 in his 38th year, including 159-31 in his 16th year at Columbus East

Key players: Bloomington North QB Ben Freel, C/DL Ty Stephenson, DL Logan Calvin; Columbus East QB Josh Major, WR Cam Wilson, C/DL Harry Crider, LB T.C. O’Neal

What to watch for: The Olympians have won all four meetings against the Cougars since the teams began playing in the season opener in 2012. East is ranked No. 3 in Class 5A in the preseason Associated Press poll.

Prediction: Columbus East 28, Bloomington North 7

Franklin at Columbus North

Game time: 7 p.m.

Last year’s records: Franklin 1-9, Columbus North 6-4

Last year’s meeting: Columbus North won 54-7 at Franklin

Coaches: Adam Reese is 9-21 in his fourth year at Franklin; Tim Bless is 116-18 in his 19th year, including 104-77 in his 17th year at Columbus North

Key players: Franklin QB Jake Moore, RB Tyler Former, DE Alex VanDyke, DE Nate Sellers, DB Lane Voris; Columbus North QB Triston Perry, RB Mitchell Burton, OT David Redding, DT Coleman Tennyson, DT Hunter Wolford

What to watch for: The Bull Dogs are hungry to atone for losses in its final three games last season, all of which came against ranked teams. They’re ranked No. 10 in  Class 6A in the preseason Associated Press poll.

Prediction: Columbus North 52, Franklin 7

Other area games:

Jennings County at Greensburg, 7 p.m.

Edinburgh at Brown County, 7 p.m.

Next week’s games:

Columbus East at Columbus North, 7 p.m.

Jennings County at Greensburg, 7 p.m.

South Putnam at Brown County, 7 p.m.

Edinburgh at North Decatur, 7 p.m.