Columbus East at New Palestine
Game time: 7 p.m.
Records: Columbus East 8-1, New Palestine 9-0
Last week: Columbus East beat Bedford North Lawrence 62-24, New Palestine beat Delta 56-15
Last year’s meeting: New Palestine won 24-14
Coaches: Bob Gaddis is 285-132 in his 38th year, including 167-32 in his 16th year at East; Kyle Ralph is 50-2 in his fourth year at New Palestine
Key players: Columbus East QB Josh Major, RB Jamon Hogan, WR Cam Wilson, OT Jared Clark, C/DL Harry Crider, DB Ethan Summa, DB Wade Forman; New Palestine QB Gunnar Large, RB DuRun Ford, WR/DB Brett Luker, WR/DB Adam Kincaid, WR/DB Brady Walden, LB Luke Ely, DB C.J. Faubion
What to watch for: The Class 5A No. 2 Dragons and 5A No. 4 Olympians are meeting for the fourth consecutive postseason. Each won a 4A semistate matchup before going on to win state titles, then New Pal won in last year’s 5A sectional final. East will be without three-year starting linebacker T.C. O’Neal, who was ejected from last week’s win at Bedford North Lawrence and has to sit out this week.
Prediction: Columbus East 28, New Palestine 27
Madison at Jennings County
Game time: 7 p.m. today
Records: Madison 2-7, Jennings County 0-9
Last week: Madison lost to Seymour 36-22, Jennings County lost to Jeffersonville 35-29
Regular-season meeting: Madison won 22-6
Coaches: Patric Morrison is 12-28 in his fourth year at Madison; Rick Zimmerman is 23-67 in his ninth year at Jennings County
Key players: Madison QB Andrew Frazier, RB Corbin Hughes, RB Gage Stoll, WR Clayton Hamby; Jennings County QB Brock Ernstes, RB Brooks Wathen, WR/DB Tucker Marsh, OL/DL Brady Shepherd
What to watch for: This will be the Panther’s last chance at a win this season. Jennings has played well at times all year, only to commit turnovers at inopportune times. In their loss at Madison in Week 5, the Panthers fumbled inside the Cubs’ 5-yard line on their first two possessions.
Prediction: Jennings County 35, Madison 20
Brown County at Brownstown Central
Game time: 7 p.m. today
Records: Brown County 1-8, Brownstown Central 8-1
Last week: Brown County lost to South Putnam 30-0, Brownstown Central beat Corydon Central 59-29
Last year’s meeting: Did not play
Coaches: Randy Minniear is 1-8 in his first year at Brown County; Reed May is 236-47 in his 24th year at Brownstown Central
Key players: Brown County QB Noah Carter, RB/LB Colten Harper, OL/DL Baylee Mosier, OL/DL Nolan Kelly; Brownstown Central QB Kyle Kramer, RB Gavin Bane, RB Derrick Rieckers, LB Cameron Eggersman
What to watch for: The Eagles have lost eight in a row since a 21-20 season-opening win against Edinburgh. The Class 3A No. 9 Braves have scored more than 50 points each of the past three weeks since a 34-32 loss to Seymour.
Prediction: Brownstown Central 42, Brown County 7
Edinburgh at North Decatur
Game time: 7 p.m. today
Records: Edinburgh 3-6, North Decatur 5-4
Last week: Edinburgh lost to Indianapolis Crimson Knights 41-6, North Decatur beat Oldenburg Academy 48-20
Regular-season meeting: North Decatur won 32-3
Coaches: Derrick Ball is 5-14 in his second year at Edinburgh; Steve Stirn is 100-57 in his 14th year, including 13-8 in his second year at North Decatur
Key players: Edinburgh QB Jacob Atha, RB Zach Smiley, LB Grant Godsey, LB Noah Martin; North Decatur QB Evan Smith, RB Ethan Herbert, RB/DB Cory Fasbinder, LB Jacob Hartman
What to watch for: The Lancers have won two of three following a 1-5 start that included the loss at North Decatur in Week 2. The Chargers have won three in a row following a 2-4 start. Edinburgh hasn’t won a sectional game since the 2013 sectional opener at North Decatur.
Prediction: North Decatur 28, Edinburgh 14
