Tonight’s matchups:
Floyd Central at Columbus East
Game time: 7 p.m.
Records: Floyd Central 4-1 (3-0 HHC), Columbus East 4-1 (3-0 HHC)
Last week’s games: Floyd Central won 34-14 at Jeffersonville; East beat New Albany 77-34
Last year’s meeting: East won 49-14 at Floyd Central
Coaches: Brian Glesing is 106-79 in his 17th year, including 66-49 in his 11th year at Floyd Central; Bob Gaddis is 294-134 in his 39th year, including 176-34 in his 17th year at East.
Key players: Columbus East QB Josh Major, RB Jamon Hogan, TE Tyler Thomas, OT Zach Clark, CB Jonah Wichman, S Ethan Summa; Floyd Central QB Matt Weimer, RB Jason Cundiff, WR Jon Gunn, K Cole Hussung
What to watch for: This will be a battle of top-10 teams in Class 5A and a battle for first place in the Hoosier Hills Conference. The Highlanders moved into the rankings at No. 9 in 5A this week after winning their fourth consecutive game since a season-opening loss at Louisville Male. The 5A No. 4 Olympians have won three in a row, all by decisive margins. Last week’s scoring output was its biggest since an 82-13 sectional win against South Dearborn in 2014.
Prediction: Columbus East 49, Floyd Central 27
Columbus North at Terre Haute North
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Columbus North 4-1 (2-1 CI); Terre Haute North 4-1 (2-1 CI)
Last week’s games: Columbus North beat Terre Haute South 37-13, Terre Haute North won 42-11 at Bloomington North
Last year’s meeting: Columbus North won 59-13
Coaches: Tim Bless is 129-89 in his 20th year, including 117-80 in his 18th year at Columbus North; Chris Barrett is 99-131 in his 23rd year, including 71-99 in his 16th year at Terre Haute North
Key players: Columbus North QB Trenton Kelley, RB Cortez Bandy, WR Jaylen Flemmons, WR Tristan Bailey, WR/CB J.D. Harris, OT/DT Logan Abbott; Terre Haute North QB Tristin Elder, RB Shawn Hapenny, WR Nathan Barrett, K Nic Guevara
What to watch for: While Southport is hosting Franklin Central for first place in Conference Indiana, the Bull Dogs are visiting the Patriots for third place. Terre Haute North’s lone loss was a 17-7 setback against Southport two weeks ago. Either Bless or Barrett will earn a milestone victory — Bless tying Max Andress for Columbus North’s all-time wins lead with his 118th or Barrett picking up his 100th career win.
Prediction: Columbus North 31, Terre Haute North 17
Other area games:
Jennings County at Bedford North Lawrence, 7 p.m.
Cloverdale at Brown County, 7 p.m.
Edinburgh at Milan, 7 p.m.
South Decatur at Park Tudor, 7 p.m.
Oldenburg Academy at Trinity Lutheran, 7 p.m.
Next week’s games:
Columbus East at Madison, 7 p.m.
Perry Meridian at Columbus North, 7 p.m.
Seymour at Jennings County, 7 p.m.
Brown County at Edgewood, 7 p.m.
Eastern Greene at Edinburgh, 7 p.m.
Switzerland County at South Decatur, 7 p.m.
