With wins in both of its Conference Indiana football games so far this season, Columbus North is right where it wants to be heading into tonight’s homecoming showdown with Bloomington South.
The Class 5A No. 3 Panthers (6-0, 4-0) already have played and won their other four conference games and will wrap up its conference schedule tonight. The Bull Dogs (3-3, 2-0) need a win tonight and then next week at Bloomington North or the following week at home against Terre Haute South to defend their title.
Columbus North set itself up for tonight’s matchup with a 24-0 win last week at Terre Haute North.
“It was a big road win, and to be able to rebound after two tough weeks against incredible opposition,” Columbus North coach Tim Bless said. “We’ve never lost our faith in each other and our work ethic. We had a good week of practice, and that transitioned into a really good game on the road after a really long trip on our opponent’s homecoming.”
Bloomington South quarterback Zach David has completed 69 of 114 passes for 1,031 yards and 11 touchdowns. Che Hogue has carried 142 times for 885 yards and nine scores and Cooper Fox has 32 catches for 406 yards and two touchdowns.
“Their running back is a really good football player,” Bless said. “Their quarterback is more of a thrower than he is a runner, but he runs enough, and he’s an athletic kid.”
For the Bull Dogs, Luke Hammons has completed 62 of 97 passes for 684 yards and nine touchdowns and has carried 69 times for 281 yards and six scores. Dyllan Redmon has 80 carries for 436 yards and two touchdowns, and Keegan Castetter has 22 catches for 300 yards and two scores.
They’ll be going up against a defense led by Indiana University recruits Dason and Daeh McCullough. The McCulloughs moved in from the Kansas City area when their father, former Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Deland McCullough took a similar position at Indiana University. Dasan had been committed to Ohio State before flipping to the Hoosiers.
“It’s a completely different look to their defense, as far as personnel is concerned,” Bless said. “But it’s the same scheme. They’ve always run their 3-4 scheme very well, and this year is no different. We have to execute offensively.”
Meanwhile, Columbus East (2-4) will have its hands full when it travels to 4A No. 9 Bishop Chatard. The Trojans are only 2-4, but dropped their first four games to 3A No. 2 Brebeuf Jesuit, 6A No. 5 Warren Central, 4A No. 1 Roncalli and 5A No. 1 Cathedral.
“We talked all week about, ‘This is a good opportunity to play one of the most storied football traditions in the state,’” East coach Eddie Vogel said. “Chatard has a great football tradition. We feel like this is a good test for us for the tournament because in the tournament, you have to go on the road to get off the bus and go compete. We just want to have a chance to to into the fourth quarter with a chance to win.”
The Olympians’ Ethan Duncan has completed 31 of 58 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns and has carried 98 times for 430 yards and four scores. Tryce Villarreal has 118 carries for 539 yards and six touchdowns, and Logan Christophel has seven catches for 134 yards.
East has won two out of three following an 0-3 start. The Olympians beat Floyd Central 28-14 last week.
“I thought we played a good, complete team game,” Vogel said. “Our special teams were somewhat solid, but offensively and defensively, I thought we played good complimentary football.”
