1A
#14 COACHES POLL/UNRANKED AP POLL NORTH JUDSON (9-4) AT #2 COACHES POLL/#2 AP POLL ADAMS CENTRAL (13-0)
Adams Central has beaten North Judson in the Sem-State the last two seasons 42-7 and 35-0. North Judson took care of a good Park Tudor team last week by running for 377 yards. The Bluejays average almost 300 yards per game on the ground led by RB Brock Benson (1,401 yards), RB Kole Wilcox (871 yards) and QB Jesiah McDaniel (1,020 yards). Adams Central’s defense is one of the best in the state allowing only 5.0 points per game. The Flying Jets dominated Carroll (Flora) last week 29-0. Keep an eye on RB Keegan Bluhm who ran for 205 yards last week in their win over Carroll. If Adams Central wins they potentially play Lutheran for the third straight year in the state championship.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Adams Central, 82.35, 24th overall, 1st in 1A. North Judson, 57.18, 114th overall, 6th in 1A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: North Judson 80-68. Adams Central 77-66.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Tied, 2-2.
LAST MEETING: Adams Central, 35-0, Nov. 18, 2022, semi-state.
#1 COACHES POLL/#1 AP POLL LUTHERAN (11-0) AT #10 COACHES POLL/#12 AP POLL SHERIDAN (10-3)
The defending champion Saints have won 41 straight following their 14-7 slugfest over Providence. Lutheran allows just 59 yards rushing per game. The offense is led again by QB Jackson Willis (2,106 passing yards, 26 TDs) and RB Braydon Hall (1,747 yards, 25 TDs). Lutheran also has plenty of speedy receivers in Javerrea Cooper (17 catches, 329 yards, six TDs) and Devuan Jones (13 catches, 272 yards, six TDs). Sheridan Coach Bud Wright is back in the semi-state for the first time since 2012. RB Eli Kolb (1,228 rushing yards, 18 TDs) leads the running game that averages almost 200 yards per game.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Lutheran, 79.32, 32nd overall, 2nd in 1A. Sheridan, 47.77, 161st overall, 10th in 1A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Lutheran 76-48. Sheridan 71-72.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Lutheran, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Lutheran, 55-12, Oct. 30, 2020, sectional.
2A
UNRANKED COACHES POLL/UNRAKED AP POLL SOUTHMONT (8-5) AT #9 COACHES POLL/#4 AP POLL NORTH POSEY (12-1) (SATURDAY)
This title game will be played on Saturday and Southmont will enjoy the extra day of prep. This is the Mounties first trip to the semi-state after very close wins over Cascade, Linton-Stockton and Eastern Hancock. RB Wyatt Woodall will carry the load in the running attack with over 1,300 rushing yards. QB Nolan Boyer is a dual threat with nearly 1,500 passing yards and over 700 rushing yards. North Posey made it to semi-state by beating #1 Triton Central with 315 yards on the ground. QB Liam Stone can run and throw (958 passing, 950 rushing yards).
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Posey, 73.7, 44th overall, 1st in 2A. Southmont, 55.38, 122nd overall, 12th in 2A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Southmont 75-66. North Posey 72-70.
SERIES LAST 35 YEARS: No meetings.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: No meetings.
#7 COACHES POLL/#10 AP POLL LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (10-3) AT #5 COACHES POLL/#7 AP POLL FW BISHOP LUERS (10-3)
LCC is led by QB Bobby Metzger (2,758 yards, 33 TDs) and WR Ray Clayton (71 catches, 911 yards, seven TDs). WR’s Jackson Cain (46 catches, 453 yards, six TDs) and Hudson Gutwein (35 catches, 401 yards, six TDs) are also huge threats. Luers will count on QB Kohen McKenzie (1,666 yards and 19 TDs). WR’s Isaac Zay (34 catches, 573 yards, six TDs) and Jaylen White (34 catches, 438 yards, seven TDs) are his favorite targets. This is a game of state championship tradition with 19 combined state titles.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Central Catholic, 63.8, 84th overall, 5th in 2A. Bishop Luers, 63.36, 88th overall, 7th in 2A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Central Catholic 84-61. Bishop Luers 61-78.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: No meetings.
SERIES LAST 35 YEARS: No meetings.
3A
# 11 COACHES POLL/#9 AP POLL KNOX (13-0) AT #1 COACHES POLL/#1 AP POLL BISHOP CHATARD (13-0)
The Trojans are one step away from another state title game. Bishop Chatard cruised past Delta last week 35-6 led by QB Aiden Artega’s 207 passing yards. RB Daniel Shaw ran for 180 yards and two scores. Shaw has been impressive this season despite not starting every game (1,129 rushing yards, 13 TDs). WR Colin Guy (57 catches, 745 yards, 13 TDs) is the go-to-guy in the passing attack. The Trojans defense is one of the best (allowing only 8.5PPG) led by LB Sam Fenney and DL Matt Woods. Knox is in unfamiliar territory (their first semi-state game) after beating West Lafayette last week 41-23. Knox is led by long time Coach Russ Radtke with 404 wins in 47 years. Knox held WL to just 43 rushing yards (308 yards total offense). Knox QB Myles McLaughlin scored 5 TD’s on 279 rushing yards.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Bishop Chatard, 88.77, 13th overall, 1st in 3A. Knox, 76.85, 37th overall, 4th in 3A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Knox 85-64. Bishop Chatard 73-58.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: No meetings.
SERIES LAST 35 YEARS: No meetings.
#3 COACHES POLL/#6 AP POLL GIBSON SOUTHERN (11-2) AT #5 COACHES POLL/#7 AP POLL HERITAGE HILLS (12-1)
Gibson Southern beat Heritage Hills during the regular season 38-21. Watch for QB Tanner Boyd (2,135 passing yards, 21 TDs; 800 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and RB Sean DeLong (1,155 rushing yards, 14 TDs; 39 catches, 412 yards, seven TDs). Heritage Hills will count on QB Jett Goldsberry (1,044 passing yards, 14 TDs; 1,235 rushing yards, 19 TDs). HH averages 270 yards rushing per game.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Gibson Southern, 81.08, 27th overall, 2nd in 3A. Heritage Hills, 77.81, 35th overall, 3rd in 3A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Gibson Southern 60-51. Heritage Hills 84-60.
VS. COMMON FOES: Gibson Southern 7-0; Heritage Hills 6-0.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Heritage Hills, 5-3.
LAST MEETING: Gibson Southern, 31-28, Sep. 22, 2023.
4A
#16 COACHES POLL NORTHWOOD (11-2) AT #9 COACHES POLL/#10 AP POLL LEO (11-2)
NorthWood is led by WR Nitro Tuggle had 12 catches for 208 yards and three TDs in the regional win over New Prairie. QB Owen Roeder (3,092 passing yards, 36 TDs) is having a monster season because of Tuggle and four other receivers with at least 25 catches apiece. The last time NorthWood played in the semi-state was 2016. Leo is led by QB Kylar Decker (1,905 passing yards, 22 TDs) and WR’s Brock Schott (33 catches, 696 yards, six TDs) and Kaden Hurst (48 catches, 675 yards, nine TDs).
SAGARIN RATINGS: Leo, 84.83, 18th overall, 4th in 4A. NorthWood, 79.22, 33rd overall, 6th in 4A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: NorthWood 68-75. Leo 70-71.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Leo, 4-0.
LAST MEETING: Leo, 14-12, Oct. 30, 2020, sectional.
#3 COACHES POLL/#3 AP POLL NEW PALESTINE (11-2) AT #1 COACHES POLL/#1 AP POLL EAST CENTRAL (13-0)
This could be an instant classic. EC is on a roll after squashing Evansville Memorial 47-7 last week. RB Josh Ringer (2,512 rushing yards, 50 TDs; 12 catches, 272 yards, five TDs) and QB Cole Burton (1,312 passing yards, 21 TDs) lead the Trojan attack. East Central leads the state in scoring offense at 49.9PPG and are beating their opponents by an average of 43.5PPG. The Dragon defense is playing as well as anyone holding their four playoff opponents to just 12 points and they feature one of the top RB’s in the state in Grayson Thomas (2,259 rushing yards, 33 TDs). New Pal is averaging 39PPG.
SAGARIN RATINGS: East Central, 101.84, 3rd overall, 1st in 4A. New Palestine, 94.13, 9th overall, 2nd in 4A.
VS. COMMON FOES: New Palestine 1-0; East Central 1-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: New Palestine 85-62. East Central 59-63.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: No meetings.
SERIES LAST 35 YEARS: No meetings.
5A
#6 COACHES POLL/#6 AP POLL MERRILLVILLE (10-2) AT #2 COACHES POLL/#2 AP POLL FW SNIDER (11-1)
Most true football fans remember the last time Snider played in the state finals. It was 2015 and Snider beat New Pal 64-61 in one of the wildest games in Indiana football history. If not for a 45-yard field goal last week Snider would be preparing for basketball season (Thank You Kicker Mang Tung). The Pirates beat Valpo last week in a revenge game from 2022.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Merrillville, 82.9, 22nd overall, 4th in 5A. Snider, 82.44, 23rd overall, 5th in 5A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Merrillville 63-65. Snider 52-75.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Snider, 2-0.
#2 COACHES POLL/#3 AP POLL BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (11-1) AT #7 COACHES POLL/#7 AP POLL DECATUR CENTRAL (10-2)
South rolled over Evansville North last week 42-21 thanks to QB Jarrin Allen’s 229 passing yards. The Panthers also got contributions from WR Lucan Waldron (8 receptions 168 yards and two scores) and RB Gavin Adams (117 yards rushing and three scores). DC beat Whiteland last week 41-7 and will count on QB Bo Polston (1,544 passing yards, 19 TDs; 406 rushing yards, six TDs), RB N’po Dodo (1,040 rushing yards, seven TDs; 15 catches, 315 yards, five TDs) and RB KC Berry (735 yards, seven TDs; 22 catches, 374 yards, three TDs).
SAGARIN RATINGS: Bloomington South, 94.78, 8th overall, 1st in 5A. Decatur Central, 87.32, 15th overall, 2nd in 5A.
VS. COMMON FOES: Bloomington South 2-0; Decatur Central 1-1.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Bloomington South 66-63. Decatur Central 78-57.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Tied, 2-2.
6A
# 6 COACHES POLL/#5 AP POLL WESTFIELD (11-1) AT #5 COACHES POLL/#4 AP POLL CROWN POINT (12-0)
Rocks RB Kendall Garnett went wild last week in Westfield’s win over #6 HSE. Garnett ran for 223 yards and scored three times in the 24-21 win. Westfield will count on QB Jackson Gilbert (2,039 passing yards, 20 TDs) and Garnett (1,099 rushing yards, nine TDs). TE Max Nosler (37 catches, 597 yards, six TDs) is a huge target. Crown Point advanced by beating Penn 34-33 last week. RB Larry Ellison led the attack with 178 rushing yards.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Westfield, 98.31, 6th overall, 5th in 6A. Crown Point, 91.26, 11th overall, 8th in 6A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Westfield 71-59. Crown Point 58-61.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: No meetings.
#1 COACHES POLL/#2 AP POLL CENTER GROVE (11-1) AT #2 COACHES POLL/#3 AP POLL BEN DAVIS (11-1)
Center Grove has beaten BD in three straight semi-state match-ups (from 2019 to 2021). CG will count on QB Tyler Cherry (73.4% passer, 2,750 yards, 31 TDs) and WR Noah Coy (90 catches, 1,260 yards, 19 TDs). The defense is talented led by LB’s Owen Bright (109 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and Kaden McConnell (76 tackles). The Giants may feel blessed by the football God’s after getting by Brownsburg 28-25 in the sectional and beating Cathedral 27-24 last week. QB Thomas Gotkowski is the man on offense (2,312 passing yards, 28 TDs; 341 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and he has plenty of help including RB Alijah Price (834 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and WR Mark Zackery (45 catches, 679 yards, seven TDs). The BD defense will count on LB’s Toreeq Oyesigi (96 tackles, 14 ½ tackles for loss), Andrew Evans (86 tackles, 12 tackles for loss) and Nylan Brown (77 tackles in just seven games this season.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Ben Davis, 107.05, 1st overall, 1st in 6A. Center Grove, 101.23, 4th overall, 3rd in 6A.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Center Grove 36-41. Ben Davis 46-61.
VS. COMMON FOES: Center Grove 5-0; Ben Davis 6-0.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT SERIES: Center Grove, 6-3.