Roncalli Royals enter St. Vincent Health Field for IHSAA Sectional semifinal game against host Brebeuf Jesuit. Leading the Royals are, from left, seniors AJ Richardson (44), Johnny Jaffe (53), Henry Adams (26), Sam Neu (41), and Nick Bastida (49). Roncalli won 55-27.
(JOHN D. SMITH PHOTOS)
(JOHN D. SMITH PHOTOS)
| By Al Stilley Editor Seven Southside football teams will compete for IHSAA Sectional championships Friday night. The long list includes 6A Franklin Central, No. 7 Center Grove and Perry Meridian, 5A Decatur Central, 4A Roncalli and Greenwood, and reigning three straight state champion 1A Lutheran. The closest win was unranked Franklin Central’s four-point upset of No. 9 Columbus North that showed the strength of schedule between the rugged Hoosier Crossroads and Conference Indiana. The Flashes trailed 17-7 in the third quarter before Nathan Sparks scored from one-yard away and Nevan Tutterow connected with Emauri Hines on a five-yard pass that stood up as the game winner. Several teams won by completely dominating their opponents, including Roncalli’s 28-point triumph on an ideal night for football as opposed to the Royals’ regular season win at Brebeuf Jesuit in one of the few games played Sept. 27 with high winds and pounding rain from Hurricane Helene’s remnants. The Royals’ 1-2 punch of Zach Dozier and Collin Ash combined for 361 yards rushing and four TDs while Jayden Buchanan threw for two TDs. Roncalli (4A, No. 17) led only 24-13 at halftime. Roncalli’s defense withstood the Braves’ air attack that racked up 289 yards and four TDs. Without a conference affiliation, independent Center Grove pounded host Jeffersonville with 10 touchdowns after opening with a Dallas Cornpropst’s 36-yard field goal. The Trojans led 66-0 after the first half. Greenwood’s healthier Woodmen out-manned visiting Bedford North Lawrence as Gunner Ruppert, who missed three games this season, ran for 359 yards and scored five TDs. In the second Battle of the Birds, Perry Meridian again over-powered Southport with an offense that produced 42 points. The Falcons scored 45 points against the Cardinals on Aug. 30. In Class 2A, No. 2 Lutheran belted host Cardinal Ritter for the second time this season. The Saints are on an eight-game winning streak this season. They have won 19 consecutive playoff games, 17 in 1A and two in 2A. Decatur Central (5A No. 4) extended its winning streak to six by defeating Whiteland in a duel between two Mid-State teams.  Lutheran holder Mason Shrum (12) holds the ball for junior kicker Dax Lockliear (2) as he kicks one of his seven extra points in the Saints 49-7 win against Ritter at Marian Univeristy. (PHOTO BY NAILAH WOODS)  Fa'rel Carter skirts right end as the Decatur Central junior scores the Hawks' third touchdown 2.8 seconds before the half of Friday's sectional battle with visiting Whiteland. (SOUTHSIDER VOICE BY STEVE PAGE) |  Perry Meridian senior Byron Hon (6) makes the over-the-shoulder catch for the touchdown in the 3rd quarter of the Battle of the Birds sectional play against the Cardinals on Friday. (PHOTO BY WESLEY CLARY)  Franklin Central soph Jayce Brewer attempts to block a field goal by Bull Dog kicker Luke Friend (99). Franklin Central upset Columbus North, 21-17. (PHOTO BY WAYNE CARTER/CARTER FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY) Sectional results Nov. 1 Center Grove 72, Jeffersonville 7 Decatur Central 28, Whiteland 14 Franklin Central 21, Columbus North 17 Greenwood 48, Bedford North Lawrence 24 Lutheran 49, Cardinal Ritter 7 Perry Meridian 42, Southport 12 Roncalli 55, Brebeuf Jesuit 27 Sectional Championships Friday (7 p.m., unless noted) Class 6A Perry Meridian (5-5) at Warren Central (9-1) Franklin Central (6-3) at Center Grove (6-4) Class 5A Decatur Central (7-2) at Plainfield (9-1) Class 4A Bishop Chatard (8-2) at Roncalli (6-4) Greenwood (4-7) at Martinsville (10-1) Class 1A Monrovia (9-2) at Lutheran (10-1)  Roncalli’s Collin Ash (10) has a wide path to the endzone for one of his three touchdowns Friday against 4A sectional opponent Brebeuf Jesuit in match-up that pitted Roncalli’s ground game against Brebeuf’s passing attack. |
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