
Senior staff writer
Franklin Central’s introduction to the Hoosier Crossroads Conference was rugged, winning its only league game on senior night against Hamilton Southeastern. The Flashes go into the playoffs with a 2-7 record, just one year after going unbeaten in their last hurrah in Conference Indiana.
They are confident that their experience from their first Hoosier Crossroads campaign will be the difference Oct. 26 at Jeffersonville.
“We have played the best competition in the state; hopefully we’re playing for home field advantage (next round),” Flashes fourth-year coach Grant Lewis said. “We might be able to shock some people.”
The Flashes opened 1-4 against five ranked opponents, winning their home opener against Roncalli. They had close losses to Noblesville and Fishers before downing HSE 37-28.
“We got through it because we knew we had a chance to win, no matter who we played,” senior lineman Callan Shockey said. “We know we’re not going to see any teams better than Avon and Brownsburg.”
The backfield is led by seniors in quarterback Dylan Bishop, running back Johnnie Mickel and receiver Malieki Parks.
“We knew this conference would be a big change,” Bishop said. “We knew we would face adversity early, but we knew we could come back strong. In those two close games we knew we were getting closer to a conference win.”
Looking at the senior night triumph, senior defensive end Steve Edwards said, “When we lost we kept it together and tried to fix the mistakes so we could win. It was a steady grind at first, but against them (HSE); we did all the little things right, and we played for the teammate next to us.”
The FC-Jeffersonville winner faces the Center Grove/New Albany winner Nov. 3. Center Grove wrapped up its regular season Friday with an impressive 34-7 win over Cathedral at Ray Skillman Stadium.
Carson Steele ran for three touchdowns and amassed 131 yards, and quarterback Jason Moore threw for 107 yards and one TD. CG has won six of its last seven games and finished 5-2 in the MIC.
In Class A, Lutheran (6-3) has won its last three games by a combined score of 107-17, including Friday’s home win over Shortridge, 46-0. Saints quarterback Blake White connected with senior Ben Settlemeyer for two TDs and ran for one score against the Blue Devils.
Junior Marcus McFadden ran 21 and 40 yards for TDs. Freshman Montasi Clay returned the opening kickoff for 72 yards to the 5 and finished the scoring after picking up a Shortridge fumble for a 22yard TD run.
“Everybody got to play a lot; game experience is invaluable,”
Lutheran coach Dave Pasch said. “The last three weeks our younger kids are understanding the game, down and distance, different scenarios, the concepts of football – we call that ‘football IQ.’ That’s where we have made the most improvement.”
The Saints open the playoffs at home Friday against South Decatur.
6A Sectional 7
On Oct. 26 Southport (7-2) goes to undefeated 6A No. 2 Brownsburg and Perry Meridian (1-8) journeys to No. 7 Avon (7-2). Southport’s high-flying offense, led by quarterback Eddie Schott (213 of 331, 64.4 percent, 3,011 yards, 36 TDs), will challenge Brownsburg’s defense (18.8 points per game).
5A Sectional 13
Roncalli meets the Cathedral/Plainfield winner Oct. 26. The improved Rebels, 3-6 after a shaky 0-4 start, downed Guerin Catholic 20-10 Friday with Dylan Lewis scoring on a 95-yard pick six. No. 2 Decatur Central is in opposite bracket.
4A Sectional 22
Friday finds Beech Grove (63) at No. 8 Mooresville (8-1) and Greenwood (2-7) at New Castle (5-4). BG’s ground attack (258.3 yards per game) features running back Sergio Hulse. Greenwood’s hopes ride on running backs Nick Willham, 5.7 yards per carry, 11 TDs, and Anthony Williams, 5.2 yards per carry, 7 TDs.
3A Sectional 23
Manual (4-4) has a bye Friday and will meet the Indian Creek/ Crispus Attucks winner Oct. 26. The Redskins have momentum with two straight wins and have the city’s most exciting player with senior Deangelo Dean, 187 carries, 1,430 yards, 15 TDs.