By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Franklin Central Flashes (4-3, 2-3 HCC) at Hamilton Southeastern Royals (4-3, 2-3 HCC)
Tomorrow night is the eighth time the Flashes and Royals get together in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference. HSE is 4-3 in the first seven matchups. Franklin Central won last year (14-10), but Southeastern had won the previous four.
Franklin Central started with wins at Perry Meridian (48-6) and Roncalli (22-15) and took their first loss at Brownsburg (35-7) in Week 3. The Flashes have gone 2-2 since, beating Zionsville (20-16), losing at Avon (35-10), cruising against Noblesville (37-10) and dropping an overtime thriller at Fishers last week, 36-35.
Connor Moreland is 94 of 153 (61 percent) for 1,236 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Nathan Sparks has 500 rushing yards and five touchdowns and Markell Bailey has 355 receiving yards and nine TDs on just 19 receptions.
HSE began 3-0 with wins over Carroll (Fort Wayne) 14-7, North Central (31-7) and Avon (17-14). A three-game slide at Fishers (28-16), versus Westfield (21-17) and at Zionsville (35-29) came to a stop with a Week 7 win over Noblesville (31-6) to get back to winning.
Freshman Deaken Johnson has settled in as quarterback, improving week-by-week. Now with 739 yards, Johnson completes 59.3 percent (48-81) and has five TDs and two interceptions.
Carter Reed is the Royals’ leading rusher with 424 yards on 117 carries and a team-leading seven TDs. Kendrick Pennybaker is one of the top receivers around with 641 yards on 28 catches and four scores.
6A No. 1 Brownsburg Bulldogs (7-0, 5-0 HCC) at Noblesville Millers (1-6, 0-5 HCC)
The 33rd all-time meeting between Brownsburg and Noblesville could inch the Bulldogs closer to an HCC title, but the Millers hope to play spoilers. Brownsburg leads the series 21-11 and has won the last eight.
The Bulldogs are on a 12-game win streak and have won 20 of their last 21. Their seven wins thus far have been by an average of 19.4 per game.
QB Oscar Frye already has numerous Divison I offers. The junior is 89 of 151 (58.9 percent) for 1,332 yards, throwing 20 touchdowns to only two picks. Branden Sharpe is his leading receiver with 565 yards and eight TDs. Aiden Jobe is the top rusher with 658 yards on 100 carries and Brady Lewis has 495 on 74 runs. Both running backs have five scores.
The Millers are on a weekly search for continuity that can ultimately end their six-game losing streak. A season-opening win at Mount Vernon (Fortville) had them off on the right foot. After a narrow Week 2 home loss to Homestead (13-10), Noblesville has unfortunately lost the past five by an average of 26.8 points.
Aidan Kincaide is 15th in the state and third in 6A with 90 total tackles. Alex Hamm’s 6.0 sacks list him as second in 6A and 19th in the state to help pace the Miller defense.
Windsor Hutchins is a 63.8 percent passer through seven games, completing 76 of 119 for 611 yards and two touchdowns.
Noah Shinkle leads Noblesville in rushing with 414 yards on 99 carries and has scored six TDs. Alfred Alwine has caught 13 for 232 yards and a touchdown.
