(LEFT) Guerin Catholic’s James Moody catches a pass during the Golden Eagles’ regular-season finale victory over Lafayette Central Catholic on Friday, Oct. 17. (RIGHT) Hamilton Heights’ Drew Woodruff has thrown for 1,579 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
No. 16 Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles (5-4) at Hamilton Heights Huskies (4-5)
Tonight’s all-county matchup is the fourth between Guerin Catholic and Hamilton Heights. The Golden Eagles won the first three, including last year’s sectional semifinal (44-27) in Arcadia.
Head coach Tom Dilley is 75-55 in his 12th season and 155-132 overall in 26 years. Guerin has four sectional and two regional titles. Its most recent sectional was in 2014 and regional in 2011.
The Golden Eagles have won two straight over Culver Academy and Central Catholic. Last week against Lafayette Central Catholic, Jack Linden ran for 167 yards and four touchdowns and Quentin Klee threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns.
Jon Kirschner is 41-42 in his eighth season with the Huskies. Heights has seven sectional, two regional and the 2012 semi-state crown, en route to a 3A runner-up finish.
After a 1-4 start, Hamilton Heights has won three of four over Logansport, Twin Lakes and Tipton.
The Huskies are led by Drew Woodruff’s 1,579 passing yards and 11 TDs. AJ Flanagan is the leading rusher with 627 yards (six TDs) and Cam Fleming also has six touchdowns and 616 receiving yards.
No. 3 Cascade Cadets (9-0) at Indianapolis Washington Generals (3-5)
The Cadets and Generals meet for the first time Friday night at T.C. Howe Field, the former home of the Howe Hornets.
Third-ranked Cascade is one of 15 undefeated teams in the state, along with two others in 3A (Evansville Memorial and Knox).
Head coach Connor Simmons is 37-26 in his sixth season. Cascade is pretty much the highest scoring team in the state at 58.4 points per game (Brownstown Central 58.5). Cascade has one sectional title (2A in 1992).
Quarterback Brady Trebley throws 75.2 percent (91-121) with 1,482 yards, 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Cadets have three 400-plus rushers, Dayton Mink 557 (14 TDs), Toby Savini 520 (eight) and Lucas Farmer 404 (nine). Marcus Hobson leads in receiving with 587 yards and 13 TDs.
Head coach Ramon Stallings is in his first year. Previously, he was at Crispus Attucks where he was 13-14 (2020-22) and Arlington in 2012 (0-9).
Washington has five sectionals (1974, 83, 86, 93-94), three regionals (83, 93-94) and one semi-state title. They won the 1974 3A state championship over Mishawaka (19-12).
GW’s wins are against Christel House, Purdue Englewood and Indianapolis Tindley.
No. 8 Tri-West Bruins (6-3) at West Vigo Vikings (0-9)
The Bruins and Vikings have met three times in the playoffs with Tri-West taking all three, including the 2021 sectional, 62-21.
Head coach Jason Ward is 59-22 in seven seasons. The Bruins have lost two straight to Bishop Chatard and Beech Grove heading into sectional.
Tri-West has 15 sectional, 10 regional, six semi-state and four state championships (1996, 2003-04, 14).
TW’s Jack Sorgi has 2,383 yards on 139 of 236 attempts (58.9 percent) for 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Wanson Hall has 455 rushing yards and four TDs, while Carter Cummings has 838 receiving yards and seven scores.
Aaron Clements is in his fourth season at West Vigo (10-30), 18-42 overall in six seasons and two at Tell City (2018-19) and was 8-12.
The Vikings have just one sectional title (3A) in 1985.
Speedway Sparkplugs (1-8) at Crawfordsville Athenians (4-5)
The Sparkplugs and Athenians have met twice in the playoffs, each winning once. The last was in the 2023 sectional with Speedway winning, 48-13.
Head coach Shane Clampitt is in his fifth year at Speedway (23-30). The ‘Plugs had an eight-game losing streak until last week’s 40-0 win over Covenant Christian.
Logan Moore has 731 passing yards and six touchdowns. Mamadou Diallo is the leading rusher (519) with five TDs. Nai Ma Har tops the receivers with 162 yards.
The Sparkplugs have eight sectional and three regional trophies. Their last of each was in 2010.
Crawfordsville head coach Brad Clark is 11-28 in his fourth year. The Athenians have two sectional and regional titles, both coming in 1983 and 89.
Mason McCarty has 617 passing yards and seven TDs. The backfield combines for 289 carries for 1,425 yards and 19 touchdowns.
