After Avon’s close call against Zionsville, I was considering making Brownsburg the favorite in this game if they put up an impressive performance against Hamilton SE. But after Brownsburg’s poor showing against HSE, Avon is still the favorite to me to win this game. In general, I trust Avon in big games more than I do Brownsburg right now. In the previous 5 meetings they’ve played against each other in the tournament this decade, Avon has won all 5 games. Also, Brownsburg hasn’t won a sectional title since 2009 while Avon has won a sectional title in 3 of the previous 4 season. And I think Mark Bless is a better coach than John Hart.
I know it sounds cliche, but I think this game will be determined by who wins the battle at the line of scrimmage. I also think Brownsburg needs to try and get an early lead to try and build some confidence. If this game is tied or within 3 points in the 4th quarter, I think Avon will have a mental advantage and make more plays than Brownsburg because of Avon’s success in these kinds of games compared to Brownsburg’s. I don’t think home field will be a factor in this game because it’s only a 10-15 minute bus ride from Avon to Brownsburg and Avon will probably have as many fans at this game as they do for a home game. Home field advantage plays a much bigger factor when teams and fans have to travel an hour or an hour and a half to get to a game.
I get as a fan why you would be skeptical about your team’s chances to win this game. I myself think my LC team is going to lose at LN on Friday even though LC won the regular season meeting between the two teams. But from an objective perspective, I trust Avon in this spot more than I do Brownsburg. But Brownsburg could just as easily prove me dead wrong on Friday with the way 6A has gone this season. I do think that when these two teams play as well as they’re capable of playing, they’re the best two teams in class 6A. I predict that whoever wins this game goes on to win the 6A title.
To the players of both Avon and Brownsburg: Leave every single thing you have out there on the field on Friday night. What you do in this game will create memories that will last for the rest of your life.