Week 6 Picks
5A #10 Floyd Central (4-1, 2-0 HHC) at Columbus East (3-2, 3-0 HHC): This is the 50th meeting between these two teams. As I’ve stated for the last three weeks, Columbus East’s defense stinks and that’s backed up by the fact they gave up 28 points last week against a New Albany team whose previous high was 14 in week 1 against a 1A team. In the three weeks after that, the Bulldogs scored a whopping total of 3 points. Therefore, if the Highlanders don’t feast on East then they don’t deserve an HHC title. Floyd Central wins by at least 21. The Olympians lead the all-time series 32-17. The Highlanders will attempt to win their second straight at Stafford Field since winning four straight from 1996-2003.
Jennings County (2-3, 0-1 HHC) at BNL (4-1, 3-0 HHC): The Panthers’ biggest loss of the season was 44-0 at Beech Grove in week 2. I think we’ll see a similar score this week as their secondary is no match for the BNL aerial attack. The Stars make quick work of JC by having a running clock and winning big. BNL leads the series 45-7 and has won 8 straight. They have also beaten the Panthers 5 straight at home with the last loss in 2015.
Bloomington North (2-3) at Jeffersonville (2-3): These two meet for only the third time ever as the Cougars won each leg of a home-and-home in 2009 and 2010 by 28 points. Both teams have played BNL which resulted in a 9 point Bloomington North win and a 21 point Red Devil loss. That 30 point swing is enough to convince me the Cougars stay unbeaten against Jeff. Bloomington North wins.
2A #2 Brownstown Central (5-0) at Seymour (0-5): This is the 25th edition of the Jackson Bowl and, for a second straight year, the Braves come into the game as the #2 team in 2A. Brownstown scored their first shutout victory in the rivalry last year and I believe they are very capable of doing the same this year. The Owls’ defense has really struggled this year as they’ve given up 36.6 points per game. Meanwhile, Brownstown’s offense leads the state with 61.6 points per game. Unless Seymour’s offense can somehow keep pace (they average a meager 15 points per game), we’re looking at a running clock this year. The Braves win big. Seymour leads the series 14-10.
New Albany (0-5) at Silver Creek (1-4): Surprisingly, this is the first ever meeting between the Bulldogs and Dragons. Both teams have looked pretty bad through five weeks and Silver Creek’s one win doesn’t hold much weight considering how bad Eastern (Pekin) is. New Albany has played the tougher schedule though as Silver Creek is their first opponent with a losing record. It could be a close one but I’m taking New Albany.