Gridiron Digest Indiana Football Report - Sectional Week 2

[crimsonace1]

Giants, Bulldogs open tourney as they opened the season

Andrew Smith

GridironDigest.com

Ten weeks have passed since the opening week of the regular season, but the Class 6A tournament begins on the west side of Indianapolis the exact same way the season began - with the Ben Davis Giants hosting the Brownsburg Bulldogs in one of the state’s marquee matchups. 

The Sectional 5 matchup is one of three 6A games featuring ranked teams - Ben Davis (6-3) enters No. 7 in the IFCA poll, Brownsburg (8-1) No. 3. The winner faces Avon or Pike next week in the sectional final game. 

Brownsburg won the regular season matchup 21-16 back in Week 1. Both teams can draw a bit on that contest, but both have evolved quite a bit since August. 

“This matchup is a great opportunity to see how much we have grown and gotten better as a program,” Ben Davis coach Jason Simmons said. “There are a lot of things we can draw on from our Week 1 matchup on August 19th. We can draw on how they want to attack us on offense and defense because they do some things differently against us than they do compared to other teams in their conference.” 

Both teams were missing key players in the opener - Ben Davis was missing quarterback Thomas Gotkowski, Brownsburg without All-State center Santana Alo. Both will be in action Friday night. 

Gotkowski took over in Week 2 and has completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,092 yards and 21 TDs. BD’s offense has featured sophomore running back Alijah Price, who has 928 yards on the season, and a deep receiving corps led by Marques Reese, who has 885 yards on 55 catches. Lincoln Murff has 41 catches for 480 yards. 

“Thomas Gotkowski is a humble, driven player with a high football IQ and a drive to get better every day,” Simmons said. “Thomas is a magnet for other players on our team and that has driven his ability to forge and build relationships with everyone on our team. Our offense, led by Alijah, Marques, Destin Beauchamp, and Lincoln Murff, is a complimentary offense that lends itself to different players having a hot hand based on how teams are defending us. We have had four different receivers go for over 70 yards in a game.” 

Brownsburg is led by senior quarterback Jayden Whitaker, who is completing 71 percent of his passes for 2,007 yards. Corey Smith (32-677, 6 TDs) leads a deep receiving corps in which seven players have at least 13 catches. It’s led an offense that’s scoring 40 points a game. The Bulldogs finished second in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, falling 31-28 to current No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in Week 9, with a late rally falling just short. 

“I couldn’t ask for a more cohesive group of kids who have grit and toughness,” Brownsburg coach John Hart said. “I think most people would say we have the toughest schedule in the state and we played very well all year. We got rattled a little bit against HSE when our QB went down at halftime. it took us a little bit of time to get going, yet we had a FG blocked with no time to go (that would have sent) the game into overtime.” 

The Giants ran the table in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference, clinching the conference title with a 42-6 win over North Central in Week 9, but the key win came the week before, when BD rallied from 28 points down in the second half to beat Lawrence Central 29-28. Gotkowski threw for 277 yards and four scores, including a one-yard TD pass in the closing minutes, followed by a game-winning two-point conversion. 

“What got us going was the ability of our defense to continue to stack stops and our offense getting into a rhythm,” Simmons said. “Our defense gave up 90 yards on two plays in the 1st half. Other than that we kept an explosive offense in check. When we got rolling offensively, we were tough to stop. The belief our players showed in each other helped propel us to win that game. That game gave our players the confidence they needed to finish off a tough opponent after missing on opportunities in the three games we came up short.” 

Tussle in loaded Sectional 21

Class 4A will likely feature dynamite matchups each round of the tournament. One of the deepest sectional fields is Sectional 21, where three of the four remaining teams are ranked in the top 10. Six of the eight teams in the sectional field - including the four semifinalists - won at least six games in the regular season.  

Two of the ranked teams meet this week, as No. 8 Mooresville (8-2) travels to No. 10 Brebeuf Jesuit (6-3). The winner faces either No. 2 Roncalli (9-1) or Indianapolis Attucks (6-3) in next week’s sectional final. 

Both programs have seen recent tournament success. Brebeuf was the Class 3A state runner-up last season. Mooresville was a regional champion in 2020. 

Both had solid wins last week, as Mooresville rallied to defeat Lebanon 34-24, while Brebeuf downed Northview 35-7. 

Brebeuf gained 173 rushing yards and sophomore quarterback Maverick Geske threw for 202 in the Braves’ win last week. 

“We were able to establish the line of scrimmage from the first drive and that led to a lot of offensive success,” Brebeuf coach Matt Geske said of last week’s win. “Our defense played fast and didn’t allow Northview’s potent run game to get going.” 

Mooresville took a 28-12 lead at halftime and extended it in the second half against Lebanon, behind 198 passing yards and 85 rushing yards from senior quarterback Nicholas Patterson. Junior Landon Clements added 107 rushing yards and two scores. Hogan Denny had 99 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game. 

“We self destructed early in the game with a pick six and a fumble in the first quarter. We also had 12 penalties which we must fix. We righted the ship and took a 16 point lead at the half by mixing run and pass,” Mooresville coach Mike Gillin said, also noting the Pioneers’ defense forced four turnovers. “Lebanon is a very good football team and we had to play solid football to get the win.” 

Brebeuf returns seven starters from last year’s 3A state runner-up on defense. Nolan Buckman started last season at quarterback, but volunteered to move to receiver midway through the season to make way for Geske, returning to where he played as a sophomore, where he was a two-way starter at running back and safety. Buckman has become the Braves’ top pass-catcher with 409 yards and five touchdowns, while also starting at safety. The Braves are allowing 14.7 ppg and have held five opponents to eight points or fewer. 

Cole Williams (78 tackles) and Finn Walters (46 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 10 sacks) lead the Braves up front. Devin McIlwain, Javawn Brooks and Ryan Joyce each have three interceptions. 

“Nolan is a tremendous athlete that can do it all for us and his versatility makes him one of the state’s best players,” coach Geske said. “He really helped bring Maverick along this spring and summer and the move has allowed us to be more dynamic on offense in the back half of the regular season.”

Mooresville features one of the state’s top two-way quarterbacks in Patterson, who has 1,965 passing and 1,110 rushing yards and has accounted for 36 touchdowns. Clements has posted back-to-back 100-yard games. Denny and junior Levi Dorn provide a strong 1-2 punch in the receiving game. Dorn has 719 yards on 53 catches, while Denny has 342 yards on 24 catches, playing five games after returning from injury. Gillin said the Pioneers are as healthy as they have been since Week 3. 

“Nick Patterson is one of the best leaders I have ever coached in my 44 years as a head coach,” Gillin said. “He is a dual threat Run/Pass and commands the offense. He has carried us most of the year after losing our RB Brandon Wilson and Hogan Denny for most of the year.” 

Both teams play tough schedules - Mooresville finished second to Whiteland in the Mid-State Conference, while Brebeuf’s three losses have come to teams ranked in the top three of their respective classes - Indianapolis Chatard, Cathedral and Roncalli. All have prepared them for this matchup. 

“We play in one of the toughest conferences in the state so we have played outstanding competition. The same can be said of Brebeuf,” Gillin said. “I expect a physical back and forth game.” 

Lamar, Generals to face Crusaders

In southeastern Indiana, the Clarksville Generals have had a resurgence behind the state’s leading rusher, Robert Lamar. 

Clarksville is 5-5 after a 70-42 victory at Eastern (Pekin) in last week’s Sectional 39 opener. The Generals take on No. 4 Indianapolis Scecina (9-1) in the semifinal this week, with the winner to face either No. 5 Triton Central (8-2) or Brownstown Central (6-4) next week. 

The Generals’ five wins this year are a big step for a program that hadn’t won more than three games in a season since 2012. Coach Justin Boser said this year has been the culmination of commitment from the administration on down, dramatically upgrading facilities and equipment at the admin level. At the coaching level, it was about getting to know each player on a personal level, and seeing increased commitment in the weight room and offseason. 

“This current team has been the most committed team we have had in the last five years,” Boser said. “On this team we have leaders who are three and four year starters who have set the standard for how to lift and practice every day.” 

Lamar, a senior, has rushed for 2,839 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, averaging 9.6 yards per carry. His explosive running complements the passing game, where Caleb Cummings has thrown for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

The offensive line is young and often giving up 20-25 pounds to its opponents, but has used technique and leg drive to open up holes.  

“For two years teams have attempted to slow Robert down and only a few have,” Boser said, adding Lamar deserves to be considered as one of the state’s top players. “Robert is a special running back who can beat you in different ways. He can beat you with a jump cut in the hole, run through you in the hole, or he can out run you to the edge. I have been saying all year ‘don't just watch Robert's highlight runs that go for 60, 70, or 80 yards, watch his 4 yard runs where he doesn't have much of a hole and he runs through two tackles to pick up the four yards. Watch him turn a negative play into a two yard gain.’ He is able to do these things because of his commitment to the weight room. We knew he good be good running back for us but he became a great running back and a durable running back when he committed to lifting after his sophomore season.” 

This week’s matchup with Scecina will be a challenge, as Lamar and the Generals will see a defense that has shut out five opponents this season. Scecina is led by seniors Mason Beriault (99 tackles), Tamir Woods (74 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks) and Adam Young (66 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks). 

“Scecina is clearly a top team in 2A and for us to be successful Friday we will need to continue to run the ball to our full capability and connect on play action passes,” Boser said. “Their defense plays fast and all 11 players are capable of coming up and making a tackle. We need all of our players blocking and maintaining their blocks on every play. Their offense is multiple and can beat you in different ways. They can play with four wide receivers or they will line up in I formation and run the ball right at you. We will need to play our most complete defensive game to give us a chance to be successful.” 

Also of note

There are 16 unbeaten teams remaining in the state. Two - Owen Valley and defending 3A champion Gibson Southern - meet this week in Sectional 30. Both teams feature explosive offenses - OV is averaging 51.3 ppg, leading the state in scoring, led by quarterback Brody Lester (1,907 passing yards). GS is averaging 41.3 ppg. … Class 3A’s two other unbeatens - West Lafayette and Hanover Central - are in opposite semifinals in Sectional 25. … In Sectional 33, Andrean went 6-3 against a schedule entirely made up of 4A-6A teams. The defending state champions visit 10-0 LaVille. … Lamar is the state’s rushing leader. Indianapolis Lutheran’s Jackson Willis (2,850 yards) leads the state in passing. The defending 1A champion Saints host 1-8 Cloverdale in Sectional 47 this week. … Triton Central’s Brad Schultz (1,326 yards) leads the state in receiving. The Tigers meet Brownstown Central in Sectional 40. 

Other games to watch this week

Class 6A 

• 2: No. 5 Carroll (9-0) at No. 9 Penn (7-2)
• 2: Elkhart (7-2) at Warsaw (7-2)
• 3: Homestead (5-4) at No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern (9-0) 
• 4: No. 9 Westfield (6-3) at No. 6 Carmel (6-3)
• 6: Lawrence North (4-5) at No. 2 Cathedral (7-1)
• 8: No. 3 Center Grove (7-2) at Franklin Central (3-6)

Class 5A 

• 12: No. 1 Ft. Wayne Snider (8-1) at No. 10 Ft. Wayne Dwenger (6-3)
• 14: No. 8 Franklin (7-2) at Terre Haute South (6-3)

Class 4A

• 17: No. 7 New Prairie (9-1) at Lowell (7-3)
• 22: Greenfield-Central (7-3) at No. 1 New Palestine (10-0)
• 24: No. 5 Evansville Reitz (10-0) at Boonville (7-3)

Class 3A

• 25: No. 1 West Lafayette (10-0) at Calumet (9-1)
• 28: No. 3 Chatard (6-4) at Hamilton Heights (8-2)
• 28: Guerin Catholilc (6-4) at Tippecanoe Valley (9-1)
• 30: No. 2 GIbson Southern (10-0) at No. 6 Owen Valley (10-0)

Class 2A

• 33: No. 3 Andrean (6-3) at No. 2 LaVille (10-0)
• 34: Cass (6-3) at No. 9 Lafayette Central Catholic (7-3)
• 35: No. 8 FW Luers (5-5) at Churubusco (8-2)
• 37: Southmont (7-3) at No. 1 Linton (10-0)
• 39: No. 5 Triton Central (8-2) at Brownstown Central (6-4)

Class A

• 41: Triton (7-3) at No. 4 North Judson (9-1)
• 44: No. 10 South Adams (8-2) at No. 2 Adams Central (10-0)
• 45: Monroe Central (5-3) at No. 5 Sheridan (9-1)
• 46: Milan (5-5) at No. 3 North Decatur (10-0)

 

 

 

[crimsonace1]

 

[vanhalenfor6]

Danville and WeBo has been a growing rivalry in recent years.  Although the first meeting wasn't close there's a lot more on the line this time.  I think we get a much closer game this Friday!  Winner of this one should go on to win their sectional.

[crimsonace1]

2 hours ago, vanhalenfor6 said:

Danville and WeBo has been a growing rivalry in recent years.  Although the first meeting wasn't close there's a lot more on the line this time.  I think we get a much closer game this Friday!  Winner of this one should go on to win their sectional.

There were *so* many great games this week, it was hard to condense into three to spotlight and the ones to highlight. Danville opened *a lot* of eyes with its win over TW last week. 

[Azi]

Being thousands of miles away, your stuff is so interesting to read. Idk how you do it - going back & watching actual tape or interviewing the collective dozens - but it’s eye-opening to see such a wide swath from a single author. Kudos, my friend. An Ace, indeed. 😎👍

[indypharmd]

Alo has not played for the Bulldogs since 2021...  Do you mean Preston Jarvis?