LAFAYETTE — A big week of high school football is ahead with Class 5A and 6A programs jumping into the playoffs, led by Harrison facing off against Westfield, McCutcheon battling Kokomo and Lafayette Jeff battling South Bend Adams.
Meanwhile, Central Catholic gets its unbeaten record tested in the 2A semifinals against Western Boone guided by coach Justin Pelley, who led the stars to three straight state titles between 2018-20.
Here are refreshed power rankings and predictions for this Friday’s games.
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Lafayette Jeff Bronchos take to the field Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, during the IHSAA football game against the Richmond Red Devils at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Lafayette Jeff Bronchos won 70-0.
1. Lafayette Jeff (9-0)
No. 3-ranked Lafayette Jeff heads north to face South Bend Adams in the IHSAA class 5A semifinals with an offense that’s averaged 6.7 yards per carry. Junior running backs Marquis Adkins and Antwoine Richmond have collectively run for 1,324 yards with a passing game led by senior quarterback Keyen Crowder (2,191 yards, 71% completion rate, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions). Crowder has three receivers with nine or more touchdown catches in speedy senior Andre Fancher (67 receptions, 861 yards, 10 touchdowns), 6-foot-3 junior outside receiver Omar Williams Jr. (39 receptions, 492 yards, nine touchdowns) and breakout sophomore Bryce Vanostran (50 catches, 643 yards, nine touchdowns). The Bronchos have depth on a defense that’s forced 16 interceptions and forced seven fumbles. Sophomore safety Kavion Campbell leads with 131 tackles while defensive lineman Ayden Aytch 6-foot-5 has five sacks.
Next game: at South Bend Adams (2-7), 7 p.m. Friday.
Prediction: Lafayette Jeff applies pressure against sophomore Andre Gubi and sets a path up for the IHSAA C;ass 5A sectional title against either Kokomo or McCutcheon. Lafayette Jeff wins 52-14.
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Harrison Raiders Jack Gonzalez (23) runs with the ball Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, during the IHSAA football game against the Lafayette Jeff Bronchos at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Lafayette Jeff won 45-21.
2. Harrison (6-3)
Harrison gears up for the IHSAA Class 6A semifinal against Westfield after ending the regular season beating Kokomo 29-28. Junior Jack Gonzalez has been one of the area’s best two-way players after rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown and making six tackles. Gonzalez has rushed for over 100 yards three times. Senior linebacker Jackson Mills made 23 tackles as his team readies for the Shamrocks.
Next game: at Westfield (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday.
Prediction: Westfield comes in led by a 6-foot-4 QB who has passed for 1,400 yards 11 touchdowns and ran for four more. It’s a rude welcome for Harrison in one of the toughest sectionals in the state. Westfield wins 35-14.
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Central Catholic quarterback Bobby Metzger (10) throws the ball Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, during the IHSAA football game against Twin Lakes at Central Catholic High School in Lafayette, Ind. Central Catholic won 56-21.
3. Central Catholic (9-0)
Central Catholic cruised by Delphi 63-21 in the Class 2A first round led by quarterback Bobby Metzger, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 378 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jackson Cain leads the program with 96 tackles and Central Catholic has collected 68 tackles for loss during its unblemished season. The No. 1-ranked Knights look ahead to previously ranked Western Boone, a program that won three straight 2A state titles between 2018-20.
Next game: vs. Western Boone (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday.
Prediction: Western Boone runs both a Wing-T and single-wing formation that’s allowed the program to rush for over 2,025 yards and 59 touchdowns as a unit. Senior Mason Amich leads the Stars with 1,139 yards and 11 touchdowns on an offense that’s shown itself capable of throwing the football as well. Senior Brandon Potter has thrown for 934 yards and 12 touchdowns. Central Catholic’s pass rush led by Ryan Delgatto (65 tackles, 18 tackles for loss) should provide matchup issues at the line of scrimmage. Look for senior linebacker Charlie Seaburg (65 tackles, seven for loss). Central Catholic wins 28-21.
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West Lafayette Red Devils quarterback Benny Speaker (3) and West Lafayette Red Devils center Andrew Springer (60) celebrate after a touchdown Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, during the IHSAA football game against the Logansport Berries at Gordon Straley Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Logansport Berries won 28-14.
4. West Lafayette (7-3)
West Lafayette took care of business in the first round by dismissing Frankton 49-7. Senior quarterback Benny Speaker completed 6 of 9 passes for 132 yards, rushed for 50 yards and scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). The Red Devils head to Kokomo for a battle against Northwestern.
Next game: at Northwestern (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday.
Prediction: Northwestern quarterback Brock Shank leads an offense that’s averaging 19.2 yards per catch. Shank has thrown for 2,869 yards, 35 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Tigers haven’t played the competitive schedule West Lafayette has faced which includes battles with 6A Harrison, 5A McCutcheon and No. 1 ranked 2A program Central Catholic. Senior linebacker David Curl III is playing at a high level and the Red Devils have figured out their offensive identity. West Lafayette wins 42-28.
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McCutcheon Mavericks defensive back Broderick Arnold (7) celebrates after getting his third interception of the night Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, during the IHSAA football game against the Hamilton Heights Huskies at McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, Ind. McCutcheon won 31-2.
T5. McCutcheon (4-5)
McCutcheon gets a rematch against Kokomo two weeks after holding undefeated Lafayette Jeff to its second-lowest point total of the season. McCutcheon found some success integrating senior Broderick Arnold into the run scheme. The Mavericks ran for 224 yards with Arnold and junior Keegan Rice each finding the endzone.
Now it gets to rematch Kokomo, which rushed for 233 yards collectively against the Mavericks on Oct. 11.
Next game: at Kokomo (4-4), 7 p.m. Friday.
Prediction: The old adage is it’s never easy to beat a team the second time. Now after two competitive games, albeit in losing efforts, McCutcheon enters Kokomo with a point to prove. Senior defensive lineman Malachi Kenner ignites a run-stopping performance that quiets the Wildkat crowd and sets up a rematch with Lafayette Jeff. Kicker Hayden Wagner plays a role in a battle for field position ultimately won by the Mavericks. McCutcheon wins 20-17.
Carroll Cougars Kingston Ayres (79) looks for a player to block Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, during the IHSAA sectional football game against the Frontier Falcons at Frontier High School in Chalmers, Ind. Carroll won 49-21.
T5. Carroll (10-0)
The Cougars earn a spot in the top five list given their success and keeping a statewide ranking for Class A throughout the year. Carroll, in a similar fashion to Western Boone, runs a double wing but is also versatile and throws the ball effectively. Junior Emery Deaton and senior Aidan Wiles are a 1-2 punch at running back with an offensive line driven by Levi Watkins. Wiles impacts the defense at linebacker with senior cornerback Cayson Fellows who intercepted two passes against Frontier.
Next game: vs. Pioneer (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday.
Prediction: Pioneer runs three different formations including the Wing-T, double slot and single wing. Ground and pound with plenty of misdirection to try and get Carroll out of sorts. Junior quarterback Micah Rans is the frontman to decide the Pioneer’s look and executes while the Panthers have used 11 different ball carriers with seven finding the end zone led by Rans (1,037 yards, 20 touchdowns) and Noah Vanmeter (846 rushing yards and eight touchdowns). Carroll gets tested but the Cougars are bigger and faster in the trenches. Carroll wins 28-14.
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Lafayette-area sectional semifinals schedule:
Class 3A sectional semifinals: Twin Lakes (5-5) at Maconaquah (10-0) 7 p.m.
Class 2A sectional semifinals: Rensselaer (3-6) at Bremen (6-4) 7 p.m.
Class 2A sectional semifinals: Lewis Cass (5-5) at North Montgomery (4-6) 7 p.m.
Class A sectional semifinals: Tri-County (7-3) at Taylor (5-5) 7 p.m.
Class A sectional semifinals: North Newton (3-7) at LaVille (5-5) 8 p.m.
Class A sectional semifinals: South Putnam (8-2) at Covington (6-4) 7 p.m.
Class A sectional semifinals: Sheridan (5-5) at Clinton Prairie (5-5) 7 p.m.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: IHSAA football: Lafayette area sectional semifinal predictions