Week 9’s Marquee Matchups in the Hoosier State

The old saying goes that "time flies when you are having fun." To some that may just be an overused cliché. But when thinking about this high school football season, that phrase is very fitting. The season has gone by quickly and just like that, we have arrived at the regular season’s final week. With the postseason up next, we will take a look today at three of Week 9’s premiere matchups. Snider at Bishop Luers A Summit Athletic Conference championship is at stake tonight on the south side of Fort Wayne. Bishop Luers will win the SAC title outright with a win tonight. If Snider wins and Fort Wayne Carroll loses tonight, then the Panthers will win a share of the conference crown. The Panthers have just one loss while the Knights remain unbeaten on the year. Snider are led by dominant offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="39043" first="Demon" last="Moore"]. Moore will be tasked with leading the way for an outstanding rushing attack. As the season has progressed, Snider’s defense has gotten better. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="39054" first="Domanick" last="Moon"], who is committed to Purdue, is the centerpiece of the defense. His ability to cover ground and stop the run will be very important for the Panthers. On the back end, Snider’s defensive backfield is led by outstanding safety [player_tooltip player_id="107221" first="Jackson" last="McCullough"]. He will have hands full trying to stop the high-powered passing game of Bishop Luers. On the other sideline, Bishop Luers’ strength is their outstanding offense. They are lead by star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="98092" first="Carson" last="Clark"]. The senior has been outting together an exceptional season. [player_tooltip player_id="175710" first="Brody" last="Glenn"] is the big play threat for Luers. His ability to stretch the Snider defense will be crucial. But Snider cannot focus too much on Glenn, because if they do, [player_tooltip player_id="175720" first="Antwain" last="Lake"] can find a way to hurt them. Center Grove at Cathedral In one the biggest matchups this week, not just in Indiana but in the entire country, Center Grove will look to complete an undefeated regular season with a massive road test at 5A #1 Cathedral. Center Grove, who sit at #1 in the 6A poll and have been consitently near the top of the national rankings, are led by their terrific quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="39049" first="Tayven" last="Jackson"]. Jackson will be heading to the SEC next year to play at Tennessee. He is a posied quarterback who will be relied upon against a stout Cathedral defense. Jackson will have help in the form of [player_tooltip player_id="39046" first="Daniel" last="Weems"] at running back. Weems, one of the highest-rated running backs in the Class of 2022, can help the Trojans control the line-of-scrimmage. Defensively, Center Grove can win in the trenches as well. Defensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id="39040" first="Caden" last="Curry"] is a force up front. [player_tooltip player_id="98011" first="Jackson" last="Griffin"] is a constant threat in the defensive backfield that the Irish will have to contend with throughout the game. For Cathedral, they will have to lean on an oustanding defense and a formidable offensive line if they are going to hand Center Grove their first loss of the campaign. Offensive Linemen [player_tooltip player_id="97820" first="Cooper" last="Koers"] and [player_tooltip player_id="98071" first="Owen" last="Wood"] are big, physical lineman capabale of opening things up in the running game and providing vital protection in the passing game. On defense [player_tooltip player_id="98023" first="Bryce" last="Llewellyn"] is one of the state’s elite defensive backs. He can come up with a huge turnover that could be a massive momentum boost for the Irish. In the middle of the defense, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="98003" first="Jeffrey" last="Utzinger"] will need to help stop the run and get pressure on Jackson. Chesterton at Merrillville Both of these teams have been surging of late. Both will be hoping to enter the playoffs on a high note. For Chesterton, their chances of doing so will be bolstered if Senior Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="98012" first="Chris" last="Mullen"] can have a big night. Fortunate for Mullen, he will have the assurance of having a dominant offensive lineman in [player_tooltip player_id="107240" first="Isaiah" last="Fowler"] to help give him time to throw. [player_tooltip player_id="98030" first="Colby" last="Bullock"] will be needed to provide some big plays as well. Merrillville have had an oustanding season and they will be looking to pile on another victory this week. Their ability to contol the line-of-scrimmage and establish the run will be important if they are finish the regular season on a winning note. Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id="98002" first="Theodore" last="Sparks"] will have to set the tone and open up running lanes. If he can do so, Chesterton will have a massive problem on their hands, as they will have to stop [player_tooltip player_id="97999" first="Lavarion" last="Logan"], Merrillville’s great running back. On the defensive side of the ball, winning the battle in the trenches will still be in the formula for success. [player_tooltip player_id="39055" first="Kenneth" last="Grant"] will be a huge part of that effort. If Grant can be a force on the defensive line then it could be a very long evening for Chesterton.