Week 9’s Marquee Matchups in the Hoosier State
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 Demon Moore Demon Moore 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL R Nelson Snider | 2022 State IN . 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 Domanick Moon Domanick Moon 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB R Nelson Snider | 2022 State IN , 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 Jackson McCullough Jackson McCullough 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Snider | 2023 State IN . 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 Carson Clark Carson Clark 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Bishop Luers | 2022 State IN . The senior has been outting together an exceptional season. Brody Glenn Brody Glenn 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Bishop Luers | 2022 State IN 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, Antwain Lake Antwain Lake 6'0" | 155 lbs | ATH Bishop Luers | 2022 State IN 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 Tayven Jackson Tayven Jackson 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Center Grove | 2022 State IN . 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 Daniel Weems Daniel Weems 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Center Grove | 2022 State IN 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 Caden Curry Caden Curry 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL Center Grove | 2022 State IN is a force up front. Jackson Griffin Jackson Griffin 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Center Grove | 2022 State IN 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 Cooper Koers Cooper Koers 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Cathedral | 2022 State IN and Owen Wood Owen Wood 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Cathedral | 2022 State IN are big, physical lineman capabale of opening things up in the running game and providing vital protection in the passing game. On defense Bryce Llewellyn Bryce Llewellyn 5'11" | 200 lbs | DB Cathedral | 2022 State IN 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 Jeffrey Utzinger Jeffrey Utzinger 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Cathedral | 2022 State IN 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 Chris Mullen Chris Mullen 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Chesterton | 2022 State IN can have a big night. Fortunate for Mullen, he will have the assurance of having a dominant offensive lineman in Isaiah Fowler Isaiah Fowler 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL Chesterton | 2023 State IN to help give him time to throw. Colby Bullock Colby Bullock 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Chesterton | 2022 State IN 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 Theodore Sparks Theodore Sparks 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Merrillville | 2022 State IN 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 Lavarion Logan Lavarion Logan 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Merrillville | 2022 State IN , 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. Kenneth Grant Kenneth Grant 6'5" | 330 lbs | DL Merrillville | 2022 State IN 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.