IHSAA 5A Sectional Championship Previews
In this article:
We are getting closer to more Indiana Playoff Football. The weather is getting cooler, and the competition is heating up. The 5A bracket is set for sectional championships on Friday, and there are some great matchups. It is time to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe are getting closer to more Indiana Playoff Football. The weather is getting cooler, and the competition is heating up. The 5A bracket is set for sectional championships on Friday, and there are some great matchups. It is time to highlight some players to watch in 5A this Friday!
Sectional 9: Merrillville (8-2) @ Hammond Morton (6-4)
Merrillville will be on the road against Hammond Morton in the Sectional 9 title game. Merrillville is seeking their 16th sectional title, and Hammond Morton is seeking their 5th. Let’s check out some of the key players in this matchup below.
Merrillville was at home against Munster in Round 1 and won impressively 49-7. Merrillville’s offense is led by (Sr.) QB Dontae Pope Dontae Pope 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Merrillville | 2024 State IN . Pope is a tremendous athlete who uses his athleticism to make big plays. In the regular season, he had 76 carries for 526 yards and 6 TDs. One of Pope’s top targets in the throw game is (Jr.) WR John Peters John Peters 6'0" | 150 lbs | WR Merrillville | 2025 State IN . John is a track athlete with excellent speed on the football field. He is a future D1 skill player with 17 receptions for 359 yards and 2 TDs in the regular season. Merrillville’s defense has some serious playmakers. Upfront is Eastern Michigan DL commit Terrelle Elmore Terrelle Elmore 6'2" | 210 lbs | DL West Side | 2024 State IN , an absolute disruptor for offensive linemen. At the second level is (Sr.) LB Trey Stephens Trey Stephens 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Merillville | 2024 State IN . The senior LB has had a tremendous senior season with 89 tackles and 12 TFLs. Merrillville has the playmakers to make it far in this tournament!
Hammond Morton was on the road in the first round and beat Hammond Central 52-6. Morton has a dominant RB in the backfield who showed up significantly against Hammond Central in Round 1. Dontell Harris Jr Dontell Harris Jr 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB Morton | 2024 State IN (Sr.) RB rushed for 316 yards, 5 TDs, and 12.64 yards per carry. Dontell plays with tremendous vision and speed that makes him a dangerous back, and defenses struggle to contain him. Holland Harris Holland Harris 6'5" | 175 lbs | QB Hammond Morton | 2025 State IN (Jr.) QB is another offensive key player for Morton. Holland makes accurate throws on the run and will make plays with his legs occasionally. His favorite target this year has been (Jr.) WR Lebron Hill Lebron Hill 6'5" | 180 lbs | WR Morton | 2025 State IN . Hill stands at 6’5″, has tremendous speed, and will “Moss” any defender that stands in his way. Defensively, keep an eye out for (Jr.) LB/DB Freddy Brown. Freddy is a great defender in the run-and-pass game. He flies around the field, making plays and being the disruptive player he shows on film. Hammond Morton is up for the challenge and will be looking to bring the title home with them.
Sectional 10: Michigan City (6-4) @ Valparaiso (8-2)
Valparaiso, the defending 5A state champions, will host the Sectional 10 Championship game against Michigan City. Michigan City is looking to win their 4th sectional title, and Valparaiso is looking to win their 16th. These two played earlier in the year, and Valparaiso won 31-7. Let’s look at some of the key players in this one.
In Round 1, Michigan City won in a defensive battle 6-5 against La Porte. Michigan City will look to lean on Syracuse RB commit Jaden Hart Jaden Hart 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Michigan City | 2024 State IN . The senior RB has proven to be top of his class and will show off that in the sectional championship game. Pending injury status from last week’s game, we could see (Sr.) QB Tyler Bush. QB1 has shown to be a quick, decisive, and accurate QB in the pocket. Bush will be looking to bounce back and create plays to open up the scoring this week. Michigan City’s defense is led by (Jr.) DL Adrian Holley Adrian Holley 6'6" | 225 lbs | DL Michigan City | 2025 State IN . The junior DL is over 6’4″, has long arms, and is a terror off the edge. This young man is the prototype D1 coaches are looking for on the edge and will show his dominance on the edge on Friday. Michigan City will be up for the task ahead of them on Friday.
In the first round, Valparaiso was on the road against Chesterton and won 31-14. The defending champs started the tournament off hot and were led by a solid rushing attack by (Sr.) QB Justin Clark and (Jr.) RB Thomas Burda Thomas Burda 5'9" | 210 lbs | RB Valparaiso | 2025 State IN . Justin Clark had 12 carries and 99 yards in the first round. Justin is an elusive gunslinger who plays with a chip on his shoulder all the time. Thomas Burda Thomas Burda 5'9" | 210 lbs | RB Valparaiso | 2025 State IN had 17 carries for 156 yards in Round 1. Burda is not a flashy RB; he runs downhill, plays with tremendous balance, and picks up the tough yardage. Defensively, watch for senior leaders Ty Veen Ty Veen 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Valparaiso | 2024 State IN and Tyler VerSchure Tyler VerSchure 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Valparaiso | 2024 State IN . Ty Veen Ty Veen 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Valparaiso | 2024 State IN is a Mid-West Mike LB with great power and is not afraid to knock you out of the game. Tyler VerSchure Tyler VerSchure 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Valparaiso | 2024 State IN is the speedy DB who keeps up with anyone on the field and is a pest when the ball comes his way. Valparaiso has a lot of veteran presence and will be a tough one to beat.
Sectional 11: Mishawaka (8-2) @ Concord (6-4)
The Sectional 11 Championship game will be between Mishawaka and Concord. Mishawaka is seeking their 16th sectional title, and Concord is seeking their 11th. These two met earlier this month, and Mishawaka came away with the win 31-7. It is time to take a look at this matchup and the players to watch.
Mishawaka beat Goshen 48-14 in the first round. Their offense is led by (Sr.) QB Brady Fisher Brady Fisher 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Mishawaka | 2024 State IN . The senior QB can make plays with his legs, is a strong runner, and will make the big throws down the field. Mishawaka runs the Wishbone offense, and (Jr.) RB Novell Miller Novell Miller 5'10" | 210 lbs | RB Mishawaka | 2025 State IN has played a vital role in their offense. Miller ended the regular season with 940 yards and 15 TDs. The junior RB has excellent vision, makes decisive cuts, and is a tough one to catch in the open field. Mishawaka’s defense has an All-State LB who is having a great season. Jackson Snyder Jackson Snyder 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Mishawaka | 2025 State IN (Jr.) LB had 91 tackles and 3 TFLs in the regular season. Snyder plays with great flow and play recognition and is a physical tackler. Mishawaka will look to wear down their opponents and continue their journey in the tournament.
Concord won tremendously in the first round against South Bend Adams 49-10. Concord comes into this matchup with some young stars. The key players that stick out to me in this game is (Jr.) RB/LB Jaron Thomas Jaron Thomas 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Concord | 2025 State IN and (So.) QB Bo Brunner Bo Brunner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Concord | 2026 IN . Jaron Thomas Jaron Thomas 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Concord | 2025 State IN is the starting RB and one of the starting LBs for Concord’s defense. He is an absolute beast on both sides of the ball. Offensively, 138 carries, 1,207 yards, and 14 TDs in the regular season. Defensively, 34 solos, 43 assists, 77 total, and 5 TFLs. Jaron is an electrifying player on offense and is the guy to make big-time plays on both sides of the ball. Bo Brunner Bo Brunner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Concord | 2026 IN stepped into the QB1 role in the middle of the season and has shown improvement. Bo can sling it, runs the read option effectively, and can beat the defense with his legs. Concord is gearing up for a redemption game and will be looking to take the sectional title with them.
Sectional 12: Fort Wayne North Side (3-6) @ Fort Wayne Snider (9-1)
Fort Wayne North Side will be on the road against Fort Wayne Snider in the Sectional 12 Championship game. North Side is looking to win their 4th sectional title, and Snider is looking to win their 29th. These two met in last year’s sectional title match, and Snider won 25-21 at home. Let’s check out key players in this matchup below.
Fort Wayne North Side had a bye for the last two weeks. North Side will be well-rested for this one and prepared to dominate in the trenches. Jordan King Jordan King 6'4" | 310 lbs | OL North Side | 2024 State IN (Sr.) OL is a Purdue commit; it will be fun to watch him maul everyone in his path. King will help open holes for guys like Jamari Pearson Jamari Pearson 6'2" | 165 lbs | ATH North Side | 2025 State IN (Jr.) ATH. Jamari has played numerous positions all season and has shown he is a do-it-all type of player. This young man has tremendous speed and athleticism. (Sr.) DL Da’Von Haney and Josh Masasu Josh Masasu 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Fort Wayne Northside | 2025 State IN (Jr.) LB are my two key players to watch for on North Side’s defense. Haney is an active nose guard with excellent short-area quickness and a powerful punch. Masasu is a great LB between the tackles and will beat backs to the gap all game. North Side will be ready to go in the sectional title game.
Fort Wayne Snider won comfortably in Round 1 against Anderson 44-14. A great group of seniors on both sides of the ball leads Snider. Offensively, the key players are seniors Uriah Buchanan Uriah Buchanan 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Snider | 2024 State IN and Ethan Dodson. Uriah is the lead tailback for the Snider offense. He is a shifty back with great speed and acceleration. Ethan Dodson is the Air Force OL commit and leads the OL. Dodson is another OL who dominates anyone in his path and will be a great player to watch in the trenches. Two key players on defense will be huge in this matchup. (Sr.) DL William Kelso Jr will be a problem up front all night. He is quick off the snap, uses his hands effectively, and causes all sorts of issues in the backfield. (Sr.) LB Lukas Rohrbacher Lukas Rohrbacher 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Snider | 2024 State IN will likely be an All-State LB two years in a row. Lukas has excellent play recognition in the run-and-pass game, closes ground quickly, and will not lay off the big hits. Snider has the experience to take this team far this year.
Sectional 13: Harrison (9-1) @ Decatur Central (8-2)
Decatur Central will be home against Harrison in the Sectional 13 Championship game. Harrison is seeking to win their 9th sectional title, and Decatur Central is seeking to win their 3rd. These two did not play each other this season or in last season’s playoffs. Let’s get into the matchup and the key players below.
Harrison took care of business at home against Plainfield 39-13 in Round 1. Harrison has an impressive backfield that showed up significantly in the first round. Ethan Popp (Sr.) RB had 17 carries for 110 yards. Christen Ferguson (Jr.) RB had 16 carries for 70 yards and 1 TD. Carter Knoy Carter Knoy 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Harrison | 2024 State IN (Sr.) RB had 41 yards rushing and 6 receptions for 110 yards and 1 TD. Harrison’s offense is set up to share the love, and the distributor of the ball is (Sr.) QB Cailix Dillon. Cailix Dillon went 9/10 for 146 yards, 2 passing TDs, 8 carries, 68 rushing yards, and 2 rushing TDs. On defense, keep an eye out for (Jr.) LB Jackson Mills, he had a great game in the first round. Jackson had 8 solos, 4 assists, 12 total, and 1 TFL. Harrison has weapons and will make this an intriguing matchup on Friday.
In the first round, Decatur shut out McCutcheon 33-0. Sophomore standout QB Bo Polston Bo Polston 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Decatur Central | 2026 State IN leads North Decatur’s offense. Bo went 18/30 for 274 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT in Round 1. He connected with junior WR N’po Dodo N’po Dodo 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Decatur Central | 2025 State IN through the air twice for 97 yards and a TD. Dodo had 13 carries for 64 yards on the ground in the first round. Two guys that showed out in the secondary in the first round were (So.) DB Fa’rel Carter Fa’rel Carter 5'10" | 150 lbs | ATH IN and (Sr.) DB Chris Richmond Chris Richmond 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR Decatur Central | 2024 State IN . Carter got himself 2 picks last Friday and two tackles. Richmond had 1 INT and 1 tackle in Round 1. Chris caught 5 passes for 50 yards and 1 TD at wideout in the first round. Decatur Central will be primed and ready for war in the sectional title game on Friday.
Sectional 14: Terre Haute South (5-5) @ Whiteland (6-4)
Whiteland is home against Terre Haute South in the Sectional 14 title game. Terre Haute South is looking to win their 3rd sectional title, and Whiteland is looking to win their 8th. These two did not play each other this season or in last season’s playoffs. Check out the matchup and the key players below.
Terre Haute South won a tight one against Franklin Community 14-10 in the first round. Junior QB Brady Wilson Brady Wilson 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Terre Haute South | 2025 State IN will lead Terre Haute South’s offense. Brady went 10/18 for 216 yards and 2 TDs in the first round. His connection with senior WR AJ Watkins has been impressive all season. AJ continues to dominate with first-round performance of 107 yards, 3 receptions, and 1 TD. Defensively, (Sr.) DB Nic Yatsko Nic Yatsko 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Terre Haute South Vigo | 2024 State IN and (Sr.) LB Brandon Freeman had impressive performances in Round 1. Yatsko had 9 solos, 5 assists, and 14 total tackles. Freeman had 11 solos, 2 assists, 13 total, and 2 TFLs. Terre Haute has the talent to knock off the runner-ups from last season’s state championship.
In Round 1, Whiteland won with ease against Terre Haute North 63-14. Whiteland is on a mission to Lucas Oil Stadium to redeem themselves. (Jr.) RB Slate Valentine Slate Valentine 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Whiteland | 2025 State IN might run the whole team to the state championship this year. Valentine had 13 carries for 286 yards and 5 TDs in the first round! He averaged 22 yards a carry and a long of 66 in Round 1. On defense, Whiteland has some stud LBs with (Sr.) Alexander Ulloa and (So.) Jordan Palmer. Ulloa had 4 solos, 3 assists, 7 total, and 2 TFLs in Round 1. Palmer had 5 solos, 1 assist, 6 total, 2 TFLs, and 1 sack last Friday. Whiteland looks ready to make another run in this tournament.
Sectional 15: Bloomington South (9-1) @ Seymour (6-4)
Bloomington South will be on the road at Seymour for the Sectional 15 title game. Bloomington South will seek for their 18th sectional title, and Seymour will seek for their 5th. These two played a few weeks ago at Bloomington South, and South shut out Seymour 47-0. It is time to check out the matchup and key players below.
Bloomington South knocked off their rival Bloomington North 44-31 on the road in Round 1. Senior QB Jarrin Alley Jarrin Alley 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Bloomington South | 2024 State IN is that guy! Alley went 14/24 for 220 yards and a school record 6 passing TDs! He connected with senior WRs D’Andre Black D’Andre Black 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Bloomington South | 2024 State IN and Lucas Waldon the most in last Friday’s win. Waldon had 5 receptions for 94 yards and 3 TDs. D’Andre had 4 receptions for 71 yards and 2 TDs. The offensive firepower does not stop there. (Sr.) RB Gavin Adams had 23 carries for 190 yards in Round 1. Ralph Rogers Ralph Rogers 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Bloomington South | 2024 State IN (Sr.) LB showed up in the win with 9 solos, 3 assists, 12 total, 2 TFLs, and one blocked punt. Bloomington South has some scary talent and might have the team to take them all the way.
Seymour took care of business in the first round, beating Columbus East 39-20. Seymour has a great gunslinger with (Sr.) QB Bret Perry Bret Perry 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Seymour | 2024 State IN . Perry had another productive game in Round 1, going 18/32 for 267 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs. His top target in Round 1 was (Sr.) WR Jack Pennington Jack Pennington 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Seymour | 2024 State IN . Pennington had 6 receptions for 143 yards and 2 TDs in Round 1. Seymour found success in the backfield with (Jr.) RB Nicholas Wheeler. The junior RB had 19 carries for 100 yards and 2 TDs in the first-round victory. Seymour will look to mix it up on Bloomington South and look to claim a sectional title on Friday.
Sectional 16: Evansville North (7-3) @ Castle (7-3)
Castle will host the Sectional 16 Championship game against Evansville North. Evansville North is looking to win their 6th sectional title, and Castle is looking to win their 16th. These two met in Week 1 in a close one in which North came away with the win 21-14 on the road. Let’s check out the key players in this one below.
Evansville North beat Floyd Central on the road in the first round 28-20. Senior QB Sam McKinney leads the Huskies. McKinney went 9/11 for 119 yards and 1 TD and had 11 carries, 47 yards, and 1 rushing TD in Round 1. The rushing attack was led by (Sr.) RB Cainen Northington Cainen Northington 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Evansville North | 2024 State IN . The senior RB had 13 carries for 74 yards. Kaleb Harris (Sr.) DL/TE is getting it done on both sides of the ball. In Round 1, he had 7 carries, 38 yards, and 2 rushing TDs. Harris brought in one pass for 50 yards in Friday’s game. On defense, Kaleb had 2 solos, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks in the first round. The other defensive standout in the first round was (Sr.) DB Kasey Hospelhorn. He had 4 solos, 4 assists, and 8 total on the night. Evansville North will look to do what they did in Week 1 and claim a sectional title.
Castle was on the road in Round 1 against New Albany and won 35-17. Castle’s offense has been dominant on the ground as of late. Antonio Harris Antonio Harris 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Castle | 2024 State IN (Sr.) RB has proved each week why he deserves to have the ball in his hands. In Round 1, Antonio had 16 carries for 192 yards and 4 TDs! Max McCool (Jr.) RB shared the carries with 17 for 96 yards and 1 TD. These two will look to redeem themselves the last time they played North. The defense will be critical in this game for Castle. Gavin Leach Gavin Leach 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Castle | 2025 State IN (Jr.) LB and Trey Ward (Jr.) LB will be two players to watch at the second level. They fly around and make plays all over the field. Both of them had over 100 tackles each in the regular season. My last key player for Castle is (Jr.) DL Benny Patterson Benny Patterson 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Castle | 2025 State IN . Benny will cause havoc on the edge and pressure the passing game. Castle has the home-field advantage and has been playing well in the later part of the season.