IHSAA 3A Regional Championship Matchups and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are getting closer to regional championships in Indiana, and the tension is growing. Teams are continuing to prep and get ready for their matchups on Friday. There are some heavyweight matchups in 3A on Friday, and we will preview them below. Let's look at each team and their key players for their regional matchups this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Knox (12-0) @ West Lafayette (9-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Lafayette will be home against Knox in their regional title match on Friday. The last time these two met was in last season's playoffs. West Lafayette beat Knox for the regional championship game, 55-14. Knox is seeking to win their 1st regional title, and West Lafayette is seeking to win their 11th. This will be a great matchup on Friday, so let's look at the impact players for both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox won against Gleen at home in their sectional championship game, 60-37. Knox continues to fire on all cylinders and has the talent to take them far in this tournament. Sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='1396139' first='Myles' last='Mclaughlin'] remains the focal point for this Knox offense. Myles is an explosive runner with great vision, and once he finds an opening, he is off to the races. Senior OL [player_tooltip player_id='542031' first='Isaiah' last='Jones'] is 6'4" and 280 pounds and has been an excellent blocker up front all season. Isaiah has a massive frame and plenty of potential to be a monster at the next level. Senior DL Landon Howard has been an excellent piece for Knox in the trenches. Landon plays with great pad level and has tremendous strength. Knox will treat Friday like a business trip and look to take care of business Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Lafayette won a close one against Hanover Central in the sectional title game, 55-14. West Lafayette has been on fire lately and playing well on both sides of the ball. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1077816' first='Carson' last='Kitchel'] went 22/33 for 229 yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT, and 1 rushing TD. Carson has excellent spin on the ball, fires the ball with great accuracy, and has tremendous poise in the pocket. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='553108' first='Dawson' last='Martin'] had 36 carries, 135 yards, 3 rushing TDs, 7 receptions, and 105 receiving yards last Friday. Dawson is a smooth runner with excellent vision and will power his way through tackles all night. Junior LB David Curl ended up with 4 solos, 7 assists, and 11 total on Friday. David is a vicious tackler with excellent play recognition and pursuit to the football. West Lafayette is ready to celebrate a regional win in front of their home crown on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (12-0) @ Delta (8-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending undefeated 3A state champs, Bishop Chatard, will travel to Delta for their regional championship game. These two have not met this season or in last season's playoffs. Bishop Chatard is looking to win their 23rd regional title, and Delta is looking to win their 4th. Let's take a look at the matchup and the key players for both teams below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the road, Bishop Chatard claimed another sectional title against Hamilton Heights, 28-8. Chatard's offense has been on fire all season. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='959302' first='Aidan' last='Arteaga'] was 14/35 for 188 yards in Friday's win. Aidan has a great release of the football and fires it with pinpoint accuracy. Senior RB Riley Kinnett had 16 carries for 75 yards and 1 TD last Friday. Riley is a speedy back with tremendous balance and is a highlight reel every time he touches the ball. Junior RB Daniel Shaw ended up with 14 rushes, 45 yards, and 2 rushing TDs. Daniel is a shifty back with tremendous speed and another back who plays with outstanding balance. Bishop Chatard will continue to take it one game at a time and make it back to Lucas Oil for the second straight year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delta won a road sectional title against Garrett, 21-15, on Friday. Delta has prided themselves on being a tough-nosed football team all season. Senior QB Bronson Edwards went 7/13 for 103 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, and 1 rushing TD. Bronson has been a great escape artist in the pocket and is methodical when delivering the football. Senior RB Kaiden Bond carried the ball 15 times for 75 yards and 1 TD in Friday's win. Kaiden plays with tremendous athleticism, is a tough one to bring down, and plays with an abundance of grit and determination. Junior LB [player_tooltip player_id='972105' first='Nash' last='Keesling'] ended up with 3 solos, 4 assists, 7 total, 3 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks on Friday. Nash does a great job shedding blocks, fitting the run, and flies around the field, making excellent tackles all night. Delta knows the task ahead of them on Friday and will be prepared to give them everything they got to bring home a regional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gibson Southern (10-2) @ Tri-West Hendricks (11-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri-West will host Gibson Southern on Friday for a regional championship. These two did not meet this season in the regular season and last season's playoffs. With a win on Friday, Gibson Southern would win their 5th regional title, and Tri-West would win their 11th. Another great matchup in 3A, so let's look at the impact players for both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibson Southern won a sectional title in front of their home crowd last week against Vincennes Lincoln, 27-13. Gibson Southern has a great core of players on both sides of the ball who have been playing at a high level all season. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='301144' first='Tanner' last='Boyd'] went 24/29 for 187 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 20 carries, 110 yards, and 2 rushing TDs. Tanner has been impressive through the air and on the ground and continues to do whatever it takes for his team to win. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='178622' first='Sean' last='DeLong'] had 25 carries for 78 yards and 7 receptions for 57 yards with 1 TD in the win Friday night. Sean has been a do-it-all guy for Gibson and continues to be an explosive athlete for this offense. Sophomore DL [player_tooltip player_id='560131' first='Brody' last='Klem'] has been a tremendous underclassman for Gibson's defense this season. Brody has great get-off speed, constantly fights off blocks, and finds ways to be disruptive in the backfield every play. Gibson Southern will be prepared for the road trip and fight to bring some hardware back home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri-West was on the road against Monrovia last week and beat them 28-21 for a sectional title. Tri-West continues to improve each week, and the players are determined to keep this season alive. Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1039865' first='Malachi' last='Walden'] went 8/15 for 103 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 17 carries, 155 yards, and 3 rushing TDs. Malachi has shown to be accurate on the run and is an absolute weapon when he uses his legs. Senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='753491' first='Noah' last='Lien'] had 6 receptions, 85 yards, and 1 TD last Friday. Noah does a great job adjusting to passes and making spectacular, acrobatic catches and is dangerous when he gets the ball in his hands. Senior DL Spencer Watson ended up with 10 solos, 7 assists, 17 total, and 2 TFLs in the sectional win. Spencer has shown to be a great edge rusher and uses his hands effectively to beat his opponent across from him. Tri-West is locked in and ready to go this Friday and potentially celebrate with their home crowd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Heritage Hills (11-1) @ Batesville (11-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage Hills will travel to Batesville on Friday for their regional title game. These two did not play each other this season or last season's playoffs. Heritage Hills could win their 11th regional title on Friday, and Batesville could win their 2nd. Let's dive into the matchup and the key players for this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their sectional title game, Heritage Hills dominated Scottsburg 51-10. Heritage Hills is on a tear this year and has excellent athletes all over the field. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='533140' first='Jett' last='Goldsberry'] ended up with 10 carries, 128 yards, and 4 TDs. Jett is getting more comfortable each week and looks like a superstar running the ball every week. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='553032' first='Hunter' last='Meredith'] had 8 rushes for 135 yards and 1 TD on Friday. Hunter has been a solid back, has excellent ball-carrying skills, and is a load to bring down in the open field. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='322427' first='Braydon' last='Durham'] had 7 solos, 13 assists, 20 total, 1 TFL, and 1 sack in the sectional title win. Braydon has been great on both sides of the ball this season. At LB, he has been stellar plugging up the gaps, recognizing plays, and absolutely crushing his opponents. Heritage Hills has a great team and will look to continue their outstanding season with a win on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batesville outlasted Indian Creek last Friday in their sectional championship game, 29-13. Batesville has been buzzing lately, and these players have been on their A-game. Junior RB Gage Pohlman had 144 yards, 3 rushing TDs, and 6 tackles on defense. Gage is the definition of a ground-and-pound type of RB who will run through anyone in his path. Junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='553150' first='Cade' last='Kaiser'] brought in one TD on Friday night. Cade is a lengthy target who can extend out for any pass thrown his way. Senior DL Bobby Weiler ended up with 3 solos, 2 assists, 5 total, and 1 TFL last Friday. Bobby plays with a high motor, is strong and physical, and is excellent at getting underneath his opponent's pads and taking them on a ride. Batesville has the home-field advantage and will use that on Friday as they continue their journey in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->