Center Grove running back Lee Clinker looks to shake Warren Central’s Vito Tupea during the season opener held at Center Grove High School on Friday, August 22, 2014.
The high school football season has arrived and there’s no shortage of intriguing games in Week 1. How will they turn out? Here are predictions on six of the area’s top games (visit the Preps Insider blog at IndyStar.com on Friday morning for picks on all of the area games):
All games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted
>> Center Grove at Warren Central: This could very well be a regional preview, though that potential matchup is a long way off. What will we see between these Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference powers? Center Grove, which lost to Warren Central 12-9 in overtime in last year’s opener, has experience at quarterback in senior Joey Siderewicz and at running back with junior Titus McCoy. The defense also has plenty of talent, led by tackles Javon Swann and Cameron Tidd, linebacker Jackson Sodrel and safety Connor Steeb. Warren Central is also strong up front, led by a pair of Ball State recruits: Dominic Mathis on offense and Jasion Brogan on defense. Until they (likely) meet again … Center Grove 17, Warren Central 14.
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>> Carmel at Hamilton Southeastern: It’s the first game for Carmel coach John Hebert, a former defensive coordinator under Kevin Wright. Hebert has a lot of talent back from last year’s state runner-up, including Michael Viktrup at quarterback and Wisconsin recruit Noah Burks at linebacker. Hamilton Southeastern, which struggled to a 4-6 mark last season after a 14-7 loss to Carmel in the opener, has the talent to make this interesting. Senior running back Aaron Matio is capable of having a big year for the Royals. Carmel 20, Hamilton Southeastern 13.
>> Cathedral at Lawrence Central: This is another matchup we could see down the road as Cathedral has moved into Class 6A and is in Sectional 6 with the Bears. Lawrence Central, 4-7 last season, has one of the state’s best running backs in Cincinnati recruit Gerrid Doaks. Cathedral brings back senior quarterback Max Bortenschlager, a Buffalo commit, and has an all-stater at defensive end in Western Michigan recruit Kendall Coleman. Cathedral 27, Lawrence Central 23.
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>> Southport vs. Roncalli, at Lucas Oil Stadium, 8:30 p.m.: Southport senior quarterback Luke Johnston (3,228 yards, 28 TDs) has a shiny new weapon with junior basketball star Paul Scruggs lining up at wide receiver. But Southport, which was 9-3 last year, was pretty good already with players like tight end Evan Higgs, running back Andrew Mappes, lineman Kyle Williams and defensive back Eli Walton. Roncalli is coming off a 7-6 season and has lost two in a row to the Cardinals. Southport 33, Roncalli 23.
>> Lawrence North at Noblesville: Is Lawrence North ready to break through? The Wildcats looked pretty good in last week’s scrimmage against Fishers, though that was still just practice. A win here would be a big confidence-builder. The Millers have experience at the skill positions and won in a shootout last year, 36-33. Lawrence North 32, Noblesville 26.
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>> Pike at Brownsburg: There is reason for optimism at Brownsburg with standout junior quarterback Hunter Johnson, Iowa recruit Toks Akinribade at running back and Ball State recruit Tyler Kirtz at receiver. But Pike, led by first-year coach Jimmy Graves, has won its past two games against Brownsburg by an average score of 58-13. Pike 35, Brownsburg 28.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.