Just 2 more weeks of high school football left, let’s predict the remaining field for Semistate.
6A:
Crown Point (12-0) @ Westfield (11-1)
Last year, these same two teams clashed in a classic 38-31 2OT win for Crown Point. I’ll take the Bulldogs once again to represent 6A North in an anticipated classic rematch.
Crown Point by 3
Brownsburg (11-1) @ Center Grove (8-4)
Brownsburg is undefeated all-time in semistate games, albeit it’s been nearly 40 years since Brownsburg last won a regional championship. However, my gut is telling me something different. Never underestimate Eric Moore’s Center Grove Trojans.
Center Grove by 1 in a SuperSam Upset Special
5A:
Merrillville (11-1) @ Warsaw (9-3)
Warsaw grad Brad Seiss has an opportunity to lead his team to do something that no past Merrillville football team has ever done: win a Semistate championship. Yes, they won state, but that was in 1976. It’s been a historic run for Bart Curtis’ Tigers, but tonight is the night that Merrillville football gets their statewide recognition at the biggest stage.
Argh! The Pirates will be sailing the seven seas to Lucas Oil Stadium
Merrillville by 10
Decatur Central (9-2) @ Bloomington South (8-4)
The Hawks continue their recent dominance in the playoffs. It’s going to be back-to-back state finals appearances for the first time ever for the program, in my opinion.
Decatur Central by by 8
4A:
East Noble (12-1) @ Mishawaka (11-2)
It should be a heck of a game at Mishawaka filled with classic, hard-nosed physical football….on cold, snowy turf. Yes, it shouldn’t feel like last night’s blizzard between the Steelers-Browns, but it’s going to be a war on the field.
However, just like last season, I forecast Mishawaka’s season to end in heartbreak.
East Noble by 3
Martinsville (12-1) @ New Palestine (12-0)
Anyone that truly thinks New Palestine won’t play at Lucas Oil Stadium, they are either a Martisnville fan or they are completely unrealistic. Anytime you can take down Bishop Chatard, you’re legitimate title contenders. Averaging over 40 points a game and only allowing less than 9, New Pal should advance, pretty convincingly.
New Palestine by 35
3A
Garrett (13-0) @ Bishop Luers (9-4)
This is the most athletic team Garrett will be facing all season long with an elite defense. However, Luers’ lack of discipline is a huge concern against one of the state’s most physical teams. There’s something special about this Garrett team that only the 1974 team can have some type of relation. Now it’s a tough task playing at Luers Field against arguably one of the winningest programs in IHSAA history.
But 2024 is the year of the Garrett Railroaders. Expect the defense for both teams to steal the spotlight tonight.
Roll Big Train!
Garrett by 1
Batesville (9-3) @ Heritage Hills (12-1)
Patriots are a complete juggernaut in 3A. The Bulldogs have no bite in this contest.
Heritage Hills by 21
2A
Adams Central (12-1) @ Andrean (9-4)
Spoiler alert: The endless saga between Adams Central and Indianapolis Lutheran continues this season. I do expect this game to be close, but if the Jets can take care of the football and are able to execute their play calls, the Jets will have a chance to return to Lucas Oil Stadium. Sorry, 59ers, but here come the Jets!
Adams Central by 3
Linton-Stockton (11-2) @ Indianapolis Lutheran (12-1)
Disclaimer: I fully expect the Saints to win by double figures. With that being said, I don’t think the Miners will be completely outmatched. I could see Linton hanging around early. In the end, however, that lethal Lutheran spread offense is too much for most big schools to contain.
Lutheran by 14
1A:
South Adams (8-5) @ North Judson (13-0)
It’s been an inspiring run for South Adams. So, I don’t want to discredit how successful Grant Moser’s Starfires have done. With all due respect, you couldn’t have asked a worse matchup. This is the top ranked team in all of 1A averaging over 54 points per game and only allowing less than 8 points per game. Unless that red-hot aerial attack continues in historic fashion for South Adams, it could be a very, very long bus ride.
I have North Judson teaching the state finals for the first time since 1986.
North Judson by 30
South Putnam (11-2) @ Providence (12-0)
This one has a chance to be one of the top games that we’ve seen all postseason long. A lethal South Putnam offense vs an elite Providence defense. A clash of the titans to represent the southern half of the state finals bracket in 1A. However, after spending many years under the shadows of Indy Lutheran, I have the Eagles of South Putnam returning to the state finals for the first time in 22 years.
South Putnam by 1
