(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY INTERN MORGAN HARMON)
Sophomore Riley Matlock attempts to avoid a tackle against Arsenal Tech’s defense.
(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY INTERN DARCY LEBER)
Editor
Six Southside high school football teams, including reigning state champions 6A Center Grove and 1A Lutheran, have advanced to sectional championship games Friday.
5A state runner-up Whiteland, surprising Southport, resurgent Decatur Central, and pass-happy Greenwood also compete for sectional titles after capturing semifinal games Friday.
Southport (2-8), winners of only one game during the regular season, stunned Tech 41-12 Friday at Tech. The Cardinals flew over the Titans for a 25-6 halftime lead as Southport racked up 339 yards total offense.
Junior running back Tony Taylor scored three touchdowns with sophomore Riley Matlock also going across the goal line. Sophomore Gavin Cummins connected on 8 of 11 pass attempts for 168 yards and a 15-yard TD pass to senior Uriah Stearman in the fourth quarter that capped the Cardinals scoring. Tech scored a harmless touchdown in the final minute.
Taylor netted 64 yards with 12 carries, and sophomore Riley Matlock gained 90 yards with 16 carries.
Southport’s defensive effort was led by junior Fabian Tapscott with 12 tackles, senior Calvin Miller and junior Charles Hansell each with 10 tackles, and seniors Addison Meredith and Ramon Martinez each nine tackles.
The Cardinals recorded six sacks and recovered two fumbles.
In Southport’s only two wins, the Cardinals have scored more than 40 points in each game.
Elsewhere, 6A No. 1-ranked Center Grove and 1A No. 1 Lutheran continued their return path to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Underdog but vastly improved Franklin Central (4-6) challenged the Trojans (9-1) for the second consecutive year in the playoffs. Last year, the Flashes led 14-10 going into the fourth quarter before Center Grove surged to victory. This time around, FC held a 14-13 lead with less than two minutes before halftime. CG quarterback Tyler Cherry and receiver Brevin Holubar connected on a short scoring pass for a 19-14 permanent lead just before the half ended. Cherry threw for three TDs and was 17 of 27 for 261.
FC’s second-quarter scores came on a short TD run by Broderic Middleton and a nifty 69-yard TD pass from quarterback Nevan Tutterow to receiver Jayon Harvey. Tutterow threw for 227 yards.
The second half was all-Trojans as the hosts extended their lead on a Cherry to Noah Coy TD pass. Two more interceptions and a fumble recovery by CG stifled the upset-minded Flashes in the second half. CG’s defense plagued the Flashes with four interceptions.
Lutheran traveled to South Putnam for its stiffest test since defeating Scecina last year by nine points. The Saints built a 21-7 lead before No. 6 South Putnam capped the scoring. The No. 1-ranked Saints have won 39 consecutive games since their last defeat in the 2020 state championship against Covenant Christian.
Whiteland rolled over winless Terre Haute North as Warriors workhorse running back Slate Valentine romped for five touchdowns. The Warriors scored each time on their first eight drives on their way to a 56-7 halftime lead which led to a running clock for the second half.
After entering the playoffs losing three of its last four regular season games, Greenwood rolled to its second playoff win Friday against visiting Jennings County. Greenwood quarterback Brock Riddle threw for two touchdowns and 209 yards. Jackson Haessig gained 113 yards rushing and scored two TDs.
5A No. 7 Decatur Central extended its winning streak to six consecutive games by dominating host McCutcheon.
Roncalli’s string of four consecutive sectional titles ended at Mooresville. The Royals (4-7) closed to 10-6 with 4:30 left in the game on Zach Dozier’s one-yard TD that was set up by a 44-yard pass from first-time starting quarterback Jayden Buchanan to Christian Swiezy.
After the ensuing kickoff, Mooresville quarterback Hogan Denny ran for a 90-yard TD on the first play from scrimmage to ice the game. Roncalli kicker Gavin Louthain ended the scoring with a 24-yard field goal.
Buchanan completed 22 of 37 passes for 256 yards with one interception. On the ground, Mooresville held the Royals to only 70 yards on 26 carries.
The Royals’ defensive effort was led by Casey Horton with nine tackles and AJ Richardson and Dylan Henry with eight tackles apiece.
Beech Grove (5-6) and Perry Meridian (2-8) suffered losses in their sectional semifinals.
Sectional scores
Center Grove 40, Franklin Central 14
Decatur Central 33, McCutcheon 0
Greenwood 43, Jennings County 12
Lutheran 21, South Putnam 14
Mooresville 17, Roncalli 9
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 42, Beech Grove 12
Southport 46, Tech 12
Warren Central 49, Perry Meridian 6
Whiteland 63, Terre Haute North 15
Sectional
championships
(Friday at 7 p.m., unless noted)
Class 6A
Warren Central (4-6) at Southport (2-8)
Center Grove (9-1) at Columbus North (5-5)
Class 5A
W. Lafayette Harrison (9-1) at Decatur Central (8-2)
Terre Haute South (5-5) at Whiteland (6-4)
Class 4A
Greenwood (6-5) at East Central (11-0)
Class A
Lutheran (9-0) at Covenant Christian (7-3)
(PHOTOS BY [email protected])