And then, there was one.
East Noble will be carrying the northeast Indiana banner to Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend, looking to win its first state championship since 2000 and just the second in program history.
Outside the Huddle will have coverage every day this week leading into Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
Today, we look at some tidbits you may have missed last Friday and a first look at Evansville Memorial.
DOWN BUT NOT OUT
If Evansville Memorial is able to get a lead on East Noble on Saturday, it best keep the pedal down.
East Noble has trailed by double digits just twice this season, the opener against Plymouth and last Friday against Hobart.
In Week 1, the Knights fell behind Plymouth 14-0 before storming back to win 34-31. Against the Brickies, East Noble miscues helped put Hobart in the lead 17-0, an advantage that evaporated as the Knights stayed focused.
“We never stop playing football,” said Luke Amstutz last Friday. “We don’t get down. We don’t panic. Once we were able to get some stops and make a few plays through the air we were good.”
HAYDEN THE HIGHLIGHT
Hayden Jones is a standout hoops player for the Knights in the winter, and some of those skills from the hardwood have come in handy on the gridiron.
Jones is not overly tall at 6-foot, but that’s enough on the football field to tower over most cornerbacks. The wide receiver is also arguably the best in the area in reaching the apex of his jump at just the right moment, using his body and long arms to snatch passes above defensive backs.
We saw it several times against Hobart, with Bailey Parker throwing long and high to what appeared to be no one in particular, only for Jones to soar out of nowhere and bring the catch down. He finished with seven catches for 139 yards against the Brickies.
Evansville Memorial will want to prioritize defending Jones, who for the year has brought in 73 catches for 1,390 yards and 16 touchdowns.
HOBBLED AND DOMINANT
Despite what appeared to be an injury that he denied was real, Evansville Memorial’s Brock Combs was a two-way force for the Tigers in last Friday’s victory.
With a brace to protect his right ankle according to Gordon Engelhardt of the Evansville Courier & Press, Combs rushed for 96 yards on 11 carries and also added a sack to his season total of 15.5 from his defensive end position.
We will delve into more of Memorial’s personnel as the week progresses, but Combs will be one to watch on both sides of the football.
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