We are breaking down every area sectional this week as the postseason kicks off this Friday.
Next up is Sectional 43.
DRAW
Monroe Central (9-0) at Wes-Del (0-7)
South Adams (7-2) at Madison-Grant (4-5)
Southern Wells (0-9) at Taylor (0-5)
Union City (4-4) at Tri-Central (4-5)
FAVORITE
MONROE CENTRAL (9-0)
After capturing its first sectional championships in school history in 2017 and 2018, the Golden Bears bowed to South Adams each of the last two years in this field.
But with South Adams having slipped a bit, Monroe Central ascends back to the top with an undefeated regular season that included shutout victories over Wes-Del and South Adams.
The offense is led by a senior, veteran quarterback but the true strength of this team is on defense. The Golden Bears are allowing less than six points per game and have amassed 14 sacks and 12 interceptions over the course of the season. The highest-scoring offense outside of Monroe Central in this field is South Adams, a team the Bears shut out 23-0 in Week 5.
THE CONTENDER
SOUTH ADAMS (7-2)
Can the two-time defending sectional champions find some offense in a rematch with Monroe Central?
That is what the Starfires will need to do if both teams are victorious in the first round.
It is no secret that South Adams has battled injuries all season, including in that Week 5 showdown with the Golden Bears. But excuses go out the window come playoff time. Coach Grant Moser’s team will get Monroe Central at home in the semis if both advance, which gives Berne a chance to change the outcome round the first meeting.
The key to South Adams’ chances may be quarterback Owen Wanner. The sophomore went just 14-of-32 for 139 yards in the matchup with Monroe Central while tossing three interceptions. That can’t happen if the two meet again.
THE REST
UNION CITY (4-4)
Senior Blayne Daniels has rushed for close to 1,000 yards on the season for the Indians and is their most proven offensive option.
The biggest issue for Union City has been a defense allowing over 26 points per contest. When looking at the offenses Union City will have to shut down to win its first sectional title in school history, it doesn’t bode well.
MADISON-GRANT (4-5)
If anything, this sectional has the best nicknames. Golden Bears. Indians. Starfires. Argylls.
Yes, the Argylls of M-G are looking for their first postseason hardware since 2008, so it has been a minute.
This is also a squad that allows way too many points to truly be a factor in this sectional. Allowing close to 30 points a game isn’t a recipe for success unless you put up a LOT offensively. The Argylls do not.
TRI-CENTRAL (4-5)
A mid-season five-game swoon killed any shot for the Trojans to win the Hoosier Heartland Conference, but back-to-back wins to conclude the regular season have them feeling good.
It also feels good to be the best team at the bottom of the bracket, which means Tri-Central will only have to face off against either South Adams or Monroe Central in the final if it can take care of business.
Problem is the offense is one dimensional. Tri-Cenral cannot pass with much effectiveness. So even with a few wins in sectional, the Trojans are not much of a threat to run the table and win some hardware.
TAYLOR (0-5)
It has been a rough season for the Titans, first in missing several games at the beginning of the season due to Covid, then the tragic loss of senior Johnathan McKoon in a car accident on Sept. 19.
On the field, the Titans have struggled to find any type of consistency on offense. It hasn’t helped that the team has played the second-toughest schedule among the teams in the sectional, per the Sagarin Ratings.
WES-DEL (0-7)
It has been a tough first season for Coach Ryan Cole, with the Warriors slugging through their first winless regular season since 2004.
It’s one and done for Wes-Del as it hosts Monroe Central Round 1.
SOUTHERN WELLS (0-9)
The Raiders are 313th out of 318 teams in the Indiana high school football Sagain Ratings.
That’s all I got.
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