We continue our look at every area sectional field as Classes 5A and 6A kick off postseason action this Friday.
Today we look at the unique three-team Sectional 3 in Class 6A.
DRAW
Homestead (6-3) at Carroll (8-1)
Warsaw (7-2) bye, will play AT the winner on Nov. 5
FAVORITE
CARROLL (8-1)
As complete of a football team as Carroll has had in a long time. Not only can this squad score in bunches, it can play some very solid defense as well.
Senior quarterback Jeff Becker is the centerpiece, having thrown for 21 touchdowns on the season while rushing for close to 500 yards. He is a true dual-threat who can make all the throws while having the pocket presence to know when to stay in position, when to leak out to extend a play and when to take off running.
Becker has plenty of weapons around him with Jameson Coverstone’s 13 receiving touchdowns and Luke Carmody rushing for nearly seven yards per rush to go with six scores on the ground.
Defensively, Carroll has allowed just 17 points over the last four games, including only 10 allowed to Homestead in the rivals’ regular-season meeting.
The Chargers have not won a sectional crown since 2014, which feels like a lifetime ago when you are watching Homestead win SAC titles and sectionals. Now, Carroll has captured its first SAC championship, now it is looking to bring home some postseason hardware.
THE CONTENDERS
HOMESTEAD (6-3)
Considering the first matchup was close to the end, there is no doubt that the Spartans are capable to knocking off their rival to open postseason action.
Homestead’s three losses have come by a combined 13 points – seven to Carroll and three each to Bishop Luers and Snider.
Peyton Slaven has thrown nine TDs and just two INTs over his last four games, while the emergence of Grady Swing at wideout now gives the junior signal caller three prime options to go with Nate Anderson and Gage Sparrow.
The defense has combined for 20.5 sacks on the year. Can the front line put some pressure on Becker? In Round 1 against the Chargers, Homestead was able to keep Becker from going too crazy and forced some quick throws under pressure.
This is an experienced team when it comes to being under pressure, having won two straight sectional crowns. While there are some new faces, the philosophies remain the same.
WARSAW (7-2)
Despite a Week 9 loss to Concord that cost the Tigers a Northern Lakes Conference championship, Warsaw is still set to be a tough challenge to whomever advances to the sectional final.
With Bryce Brown, Julius Jones and a host of other ball carriers, the Tigers rely on a complex and diverse rushing attack to instill its will on foes.
Coach Bart Curtis’s squad knocked off Carroll in Sectional 3 a season ago before falling to Homestead, so Warsaw has proven it can compete with the best 6A squads in the SAC. A much more disciplined and balanced defense also helps the cause, as last year Warsaw struggled in defending the pass in the playoffs.
Three weeks between games could be good or bad for the Tigers as they await the Chargers or Spartans.
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