Sectional Finals: Five players to watch on the gridiron tonight

Sectional titles are on the line tonight.

Time to bring it if you haven’t already.

Here are five players to watch this week:

Kolin Jolas, Bishop Luers vs. Eastside

Jolas is a player that thrives this time of year. He’s not afraid to fly around and make the hard-hitting tackle. He finished with 12 total tackles and a sack in the 42-9 win over Churubusco last week. Jolas will have plenty of opportunities to stick his nose into the physical offensive line of Eastside this week. Luers will need Jolas to bring the hammer to slow down the Blazers’ rushing attack.

Dax Holman, Eastside vs. Bishop Luers

For the first time this season, two players from the same game find their way on to the players to watch list. And it’s because it’s a massive game between two teams that have faced off in sectional play for the last four years. Holman has scored three touchdowns in each of the last three games. Holman will have face off with Jolas multiple times throughout the game tonight. Holman is special at finding the open hole and bursting through it, and he can also create one if need be. 

Dominic Chacon, Columbia City vs. Leo

Chacon had one of his best games of the season against DeKalb in last week’s sectional semifinal victory. He had 10 total tackles and 2.5 for loss. For the season, he has 66 tackles and seven of them were for loss. Chacon could be matched up against any one of the Lions’ offensive weapons. He had eight tackles in the 28-13 win in Week 8 and another productive night help secure the sectional title.

Jontae Lambert, North Side vs. Snider

Lambert has been special all season and will have to be tonight for the Legends to win their first sectional championship since 1984. Lambert surpassed 2,000 rushing yards for the season in last week’s win over Anderson. He’s scored 16 times on the ground and knows how to break off a big run when his team needs it. Lambert rushed for 133 yards on 22 carries in Week 1 against the Panthers. I wouldn’t be surprised if his carries go over 20 again with how much the Legends will need Lambert to knock off the No. 1 team in Class 5A.

Luke Graft, Norwell vs. Yorktown

The Knights have run away from both of their first two sectional opponents and should do so once again against the Tigers tonight. Graft will carry the load for Norwell and has two rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks. Yorktown gave up over 300 yards of offense to Garrett last week, and the Knights offense is a whole nother level compared to the Railroaders. Expect Graft to have a big night on both sides of the ball.