Week 11 sees all six classes in action as the 5A and 6A playoffs kick off around the state this Friday.
A pair of Class 6A sectionals include local programs. First up, Sectional 2.
THE DRAW
Carroll (7-2) at Warsaw (8-1)
Elkhart (3-6) at Penn (8-1)
THE FAVORITE
CARROLL (7-2)
The defending sectional champion is our pick to win once again, although it won’t be as easy of a road as it was last year.
A season ago, the Chargers took down Penn by 28 points on the road, then ousted Warsaw by 17 points to capture the sectional crown. Both the Tigers and Kingsmen are better teams that they were last fall.
But Carroll still holds the edge. Why? The offense.
While not always as fine-tuned as it was a year ago, the Chargers have seemingly found their groove offensively despite battling some injuries. Nate Starks has missed time in the backfield, but junior Dajaun Green has stepped in admirably. Jimmy Sullivan continues to thrive at quarterback, fresh off picking up a scholarship offer from Michigan State recently.
The receivers are youthful outside of senior Hansen Haffner (481 receiving yards, eight TDs), but are capable of making plays consistently.
Penn and Warsaw both struggled to consistently get stops against Carroll last year. Can the Chargers continue that edge this year?
THE CONTENDER
PENN (8-1)
The Kingsmen enter sectional play on a tear, winners of six-straight games that includes five shutouts.
Penn is loaded with experience, with 10 of its 11 defensive starters seniors. The unit hasn’t given up a point since September and is an exceptional group with equal parts speed, strength and power.
It is a typical Penn offense in the sense that they are going to try and control the football and use its punishing running game to limit the opponent’s opportunities. With such a good defense, that can be scary when put into a position where you need to be able to convert on your possessions, particularly if the run game is limiting touches.
THE REST
WARSAW (8-1)
Everyone knows what the Tigers are going to do under Coach Bart Curtis – run the ball. This team does it well, led by running back Reed Zollinger’s prowess in the backfield.
Co-champs of the Northern Lakes Conference, Warsaw is riding a three-game winning streak with its lone defeat at Mishawaka in Week 6. It is a team that is complemented by a stout defense that was able to limit passing attacks by the likes of NorthWood and Northridge in convincing league wins.
The Tigers open against a familiar foe in Carroll. The two teams have played each of the past three years, with the Chargers winning 36-0 in 2021 and 34-17 last season. Both of those were road games for Warsaw, whereas Friday will be at home.
ELKHART (3-6)
A bit of a rebuilding year for Coach Romison Saint-Louis in Year 2 at Elkhart after a seven-win campaign last season.
What stands out about the Lions is their inability to score points against good competition. Elkhart has been held to single-digit point outputs in five of its nine games, including a 21-0 shutout loss to Penn in Week 5, the team the Lions open the sectional with.
Junior Connor Dow is the team’s leading rusher, but Elkhart has struggled to do much in the passing game.
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