The regular season is over and now we enter the portion of the season that fans long for and coaches dread – the sectional tournament.
The mission is a simple one, win and advance or lose, turn in equipment and begin getting ready for a long off-season.
Let’s take a look at Class A, Sectional 44.
The Draw
Tri (6-3) at Wes-Del (5-4)
Union City (2-7) at South Adams (4-5)
Monroe Central (6-3) at Madison-Grant (8-1)
Cambridge City Lincoln (1-8) at Hagerstown (3-6)
THE FAVORITE
MADISON-GRANT (8-1)
The Argylls are hands down the favorite in this sectional, and, on paper, Madison-Grant has an easy road to the sectional championship game.
However, as we know, games are not won on paper and Madison-Grant does have to rebound before the sectional tournament begins, having lost to Mississinewa in a battle of undefeated teams in the regular-season finale.
Despite that loss, there is no ignoring the fact the Argylls have averaged 45 points per game and surrendered less than 10 points per contest. Needless to say, Coach Brady Turner’s team is one on a mission. Leading the way is senior running back Andrew Stanley, who has no problem finding the end zone when he gets the ball.
Should Madison-Grant win a sectional, it would mark the first time in school history the Argylls have advanced past the opening round of the tournament.
THE CONTENDER
MONROE CENTRAL (6-3)
While Monroe Central faces a tough task in the opener against Madison-Grant, this is a team that is capable of contending for a sectional championship and sending shockwaves through Class A.
All season long, the Golden Bears have played well, especially on the offensive side of the football. Monroe Central can line up and run the football against anyone, especially with Jerimiah Ullom in the backfield. As good as he is on offense, Ullom is just as strong on the defensive side of the football and has made life tough on opposing quarterbacks at various points this fall.
With a big line and an ability to churn out yards, move the sticks and grind on opposing defenses, Monroe Central could be a tough out for Madison-Grant and beyond, if it is able to secure a first-round upset.
THE REST
TRI (6-3)
After finding itself at 2-3 through five weeks, the Titans have been on a tear as of late, capturing four straight wins. They would be in the mix of contenders if it wasn’t for a loss earlier this season to Monroe Central. With that said, Tri enters the postseason with a huge chip on its shoulder and quite a bit to prove under head coach Andrew Tetheroh.
In the four wins to close out the regular season, the Titans surpassed the 40 point mark three times. This is a team that runs a Wing-T offense that is hard to prepare for and could make a serious run at a sectional championship.
WES-DEL (5-4)
It has been a weird year for the Warriors. After opening the season 0-3, they rebounded to win five of six and put up some big time numbers along the way. After being shut out by Monroe-Central in Week 6, the Warriors rocked Park Tudor, 72-45, and then waltzed past Union County and Cambridge City Lincoln. The Warriors have a strong running game that starts and ends with Brock Nauman, but will it be enough to position themselves for a run?
SOUTH ADAMS (4-5)
Disappointing may be the best word to sum up this season for the Starfires, who from the jump have battled injuries and enter the postseason under .500. Of the losses, two were by seven points. Despite the setbacks, South Adams did find some momentum down the stretch, winning two of its last three. In the regular season finale, South Adams saw Tytus Lehman throw for over 100 yards and two touchdowns, while Will Patterson found the end zone. Defensively, South Adams forced four fumbles against Southern Wells. If the Starfires can get that complementary football in the postseason, they could salvage their season.
HAGERSTOWN (3-6)
The Tigers enter the postseason on a bit of a downward spiral, having lost four straight games, including a 33-22 setback against Northeastern in the regular-season finale. Of the losses, Hagerstown has dropped four by 11 points or less, including a four-point defeat to Knightstown and a six-point loss against Shenendoah. Winning cures all ills and the Tigers have not won since Sept. 20, when they posted a 52-8 win at Cambridge City Lincoln. Look for Hagerstown to take out some frustrations when they play its Wayne County rivals again this week.
UNION CITY (2-7)
For the third consecutive season, the Indians have won two games, but first-year head coach Kyler Purdin is building something at Union City. After opening the season 0-5, Union City picked up wins over Union County and Cambridge City Lincoln before dropping two games to close out the regular season.
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (1-8)
It has been a rough first year for Coach Jeremy Bane. The Golden Eagles have struggled offensively, scoring eight points or less four times and being shut out three more times. Defensively, Cambridge City Lincoln has allowed an average of 47.7 points per game. Having lost seven straight, the Golden Eagles will look to play spoiler against county rival Hagerstown in the first round.
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