BLITZ’S SECTIONAL PRIMER: Class 4A, Sectional 20

Now that nine weeks of the regular season are in the books for area prep football teams, it is time to look ahead to sectional play.

We continue our sectional football primers with Class 4A, Sectional 20.

THE DRAW

Marion (5-4) bye
Frankfort (0-9) at Huntington North (6-3)
Muncie Central (2-7) at Logansport (8-1)
Culver Academy (8-1) at Lebanon (6-2)

THE FAVORITE

CULVER ACADEMY (8-1)

Not much is known about Culver Academy outside of its program. It isn’t a team that garners headlines week in and week out, nor is it overflowing your Friday night highlights on the news. But this is a team that rattled off eight wins, with the lone loss a surprising defeat to Fairfield. But make no mistake, the Eagles are a solid team. 

Culver Academy has 16 seniors who are battle tested, an offense that can score points in a hurry and features quarterback Michael McClogan and split back Ty Rakan, as well asa defense that bends but doesn’t break. McClogan has thrown for over 1,000 yards and is a threat to take off and run with the ball. 

LEBANON (7-2)

It is a shame one of the favorites will be turning in equipment at the end of Friday as Lebanon takes on Culver Academy. Both of these teams are capable of walking away with a sectional title and making some noise deeper in the postseason. 

For Lebanon, its defense will be critical to a championship-caliber run and that starts and ends with outside linebacker Jaden Ranney, who holds offers from Saint Mary of the Woods, Minnesota North College and Northwestern College. Throw in Jay Pollock, a starting safety, and it is easy to see why the Tigers are a legitimate contender for a sectional crown. Lebanon knocked off a very good Western Boone team in the regular season finale last week, 26-7, sending a clear message that not only is the defense good, but so too is the offense. Jeff Smock’s team has captured six straight wins. 

LOGANSPORT (8-1)

The Berries showed a lot of poise this season under head coach Mike Johnson, running off eight victories and absolutely thumping people in the process. Logansport enters the postseason averaging 38.8 points per game and giving up just over eight points a contest. In their last four games, the Berries have given up a total of 26 points. A two-point loss earlier in the season to Class 2A favorite Lafayette Central Catholic should have let teams know Logansport was for real this year. In the regular-season finale, Logansport forced four turnovers and its offense got solid production out of Chris Delvalle, who rushed for 127 yards and a score, while quarterback Bryan Herr was 7-of-15 through the air for three touchdowns. 

THE REST 

HUNTINGTON NORTH (6-3)

The Vikings started the season 2-2 before running wild to close out the regular season with wins in four of the last five weeks. 

Mike Eshbach has Huntington North peaking at the right time, as was evidenced by blowout wins over Norwell and New Haven the final two weeks of the regular season. The Vikings are capable of putting up points, averaging over 37 points per contest. They should get a lot of players in the opener against winless Frankfort and begin building for a sectional title run. This has been a fun season in Huntington with this team that has lacked success in recent years.

MARION (5-4)

Marion is the only other team in the sectional with a winning record and the Giants are the recipients of a first-round bye. After opening the season 2-2, Marion struggled a bit down the stretch. However, it does enter the postseason with some momentum, knocking off both Muncie Central and Anderson down the stretch. The Giants enter averaging 32.6 points per game and giving up a whopping 32.3 points. 

MUNCIE CENTRAL (2-7)

It has been a rough go of it for head coach Kyle Padgett at Muncie Central. After putting Centerville on the map as a contender, Padgett moved to Muncie Central two years ago and success has been hard to come by. The Bearcats opened the season 0-4 and found themselves in the midst of a three-game skid before knocking off Richmond, 55-14, in the regular season finale. While the win allows Muncie Central to have some momentum coming into the postseason, the Bearcats face a tall task against Logansport in the opener. 

FRANKFORT (0-9)

It has been a tough season for the Hot Dogs and head coach James Byers, who has nine wins in seven seasons at the helm. Frankfort heads into the postseason scoring 10 points per game and allowing over 50 points per contest. The last three weeks, Frankfort has given up 54 points twice and 64 points once.