Area football teams are gearing up for the first round of the IHSAA sectional. A local matchup between Southmont and North Montgomery highlights area games.
North Montgomery at Southmont Sectional #34
After several years in 3A, the Chargers have joined Southmont in the 2A sectional. The Mounties were able to get hot at the right time last season and advanced to the semi-state game where they lost to North Posey.
The Chargers won their first sectional game in 2023 when they defeated Western Boone. They were defeated by Danville the following week.
The county rivals enter Friday’s game with identical 3-6 records. The Chargers pulled out a 28-22 victory in two overtimes.
Southmont is led by junior running back Avery Stadler who has rushed for 698 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Quarterback junior Heath Tolliver has thrown for 587 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Mounties also will have a healthy Aaron McMasters at wideout. In eight games the speedy senior has caught nine passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns.
The Chargers are led offensively by senior wide receiver Kelby Harwood. The 6-3 wideout also has seen some action at running back this season.
Harwood has nine receiving touchdowns and 27 receptions for 446 yards.
Senior Jayden Thompson is the leading rusher for North Montgomery with 426 yards and five scores.
Junior quarterback Jack Warren has 226 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Warren has thrown for 747 yards and another 11 touchdowns.
The winner of the game will play the winner of Seeger and Lewis Cass.
Cascade at Crawfordsville 3A Sectional #29
The Athenians have undefeated Cascade at home on Friday. The Cadets are 9-0 and ranked No. 4 in 3A. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Cascade lost to Southmont in last year’s sectional semi-final contest. Crawfordsville has not won a sectional game since 2007.
Crawfordsville is 3-6 and won 54-8 in their last regular season game last Friday against Frankfort. Cascade defeated Owen Valley 70-0 last Friday.
Crawfordsville’s offense is led by quarterback Mason McCarty who has passed for 564 yards and rushed for 505 yards. The junior has found the end zone seven times.
Athenian senior Braedon Hites has rushed for 432 yards and four touchdowns.
Cascade’s offense has rushed for 3,099 yards and 43 touchdowns. The Cadets have also thrown for 1,020 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Brady Tebley and junior running back Dayton Mink lead the potent offense.
The winner of the game will face the winner of West Vigo and Guerin Catholic.
Fountain Central at South Putnam 1A Sectional #45
Fountain Central (4-5) will travel to South Putnam (7-2). The Eagles started the season ranked in No. 1 in 1A and are now ranked at No. 6 in the latest poll.
Fountain Central is led by sophomore quarterback Eli Foxworthy who has thrown for 976 yards and 12 touchdowns. Foxworthy also has rushed for 528 yards and seven scores.
Eagle senior quarterback Wyatt Mullin has thrown for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns.
South Putnam’s running game is led by sophomore Ty Benton who has rushed for 829 yards and 14 scores.
South Putnam has score 29 rushing yards while churning out a total of 1,756 total yards. The Eagles have scored a total of 15 receiving touchdown while gaining 1,104 yards through the air.
South Putnam has won all four contests between the two schools.
The winner will take on the victor between Covington and Attica.
