Insider: Previewing Week 2's top high school football games
Ben Davis and Avon, two of the state’s top football programs in Class 6A, won season openers last week by a combined score of 104-0.
Now, the competition ramps up considerably.
Sixth-ranked Avon visits defending state champion and No. 1 Ben Davis on Friday in one of the season's early marquee matchups. The Giants defeated Avon twice last season, the first in a 57-27 regular season runaway. The second, in the Sectional 5 championship, was a much closer 34-27 Ben Davis win on a frozen Halloween night.
Each team has a legitimate IndyStar Mr. Football candidate. Avon quarterback Brandon Peters, a Michigan recruit, passed for 247 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-0 season-opening win over Plainfield last week. Ben Davis running back Chris Evans, also a Michigan recruit, rushed for three touchdowns (on four carries) and 112 yards in a 63-0 rout of Tech.
Prediction: Ben Davis 35, Avon 34. Look forward to the potential rematch in the fall.
Hey, it wasn't a bad start for me last week on the prediction front. I was 33-9 (78.6 percent) overall. Check out the Preps Insider blog Friday morning for a look at all of the area predictions (all games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted):
Fishers (1-0) at Pike (1-0): Pike looked to be its typical explosive self under first-year coach Jimmy Graves in a 55-34 opening win over Brownsburg. The Red Devils, a 26-22 winner over Fishers last year, will face a challenge here against a defense that blanked North Central 28-0 last week. The Class 6A eighth-ranked Tigers also have a senior quarterback in Zach Eaton (10-for-17 for 161 yards and three TDs last week) and a big-play threat in senior Jeremy Chinn (96 rushing yards and a TD). Fishers 28, Pike 26.
Westfield (1-0) at Southport (1-0): Both teams posted solid opening wins last week. Class 6A No. 9 Southport held on to beat Roncalli 27-21 at Lucas Oil Stadium, while 5A eighth-ranked Westfield knocked off a solid Harrison team 38-21. Southport's Luke Johnston (22-for-36 for 301 yards and three TDs in opener) is poised for a big season, though his Westfield counterpart Ryan Pepiot (19-for-25 for 229 yards and two TDs) was excellent in his first game as well. Southport 34, Westfield 28.
Whiteland (1-0) at Center Grove (1-0): Class 6A third-ranked Center Grove is coming off an impressive 42-38 comeback win over Warren Central on Friday and has a showdown on deck at rival Carmel next week. This sandwich game is not one to overlook. Whiteland pushed the Trojans last year in a 14-13 loss and may have better team this season. The Warriors rushed for 451 yards last week in a 66-0 win over South Dearborn and have a tough running back in senior Shaw Cloud (113 yards on 11 carries last week). Center Grove 28, Whiteland 20.
Cathedral (1-0) at Cincinnati Moeller (0-0), 8 p.m. at University of Cincinnati: This is the first of three weekend battles in Cincinnati between Indiana and Ohio powers. Warren Central will face Colerain and Carmel will play LaSalle on Saturday. Cathedral dominated Lawrence Central 32-14 in the opener as sophomore Markese Stepp rushed for 135 yards on 18 carries. Traditional power Moeller is ranked fifth in the Midwest Region by USA TODAY. These programs have split six meetings since 2007, though Moeller has won the last two in 2012 and '13. Cincinnati Moeller 27, Cathedral 23.
Lafayette Central Catholic (1-0) at Guerin Catholic (1-0): After losing to LCC eight consecutive times since starting its program in 2006, Guerin finally defeated the Knights 17-7 last season. The Golden Eagles notched an impressive 26-9 win over Martinsville last week as senior Brandon Thieneman rushed for 92 yards and two TDs, made eight tackles and picked off a pass. Guerin Catholic 17, Lafayette Central Catholic 14.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.