Dominate Performances Cap First Round of Sectional Play

Several area teams will look to keep their seasons alive this Friday in the semifinal round.

Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3

(Southeast Indiana) - The first round of the IHSAA Football State Tournament has come and gone. 

Area teams such as Batesville, East Central, Franklin County, Lawrenceburg, Milan and Switzerland County are now preparing for their respective Sectional Semifinal games on Friday, October 30. 

In Class 4A, East Central will host Jennings County in a Sectional 23 Semifinal. The 5th ranked Trojans dominated in the first round, defeating Madison 51-7. East Central outgained the Cubs 312 to 51. 

Senior running back Ryan Minges had a big night, carrying the ball six times for 110 yards and three touchdowns. Colton Bellman added 88 yards on 12 carries, also scoring three times. Defensively, sophomore defensive back Matthew Ingle starred with two interceptions.

East Central (8-2) will be a heavy favorite again on Friday night when they host Jennings County (2-7). The Panthers did not play last week, receiving the bye. They have lost six straight entering the semifinals. Columbus East (6-4) travels to Shelbyville (7-3) in the other semifinal matchup.

In Class 3A, #2 Lawrenceburg will host Greensburg on the top half of the bracket. Batesville will be at home against Franklin County in the other semifinal. 

The Tigers cruised to victory in the first round, defeating New Castle by a score of 52-18. Junior running back Brogan Wynn carried the ball 11 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Senior quarterback Crue Gilmour went 9-13 for 135 yards and rushed four times for 60 yards and two scores. 

Lawrenceburg (9-1) has won nine games in a row, including a 49-3 win over Greensburg (6-4) in Week 4. 

#12 Batesville defeated South Dearborn 63-14 to advance in the state tournament. Wide receiver Rylan Yeager returned the opening kick 95 yards for a touchdown. He added two more scores on touchdown receptions from Calvin Padgett. Senior running back Zadiin Small had 10 carries for 254 yards and three touchdowns. 

Franklin County also scored 60+ points in the opening round, defeating winless Rushville 65-19. Parker Gillman set a Franklin County single-game record with seven touchdowns. In total, he carried the ball 20 times for 246 yards. 

This sets up a rematch between Batesville (8-2) and Franklin County (6-4) from Week 8. Batesville won the game 35-20. 

Switzerland County is moving on in Class 2A. The Pacers picked up a hard-fought 47-28 victory over Mitchell. Switzerland County piled up 497 total yards and 22 first downs. Aiden Mosley completed 14 of 20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 68 yards and a touchdown. 

The win sets up a rematch with Clarksville in the Sectional 39 semifinals. The Pacers (4-6) lost a nailbiter at Clarksville (7-3) in Week 3. The finals score was 30-27. 

#2 Brownstown Central (10-0) travels to Salem (6-4) in the other Sectional 39 semifinal matchup. 

#5 Milan continued their strong season with a dominating performance in round one of Class A Sectional 46. The Indians dispatched Trinity Lutheran 71-14 behind a three-touchdown performance from sophomore running back Beckett Langferman. Sophomore quarterback Lane Smith completed four passes, all to Caydin Davidson, for 116 yards and two scores. 

The Indians (8-2) will host Edinburgh (3-6) in the semifinals. Milan won the previous matchup this season 68-0. North Decatur (8-2) will host Union County (1-8) in the other semifinal.