High School Football Sectional Semifinal Recap

Monday, November 2, 2026 at 7:23 AM

By Travis Thayer @eagle993

Six local teams remain alive in the IHSAA Football State Tournament

(Southeast Indiana) - Only 96 teams remain across six classifications in the IHSAA Football State Tournament.

Of those 96 teams, only 48 can be crowned sectional champions this Friday.

Locally, East Central, Lawrenceburg, Batesville, Switzerland County, Milan and North Decatur are still alive in the state tournament. See how each team got to the sectional championship round below.

Class 4A Sectional 23

East Central 68, Jennings County 7

The Trojans rolled to victory for a second straight week. They were led by senior running back Ryan Minges, who carried the ball seven times for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Minges continues to climb the all-time ranks in St. Leon, moving to 5th on East Central's all-time rushing TD list (56).

The Trojans scored seven touchdowns on the ground. Colton Bellman, Ben Bond, Ethan Webb, and Chase Marsh found the end zone.

Defensively, Mitchell Karaus took an interception back 45 yards for a score. The Trojans defense also scored on a safety. Hayden Bear sparked on special teams with a 61-yard punt return touchdown.

Sectional 23 Championship: #5 East Central (9-2) at Columbus East (7-4)
Friday, November 6. Kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM
EC is seeking their 6th straight sectional title

Class 3A Sectional 30

Lawrenceburg 57, Greensburg 23

The Tigers offense was explosive, totaling 456 yards. Senior quarterback Crue Gilmour went 15-19 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Mason Manford was his primary target, catching eight passes for 151 yards and two scores. Manford also returned a punt return for a touchdown. On the ground, Brogan Wynn led the way with 175 yards and four scores.

Batesville 35, Franklin County 0

The Bulldogs got a big game from senior running back Zadiin Small. He carried the ball 16 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Dylan Shane added a rushing touchdown, and Clayton Kaiser scored on Calvin Padgett's only touchdown throw of the night. Cornerback Weston Smith had two interceptions, one of which went back for a touchdown. The Bulldogs defense held Franklin County's strong rushing attack to 59 yards.

Sectional 30 Championship: #2 Lawrenceburg (10-1) at #12 Batesville (9-2),
Friday, November 6. Kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM
Lawrenceburg won the regular season meeting 35-20

Class 2A Sectional 39

Switzerland County 49, Clarksville 41

The Pacers avenged an earlier-season three-point loss to Clarksville. Switzerland County's offense piled up 465 total yards, including an impressive 283 yards on the ground, while the defense came up with four turnovers to help secure the victory. Aiden Mosley completing 10 of 18 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 61 yards and another score, accounting for four touchdowns overall. Brackston Sullivan led the ground attack with 100 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Aiden Greene added 71 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

Defensively, Masin Stroud turned in a performance that will be remembered for a long time. He recorded three interceptions, including the fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown that helped put the game away. He also contributed three tackles and an assist. Grayson Levell added three tackles and a tackle for loss, while several other Pacers contributed to a defensive effort that forced four Clarksville turnovers.

“Our offensive line absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage tonight. We were able to impose our will on them in the trenches, and that's what we want our football team to be about. When we can run the football the way we did tonight and control the line of scrimmage, it opens everything else up for us. Those guys have battled through so much adversity this season, and they deserve a tremendous amount of credit. We don't put up those kinds of numbers without their effort and physicality up front,” said Head Coach Ryan Jesop.

“Masin had a huge night for us again. Three interceptions is an incredible accomplishment, and to take one of those back for a touchdown in a game like this was enormous. He's always around the football, and he has a knack for making big plays when we need them most. He's been a reliable player for us all season, and we're fortunate to have him on our side,” Jesop said.

Sectional 39 Championship: #2 Brownstown Central (11-0) at Switzerland County (5-6)
Friday, November 6. Kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM
Rematch of last year's sectional title game

Class A Sectional 46

Milan 68, Edinburgh 10

The Indians' high-powered offense was on display again on Friday night. Four the fourth time this season, Milan eclipsed the 60-point mark after 512 yards of total offense.

Beckett Langferman carried the ball six times for 134 yards and a TD. Grant Langferman had only three carries, but scored twice, totaling 122 yards on the ground.

Luke Hendron, Lane Smith, Gavin Trenkamp, and Logan Williams added rushing touchdowns. Through the air, Lane Smith completed all three of his passes for 100 yards, connecting with Grant Langferman and Caydin Davidson on TD scores.

North Decatur 43, Union County 0

The Chargers ran for 271 yards in a dominating win. Simon Barber carried the ball eight times for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Henry Kinker went 5-5 for 74 yards and a TD.