It's sectional night

Time to look ahead at the sectionals.

First, the sectionals involving Hancock County schools:
4A Sectional 13
Pendleton Heights (6-3) at Mt. Vernon (5-4)
LISTEN LIVE HERE! (broadcast at 6:30 p.m., kickoff at 7 p.m.)
PH has won three straight to end the season after a tough skid against MV and Delta in Weeks 5-6. MV won the regular-season matchup 37-17, but it was very statistically close, and very well-played by both offenses. MV's defense was very good last week, but the offense has scored once in three weeks. Both teams feature multifaceted offensive games -- the QB/RB/WR triumvirate of Mitch Patishall-Dezmon Nunn-Brad McNeil for PH against Austin Parker-Zach McKinney/Corey White/Anthony Burnett-Jake Davis for MV. This is probably the best first-round matchup of the sectional.
Winner hosts 1-8 New Castle next week

Anderson (4-5) at New Palestine (8-1)
The Dragons haven't allowed a varsity touchdown in half a season -- 4.5 games. The Indians have a 5A enrollment and a lot of talent. This is most intriguing first-round matchup of the sectional, as these two teams don't have any familiarity with each other. Anderson fell to unbeaten Kokomo 28-21 last week and is obviously getting better. NP has just overwhelmed teams with its size and soundness on offense -- especially with throwing RB Austin Cahoy at teams, who has 21 TDs on the year.
Winner plays either 5-4 Greenfield-Central or 3-6 Arlington next week

Greenfield-Central (5-4) at Arlington (3-6)
The Cougars have put together their best season since 2002, and are looking to clinch their first plus-.500 season since then. G-C hasn't scored in two weeks, but it has also played two of the area's top defenses in New Palestine and Chatard. Arlington can score -- 30 ppg -- but is also giving up 38 ppg and has given up 56+ three times. G-C has been playing phenomenal defense this season, giving up 6 points to an explosive Mt. Vernon team and 6 to an 8-1 Delta squad.
Winner plays either 4-5 Anderson or 8-1 New Palestine next week

The full draw:
Class 4A, Sectional 13
New Castle (1-8) - BYE
Pendleton Heights (6-3) @ Mt. Vernon (5-4)
Anderson (4-5) @ #7 New Palestine (8-1)
Greenfield-Central (5-4) @ Indianapolis Arlington (3-6)

1A Sectional 37
Clinton Central (2-7) at Eastern Hancock (1-8)
EH used to play CC in Week 9, so this is a deja vu game, just one week later. The Royals notched their first victory of the year last season when they beat Edinburgh 28-13. That snapped a two-week scoreless streak. EH's offense had scored eight times the first eight weeks before breaking out against the Lancers. QB Steven Stunda is a run-pass threat. The Bulldogs of third-year coach Mike Quick have had some good games -- beating Tri-Central and former CC coach George Gilbert 57-20, scoring 20 on a good Tipton team in a loss -- but they've been shut out twice and held to one score four other times. Looks like it could be an even matchup. Winner gets either Tri-Central (3-6) or Gridiron Digest No. 10 Clinton Prairie (8-1) next week. EH would be on the road in both situations.
Full sectional pairings
Lapel (2-7) @ #3 Sheridan (7-2)
Guerin Catholic (4-5) @ Indiana Deaf (0-8)
Clinton Central (2-7) @ Eastern Hancock (1-8)
Tri-Central (3-6) @ #10 Clinton Prairie (8-1)

Elsewhere in the HHC
4A Sectional 12
Delta (8-1) at FW Wayne (5-4)
Delta has been playing amazingly well the last half of the season -- especially since the last-minute rally against PH. The Eagles have outscored their last three opponents 103-17 and have won seven straight. Wayne's record is deceptive, as it plays in the tough SAC and hung tough with FW Snider before losing 16-7 last week.
Winner plays 6-3 Marion or 7-2 Muncie South next week
Full sectional pairings
#9 Delta (8-1) at Fort Wayne Wayne (5-4)
Marion (6-3) at Muncie South (7-2)
Fort Wayne South (2-7) at Muncie Central (0-9)
New Haven (6-3) at Jay County (2-7)

4A Sectional 15
Shelbyville (3-6) at South Dearborn (5-4)
Shelbyville has struggled this season, but this team does have Patrick Ellis. The tough HHC schedule should also prepare the Golden Bears to face the Knights, who finished with a 2-3 mark in the EIAC.
Winner plays either 0-9 Madison or 5-4 Franklin County next week
Full sectional pairings
Shelbyville (3-6) at South Dearborn (5-4)
Madison (0-9) at Franklin County (5-4)
Greenwood (3-6) at Connersville (0-9)
Franklin (3-6) at #6 East Central (8-1)

3A Sectional 22
Howe (2-7) at Yorktown (2-7)
Yorktown struggled early in the year, but posted a very nice victory last week against Rushville to give it a nice bounce going into the tournament. Kundenreich and Barnes are a solid 1-2 punch. Howe also won last week, beating upstart 1A program Monroe Central 49-6 (and also knocking off Arlington earlier in the year)
Winner plays either 9-0 Hamilton Heights or 1-8 Beech Grove next week
Bye: Rushville (2-7) (plays Greensburg/Batesville next week)
Full sectional pairings
Rushville (2-7), bye
Greensburg (4-5) at Batesville (5-4)
Howe (2-7) at Yorktown (2-7)
#2 Hamilton Heights (9-0) at Beech Grove (1-8)