A dozen high school football games we can't wait to see in 2022
High school football season openers are just one month away.
So let's pull out the calendar and mark down some of the top dates to watch out for as the 2022 race to Lucas Oil gets under way.
Aug. 19
Bloomington North at Mooresville
Cougars picked up the Pioneers looking for a stiffer early season test and they should get it. Offense looks strong behind experienced QB Nick Patterson, who has several targets back from last year. Mooresville was 9-3 with losses to Decatur Central, Whiteland and East Central. North will unveil a new QB and unleash RB Cody Mikulich behind an experienced line. They haven't played since 2006.
Springs Valley at Eastern Greene
Great starting point for the return of head coach Travis Wray and it should be an emotional night for the T-Birds, who are ready to shake off a three-year doldrum of one-win seasons. Blackhawks are coming off a sectional championship appearance that capped best season (9-3) since 1998.
Bloomington South at New Albany
Panthers return to the scene of last year's regional defeat. Bulldogs lost 18 seniors, including all but 24 of the yards gained in the 33-14 win. A big chuck of the front lines on both sides are back, however.
Aug. 26
Monrovia at Edgewood
Andy Olson has Monrovia back on track and the Bulldogs will bring another dose of ground and pound to the red turf behind returning backs Brayton Belcher and Dustin Kostrzewski. They combined for just over 2,100 yards and 28 TDs last year. At the same time, Dogs will be breaking in new LBs and a new new linemen on both sides, but this will be a physical test the Mustangs must pass.
Sept. 2
Peotone (Ill.) at Edgewood
Mustangs picked up this game in June after a hole developed on both team's schedules. An interesting matchup with a school of 472 from the Kankakee area. Blue Devils were 5-5 last year, making Illinois' 3A playoffs, losing just 10-0 to eventual 2A state champs from Wilmington.
Sept. 9
Bloomington South at Bloomington North
Always the biggest, thickest red circle on the Bloomington calendar. Last five meetings have been highly entertaining, but the Panthers have prevailed in four of them, including last year's sectional final.
Owen Valley at Edgewood
Ditto on the circle thing along the Indiana 46 corridor between Ellettsville and Spencer. Edgewood is looking to get back on its feet after a tough season, while OV wants to keep the ball rolling after one of its best years ever.
Sept. 30
Columbus North at Bloomington South
If South can knock off its crosstown rival, this game has a chance to be for all the CI marbles. The Bull Dogs were just too physical and fast for both Bloomington schools last year so the Panthers will look for a better showing with CN in its first season under new coach Logan Haston.
Oct. 7
Bloomington North at Columbus North
The second of consecutive Friday trips to Columbus and the Cougars are hoping there are Conference Indiana implications. The Bull Dogs lost a lot of key figures from last year, including head coach Tim Bless. Last year's meeting certainly left a bad taste in the Cougars' mouths.
Northview at Edgewood
Edgewood is moving up to 4A this year, and for the time being, the Knights are the only 4A team on its schedule. So this game will tell the Mustangs where they are at heading into a new Sectional 23 that includes the likes of Martinsville and East Central, but no other team that had a winning record last year.
Oct. 14
Eastern Greene at North Central
Seaosn finales include a match with with the defending sectional champs just one week after taking on rival Linton. It'll be a good stretch to let the T-Birds know where they stand heading into the postseason.
Bloomington South at Seymour
Interesting situation has developed for Panthers, who were not able to find a game in Week 8 after Hammond Morton bailed. So this will be their only game in a three-week span and will be against a possible sectional opponent. They haven't met since 1994.
Contact Jim Gordillo at jgordillo@heraldt.com and follow on Twitter @JimGordillo.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana high school football 2022: IHSAA football games in Bloomington
