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The six best games to watch in the first round of IHSAA football sectionals in SW Indiana

kyle sokeland, evansville courier & press
·5 min read

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Every year, there is a championship-level matchup in the first round of the high school football sectional. Just maybe not this year in Southwestern Indiana.

Each team is at the mercy of the blind draw. Aside from one notable exception, there weren't too many complaints about how the brackets unfolded. It should lead to many quality semifinal or championship games over the next two weeks.

That doesn't mean the first round is without potential gems. We are blessed with a pair of SIAC vs. PAC battles, plus an interesting top-10 matchup. Here are six games in the Evansville area to keep an eye on Friday night.

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Gibson Southern’s Tanner Boyd (10) eludes the tackle of Boonville’s Reece Wilder (22) during their game at Bennett Field in Boonville, Ind., Friday evening, Oct. 14, 2022.
Gibson Southern’s Tanner Boyd (10) eludes the tackle of Boonville’s Reece Wilder (22) during their game at Bennett Field in Boonville, Ind., Friday evening, Oct. 14, 2022.

3A Sectional 30: Vincennes Lincoln (4-5) at No. 2 Gibson Southern (9-0)

The defending state champions don't have the easiest opener. Vincennes was one of the top teams in the SIAC during early September but sputtered to the finish line with four losses in five games. Junior quarterback Xander Hunt is among the top playmakers in Southwest Indiana. The Titans, who completed their fifth undefeated regular season in program history, know stopping him is number one on the game plan. Gibson's strength has been running the ball between the trio of Devan Roberts (1,166 yards and 17 TD), Tanner Boyd and Sean DeLong.

This will be the 20th meeting in series history with the Titans winning the last four postseason meetings. Vincennes last won a sectional in 2019.

2A Sectional 40: No. 10 Perry Central (8-1) at No. 6 Mater Dei (6-3)

The path back to Lucas Oil Stadium isn't a gimmie for the Wildcats. Perry Central, the PLAC champions, ranked fifth in Class 2A with 40.6 points per game. The reason for success is simple: the Commodores are going to run the ball. Junior Sawyer Guillaume is well over 1,000 yards and just set the single-game school record with 310 against Mitchell on Friday. The Wildcats will counter with a defense ranked fourth in 2A at 12.6 ppg and an offense led by senior quarterback Mason Wunderlich (18 touchdowns).

This will be the first meeting Mater Dei and Perry Central. The Wildcats have won three straight sectional titles. The Commodores last won a sectional in 2010.

Boonville’s Clay Conner (6) throws against Gibson Southern during their game at Bennett Field in Boonville, Ind., Friday evening, Oct. 14, 2022.
Boonville’s Clay Conner (6) throws against Gibson Southern during their game at Bennett Field in Boonville, Ind., Friday evening, Oct. 14, 2022.

4A Sectional 24: Boonville (6-3) at Harrison (3-6)

This is one of the more intriguing matchups in round one. The Warriors play a tough schedule but do own a notable road win over No. 12 Jasper. The offense has also averaged 25.7 points over the final three games with the introduction of dual-threat quarterback DeShawnDre Brown. Boonville is the favorite on paper with a deep senior class and multiple playmakers. Clay Conner (20 total touchdowns) and Reece Wilder (929 yards, 13 scores) are capable of scoring from anywhere. This game could also have vibes of the 2018 sectional scare against Bosse if the Pioneers aren't careful.

This will be the seventh meeting in series history and first since 2019. Boonville last won a sectional title in 2004 and Harrison in 2015.

Tecumseh's Chase Jones (25) runs for a touchdown while Forest Park's Jaxon Lueken (3) tries to catch him during their game at Tecumseh High School Friday evening, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tecumseh's Chase Jones (25) runs for a touchdown while Forest Park's Jaxon Lueken (3) tries to catch him during their game at Tecumseh High School Friday evening, Sept. 9, 2022.

1A Sectional 48: South Spencer (5-4) at No. 5 Tecumseh (8-0)

A preview of what's to come when Tecumseh officially joins the PAC in football next season. The Braves earned their first undefeated regular season since 2008 but are coming off a bye as Rock Creek Academy had to previously back out due to low numbers. The Braves are ranked 10th in Class A in both scoring (41.0) and defense (16.4 points allowed). Chase Jones has 1,393 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns. South Spencer won four of its final five games while averaging 40.3 points in those victories. Can the Rebels slow down the Braves' offense?

This will be the 42nd meeting in series history but the first since 2006. The last sectional title for both came in 2003.

Mount Vernon’s Nicot Burnett (8) passes the ball as the Mount Vernon Wildcats play the North Posey Vikings Friday evening, Oct. 7, 2022.
Mount Vernon’s Nicot Burnett (8) passes the ball as the Mount Vernon Wildcats play the North Posey Vikings Friday evening, Oct. 7, 2022.

3A Sectional 30: No. 8 Owen Valley (9-0) at Mount Vernon (5-4)

Which Mount Vernon team will show up? If it's the one from the first half of the season, the Wildcats have a chance. Nicot Burnett and company averaged 47 points during a four-game win streak. What followed was a three-game losing streak against the heart of the schedule. Owen Valley is experiencing one of its best two-year stretches in program history after winning the sectional last year. Senior quarterback Brody Lester has 1,777 passing yards and 23 touchdowns and senior running back Christian McDonald has 1,037 yards with 20 scores.

This is the first meeting in the series. Mount Vernon last won a sectional title in 2007.

Southridge's O’Ryan Curry (10) runs the ball as the Southridge Raiders play the Gibson Southern Titans at Southridge High School in Huntingburg, Ind., Friday evening, Sept. 16, 2022.
Southridge's O’Ryan Curry (10) runs the ball as the Southridge Raiders play the Gibson Southern Titans at Southridge High School in Huntingburg, Ind., Friday evening, Sept. 16, 2022.

3A Sectional 32: North Harrison (7-2) at No. 10 Southridge (8-1)

Time to once again see if not betting against Scott Buening remains true. A visit from the Cougars could be one of the tougher games in this sectional for the Raiders. North Harrison features a run game led by Sawyer Wetzel (1,675 yards and 16 touchdowns) and David Langdon (929 total yards, 10 rushing scores). The identity of this Southridge team though is defense. The Raiders allowed only eight points per game, eighth in the state regardless of class. Also, watch out for Hudson Allen (1,178 passing yards with 11 touchdowns) or Reid Schroeder (15 rushing touchdowns).

Southridge has won all three postseason meetings against North Harrison, who has never won a sectional title.

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana high school football: 6 Evansville sectional openers to watch