IHSAA football: 12 regular-season games that will shape Class 6A

Ben Davis fought off challenges from Brownsburg, Cathedral and Center Grove on the way to the Class 6A state championship last season. Can the Giants do it again? Or will another contender ascend and take the crown?

We will get some idea during the regular season. Here are 12 regular-season games involving 6A teams that will help shape the 2024 season:

Cathedral at Ben Davis, Aug. 23

These teams last met on a cold November night in a regional at the University of Indianapolis. Ben Davis won that game, barely (27-24), to advance on its way to a state championship. There will be a lot of new faces on both sides but it would not be surprising to see these teams meet again in the regional.

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Westfield at Center Grove, Aug. 23

Some schedule shuffling led to these programs meeting for the first time since the 2021 Class 6A state championship, a game that went down to the wire in a 27-21 Center Grove victory (the second of the Trojans’ three-peat). This will be the first game for Westfield coach Josh Miracle, a longtime assistant. Both teams lost in the 6A semistate last season.

Lawrence North at Lawrence Central, Aug. 23

This rivalry game was moved to Week 1 through a scheduling quirk but should be a fun way to start off the season. Lawrence North has dominated the matchup recently, winning six of the past seven games. Lawrence Central coach Will Patterson was disappointed his team could not quite get over the hump last year in a 4-6 season, which included a pair of losses to the Wildcats. Coach Pat Mallory’s team was 7-4 a year ago.

Brownsburg vs. Cathedral (at Marian), Aug. 30

Cathedral opens with Ben Davis (defending state champion) and Brownsburg (ranked No. 1 before losing to the Giants in last year’s sectional). We should know a lot about coach Bill Peebles’ Irish after Week 2. Brownsburg will be breaking in some new players, including a new starting quarterback and running back, but has a week to prepare with an opener vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.

Carmel at Westfield, Aug. 30

This game belongs on the schedule. Not only should it be an excellent game, it should also produce a huge crowd between Hamilton County “rivals.” I put “rivals” in quotes because these programs have only met five times since 1964. But four of those have come in sectional games since 2018, including back-to-back Westfield wins in 2022 and ’23. Carmel should be improved. Westfield brings a lot back. This should be a great Friday night atmosphere and a potential sectional preview.

Center Grove at Ben Davis, Sept. 13

This Week 4 game is back on the schedule after a year hiatus to allow Ben Davis to host IMG Academy. However, these teams did meet anyway in an epic 37-34 overtime Ben Davis win in last year’s 6A semistate that marked the end of Center Grove’s run to a potential fourth consecutive state title. It will be interesting to see where both teams are coming into Week 4. Center Grove opens with Westfield, Carroll (Fort Wayne) and Louisville Trinity. Ben Davis has Cathedral, Avon and Pike.

Fishers at Hamilton Southeastern, Sept. 13

The Mudsock rivalry is as hot as ever. Hamilton Southeastern won the past two games by a single point in overtime, then defeated the Tigers more handily in the sectional championship each of those seasons (38-21 last year before losing to Westfield in the regional). The Royals have six consecutive wins in the series going into this one. Expect a great crowd and a great game. Both teams have a good chance of taking a 3-0 record into the rivalry matchup.

Ben Davis at Warren Central, Sept. 20

Warren Central did everything but win the game last year in a 31-28 Week 5 loss to Ben Davis. The Giants survived a pass into the end zone and a missed field goal by Warren Central that would have sent the game to overtime in the final seconds. Warren Central, coming off last year’s 5-7 season, should be much improved. If the Warriors can get through defending Class 5A state champion Fort Wayne Snider in Week 1, it is possible they could be 4-0 coming into this game. Ben Davis will be coming off a game against Center Grove and has Lawrence North the following week. The Giants took a 10 to 9 lead in state championships over Warren Central last year.

Hamilton Southeastern at Westfield, Sept. 20

These Hoosier Crossroads Conference rivals went to different sectionals in 2022 but have still managed to see one another in the tournament each of the past two years. Westfield won both meetings last year by a combined five points, including a 24-21 win in the regional. The Shamrocks look loaded for another deep tournament run but have a tough schedule to start the season even before this Week 5 game, including Center Grove and Carmel in Weeks 1 and 2.

Center Grove vs. Cathedral (at Marian), Oct. 4

This game has moved from Week 9 to Week 7. Last year, Center Grove survived a furious fourth-quarter comeback for a 45-38 win over the Irish in the rain at Butler. Center Grove has won four out of five in the series going back to 2020. It will be interesting to see how Eric Moore’s Center Grove team comes together this year. There is talent returning at the skill positions but a new starting quarterback and a lot of players on defense with bigger roles.

Lawrence North at Warren Central, Oct. 4

Lawrence North has some serious talent coming back on both sides of the ball, including Indiana recruit Davion Chandler at receiver. Surprising fact: the Wildcats have won four consecutive regular-season games against Warren Central (the Warriors did win a sectional matchup in 2020). Is this the year the streak ends? This Week 7 game is the middle of a three-game stretch for the Wildcats bookended by Ben Davis and Center Grove.

Brownsburg at Hamilton Southeastern, Oct. 18

This Week 9 game between Hoosier Crossroads Conference rivals has been one of the most competitive on the schedule in recent years. Since 2018, the teams have met five times (the 2020 game was canceled) with the games decided by a total of 17 points. Brownsburg has won three of those games, including a 21-14 result last year to clinch the outright HCC title.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.