The top high school football games each week across Southwestern Indiana in 2024

EVANSVILLE — Only four weeks separate us from the start of the high school football season.

With the calendar quickly approaching August, it's time to begin preparations for Friday nights. That means plenty of preseason coverage coming your way. We've already begun with players to watch across Southwestern Indiana. Now, it's time for the top games each week.

A reminder these picks could change since nobody knows how the season will unfold. There will be surprises or possible struggles from presumed favorites. But the odds show the potential for several quality matchups across the area.

More: 6 high school football storylines to follow in SW Indiana in 2024

Week 1: Castle at North

Nothing like a possible sectional championship to begin the season. The Huskies swept the Knights in two of the better area games last year: a game-winning drive in the opener followed by the eye-popping 60-50 sectional final . Castle looks strong on paper with over a dozen starters returning. The biggest questions for North come on both sides of the line.

Others: Memorial at Jasper, Gibson Southern at Danville, Heritage Hills at Southridge

Week 2: Mount Carmel (Ill.) at Gibson Southern

It's tough to gauge out-of-state opponents, but this is an important marker for the Titans. Mount Carmel graduated a few heavy hitters after going 12-2 including its quarterback. Gibson Southern is also looking to reload on offense, but the front seven could be tough. We'll know where the Titans stand after a non-conference schedule also including Danville and South Warren.

Others: Memorial at North, Southridge at Boonville, Reitz at Vincennes Lincoln

Week 3: Jasper at Reitz

A possible Sectional 24 championship preview. Reitz has not lost a regular season game since 2021 but has several spots to fill. There's still talent with as many as 11 with starting experience. Jasper should continue to be Jasper under Tony Lewis. He has a third-year starting quarterback and enough returners to keep the Wildcats among the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference contenders.

Others: Boonville at Heritage Hills, Mater Dei at Vincennes

Week 4: North Posey at Tell City

This has big Pocket Athletic Conference ramifications. North Posey made it to Indianapolis last year and among the returning nucleus is running back Jed Galvin. A lot of other new faces though. Could Tell City be a challenger this year? Two big reasons why: the backfield of Landon and Noah Terry, both 1,000-yard rushers. A win puts the Marksmen in the driver's seat.

Others: Memorial at Mater Dei, Reitz at North, South Warren at Gibson Southern

Week 5: Heritage Hills at North Posey

A non-divisional game but still one featuring two state runner-ups. It also comes at a crossroads on the schedule for both teams. How do the Vikings respond following an important division game the week prior? How do the Patriots look with a major test looming in Week 6?

Others: Gibson Southern at Southridge, Mater Dei at Jasper, Mount Vernon at Forest Park

Week 6: Gibson Southern at Heritage Hills

Two very good options this week. I'll go with the rematch of last year's Class 3A semistate. Gibson Southern should look different by Week 6 compared to its non-PAC gauntlet. Heritage Hills might also be a top two or three team in Class 3A to begin the year, led by junior quarterback Jett Goldsberry.

Others: Castle at Reitz, Southridge at Tell City, Mater Dei at North

Week 7: Reitz at Memorial

The final month is when the SIAC title race gets interesting. This should be circled on the calendar for both sides and their only meeting this year with the Tigers in Class 3A. Reitz having Castle and Memorial in back-to-back weeks is a major hurdle in a quest for three straight SIAC crowns. A Memorial victory sets up a potential title clash at the end of the regular season.

Others : Jasper at Castle, Mount Vernon at Heritage Hills, North Posey at Forest Park

Week 8: North Posey at Southridge

If the PAC Small School Division title has yet to be determined, it will be here. The Vikings and Raiders are the only division winners since the conference split in football four years ago. In the case of Southridge, this is another intriguing season for Scott Buening. The Raiders won seven games but no championships last year and must replace a few notable starters.

Others : Jasper at North, Mount Vernon at Gibson Southern

Week 9: Castle at Memorial

There's a scenario where this game, which is being played at Bosse Field , determines the SIAC champion. Always one of the more competitive rivalries in the SIAC. Both have enough returning talent to have goals beyond the regular season. This could be an impact game right before the postseason.

Others: Reitz at Mater Dei, Vincennes Lincoln at Jasper

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: The top high school football games each week across Southwestern Indiana in 2024