There are some very intriguing first round matchups in our area.
(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Every high school football team in Indiana dreams of winning a state championship.
The path to realizing that dream starts Friday, October 23 when the IHSAA Football State Tournament kicks off.
A total of 314 teams will compete across six divisions with state champions being crowned at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on November 27 and 28.
According to the IHSAA, the state finals matchups, dates, and times won’t necessarily be played in its usual 1A, 3A, 5A format on one day and 2A, 4A, 6A format the other day. If matchups allow schools from a similar geographical area may be grouped into consecutive games or at least on the same day.
Before teams think too much about going to state, they will need to escape their individual sectionals.
East Central had won four sectional championships in a row before they were defeated by Mooresville in the title game last season. The path to the 19th sectional in school history will be a tough one for the Trojans. East Central, ranked 4th in 4A, drew #11 Silver Creek in round one. Third-ranked Mooresville could await in the semifinals.
The Trojans will be joined in Sectional 23 by EIAC rival South Dearborn. The Knights will take on Greenwood Community in round one. They would play Jennings County or Martinsville should South Dearborn advance.
In 3A, Lawrenceburg will look to repeat as Sectional 31 champs. The Tigers are currently ranked 6th in the class and are among the favorites to make a run at a state championship. The Tigers will be tested early with a first round matchup against Brownstown Central. Sectional 31 will also feature an intriguing first round matchup between Franklin County and Batesville.
Milan hopes to get another crack at a sectional championship after losing last year's title game by one-point. The Indians will play South Decatur in the first round.
See the full 2020 IHSAA Football State Tournament draw at www.ihsaa.org.
Class 4A Sectional 23 (8 teams)
G1: South Dearborn at Greenwood Community.
G2: Jennings County at Martinsville.
G3: East Central at Silver Creek.
G4: Mooresville at Madison Consolidated.
Game 5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner.
Game 6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner.
Championship Game 7: G5 winner vs. G6 winner.
Class 3A Sectional 31 (8 teams)
G1: Brownstown Central at Lawrenceburg.
G2: Rushville Consolidated at Scottsburg.
G3: Franklin County at Batesville.
G4: Greensburg at Charlestown.
Game 5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner.
Game 6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner.
Championship Game 7: G5 winner vs. G6 winner.
Class 2A Sectional 39 (8 teams)
G1: Mitchell at Eastern (Pekin).
G2: Providence at Union County.
G3: Triton Central at Switzerland County.
G4: Paoli at Clarksville.
Game 5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner.
Game 6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner.
Championship Game 7: G5 winner vs. G6 winner.
Class 1A Sectional 47 (8 teams)
G1: Tri at Oldenburg Academy.
G2: South Decatur at Milan.
G3: Cambridge City Lincoln at North Decatur.
G4: Hagerstown vs. Knightstown.
Game 5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner.
Game 6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner.
Championship Game 7: G5 winner vs. G6 winner.