The road to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the state championships goes through Center Grove.
Class 6A top-ranked Warren Central, No. 20 in the Super 25 Expert rankings, makes a return visit to face defending state champion Center Grove on Friday in a much-anticipated regional showdown. The high-flying Warriors (10-1), averaging 41.2 points and 486 yards per game, will attempt to knock off the Trojans for a second time this season after a 21-16 win in the season opener.
A win would bode well for Warren Central’s state title hopes, in more ways than one. The last four teams to sweep two games from Center Grove (Ben Davis in 2014, Carmel in 2011, Warren Central in 2009 and Warren Central in 2003) went on to win a state championship.
Neither team received much resistance in the sectional. Warren Central pounded Franklin Central (49-17) and Southport (50-20) in Sectional 7, while Center Grove handled Jeffersonville (62-6) and Columbus North (41-14) in Sectional 8.
This has all the makings of an epic game. Warren Central has shown the most consistent, explosive offense in 6A this year. Senior quarterback Zach Summeier has a number of weapons to turn to. But Center Grove has a strong defense and an offense that has improved throughout the season. Beating the defending champs at home will be no easy task.
RELATED: Super 25 Expert Rankings
RELATED: Super 25 Computer Rankings
According to USA TODAY High School Sports’ Score Predictor, Center Grove has a very slight advantage.
Score Predictor uses data from the Super 25 computer to compare two teams and plays multiple simulations to determine the most likely result.
