Dragash: Center Grove, Ben Davis to meet in key MIC battle
By CRAIG DRAGASH
ISL Correspondent
There are three games left in the high school football regular season, and the Center Grove Trojans are still sitting atop the MIC conference with a perfect record.
Center Grove is 6-0 overall and 5-0 in a league that has seen everyone else beat up on each other while the Trojans watch from on top. Center Grove is now ranked No. 50 in the USA Today’s rankings and No. 1 in the Indiana AP Class 6A poll.
This week, the Ben Davis Giants come calling. The Giants looked very impressive in their 42-12 thumping of Lawrence Central a week ago (story here), and they appear to be healthy and ready to challenge for the top spot. They enter the game with just one league loss – to Warren Central in Week 4.
Ben Davis was very impressive with its spread offensive attack against Lawrence Central, which brought standout linebacker Brandon Lee out in coverage. The Giants’ three-headed running attack featuring Jamie Akin, Chris Evans, and Dorian Tate took advantage, rushing for a combined 301 yards against the usually stout Bears defense.
But Center Grove is at home, and the Trojans have proven they can beat the toughest of challengers with wins over Carmel, Warren Central, Pike, and Lawrence Central to go with a victory over winless Lawrence North to build an impressive resume. If Ben Davis comes out with a victory, the Giants would be a half game behind Center Grove in the race for the MIC title.
Meanwhile, Carmel lurks at 4-1 in the conference, and the Greyhounds have a date with Warren Central. The Warriors are coming off of a loss to Pike where they had a 28-0 lead before the Red Devils scored 38 straight to steal a 38-28 victory. Warren stands at 3-2 in the conference, so a victory still would likely leave both out of the conference chase; but a victory by Carmel, coupled with a Ben Davis victory over Center Grove would leave Center Grove, Ben Davis, and Carmel all with only one conference loss.
Carmel has the toughest three-game stretch to end the season, hosting Warren Central and Pike and finishing at Ben Davis. After its game with Ben Davis, Center Grove hosts North Central, and then travels to Cincinnati LaSalle. Ben Davis travels to Lawrence North before hosting Carmel in the finale.
Buckle up folks, it should be a fun ride to the finish….
