Dragash bounces back with 4-1 week; makes IHSAA semistate picks
By CRAIG DRAGASH
ISL Correspondent
Note: This was updated Friday night with final scores.
I was soooo close….
Only a gutsy two-point conversion by Fort Wayne Snider to defeat Fishers in overtime kept me from a 5-0 week on IHSAA regional picks; but after my dismal sectional performance, I’ll settle for 4-1. Now that I’ve finally learned my lesson (see last week’s FNLP), I’m looking forward to this week’s semistate round. So here are my picks for the last stop on the road to Lucas Oil Stadium:
Lawrence Central at Center Grove
Lawrence Central was impressive in its win against Pike in regionals; however, penalties continue to present a stumbling block on the Bears’ potential path to Lucas Oil. They can’t afford to make those mistakes against Center Grove. The Trojans had a fairly easy road until they faced Castle last week, but they were impressive during MIC play with big wins over Ben Davis and Warren Central along the way. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will take this one.
Center Grove 26, Lawrence Central 22
Actual score: LC 26, Center Grove 15
Cathedral at Columbus East
I tried to pick against Cathedral once this postseason (Roncalli); can I do it again this week against the undefeated Olympians? Yet another case of a very good team outside of the Indianapolis area taking on the well-prepared Irish. Ask Mt. Vernon what happens when undefeated teams take on Cathedral…
Cathedral 31, Columbus East 24
Actual score: Cathedral 49, Columbus East 14
Mishawaka Marian at Hamilton Heights
Eastbrook certainly posed a threat to Heights last week, but the Huskies were able to pull out the win. Marian just doesn’t have the resume that Heights does; this one should see Heights playing one more week at Lucas Oil.
Hamilton Heights 42, Mishawaka Marian 17
Actual score: Hamilton Heights 42, Mishawaka Marian 13 (Nice one, Craig — Editor)
Ritter at Evansville Mater Dei
Mater Dei has two losses this season…did I mention those two losses were to 5A Castle, and 4A Evansville Reitz? Ritter however still has their buzzsaw going through this tournament; outscoring their opponents 198-50 in the first four games. Mater Dei will give the Raiders a challenge, but it’s Ritter’s time this season.
Ritter 31, Mater Dei 27
Actual score: Ritter 49, Mater Dei 14
Scecina at Linton-Stockton
Scecina’s three losses have come to very strong teams (Roncalli, Triton Central, and Ritter), while Linton-Stockton comes into this one a perfect 13-0. Again, the battle-tested Indy team overcomes this challenge.
Scecina 21, Linton-Stockton 16
Actual score: Scecina 17, Linton-Stockton 14, OT (Another nice one, C-money! — Editor)
