Indianapolis high school football Week 8 predictions: Center Grove-Lawrence North, Cathedral-Brebeuf and more

We are into Week 8 of the high school football season and with the sectional draw on Thursday, there is a tendency to peek ahead to the tournament. But there are some games this week – and next – that will keep our attention. It was a subpar week for me on predictions as I was 32-10 to drop to 218-47 (82.3 percent) on the season. No time to get content. Here are all of this week’s area predictions (kickoff at 7 p.m. Friday unless noted):

Center Grove (7-0) at Lawrence North (5-2): Class 6A No. 1 Center Grove might be facing its toughest challenge from a Lawrence North offense that is averaging 39.4 points and 486 yards per game. The ninth-ranked Wildcats will need to hit some big plays with Donaven McCulley (1,764 passing yards, 16 TDs; 373 rushing yards, two TDs) and Omar Cooper (28 catches, 819 yards, 10 TDs) to have a chance. But even if that happens, can the Wildcats’ defense slow down the Trojans? Center Grove has rushed for 300 yards in four of its past five games. Listen for the fireworks in Lawrence Township on Friday night. If they are going off regularly, there might be an upset in the making. Center Grove 42, Lawrence North 27.

Carmel (5-2) at Warren Central (2-4) — watch live on indystar.com via MIC Network: Class 6A sixth-ranked Carmel is going for its fifth consecutive win. Quarterback Zach Osborne passed for a season-high 214 yards in last week’s 31-9 win over Ben Davis, including an 88-yarder to Baron Smith. Warren Central’s last losing season came in 2012 when the Warriors finished 5-6. Carmel 28, Warren Central 24.

Brebeuf Jesuit (3-2) vs. Cathedral (7-0), at Arlington — watch live via WHMB-TV40: After missing two weeks due to contract tracing, Class 3A seventh-ranked Brebeuf put together a complete effort in a 42-7 win over Terre Haute South as Drake Hagerman passed for 312 yards and four TDs. Class 5A top-ranked Cathedral is averaging 459 yards of offense per game. Cathedral 45, Brebeuf Jesuit 17.

Pike (3-4) at North Central (5-2): Class 6A No. 8 North Central ended a two-game losing streak with a 41-21 win over Lawrence Central last week. Pike led by a touchdown in the first quarter last week against Center Grove … then lost 57-14. North Central 28, Pike 26.

Westfield (6-1) at Fishers (2-5): How about these numbers the past two weeks for Fishers junior Jeffrey Simmons: 25 catches for 334 yards and a touchdown. Class 6A No. 3 Westfield is coming off a 59-33 rout of Avon as Maximus Webster passed for 261 yards and five TDs. Westfield 41, Fishers 21.

Noblesville (2-5) at Brownsburg (6-1) — watch live via BCSC-TV (PPV): Noblesville has made strides in Dave Sharpe’s first season as coach, but this will be a difficult assignment against the Class 6A fourth-ranked Bulldogs. Preston Terrell had his best game of the season last week with 11 catches for 203 yards and five touchdowns in Brownsburg’s 41-13 win over Zionsville. Brownsburg 34, Noblesville 14.

Whiteland (6-1) at Plainfield (4-3): Will Class 5A fifth-ranked Whiteland have a letdown after last week’s 41-35 overtime win over Mooresville? Plainfield is capable of pulling the upset. Aiden Moyers passed for 229 yards and four TDs in the Quakers’ 48-37 win over Franklin last week. But stopping Chase Valentine (1,087 rushing yards, nine TDs) and the Whiteland offense could be an issue. Whiteland 38, Plainfield 31.

Hamilton Southeastern (5-2) at Franklin Central (1-6): Since joining the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, Franklin Central is 3-16 against HCC opponents. But the Flashes are 2-0 against HSE. Weird. HSE 24, Franklin Central 10.

Beech Grove (5-2) at Triton Central (5-1) — watch live on YouTube via TC Sports Network: Class 2A sixth-ranked Triton Central is allowing just 10.5 points per game. Beech Grove is riding a four-game winning streak. Triton Central 28, Beech Grove 27.

Danville (5-0) at Western Boone (4-3): Class 3A fifth-ranked Danville has not had a game closer than 21 points. Western Boone is on a three-game winning streak as senior Robby Taylor (748 rushing yards, seven TDs) is closing in on a second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Danville 34, Western Boone 21.

Zionsville (3-4) at Avon (3-4): Avon is allowing 34.4 points per game, but its offense will make it a team nobody wants to see when the sectional draw comes out on Thursday. The Orioles have three receivers – Wallace Stovall, Remington Gall and Joe Hall – with at least 430 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Avon 35, Zionsville 21.

Lawrence Central (0-7) at Ben Davis (2-5): Lawrence Central has a two-game winning streak against Ben Davis. Reggie Mason passed for 224 yards and rushed for 65 yards and two TDs in the Bears’ 41-21 loss to North Central last week. Ben Davis 23, Lawrence Central 20.

Park Tudor (4-1) vs. Covenant Christian (7-0), at Zionsville West Middle School — watch live via IndianaSRN.org: Class A fifth-ranked Covenant Christian has played just one game closer than a 38-point margin – a 36-21 win over Heritage Christian. Park Tudor is coming off a 45-10 loss to Beech Grove. Covenant Christian 45, Park Tudor 21.

Terre Haute North (3-4) at Bishop Chatard (6-1): Class 3A top-ranked Chatard plays a Terre Haute North team that is coming off a 35-21 victory over Southport last week. North senior quarterback Jace Russell rushed for 200 yards and a touchdown and passed for 136 yards and two TDs in that win. Bishop Chatard 38, Terre Haute North 17.

Scecina (2-3) vs. Cardinal Ritter (3-2), at Marian — watch live via IndianaSRN.org: Ritter has not played since Sept. 18, while Scecina returned last week for its first game in three weeks, falling 21-14 to Triton Central. Ritter’s Ashton Hall has 637 rushing yards and nine TDs in five games. Scecina’s three losses are by a total of 11 points. Ritter 21, Scecina 20.

Guerin Catholic (2-3) at Decatur Central (5-2) — watch live on IHSAAtv.org via on DCHS Live! (PPV): Decatur Central senior quarterback Peyton Horsley missed last week’s game and will be out again against Guerin, but should be able to return next week with a bone bruise on the AC joint near his shoulder for the 5A sixth-ranked Hawks. Sophomore Aycen Stevens did a nice job in his absence, passing for 127 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 76 yards and two scores in a 49-21 win over Greenwood. Decatur Central 32, Guerin Catholic 16.

New Palestine (5-1) at New Castle (3-3), 7:30 p.m.: Senior Blake Austin has 25 catches for 436 yards and six touchdowns this season for Class 5A fourth-ranked New Pal. New Castle is coming off a 48-6 loss to Mt. Vernon. New Palestine 31, New Castle 13.

Lutheran (6-1) at Speedway (4-3): Speedway has a three-game winning streak for the first time in coach Steve Wray’s seven seasons. It would take an upset of the Class A second-ranked Saints to claim a fourth consecutive win. Lutheran 41, Speedway 23.

Martinsville (3-4) at Mooresville (6-1) — watch live on IHSAAtv.org via Pioneer TV: Class 5A No. 3 Mooresville rallied but could not close the deal last week in a 41-35 overtime loss to Whiteland. As coach Mike Gillin said, all of the Pioneers’ goals are still attainable. Sophomore Tyler Adkins passed for 187 yards and three TDs in Martinsville’s 42-9 win over Perry Meridian last week. Mooresville 38, Martinsville 16.

Shenandoah (5-2) at Eastern Hancock (4-3): Eastern Hancock lost a 28-21 heartbreaker to Monroe Central last week, a game it led by two touchdowns. J.P. Fuchs stepped in at quarterback in the second half with Houston Swan out due to injury and passed for 76 yards and rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown. Shenandoah 27, Eastern Hancock 24.

Sullivan (5-2) at Indian Creek (5-2): Sullivan has won four consecutive games and is led by sophomore quarterback Rowdy Adams (1,151 passing yards, nine TDs). Connor Fruits (910 rushing yards, 13 TDs) sets the pace for Indian Creek’s offense. Indian Creek 23, Sullivan 20.

Eastern (Greentown) (7-0) at Sheridan (4-2): Sheridan was held to a season-low 100 rushing yards in a 28-14 loss to Seeger last week. Eastern has five shutouts in its seven victories. Eastern 23, Sheridan 16.

Crispus Attucks (3-2) at Washington (2-4): Attucks used a 22-point second quarter on its way to a 42-14 rout of Shortridge last week. Attucks 27, Washington 20.

Yorktown (3-4) at Pendleton Heights (4-3), 7:30 p.m.: Pendleton Heights has lost its past three games – to New Palestine, Mt. Vernon and Delta – by a combined 23 points. Pendleton Heights 24, Yorktown 13.

Franklin (3-4) at Greenwood (3-4): There have been some wild games in the Mid-State Conference this season and this could be another. Franklin’s Jalen Ward (837 rushing yards, 10 TDs) is closing in on his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Greenwood 33, Franklin 29.

Tech (2-4) at Marion (4-3): Marion has won four of its past five games, including a 49-6 win over Muncie Central last week. Tech dropped a 18-15 decision to Anderson. Marion 35, Tech 21.

Tindley (2-4) at Heritage Christian (5-1) — watch live via IndianaSRN.org: Colton Brown rushed for 217 yards and Maxwell Milton passed for 215 yards and four TDs in 2A fifth-ranked Heritage Christian’s 41-19 win over Lapel. Heritage Christian 46, Tindley 14.

Greenfield-Central (2-3) at Delta (5-1): Lance McKee rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns in Greenfield-Central’s 22-7 win over Yorktown last week, the senior quarterback’s fourth 100-yard rushing game. Delta 26, Greenfield-Central 20.

Lapel (5-2) at Jay County (0-7): Lapel looks to bounce back from a 41-19 loss to Heritage Christian last week. Lapel 42, Jay County 16.

Hamilton Heights (3-4) at Lewis Cass (2-5): Hamilton Heights was close to a four-game winning streak, falling 24-21 last week to Tipton. These teams have played several close games in recent years. Hamilton Heights 27, Lewis Cass 23.

Shelbyville (0-7) at Mt. Vernon (7-0), 7:30 p.m.: Class 4A No. 1 Mt. Vernon has never finished a regular season with an unbeaten record. A win here and next week at Yorktown would do it. Mt. Vernon 49, Shelbyville 7.

Lebanon (1-3) at Southmont (2-4): Lebanon’s Trevor Winkles rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-6 win over Crawfordsville last week. Lebanon 33, Southmont 26.

Terre Haute South (2-5) at Southport (1-3), 7:30 p.m. — watch live via IndianaSRN.org: Southport looks to bounce back from last week’s 35-21 loss to Terre Haute North. Southport 30, Terre Haute South 25.

Tri-West (5-2) at Crawfordsville (0-7): Class 3A No. 10 Tri-West rushed for a season-high 195 yards in last week’s 35-6 win over North Montgomery. Tri-West 48, Crawfordsville 8.

Cascade (2-5) at Monrovia (1-6): Monrovia lost to Cascade twice last season, including 49-21 in the sectional. Monrovia 28, Cascade 21.

North Central (Farmersburg) (0-5) at Traders Point Christian (2-3): Traders Point got its offense rolling in a 55-36 win over Edinburgh last week, rushing for 275 yards. Traders Point 34, North Central 28.

South Putnam (7-0) at Shortridge (0-6): Class A No. 6 South Putnam has won seven games for the first time since 2015. South Putnam 48, Shortridge 7.

Rock Creek Academy (0-5) at Edinburgh (1-6): Caleb Dewey is having a great sophomore season for Edinburgh, catching 53 passes for 785 yards and 10 touchdowns. Edinburgh 42, Rock Creek Academy 22.

Wes-Del (2-5) at Purdue Polytechnic (2-4): These teams met last year, which was a 41-0 Wes-Del victory. Purdue Poly has lost three consecutive games. Wes-Del 27, Purdue Poly 12.

Manual (1-4) at Clinton Prairie (1-6): This game was a late addition to the schedule and should be a competitive matchup. Manual 22, Clinton Prairie 20.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at 317-444-6649.