In this post, I’m going to offer analysis on the remaining four teams, which are Lawrence Central, Warren Central, Center Grove, and Pike.

Pike: 2-4 conference record

Pike has is 2-4 in conference play, but they are getting ready to play Lawrence North and then get ready to face their rival Ben Davis in Sectionals. So how can they improve?

Offense: Run the ball. While Pike may have some good passers, you can’t overly rely on the pass. Running backs need to start gaining experience running the ball or Ben Davis will defeat Pike in Sectionals.

Defense: Don’t celebrate prematurely. After Pike got 2 quick touchdowns against us, they thought we were done, so they took the rest of the day off. Guess what happened? Yep…Carmel stormed back. Celebrating prematurely will result in you getting beaten. As they say, play for 4 quarters, not 3.

Special Teams: Actually protect your kicker on extra points and field goals. Sounds like common knowledge, but you’d be surprised that we had 2 blocked extra points because the linemen didn’t protect. Make sure you protect your kicker so he can do his job.

Warren Central: 5-2 conference record

Warren Central is literally waiting patiently for Sectionals to start, and they are also looking for good ways to defeat Center Grove in Regionals once they get there. So how can they go on to State for the 2^nd time in 3 years?

Offense: Know the distinction between Varsity and JV games. Sounds like common knowledge, but apparently their JV QB was still at the Varsity game this past Saturday as he tossed 4 interceptions during the JV game, 3 of which were tossed to junior John Hokanson (Hokanson returned 1 of the 3 for a pick six). To be effective, you have to toss to the right colored uniforms.

Defense: Make sure you take advantage of opportunities. Warren had Carmel on a 2^nd and 43 after Carmel had a plethora of penalties, and then blew it as Carmel made the go-ahead score. A 2^nd and 43 should’ve been a punt, instead it turns into a Carmel touchdown. While we’re on the topic of penalties, also don’t give teams free first downs. That’s how Carmel kept themselves alive on 4^th down after Warren jumped offsides, giving Carmel a free first down.

Special Teams: Make sure squib kicks go 10 yards. Warren’s JV team decided to try a squib kick, and it went only 8 yards, meaning 1^st and 10 from the Warren 48-yard line. Actually kick the ball with some effort, even if it’s a squib kick.

Lawrence Central: 3-3 conference record

Lawrence Central is 3-3 in conference play and is getting ready to face Carmel. So how can they improve?

#1: Defend your turf. If you’re losing in front of your crowd, you’re embarrassing yourself. They are 0-5 at home, which means all 3 games they won were on the road. So it’s impressive and shameful at the same time.

#2: Dictate the pace of the game. 5 out of the 8 games were blowouts. That usually means one team was dictating the pace of the game. Be that team who dictates the pace.

#3: Win this time against Cathedral. Lawrence Central lost (at home) by a score of 32-14. A rematch should be more than enough to make Cathedral learn they are here to play.

Center Grove: 7-0 conference record

Center Grove is outright MIC champs and now is waiting to go destroy Columbus North in the Sectional Semifinals. How can they possibly improve?

#1: Prove you’re the real deal. Sounds like common sense, but Carmel last year was undefeated going into the State Championship and were expected to take down the Ben Davis Giants. So what happens? Ben Davis comes in and wrecks Carmel to make them the laughingstock of the playoffs. To be fair though, Ben Davis had to lend itself to several missed calls, but Carmel was handed a loss at the State Championship, showing even undefeated teams can be defeated if you know how. Don’t be the laughingstock of the playoffs.

#2: Take a page from the Carmel game. Originally, Carmel took the lead and was looking set to keep the Copper Kettle. And then Center Grove managed to somehow come back. Watch the film, because that is a classic example of rolling with the punches.

#3: Rankings shouldn’t mean anything. Carmel had a national ranking of #20 preseason, and look how that turned out. Center Grove is now ranked #21, and now they are the team to beat. Be prepared to defend that ranking and prove you are truly the State Champions.