Friday's night football capsules

BY GREG MENGELT

CLASS 5A, SECTIONAL 8

NEW ALBANY AT FLOYD CENTRAL

• TIME: 7 p.m.

• PLACE: Scott Field at Ron Weigleb Stadium.

• RECORDS: New Albany 2-8, Floyd Central 7-3.

• ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY: New Albany leads 21-17.

• LAST MEETING: Oct. 16, 2009 at Buerk Field — New Albany 17, Floyd Central 15.

• KEY FACTS: Because of the change in the rules for 2008 that doesn’t allow a team that draws a bye in the first round to host any sectional games, either New Albany or Floyd Central will host next week’s sectional championship game. The Bulldogs or Highlanders will host either Castle or Bedford North Lawrence, which drew the first-round bye. ... The Highlanders and Bulldogs last met in the post-season in 2000 when New Albany won in the Knobs, 19-17 in the first round. ... Despite losing to the Bulldogs two weeks ago, Floyd is still a 10-point favorite, according to the computer-based Sagarin ratings. ... New Albany had lost five straight first-round sectional games until last week’s 33-21 win over Evansville North. In the win, Chris Whitehead scored an offensive and a defensive touchdown. His 43-yard reception from Simon Weber was the Bulldogs’ opening score, and his 38-yard strip and fumble return of Richard Compton gave New Albany a 33-7 lead on the first play of the second half. ... Sophomore Jalen Forrest continued his hot streak with 137 yards on 22 carries. He also had two scoring runs in the second quarter. ... The Highlanders touched the ball nine times on offense last week and scored nine touchdowns. The offense, which accrued 481 total yards, was led by Max Guenther. The senior quarterback completed 14 of 18 passes for 197 yards and had 124 rushing yards — all in the first half. Six different Highlanders scored in the victory. ... U of L baseball recruit Jeffrey Thompson caught five of Guenther’s passes for 60 yards and scored on a 10-yard pass in the third quarter.

• BURNING QUESTION: Can New Albany beat the Highlanders for the second time in three weeks?

Can the Bulldogs win again? Yes. Will they need some breaks? Yes. Was the first time a fluke? Not really. Did the better team win? Probably not. New Albany certainly has a shot at winning again, but Floyd has the better skill and talent and beating a team with superior talent can be accomplished once. Doing it twice, that’s going to be a tall task.

CLASS 2A, SECTIONAL 31

PROVIDENCE AT PAOLI

• TIME: 7 p.m.

• PLACE: Paoli’s Cook Field.

• RECORDS: Providence 6-4, Paoli 10-0.

• ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.

• LAST MEETING: None.

• KEY FACTS: With a win on Friday, Providence would host either 4-6 Lawrenceburg or 7-3 Brownstown Central in the Sectional 31 title game. ... For the first time this season, Providence is on a winning steak. Its 21-14 win over Triton Central in last week’s sectional opener, a week after downing Clarksville. ... Senior quarterback Anthony Denis has completed 64 of 110 passes for 917 yards this season for one of the most successful seasons by a Pioneer quarterback in recent history. ... Spencer Corrao is one of the state’s leading rushers. The junior is averaging 155.7 yards per game and has scored 13 touchdowns. ... Senior linebacker Jacob Golembeski — an All-State candidate — has been credited with 203 tackles this season, including 51 solos. ... According to the computer-based Sagarin Ratings, Paoli is a touchdown favorite against the Pioneers. ... . ... Paoli is 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the latest Associate Press Poll and No. 3 in the IFCA Coaches’ poll. ... The Rams are led by senior All-State quarterback candidate Logan Laswell, who was named to the state’s Prime 25 by Indiana Football Digest. Laswell has more than 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing and is the school’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. In last week’s 48-16 win over Clarksville, Laswell rushed for a touchdown and threw two more. ... Laswell isn’t the only Ram of note. Defensive end Ethan White will play football in Indiana State next season, and linebacker Cody Baker and defensive tackle Tyler Dillard were both pre-season All-State honorable mention honorees. ... This is the third straight season Paoli has won at least one playoff game, including a trip to the sectional championship game last year. Prior to the streak, Paoli had lost eight straight first-round sectional contests. ... The Rams won their only sectional crown 32 years ago.

• BURNING QUESTION: Can Providence end Paoli’s dream season.

Yes. Providence is far from a typical 6-4 team. The Pioneers have played three 5A schools and a 4A school. Meanwhile, the Rams haven’t played a team above 3A this season. That said, Paoli is really good. Laswell is a spectacular high school football players and he has a strong support system. The Pioneers will need a break or two to advance to next week’s championship tilt.