FOOTBALL: Class 4A Sectional #18 Preview

THE FAVORITE Plymouth – There’s three teams in Sectional #18 vying for the favorite position, including defending champs New Prairie and perennial contender South Bend St. Joseph. But when a team runs the table in the regular season with an average margin of victory over 25 points like the Plymouth Rockies do, they get the nod. Plymouth hasn’t won a sectional title since 2001. THE DARK HORSES

{module Upper Right Banner Box} New Prairie – From 2009-2011, the Cougars won a total of 11 games. Since Russ Radtke took over in 2012, New Prairie has won 29. That’s not a coincidence. The Cougars got a beneficial draw, avoiding a meeting with either Plymouth or St. Joseph until the championship game, giving them a solid chance at repeating. South Bend St. Joseph – Since 2007, St. Joseph’s has made three state title appearances, but those all came in Class 3A. In just their second year in Class 4A, the Indians are looking to attain similar post-season success. They made it to the sectional championship in their inaugural 4A tournament appearance and a run to that point, or further, would not be shocking from a program of this caliber.

TOUGH TIMES AHEAD 

Kankakee Valley – A few weeks ago, we had KV penciled into the Dark Horses section, but then come the loss to Andrean…then to Highland…then the 45-0 shellacking at the hands of Munster. This team can’t have a lot of confidence right now. They’ll probably make it to the second round, but a probable date with New Prairie will be the end the of road. 

Hobart – The Brickies were going to be hard pressed to end their 17 year sectional title drought anyway, but the draw did them zero favors, matching them up against St. Joe’s in the first round. 

South Bend Riley – The Wildcats’ only win of the season came back in Week #1 over Boone Grove. They’ve been shutout in consecutive weeks leading up to the tournament, including 35-0 at the hands of sectional rival Clay, who only has two wins themselves.

South Bend Clay – To win a sectional title, you have to win three games…which is exactly the amount of games the Colonials have won in the past two seasons combined. 

South Bend Washington – Only three years removed from a state title game appearance, it’s been tough times for Washington as they’ve won only seven games since that trip to Indy. A couple of years ago, they did go to the sectional championship after winning only one regular season game, but with a first round date against Plymouth, that won’t happen barring a miracle.