The Decatur Central varsity football team (Indianapolis, IN) will play a home playoff game against East Central (St. Leon, IN) on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m.

What: Indiana High School Football
Who: Decatur Central (IN) vs East Central (IN)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

East Central vs. Decatur Central: A Comparison of Two Football Giants

As the 2024-2025 Indiana high school football season progresses, East Central and Decatur Central have both made strong impressions in their respective conferences and on the field. The teams have displayed impressive records and potent offensive and defensive strategies, setting the stage for an exciting matchup between two of the top programs in the state. Below, we compare the teams’ performances, key statistics, and standout players.

Overall Records and Performance

• East Central: With an overall record of 8-3, East Central has demonstrated their strength on the field. Their conference performance has been stellar, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record. The team has been dominant in home games, going 4-1, but has seen more mixed results on the road, with a 4-2 away record.
• Decatur Central: Decatur Central has had an even better overall record of 8-2. Their conference play has been especially strong, with a 6-1 mark. Like East Central, they’ve been formidable at home, posting a 4-1 record, and have been equally effective on the road, also with a 4-1 away performance.

Both teams have achieved remarkable consistency this season, especially within their conferences, and appear poised for a deep postseason run.

Scoring Averages

• East Central: The team has an average of 32.5 points per game, with the majority of their scoring coming in the first half. They put up 8.7 points in the first quarter, 10.4 in the second, 5.5 in the third, and 6.2 in the fourth. While they are most effective early on, they’ve shown the ability to grind out victories.
• Decatur Central: Decatur Central leads with a higher scoring average of 37.2 points per game. Their strongest period comes in the first quarter, with 13.5 points, and they continue to dominate in the first half with 12.0 points in the second quarter. Like East Central, their offensive output decreases in the second half, but their early dominance is difficult for opponents to overcome.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Both teams excel in the running game. East Central averages 218.9 rushing yards per game, while Decatur Central is slightly behind at 209.1. This indicates a strong commitment to the run game on both sides, with both teams employing a ground-and-pound strategy.
• Passing Yards: Decatur Central has the edge in passing, averaging 157.8 yards per game compared to East Central’s 71.8. This difference could play a significant role in their offensive game plans, as Decatur Central may look to exploit the air more frequently.
• Total Yards: Decatur Central outpaces East Central in total yards, averaging 366.9 yards per game, compared to East Central’s 290.7. This suggests that Decatur Central has a more balanced offense, with both the passing and rushing games firing on all cylinders.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles: Decatur Central also has an advantage in tackles per game, with 69.0, compared to East Central’s 48.5. This suggests a more aggressive defense for Decatur Central, likely a key component of their strategy in shutting down opposing offenses.
• Sacks: East Central averages 1.5 sacks per game, while Decatur Central is slightly more potent with 2.1 sacks per game. The ability to disrupt the opposing quarterback and create negative plays could be crucial in any potential matchup.

Standout Players

• East Central:
  • Ryan Minges: A standout on the ground, Minges averages 124.2 rushing yards per game, leading the offense. He’s also a key contributor in total yards, with 128.9 yards per game.
  • Nolan Maple: The team’s primary passer, Maple averages 69.4 passing yards per game. He’s relied upon to manage the offense and move the chains.
  • Brendin Kolter: On defense, Kolter averages 5.9 tackles per game and is a force on the field.
• Decatur Central:
  • N’Po Dodo: Dodo leads the rushing attack for Decatur Central, averaging 63.3 rushing yards per game.
  • Bo Polston: Polston is the team’s top passer, with 153.8 yards per game, a key factor in their passing game success.
  • Kasmir Hicks: Hicks is a versatile weapon, both in rushing (67.2 yards per game) and receiving, with 67.2 yards per game on average. His dual-threat ability makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Franklin Community this season. East Central defeated Franklin Community 21-0, while Decatur Central won 35-3. Both victories demonstrate the teams’ ability to handle common opponents with ease, further highlighting their strength and dominance within their region.

Head-to-Head and Playoff Outlook

• Head-to-Head Record: Although both teams have yet to face each other this season, their records against common opponents suggest they are evenly matched, each coming out victorious in their shared matchups.
• Playoff Potential: Both teams have secured playoff spots, with East Central holding a 2-0 playoff record and Decatur Central also boasting a perfect 2-0 postseason record.

Conclusion

East Central and Decatur Central are two of the most formidable football teams in Indiana. With both teams sporting excellent overall records, powerful offenses, and stingy defenses, any potential meeting between the two would be an exciting, hard-fought battle. Whether it’s East Central’s ground game and efficient defense or Decatur Central’s explosive offense and high-scoring ability, this matchup has the potential to be one for the ages