The Warren Central varsity football team from Indianapolis, IN, will host a home playoff game against Center Grove from Greenwood, IN, on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.
What: Indiana High School Football
Who: Warren Central (IN) vs Center Grove (IN)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Center Grove vs. Warren Central: A Comprehensive Matchup Analysis
When Center Grove (7-4) and Warren Central (10-1) meet, fans are set for a thrilling game between two high-performing Indiana high school football teams. This article examines their rankings, performance metrics, and recent records to offer insight into each team’s strengths and potential keys to victory.
Overall Rankings and Records
Center Grove
- Class: 5
- Record: 7-4 overall, 0-1 in conference play
- Home Record: 4-2
- Away Record: 3-2
- Scoring: 362 points for (PF), 292 points against (PA)
- Win Percentage: .636
Warren Central
- Class: 4
- Record: 10-1 overall, 3-1 in conference play
- Home Record: 6-1
- Away Record: 4-0
- Scoring: 316 points for, 92 points against
- Win Percentage: .909
Scoring Averages by Quarter
Analyzing how these teams perform in each quarter gives a clear picture of their strategies and endurance:
- Center Grove is strong in the first and fourth quarters, averaging 10.5 points in the first and 8.7 in the fourth, showing they start and finish strong.
- Warren Central has a balanced approach, scoring consistently through the game with an average of 8.3 points in both the first and second quarters but drops off slightly in the fourth, averaging only 3.7 points.
Team Stat Comparison
In terms of total yardage and defensive metrics, both teams show distinct styles of play:
| Statistic | Center Grove | Warren Central |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 147.2 | 150.9 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 246.4 | 122.1 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 393.5 | 273.0 |
| Tackles Per Game | 68.0 | 56.8 |
| Sacks Per Game | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Points Per Game | 30.4 | 27.8 |
Center Grove leans heavily on its passing game, with quarterback Gabe McWilliams averaging 238.6 passing yards per game. Warren Central, however, balances slightly higher rushing with quarterback Anthony Dennison averaging 85.9 passing yards per game.
Key Players to Watch
- Center Grove
- Rushing: Austin Hennessy leads with 59.8 rushing yards per game.
- Passing: Gabe McWilliams is the focal point in the air attack, with 238.6 passing yards per game.
- Receiving: Drake McClurg averages 83.8 receiving yards, making him a key target.
- Defense: TJ Williams leads in tackles (8.8 per game), with Nathan Yoder contributing a sack per game.
- Warren Central
- Rushing: Kendall Garnett III leads with 65.6 rushing yards per game.
- Passing: Anthony Dennison averages 85.9 passing yards, indicating a more conservative air game.
- Receiving: Airic Hester contributes 48.7 receiving yards per game.
- Defense: Jerimy Finch Jr. stands out with 6.9 tackles per game and contributes 0.6 sacks per game.
Common Opponents
The teams faced four common opponents, providing a basis for comparison:
- Both defeated Ben Davis, Lawrence Central, and Cathedral, but Warren Central showed more dominance overall.
- Warren Central defeated Cathedral (34-28), while Center Grove fell to Cathedral in a close game (49-45).
- Warren Central’s defense appears more resilient, allowing only 92 points across all games compared to Center Grove’s 292 points.
Record Breakdown
Warren Central’s record is impressive across different environments:
- Conference: 3-1, with a strong in-state record of 10-1.
- Non-League Games: Both teams performed well outside their league; however, Warren Central remained undefeated.
- Playoffs: Both teams are 2-0 in playoff games, showing they’re prepared for high-stakes matches.
Keys to Victory
- For Center Grove: Rely on McWilliams’ passing efficiency and aim to capitalize on Warren Central’s late-game scoring drop. A strong fourth quarter could be decisive.
- For Warren Central: Stick with a balanced offensive approach, leveraging Garnett’s running game and Dennison’s careful passing. Containing McWilliams and maintaining defensive pressure will be crucial to limiting Center Grove’s scoring potential.
Prediction
Warren Central has the edge, given their robust defense and consistent scoring across all quarters. Center Grove’s aerial attack and late-game strength, however, mean they can’t be counted out, especially if they find ways to exploit Warren Central’s fourth-quarter vulnerability. This matchup promises to be a closely contested battle of contrasting styles, with defense and execution likely to determine the outcome.
