Football sectional draw a mixed bag locally

From Staff Reports

October 08, 2008 12:24 am

— INDIANAPOLIS — Tuesday’s IHSAA football sectional pairings provided some area teams with difficult first-round matchups, but it also provided at least a couple of teams with potentially smooth roads to championships.
Anderson, Highland, Pendleton Heights, Alexandria and Shenandoah will face first-round opponents who currently own winning records. The Madison County area’s other four squads will play foes with a combined record of 7-21.
In Class 5A Sectional 4, Highland (5-2) will host Kokomo (6-1), ranked 10th in Class 5A and undefeated against Indiana teams. The Wildkats’ lone loss came against Coldwater (Ohio). Kokomo defeated Anderson 54-28 on Sept. 5, while the Scots topped the Tribe 41-12 on Aug. 22.
Anderson (2-5) will host Lafayette Jeff (4-3) in the opposite bracket. The former North Central Conference rivals have not met this season, nor do they have any common opponents. The Bronchos have lost three straight games after winning their first four. The Indians have won two of their last three.
In Class 4A Sectional 12, Pendleton Heights (2-5) will host fifth-ranked Delta (7-0). The Eagles defeated the Arabians 56-28 on Sept. 26.
In Class 2A Sectional 28, Madison-Grant, at least on paper, appears to have the best-paved road to the championship game. The Argylls (3-4) play at Frankton (0-7) in the first round, then face the winner between Elwood and Winchester, both 2-5 teams. In the opposite bracket, Alexandria (0-7) hosts Tipton, which won its first four games before losing its next three.
Shenandoah is stuck in the top bracket of Class 2A Sectional 29, which is loaded with successful teams. The Raiders (6-1) will host Triton Central, also 6-1. The winner will likely face top-ranked Heritage Christian (7-0), who hosts 2-5 Union County in the first round.
In Class A Sectional 38, Lapel received what appears to be a favorable draw. The Bulldogs (5-2) host Eastern Hancock (2-5) in the first round. Lapel won at Eastern Hancock 33-12 on Sept. 12. If the Bulldogs win that one, they would face the winner of Wes-Del and Tri, both 2-5 squads. Hagerstown (6-1), in the opposite bracket, received votes in The Associated Press’ most recent Class A poll, and appears to be Lapel’s biggest threat in the sectional. Northeastern (4-3), Union City (3-4) and Cambridge City (1-6) are the other teams in the lower bracket.