So what have we learned after three weeks of hard-hitting Friday nights? Enough to know high school football is about as unpredictable as the weather.
Raise your hand if you saw an undefeated 3-0 run by the Highland Scots, who mustered a mere two wins a year ago. Keep those paws in the air if you predicted Pendleton Heights’ 0-3 start.
As go the turbulent temperatures, so goes the unexpected, but as most will attest anything can happen under the lights — or Saturday’s daylight, as we learned two weeks ago.
Whether boggling or anticipated, it’s time to award our steady performers with our annual “Four Horsemen,” a weekly ranking of the top area prep football teams.
Scots keep rolling
1. Highland (3-0): The Class 5A Scots have made winning look easy the past three weeks. Beyond a mild hiccup during Week 2’s lightning-delayed showdown against New Castle, which was quickly corrected the next day, Highland has rolled.
Behind a multidimensional offense and a forceful front line, the Scots so far this season have made it five in a row against city rival Anderson, avenged last year’s lost to the Trojans and pounded undefeated Owen Valley 42-0.
Tonight, they open the Olympic Athletic Conference on the road at Jay County (2-1). With the Scots winless the last two seasons against the Class 4A Patriots, who coincidentally have taken the OAC title those years, it’s time to take it back to 2004 — when Highland ruled the conference.
Argylls bring back the tradition
2. Madison-Grant (3-0, 1-0): Putting points on the board hasn’t been an issue for the Class 2A Argylls, and neither has stockpiling wins. A steady 3-0 and ranked eighth in both the polls, Madison-Grant has outscored its opponents 151-59.
On pace to match the program’s run at 5-0 in 1997, Madison-Grant carries a 6-4 record the past 10 years to Fisher Field tonight when the Argylls face Central Indiana Conference foe Class 3A Mississinewa (2-1).
Already toppling Class 4A Marion 56-38 this year, the Argylls don’t seem too intimidated on the road.
The longest streak ever logged in Argylls’ history is 9-0, which the 1996 squad rode until falling in the sectional opener to Wabash.
Eagles making strong case
3. Frankton (2-1, 1-0): Forget about last year’s 0-4 start. That’s ancient history. Think more 2003, you know, when the then Class 1A Eagles burst out of the gates to a 4-1 record and finished 9-3.
That’s what the ’07 revamped Class 2A Eagles look like today. Not good news if you’re Class 2A Elwood (0-3), which plays host tonight at Panther Stadium.
With their ability to churn out yardage on the ground and go to the air at will, the Eagles should — barring a meltdown— keep pace for first in the Central Indiana Conference.
The next four weeks will prove a serious test as Frankton hosts Eastbrook, travels to rival Mississinewa, returns home against defending CIC champ Oak Hill and travels to Argyll Country in October.
Eye of the Tigers
4. Yorktown (2-1, 1-1): The Class 3A Tigers know how to plan for the future, even if it’s not by choice. As one of two 3A programs in the Hoosier Heritage Conference, Yorktown’s schedule consists of seven 4A teams and one 5A squad in Anderson Highland.
So far this year, the Tigers have stood strong, going 2-1 during their current 4A slate. Against Greenfield-Central (1-2), which Yorktown hosts tonight, the smallest program in the HHC owns a 6-2 advantage the past 10 years.
Beyond extending its current streak, which stands at four, victory at Tiger Stadium would also help propel Yorktown in the HHC standings, where the Tigers are even at 1-1 (tied with two other teams).
In the hunt:
Shenandoah (1-2) — The season didn’t quite start off how the Class 2A Raiders had hoped, but a road trip to White River Athletic Conference rival Wes-Del (2-1) tonight could help.
Anderson (1-2, 0-1) — There’s something about Class 5A Richmond. In 11 straight meetings, the Indians are winless. At 0-3 this season, that might change tonight when the Red Devils bus to New Collier Field.
You can contact Richard Torres by e-mail at richard.torres@heraldbulletin.com.
Sports
RICHARD TORRES: Highland No. 1 among area football programs
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