Storylines abound for Seymour at Brownstown Central as we approach the halfway mark of the 2017 football season.

In Brownstown, Week 5 will give us a better idea of where the Braves stand.

North Harrison’s no joke, and the Braves know they will need to buckle in for a slugfest at Blevins Memorial Stadium.

Both teams enter the key Mid-Southern Conference with unblemished schedules.

If you’ve seen North Harrison play in recent years, you know what you’re going to get: Ground and pound.

The Cougars have only thrown the ball four times this season but are averaging 34.5 points per game.

Junior Jaylen Peake, listed at 5-10, 200 pounds, has already run the ball 92 times for 524 yards and six touchdowns.

Cougars senior Kohana Wilks, also 200 pounds, is the other big-time back for the Cougars with 51 rushes for 368 yards and six touchdowns.

North Harrison’s defense has been stingy, allowing just seven points three times and also shutting out Corydon Central.

Cougars senior QB Avery Blocker is third on the team in running attempts (39) and has 255 yards and three TDs.

With eight players over 200 pounds on the roster, expect the Cougars’ lines to have size.

Last week, Brownstown needed that game against Salem.

Coach Reed May said the Braves needed a challenge, and the Lions provided that before a string of big games.

The Braves eventually were able to pull away from the Lions after deadlocking at 20-all at half.

Salem was able to move the ball through the air in the first half, exploiting some of the young talent in the Braves’ secondary.

May said this week’s game will likely come down to the battle in the trenches.

If the Braves’ lines can create space and time for the running game and the defensive line and linebackers can stuff the Cougars’ rushing attack, they will be in good shape.

When you see two teams like this that constantly run the ball, the clock diminishes quickly.

Don’t be shocked if it’s a low-scoring game. The majority of the time the clock stops in this game, it will be because of a timeout.

While it’s hardly relevant to this week’s game, keep paying attention to Silver Creek.

The Dragons are one of just two teams in the state that hasn’t given up a point through four weeks.

Silver Creek plays Scottsburg this week and Clarksville the following week.

When they play at North Harrison on Sept. 29, the Dragons very well could have six shutouts.

Seymour (1-3) welcomes a red-hot Bedford North Lawrence (4-0) team to its homecoming.

The Stars, ranked No. 8 in Class 5A in this week’s Associated Press polls, can put up big numbers.

They are averaging 38.5 points per game and have scored no fewer than 33 points in a game.

Last week, they beat No. 14 New Albany 42-41 in double overtime in New Albany.

In his second year commanding the Stars’ offense, junior QB McCall Ray is throwing big numbers running the triple gun option.

While he has completed just 51 percent of his passes on 69 attempts, Ray has thrown for 709 yards (three touchdowns) and surrendered two interceptions.

Ray is second on the team in running, rushing for 193 yards, five TDs and 193 yards.

Wyatt Martin, a junior, is the Stars’ feature back. Martin’s 68 carries have led to 476 yards and five TDs.

Stars junior wide receiver Drew Shoufler is a playmaker. On just eight catches, he has 222 yards and five touchdowns.

The Stars are averaging 171 passing yards and 251 rushing yards per game as a team and look to feast on a Seymour defense giving up 38.8 points per game.

Expect Seymour’s offensive strategy to shift this week.

Junior Nathan O’Mara’s collarbone injury at Floyd Central was serious, and he will not play against BNL — and could not play again the rest of the season.

O’Mara was having a superb season, rushing for 361 yards (90.3 per game) and three touchdowns, as the Owls’ lead back.

Cam Blanton, a junior listed at 5-9, 190 pounds, will now get most of the carries for the Owls.

My guess is that the Owls will let senior QB Alan Perry loose.

Perry has thrown for 743 yards (75 attempts) and eight touchdowns. He’s second on the team in rushing yards (181) and running touchdowns (three).

This would be a big win for the Owls, who still are searching for their first Hoosier Hills Conference win.

Last year, the Owls pulled out a 44-38 win to get a winning streak rolling and momentum on their side.

Back at Bulleit Stadium, expect the Owls to come out fired up.

On a side note, it’s time to start getting excited for a rivalry game.

We’re only one week away from the Jackson Bowl.