The 2018 regular season will come to a close for the Seymour and Brownstown Central high school football teams on Friday evening.
With sectionals on the horizon, both teams look to end conference play on high notes.
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Owls look to finish strong
After stalling against New Albany last week, Seymour (5-3) plans on rebounding against Madison (1-7).
In the 21-7 loss to the Bulldogs, the Seymour offense struggled to get rolling.
The Owls’ running game accounted for just 134 yards on 34 attempts, including 60 yards on 17 touches by senior feature back Nathan O’Mara.
The Owls’ lone score came on a 52-yard bomb from quarterback Brendan Smith to Elijah Corwin in the second quarter.
“The margin of error is very minimal against a good opponent,” Seymour coach Mike Kelly said. “We made some mistakes in our blocking scheme and on our assignments. We looked like we were in slow motion offensively, and they were very fast. It created a different challenge for us, and we didn’t respond well. We had a couple opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize on them.”
Madison’s lone win this season was against Jennings County (36-14) on Sept. 14.
The Cubs are averaging just 12 points per game while giving up 41.5 points per game. They have been shut out in three games this season (South Dearborn, Floyd Central and Columbus East).
“They are big and physical at the line of scrimmage,” Kelly said. “Their offensive line came out and laid on us a lot last year. They tried to control the clock. They had new offensive formations. You’re not 100 percent sure what type of offense you’re going to see from them. They have a couple tailbacks and wings that can do some things. They are able to run the option.”
Kelly said the Cubs are running a 3-4 defense, and he wants to see his team step up after last week’s disappointing result.
On Sunday, the Owls found out they will get a week off before facing the winner of Columbus East versus New Albany. The last time the teams played, East pulled out a 20-19 win. The Bulldogs went for the kill shot in the waning minutes but failed to convert a 2-point conversion, which proved the difference.
Since the Owls drew a bye, they will play on the road no matter what Oct. 26.
“The challenge is that we don’t have a known opponent for that week,” Kelly said. “We are going to focus on us. We are going to work on the fundamentals. We are going to get healed up. We have some guys dinged up. Hopefully, that time will give us time to heal up. I love having the break. I think it will help our kids.”
Brownstown Central aims to finish undefeated in MSC play
While Brownstown Central has already clinched a slice of the Mid-Southern Conference title, the Braves don’t want to share it.
If they (7-1) come away with a win over Scottsburg (1-7) on Friday, it will be the 15th time under coach Reed May, who is in his 26th season, that Brownstown finished undefeated in MSC play.
The Braves will face a young Warriors program.
Scottsburg became a varsity team again last season after spending three years at the junior varsity level. Prior to last year’s outing, the Braves and Warriors hadn’t met since 1983.
Scottsburg has an offensive average of 14.3 points per game and defensive average of 38.1. Brownstown is putting up 44.6 points and allowing just 13.3 through eight games.
The Braves haven’t scored fewer than 33 points in a game yet this season.
Scottsburg hasn’t won a game since its season-opener against Clarksville (0-8).
“They do a lot of different things,” May said. “They lost some pretty good athletes from last year. They do a lot of different formations. Obviously, when you have only won one game, it must be tough down there right now. They are going through some growing pains right now. Our focus right now isn’t on Scottsburg, but the tournament. We are watching film on them, but more importantly, we are preparing to get better for the long tournament run.”
The Sectional 31 draw, which features eight teams, couldn’t have been much better for Brownstown.
The Braves will host Corydon Central on Oct. 19, a team they beat 49-0 earlier this season, to open postseason play. If they Braves win, they will go to either Charlestown or Salem.
“It was a good draw for us,” May said. “If it holds true, we will probably have to go down to Charlestown. They are probably chomping at the bits to play us again. It was probably the best we could get. It is always tough to play a team twice. Ironically, if you look at it, our first two games of the tournament could be the first two teams we play again next year. Same scenario: Home against Corydon and down to Charlestown.”
Should the Braves win in the semifinals Oct. 26, they will likely host the sectional championship Nov. 2. The only scenario where the Braves wouldn’t host the finals would be if North Harrison wins both of its games in the upper bracket.
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What: Madison (1-7, 1-4 HHC) at Seymour (5-3, 3-3 HHC)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Bulleit Stadium
Radio: 92.7 Nash Icon
Last outing: New Albany def. Seymour 21-7, Bedford North Lawrence def. Madison 55-19.
Most recent meeting: Seymour won 21-12 on Oct. 13, 2017
Series past 30 years: Seymour 20-2.
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What: Scottsburg (1-7, 1-6 MSC) at Brownstown Central (7-1, 7-0 MSC)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Blevins Memorial Stadium
Radio: 96.3 WJAA
Last outing: Eastern (Pekin) def. Scottsburg 24-14, Brownstown Central def. Silver Creek 33-21
Most recent meeting: Brownstown won 45-14 on Oct. 13, 2017
Series past 30 years: Brownstown 1-0
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