By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
If you had asked before the season, few people would have predicted that the early stages of the Conference Indiana football schedule would produce two distinct divisions. Nonetheless, after two weeks of league play, that is exactly what we have.
Four teams stand 2-0, and four squads are looking up from 0-2 starts. Even more surprising are the members of the two groups.
Preseason favorite Bloomington South sits at 2-0 and is joined by perennial power Columbus North. There is no surprise in that. However, a couple of teams with far less history have crashed the party as Southport and Lawrence Central also stand unbeaten after two conference contests.
Meanwhile, last year’s 5A state runner-up Pike and traditionally strong Franklin Central are still looking for their first league win.
Here is a summary of the Sept. 12 Week 4 games in the conference:
Lawrence Central continued to be the biggest surprise in the state, downing 5A No. 8 Pike 28-21 in a great game. The 5A ninth-ranked Bears used a superlative special teams effort to pull off the road victory. The win not only took LC to 2-0 in Conference Indiana play, it also left the Bears unbeaten on the season at 4-0.
Southport won the battle of Indianapolis’ southside over Perry Meridian, 35-0. Everybody predicted the Cardinals would be strong defensively, but their offense is opening eyes all over the state. In the last three games, Southport has registered 49, 28, and 35 points. A big reason for the sudden offensive outburst is running back Nate Davis, who was over 200 yards again Friday night.
Bloomington South won the city rivalry game in Bloomington 69-51 over North. No, that is not a misprint. The 5A No. 9 Panthers have been nearly unstoppable on offense this season, and North has had trouble stopping the opposition. It is clear by this score that neither squad has solved their defensive woes.
Columbus North has also had some problems on defense, but if Friday (a 31-7 manhandling of Franklin Central) is any indication, the Bull Dogs have found some answers. North has come a long way since the shellacking it took from city rival East two weeks ago. Franklin Central, meanwhile, continues to have problems putting the ball into the end zone.
You can see video highlights of action from the Lawrence Central-Pike and Southport-Perry Meridian games on video players throughout the Conference Indiana site.
How will the Conference Indiana unfold in 2008? Share your thoughts on our Football message board.
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