The IHSAA Football State Tournament kicks off with the first round of Sectionals on Friday.
In Sectional 42, Hoosier Heartland Conference rivals will clash in the opening round as Clinton Prairie travels to take on Carroll. The game will be available to listen to on WILO and the WILO app.
Clinton Prairie 5-4 (3-3) enters after two losses to end the regular season. The Gophers are averaging just over three touchdowns per game, while their defense is giving up 18.1 points per contest.
Carroll 7-2 (5-1) has won four in a row, including a 14-7 win over Sheridan in the final week of the regular season. During this win streak, the Cougar defense is allowing just 4.7 points per game.
The Gophers are led by quarterback Gaige Kuzmicz. The senior has thrown for 941 yards and eight touchdowns and added 281 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
The Cougars feature a multi-headed rushing attack. Jon Carey, who’s played sparingly in the last two games due to injury, leads the team in rushing with 657 yards. Landon Hammond paces the squad with nine rushing touchdowns, while Brady Yeakley, Kaihl Hernandez and quarterback Reid Hayden have all added more than 190 yards rushing this season.
The teams matched up two weeks ago, a game that saw both defenses shine and the Cougars pull away late for a 21-6 victory.
Landon Hammond scored twice and rushed for nearly 200 yards in the win. Carroll’s defense held the Gophers to a season-low 10 rushing yards.
In Clinton Prairie’s three conference losses, the Gophers rushed for 24, 10 and 17 yards.
Carroll will host the round-one sectional matchup; the Cougars are 2-2 at home this season.
The winner will face the winner of Faith Christian and North White in the Sectional semifinal.
The game will be broadcast on WILO 96.9, AM 1570, and Boone 102.7. Listen anywhere by streaming on the WILO app or on ClintonCountyDailyNews.Com.
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