High school football: Week 1 predictions

Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read

It's finally here, Week 1 of the high school football season.

Here's the schedule of games with projected winners.

Central Catholic's Brinn Robbins (23) runs the ball during the second quarter of an IHSAA football game, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 in Lafayette.
Central Catholic's Brinn Robbins (23) runs the ball during the second quarter of an IHSAA football game, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 in Lafayette.

Tippecanoe County

Harrison vs. West Lafayette

A game 18 years in the making. After a near two-decade drought not playing each other (aside from preseason scrimmages), the Raiders and Red Devils square off. Despite the close proximity of the two football complexes, these two will travel to Indianapolis to play in the Horseshoe Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium. Harrison practices on artificial turf every day. Does that play into the Raiders' favor?

Prediction: Harrison 27, West Lafayette 21.

Cathedral at Lafayette Jeff

Three and four years ago, this would probably have been a competitive season opener. You can look at it two ways: this wasn't the right year to get Cathedral on the schedule, or it was. The Irish aren't just perhaps the best team in Indiana, they might be the best in the Midwest. That said, Lafayette Jeff has postseason aspirations and seeing a team as good as Cathedral to open the season ... the Bronchos won't see better the rest of the year.

Prediction: Cathedral 49, Lafayette Jeff 7.

Central Catholic at Seeger

The Knights looked pretty strong in last week's scrimmage at Harrison. That was with some key players on the sideline in street clothes. This should be a nice opening-week game for a team with high postseason hopes.

Prediction: Central Catholic 35, Seeger 7.

McCutcheon at Guerin Catholic

The debut as McCutcheon head coach for Josh Strasser, who takes over a program that has a ways to go. The Mavericks will look different. It's nearly a complete coaching staff overhaul. Wins may come, but probably not in Week 1.

Prediction: Guerin Catholic 24, McCutcheon 14

Area

Caston over West Central

Frankfort over Clinton Central

Clinton Prairie over Wes-Del

Covington over Indianapolis Washington

Crawfordsville over Attica

Delphi over Benton Central

North Montgomery over North Putnam

North White over Taylor

Southmont over Fountain Central

Carroll over Tri-County

Twin Lakes over Northwestern

Whiting over Frontier

Rensselaer over Kankakee Valley

North Newton over South Newton

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: High school football: Week 1 predictions