By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After a predicted home victory over a familiar opponent in its sectional opener, Bedford North Lawrence will turn 180 degrees for the next round. Expect the unexpected. Completely new foe, on the road, on eye-catching gray turf. There’s even a gray area in the scouting report.
The Stars (2-8) have twice proven their superiority over Jennings County, now they will look to validate their worth against another adversary when they tangle with Greenwood (3-7) in the Class 4A Sectional 23 semifinal on Friday night. The winner will advance to the sectional final to face either No.3 Martinsville (9-1) or underdog Silver Creek (5-5).
Greenwood’s record could create a false sense of security. The Woodmen were chopped down by a rash of regular-season injuries, but now they’re close to full strength as they prepare for the first-ever clash with BNL. So almost half their game tapes are of lesser value, as they had to improvise and adapt while waiting on the return of multiple starters.
“I think they had a couple of games where they were out of their comfort zone, just trying to adjust on the fly,” BNL coach Derrick Barker said. “So there’s a lot more we have to prepare for, just about any offense you can think of. We’re not totally sure what we will see. They’ve shown a lot of different schemes. It will be how fast we can adjust and be fundamentally sound. It’s been a challenge to cover all our bases.”
Greenwood started 2-2, with losses to common BNL opponents Seymour (23-20) and Martinsville (50-31, which hinged on a tipped pass for a pick-six turnover), then suffered five straight losses in the brutal Mid-State Conference as the injuries multiplied and took a toll. Five starters, including quarterback Ayden Houseman, returned last week for the sectional opener against Shelbyville, and the result was a 37-0 triumph. Houseman completed 12 of 15 passes for 260 yards and two scores.
In six games, Houseman has thrown for 908 yards and 9 touchdowns, while top running back Gunner Ruppert has totaled 964 yards and 10 TDs in only seven games. The top receivers include sophomores Davion Jones (22 catches for 475 yards) and Ben Hommell (14 for 365 yards). The Woodmen have sharp weapons. Their best outing was 600 yards of offense in a 40-27 win over Mooresville. What is their true identity, how good are they?
“That remains to be seen,” Greenwood coach Justin Boser said. “Last week was a good game, we got some guys back but kept them fairly limited.
“I have to give a shout out to our offensive line. That’s been the most consistent group. All five of them have started every game, and we’ve still averaged over 200 yards rushing per game, through all the injuries. That speaks a lot to them.”
Greenwood was allowing 36.7 points per game until the shutout last week.
BNL will counter with starting quarterback Dayson Kirby (109 of 190 for 1,351 yards and 11 TDs). Jaden Gilbert has emerged as the top runner (254 yards and two scores) and receiver (36 for 461 yards and 5 TDs), while other threats include Dax Short (28 catches for 295 yards) and Driven Axsom (26 for 358).
The Stars got a preview look at Greenwood during a brief summer scrimmage. But that’s not much to go on.
“I see some physicality up front,” Boser said. “We saw that in the scrimmage. To be honest, I was shocked by their record this year. I thought they would be a contender for the sectional championship. Offensively, they throw the ball around a lot more than we’ve seen this year. Our conference is run heavy, and we’ve had struggles in coverage. That will present a challenge for us, to stay with receivers.”
“We’re not as familiar with them, so it’s kind of exciting at the same time,” Barker said. “It’s something new. We know they will be battle tested.”
BNL absorbed another injury loss when senior linebacker Tate Tanksley suffered a left shoulder separation that will require surgery to repair. “That hurts a lot,” Barker said. “It’s another senior we’ve lost, and we started with a small group. He was one of our most physical kids.”
The Stars will be battling another trend. BNL has played only 18 games in November in program history, with a 4-14 mark. Since the IHSAA went to the all-inclusive tournament format in 1985, BNL is only 1-9 in November outings.
“Sometimes a team can look great in August, throwing the ball around and being a finesse team,” Barker said. “But once you get to November, it’s who can block, who can tackle, who can run the ball the hardest.
“It takes not making mistakes. Victory goes to the team that makes the fewest mistakes. It takes being fundamentally sound, doing the little things well. And when you get an opportunity for an explosive play, you have to capitalize. You have to put it together for four quarters in all three phases, play a sharp game and be the more physical team.”
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 23
Semifinal round
BNL at GREENWOOD
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Records: BNL 2-8; Greenwood 3-7
Coaches: Derrick Barker, 19-23 in fourth season at BNL; Justin Boser, 9-13 in second season at Greenwood (23-51 in seventh season overall)
Sagarin ratings: BNL 34.07; Greenwood 56.70
Series: This is the first meeting between the teams
Game notes: The winner will face either No.3 Martinsville or Silver Creek in the sectional championship. BNL will host the final if it wins the semifinal. BNL is 4-14 in November games in program history. Greenwood has won five sectional titles, the last in 2017. BNL won its only title in 2011.
