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Playoff Preview: EIAC

Looking at the first week of the playoffs for Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference there is a resounding theme of “wanting to prove more” for the leagues squads. For the top tier teams now is the chance to make a deep run with talent that is capable of doing big things. For those who finished below .500 this the shot to show that they have more than what they brought to the table during the regular season.

Here is a look at the first round of the IHSAA playoffs for the EIAC schools.

Doug-Rosemeyer-EastCentral

Class 4A, Region 23
East Central (7-2) at South Dearborn (3-6) – East Central manhandled South Dearborn, 79-0 during the regular season. Doug Rosemeyer had 143 yards and four touchdowns rushing on 10 carries for the victors. South Dearborn has scored seven points or fewer on five occasions including being shutout three times.

Franklin County (6-3) at Seymour (3-6) – After a 0-5 start Seymour has won three of its last four contests. The Owls can score points averaging 26.2 per game. Seymour will get a steady dose of Franklin County running back Cole McCreary. The senior has run for 1,446 yards while finding the end zone 15 times. Wildcats sophomore Mitchell Orschell is a playmaker on defense whose best days are still ahead.

Pendleton Heights (1-8) at Connersville (3-6)– A young Connersville squads has taken its lumps. For head coach Adam Kelly it would be a gratifying ending to the tough campaign if his kiddie corps could have a good showing in the post-season. A win for the Spartans would build plenty of confidence. Pendleton Heights has lost four of their last five games. This is Arabians head coach John Boughton’s 40th season at Pendleton Heights.

Class 3A, Region 30
Eric-Heppner-Batesville

Rushville (1-8) at Lawrenceburg (5-4) – A rematch of an October 2nd tilt that saw Lawrenceburg win, 68-6. Lawrenceburg has won three games in a row in grandiose fashion. The Tigers average margin of victory in those contests is 53.3 to 2.0. Lawrenceburg is racking up 394.7 yards of total offense per game. Quarterback Reid Strobl has thrown for 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns. Running back Austin Bowling has run 1,103 yards and 18 scores. The Tigers defense is working on back-to-back shutouts. A Rushville rushing attack that averages 86.0 yards per game rushing must find a way to get it going. The Lions need to keep the clock rolling and the Lawrenceberg offense off the field for as long as possible.

Batesville (8-1) at Indianapolis Manual (3-6) – Seven of Batesville’s eight wins have been by 13 points or more. The Bulldogs have held seven of their victims to 20 points or fewer. When Marshall loses they lose big. All of the Redskins loses have been by 26 points or more.

Indianapolis Marshall (0-9) at Greensburg (4-5) – A touch schedule should have Greensburg well prepared for the post-season. The Pirates five losses have been to teams who are a combined 35-10 on the year. Marshall has been shutout four times this season. The Patriots have only scored 14 total points over their past four outings.

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