Week Six of the high school football season finds the Blitz 5 Game of the Week heading west to the Indiana-Ohio state line for a Top 15 matchup and border-war rivalry. The #11 East Central Trojans travel down Interstate 74 to Harrison, Ohio, where they will face their longtime rival, the #13 Harrison Wildcats, in an exciting non-conference matchup between teams with a combined record of 9-1.
#11 EAST CENTRAL TROJANS (4-1) at #13 HARRISON WILDCATS (5-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September 25
At: Wildcat Stadium, Bill Kuntz Field, Harrison High School, Harrison, Ohio
Follow on X: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
East Central has two of the best running backs not just in southeastern Indiana, but in the entire Tri-State area. Seniors Ryan Minges and Colton Bellman have combined for 1,010 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns through five games this season. A capable third option out of the Trojans’ backfield is junior running back Chase Marsh, who has added 193 yards and two touchdowns to help a run-heavy East Central offense that averages 267.4 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, the Trojans are led by junior middle linebacker Chase McCracken, who is tied for the team lead with 28 tackles and leads East Central with two sacks and five tackles for loss. Junior defensive back Andersen Deters has three interceptions on the season to lead the Trojans’ secondary.
Harrison will be led offensively by one of the area’s top quarterbacks, senior Brady Lawhon, who has completed 72.6 percent of his passes this season for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns without an interception. Lawhon has also rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Part of his success through the air has come from a talented trio of receivers. Junior Colton Rehage has 35 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns, senior Kyle Davidson has 17 catches for 326 yards and five touchdowns, and tight end Christian Roether has eight catches for 217 yards and one touchdown. Another Wildcats offensive weapon is senior running back Wyatt Dennis, who is averaging 5.0 yards per carry while rushing for 373 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Wildcats are led by junior linebacker Issiah Taylor, who has 52 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles this season, along with senior linebacker David Baldock, who has 46 tackles and a sack. Senior defensive back Ben Markarian is one of the area’s top playmakers in the secondary, having already notched five interceptions to lead a Harrison defense that has nine picks overall.
TEAM TRENDS:
In its four victories, East Central is averaging 34.0 points per game while allowing only 4.75. The Trojans rely heavily on the run, averaging 267.4 yards per game on the ground. East Central has scored 20 touchdowns this season, with 16 coming on the ground.
However, East Central’s defense is not invincible, as evidenced by its 42-7 loss to #2 Elder in Week Three. The Trojans surrendered 365 yards of total offense and six touchdowns, both season highs for the East Central defense.
Harrison is a veteran team in 2026 that has shown it can win comfortably or come from behind. The Wildcats already have two shutouts, a 35-0 Week One win over Milford and a 28-0 Week Two victory over McNicholas. They have also notched impressive come-from-behind victories on the road against Beavercreek and at home against then-#16 Withrow. Harrison is allowing just 9.6 points per game while scoring 29.2 points per contest.
Not many rivalries are as even as this one. Since the series began in 1973, Harrison holds a 24-23-1 advantage over East Central. However, over the last 10 meetings, the Trojans have dominated with an 8-2 record, including a 21-20 nail-biter over the Wildcats last season. Harrison’s last victory in the series came in 2024, a 35-28 win.
HEAD COACHES:
East Central: Jake Meiners (78-17 at East Central, seventh year; 78-17 overall, seventh year)
Harrison: Derek Rehage (67-40 at Harrison, ninth year; 67-40 overall, ninth year)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
East Central: (105-38) Sectional Champion (24) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1987, 1985 & 1980; Regional Champion (10) – 2023, 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2003, 1998, 1994, 1993 & 1985; Semi-State Champion (six) – 2023, 2022, 2017, 2015, 1994 & 1993; State Champion (four) – 2023, 2022, 2017 & 1994
Harrison: (18 appearances, 14-18) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2006, 1997, 1989, 1988 (Regional Champion), 1987
EAST CENTRAL KEYS TO VICTORY:
Get the running game going and take an early lead. The Trojans win by running the football and getting out in front, allowing them to control time of possession and wear down opponents with their rushing attack.
That strategy gives East Central its best chance at an impressive road win because Harrison doesn’t get rattled easily. The Wildcats already have two come-from-behind victories this season, so the Trojans need to establish an early lead, run time off the clock and keep the ball out of the hands of Harrison’s explosive offense.
HARRISON KEYS TO VICTORY:
Shut down the East Central rushing attack. The Trojans are going to get their yards on the ground, but Harrison can look at what #2 Elder did to slow them down in its 42-7 victory over East Central in Week Three.
East Central ran 40 times for 183 yards, well below its season average, and scored only one rushing touchdown. Senior Ryan Minges was limited to 76 yards on the ground.
If the Wildcats can win the battle in the trenches and force the Trojans to throw the football, it should create opportunities for Harrison’s ball-hawking secondary. East Central has completed only 45 percent of its passes this season for 359 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Prediction: Harrison 35, East Central 24
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