High school football preview: Class A local teams at a glance

Lutheran made the semistate for the second consecutive season and third time in four years but are still looking to break through for its first state finals appearance. Traders Point Christian will make its first appearance this season in the sectional tournament.

CLASS 6A • CLASS 5A • CLASS 4A • CLASS 3A • CLASS 2A

(In order of projected finish; records from 2017)

Sectional 44

Monroe Central (12-2)

Sheridan (9-3): All-time Indiana coaching wins leader Bud Wright enters his 53rd season at Sheridan with a team that has several multi-year starters. Senior quarterback Drake Delph (1,042 passing yards, 14 TDs) returns, along with two-way lineman Chris Starks (junior) and four-year starter Nick Burnell (senior) at linebacker. The Blackhawks, a nine-time state champion, have not won a sectional since 2012.

Clinton Prairie (5-6)

Wes-Del (5-6)

Union City (3-7)

Clinton Central (0-10)

Tri-Central (4-6)

Anderson Prep Academy (0-10)

Sectional 45

South Putnam (3-9)

Covenant Christian (7-3): The Warriors have 17 wins in their first two full seasons as a program. Coach Larry McWhorter is looking for the offensive and defensive lines to develop, led by seniors Andrew Coleman (53 tackles) and Chile Mulamba. Sophomore running back Gage Coffey (605 yards, eight TDs) and sophomore Gabe Wilson (227 rushing yards) return. Senior Jonah Bronger is added to the mix at running back and linebacker. Senior Cameron Holsapple will handle the kicking and punting duties.

Shortridge (4-5): First-year coach Joshua Person has a good mix of veterans and newcomers. Junior quarterback Walker Perkins (922 passing yards, seven TDs) returns, along with junior receiver Erikmycal Powell (seven catches, 220 yards), junior running back Russell Lemaster (371 yards) and junior receiver Alex Ogden. Shortridge has experience on defense with Lemaster at linebacker, senior Daveion Sims at defensive end and senior Priest Humphries in the secondary. Shortridge started last season 4-0.

Tindley (7-4): The Tigers got off to a 4-0 start last season and won a sectional game for the first time since the program became sectional-eligible in 2013. Jimmie Mays begins his first season as coach.

Howe (1-10): The Hornets slumped to their lowest win total since 2008 in Terry Pendleton’s first season. The lone victory came at Indiana Deaf in the sectional.

Indiana Deaf (5-5): Coach Garrett Wooten’s team returns several key players, including junior quarterback Jared Beckler (653 passing yards), senior receiver Kyle Jenkins (35 catches, 472 yards, eight TDs) and several offensive linemen. Junior defensive tackle Chase Kanable (70 tackles) and sophomore linebacker Maurice Mitchell (57 tackles) were second on the team in tackles last season. Indiana Deaf has won just one sectional game since 2007.

Traders Point (5-4): Coach Adam Stevenson is optimistic his team will be ready for its first chance to play in a sectional. He will count on junior quarterback David Hart (550 passing yards, 683 rushing yards and 11 TDs), third-year starter Wyatt Johnson at offensive tackle, sophomore receiver Myles Cox and junior running back/receiver Kye Johnson. The defense brings back junior linebackers Blaine Reed (80 tackles) and Titus Underwood (64 tackles), junior defensive end Tommy Mears and sophomore linemen Ben Bartles and Caleb Ott.

Sectional 46

Hagerstown (10-2)

Lutheran (11-3): Veteran coach Dave Pasch returns six starters on offense and five on defense from a team that came within a 12-8 loss to Eastern Greene of reaching the state finals. Senior Mark Caster will lead the offensive and defensive lines. Sophomore Blake White will step in at quarterback with junior running backs Marcus McFadden and Dante Akins and junior receiver Jalen Elliott returning. McFadden is a two-year starter at linebacker. The Saints have won the regional three of the past four years.

North Decatur (5-5)

Edinburgh (1-9): Jason Burton goes into his second year at Edinburgh with a much more experienced team than a year ago. Junior Tyson Sackman (1,365 passing yards, 11 touchdowns) returns at quarterback, along with receivers Hunter Dean (24 catches, 326 yards) and Dakota Balthazor (19 receptions, 272 yards) and sophomore running back/linebacker Austin Streeval (74 tackles). Columbus North transfer Darius Bennett, a junior, will play at role at receiver and defensive back.

Tri (5-6)

South Decatur (5-6)

Cambridge City Lincoln (1-9)

Oldenburg Academy (2-8)

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.