County schools battle first round of football sectional

GREENCASTLE -- When the draws for the 2010 football sectional were announced, Putnam County fans pulled out their permanent markers and began circling Oct. 22 on their calendars. All four county teams will hook up in the opening round, almost certainly ensuring an electric atmosphere throughout the county this Friday.

South Putnam will host undefeated No. 3 ranked North Putnam, while Greencastle hosts Cloverdale, with the victory recording a .500 record. The teams have faced off earlier this season, but as any coach can tell you, regular season essentially means nothing when the post-season comes around.

South Putnam (6-3) vs. North Putnam (9-0)

The Cougars and Eagles hooked up in week four, with the Cougars coming out on top 35-7.

South Putnam struck first, but the Cougars were able to get behind a strong passing performance from Kolton Everts. Everts passed for 155 yards and two touchdowns and ran for one scored.

After its initial scoring drive, the South Putnam offense stalled and watched in frustration as the Cougars put the game out of reach. On Friday, the Eagles will look to score their first win against North Putnam since the 2005 season. Currently South Putnam is riding a five-game winning streak.

North Putnam sits at No. 3 in the season-ending polls behind Rensselaer Central (9-0) and Fort Wayne Luers (8-1). The most points the Cougars' defense has allowed this season was 23 against Cloverdale and had five game where they limited their opponents to eight points or less.

Greencastle (4-5) vs. Cloverdale (4-5)

After a scoreless first half when the two met on Oct. 1, the Clovers got two big runs from Donavan Scisney and that made the difference in the 14-6 victory.

Under first year head coach, Greencastle announced its presence in 2010 with its opening game win over last season's state runners up Monrovia 10-6. Since then, the Tiger Cubs have experienced highs and lows during their season, with multiple victories just escaping their grasp.

The Tiger Cubs have had five game decided by six points or less, two of which went for losses.

Cloverdale opened its season winning three out of four games and scoring an amazing 185 points in the process. However, the Clovers have lost four of their last five, with its lone win coming against their first-round opponent.

The teams tangle at 7 p.m. Friday