BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
East Central (Class 4A) and Franklin County (Class 3A) find themselves in the same boat tonight.
To reach the state championship at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis Nov. 28, both teams must defeat Indianapolis schools in the semistate.
East Central hosts Indianapolis Cathedral in the 4A semifinals while Franklin County battles Indianapolis Chatard in 3A action. Both kickoffs are at 7:30 p.m.
East Central coach Rod Ballart understands what the Trojans must do to reach the title game for the first time since winning state in 1994.
"They have a scat back (sophomore Otis Shannon) with exceptional speed," Ballart said. "He cuts back well and often goes 50 to 60 yards for a TD. We don't have anyone with that type of speed so we must contain him."
Cathedral also relies on the passing of quarterback Kyle McGrath, a sophomore who has thrown for over 1,500 yards in 13 games. George Allen and B.J. Pitrelli are also threats running the ball.
"Their quarterback is very deceptive and makes good decisions," Ballart said. "He runs the boot leg and either throws or pitches to the trailing back."
Andy Wolf is East Central's main offensive threat. A 6-foot-1, 175-pound tailback, Wolf has rushed for 2,546 yards on 349 carries while quarterback J.D. Vonderheid has thrown for more than 1,200 yards.
Franklin County also faces a running team.
Chatard features Justin Henry, a speedy tailback who has rushed for 1,700 yards while quarterback Mike Kirk, a 6--7, 215-pound senior, throws the ball an average of 15 times a game.
Coached by 10-year veteran Kent Grider, Franklin County is an excellent defensive team, allowing 13 of its opponents this year fewer than 950 yards on the ground and 950 through the air.
"The big key is controlling their quickness and speed," Grider said. "We must also keep the ball out of their hands and not turn it over."
Franklin County's major threat is tailback Kevin Dudley, who has scored 16 TDs and rushed for 1,201 yards.
