Indians set for Sectional 47
PHOTO BY LINDSAY DEBOLT
It has been eight years since Milan last hoisted a sectional championship trophy and this year’s Class A Sectional 47 bracket puts the Indians in position to erase the lengthy drought.
Milan won a Class 2A crown in 2016 but has not captured a championship in the Class A ranks since 2011, a 32-27 triumph over North Decatur that allowed the Indians a second-straight trip to the regional.
The black and gold enter this year’s postseason with a 5-4 record but having lost two of their last three games has the local club limping slightly into the sectional. But take some of that with a grain of salt. Of Milan’s four losses, three have come against state-ranked programs -Lawrenceburg, Batesville and Providence- while last week’s 42-28 loss at home against Madison featured a much-improved Cub team that also boasts a winning record. That strength of schedule will be a big factor for the Indians and automatically makes them a contender in Sectional 47.
And it certainly makes Milan a favorite in its first round matchup this Friday night against Knightstown (5-4). The Panthers started the season red-hot but a 4-0 record has spiraled downward and the program has gone 1-4 ever since, its last win a 54-0 decision over Cambridge City Lincoln on September 27. Trent Taylor’s crew is averaging 37.8 points per game on offense but defense is a susceptible area, allowing nearly 33 points per game to opponents.
Knightstown is led by quarterback Bryor Carmichael who has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns against six interceptions. Five different players have caught passes from him in the end zone, one of which is Gage Broady who has hauled in 11 scores and 962 yards on 42 catches. The Panthers also present a challenge with their running game as Jameson Crawford has 171 carries for 1,173 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Milan’s defense should be up to the challenge, again having been battle-tested by the strength of schedule. Sophomore Grant Langferman leads with 71 tackles and Cameron Gilb is right behind at 63 tackles. Dylan Offill has racked up two of four interceptions and the Indians have recovered eight fumbles. Ryan Langferman’s offense then follows up and looks to expose Knightstown’s flaws on defense. Wyatt Marsh is 89-of-137 passing for 1,310 yards and 13 touchdowns against only five interceptions. Langferman has caught 21 passes for 415 touchdowns and Offill adds three scores and 413 yards on 33 catches.
John McKeown and Micah Norman add to the receiver core, both having caught touchdown passes. McKeown has also been effective in the run game with 426 yards and six scores while Austin Green leads that department with 889 yards and 10 touchdowns on 140 carries.
Milan is on the road this Friday night for that Knightstown matchup at 7 p.m. The two teams have not met since the Indians defeated the Panthers 3-0 in the 2019 Class A Sectional.
