This past weekend, the annual state tournament matchups were set with over three hundred teams participating all the way from 1A to 6A. In the mix of those 300+ teams are our Panthers who look to make another deep run in the 5A playoffs.

South’s sectional consists of five teams, all relatively close to each other: Whiteland, Bloomington South, Bloomington North, Martinsville, and Franklin. The road to Lucas Oil starts at home against Whiteland who is 2-5 so far this year and will most likely have a tough time trying to get out of Bloomington with a win.

Next, South would host crosstown rival Bloomington North for the second time this year. If South wins that, the team would have to travel to either Martinsville or Franklin for the sectional title. If they win in sectionals, the Panthers would most likely find themselves up against Class 5A No. 1 Roncalli or former rival Cathedral in the regional.

There has been lots of adversity that Coach Mo and his team have been up against including three losses by a combined eleven points. With a win against a strong Terre Haute North squad though, South looks to carry a mountain of momentum into the playoffs. Additionally, star running back Kristian Pechac has returned from injury and restored the backfield to a three headed monster alongside Gavin Yeskie and Maveric Thiery.

The Panthers could potentially further build that momentum this Friday with a win over a very good Columbus North team, 8 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium.