LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette area is in for a busy week of high school sports.
The start of high school football kicks off Friday while many soccer and volleyball teams begin their first games of the fall.
It's time to unpack all the fun on this week's What To Watch, the ultimate high school sports itinerary for games, matches and meets happening across the Lafayette area.
Monday, Aug. 19
- Girls volleyball: Harrison vs. Frontier 7 p.m. - A competitive double local battle takes place in Chalmers with two teams revamped after key players graduated in 2023. Harrison returns junior setter Jillian Deno and senior back row players Grace Klemme, Kaylie Conklin and Peyton Hallada while attempting to find an attacking identity after 2023 kills leader Riley Whitlock graduated and now stars at Ball State. Frontier in similar fashion looks to replace program kills leader Emma Segal now playing defensive specialist at Indiana. Senior outside hitter Ashlyn Minnear leads the Falcons with junior defensive specialist Javeylle Gibbs while two freshmen join the varsity mix in outside hitter Lexi Lamson and defensive specialist Annabelle Layton.
- Girls Volleyball: Zionsville vs. McCutcheon 7:30 p.m. - McCutcheon led by junior setter Lexi Shondell (753 assists in 2023) hosts Zionsville. Zionsville plays in arguably the hardest sectional in the state being paired with reigning 4A state champion Hamilton Southeastern along with Noblesville, Fishers and Westfield. McCutcheon also returns middle hitter Reanna Lee (241 kills in 2023). The Mavericks are tasked with challenging 6-foot-2 junior Boston College commit Isabelle Poehlein. who finished with 270 kills last season is paired with senior setter Mya Cunningham (779 assists in 2023) and defensive specialist Claudia Antcliff (498 digs in 2023).
Aug. 20
- Girls volleyball: Benton Central vs Harrison - Two sectional champions collide with Benton Central led by Western Kentucky commit and junior outside hitter Cali Foster (372 kills, .390 hitting percentage in 2023) and junior libero Bella Widmer (361 digs in 2023) who attended camps at Rutgers and Ball State this summer. Centering the Bison offense is senior setter Riley Hoaks (610 assists in 2023) and junior setter Izzy Adams (472 assists in 2023). Harrison will be playing three games in four days this week. The Raiders will host their home opener against the Bison at its auxiliary gym while Harold R. May Gymnasium undergoes renovates its floor.
- Girls volleyball: Frontier vs. Lafayette Jeff - Lafayette Jeff received a top athlete in Faith Christian transfer Maya Layton. Layton, in addition to her prowess in basketball, hammered 226 kills and 192 digs for the Eagles in 2023. With Layton, the Bronchos return senior outside hitter Julia Vallier (167 kills), senior setter Jianna Walker (460 assists, 262 digs in 2023) and defensive specialist Rilee Clifton (519 digs). Frontier's experience and Lafayette Jeff's athlete could make this a tight game on a Tuesday night.
More:Indoor sports at Harrison High School getting a facelift after 54 years
Aug. 21
Girls soccer: McCutcheon vs. West Lafayette 6:30 p.m. - West Lafayette led by a veteran midfield of senior midfielder Malavika Sujith and defender Dylan Kastens. The combination of Sujith and Kastens will be countered with senior defenders Kalea Washington, Jenah Moffatt and Haley Wagner. Expect a scrappy game with goals being scored on set pieces.
Girls volleyball: Fishers vs. McCutcheon 7:30 p.m. - McCutcheon takes on another talented 4A team in Fishers just two days after playing Zionsville. Fishers finished 15-17 last season and is led by senior 6-foot-1 outside hitter Ellen Roberts (206 kills in 2023), setter and Boiler Juniors 16 Gold member Ava Tester and senior libero Jules Kellogg (167 digs in 2023).
Aug. 22
Girls volleyball: Harrison vs. Central Catholic 7 p.m. - The energy should be packed for this battle between 1A Central Catholic hosting the Raiders. Central Catholic returns a strong nucleus of attackers and back row players led by senior Carley Barrett (319 kills, .227 hitting percentage in 2023) setter Kaitlyn Kuckkan (816 assists, 265 digs in 2023), Grace Bordenet (247 digs in 2023) and sophom*ore outside hitter Lauran Johnson (236 kills in 2023).
Aug. 23 (Friday night lights)
- Game of the week: Harrison vs. West Lafayette 7:30 p.m. - So many unknowns heading into this Week 1 matchup that'll feature two new quarterbacks in Raiders junior Lannon Nicoloff and Benny Speaker who starts under center after leading the Red Devils in receptions in 2023. West Lafayette linebacker David Curl III is an imposing threat on defense while Harrison's defense is led by Evan Walker and linebacker Jackson Mills.
More:Harrison football seniors prepare for new challenges in 2024 with move to Class 6A
Avon vs. Lafayette Jeff 7 p.m. - Lafayette Jeff led by senior quarterback Keyen Crowder gets a home test against 6A Avon who finished 2-8 in 2023 but ended the regular season with wins over Zionsville and Noblesville. Sophom*ore linebacker Makyi Hines, listed at 5-foot-11, is the proven leader for the Orioles both present and future. Hines made 64 tackles including three for loss. The Bronchos carry a depth in athletes with 6-foot-2 outside wide receiver Omar Williams and slot receiver Andre Fancher. while 6-foot-1 receiver sophom*ore Bryce Vanostran has generated buzz with his speed and hands this summer. Lafayette Jeff's defense is led by linebacker Ben Riva (119 tackles in 2023) and junior defensive lineman Aaden Aytch.
McCutcheon vs. Guerin Catholic 7 p.m. - In a 2024 full of new quarterbacks, Lonnie Griffin moves from linebacker to leading his team under center. Griffin's arm hasn't been tested in a full game but his length and quickness makes him mobile and a potentially lethal runner in the open field. Junior offensive lineman 6-foot-3 Mikah Bell has made strides this summer as a blocker while senior defensive lineman Malachi Kenner (35 tackles, 3.5 sacks) puts added pressure on quarterbacks. Guerin Catholic's offense is led by running back Jack Linden (89 carries for 483 yards and five touchdowns in 2023) while defensively, the Golden Eagles are led by senior linebacker Dylan Vargas (96 tackles, 10 for loss in 2023).
Irvington Preparatory Academy vs. Faith Christian from Delphi High School 7 p.m. - Faith Christian plays the program's first ever 11-man high school football game against Irvington Preparatory Academy. Irvington Prep played its inaugural season in 2023 and finished 0-9. History will be made Friday regardless of the outcome. Two new teams looking for their first win in school history.
More:A look into the progress on Faith Christian's new multi-use athletics facility
Aug. 24
Girls volleyball: Hamilton Southeastern vs. Benton Central 11 a.m.: Benton Central is taking building a tough nonleague schedule and adding a few degrees against the reigning 4A state champions from Hamilton Southeastern.
Boys and girls soccer doubleheader: Faith Christian vs. Benton Central 10 a.m. - A double stuffed day of sports in Oxford with the girls programs taking the field first. Benton Central is led by 2023 Journal & Courier All-Area member Avery Hardebeck (10 goals, 14 assists in 2023) while the Eagles return All-Area members forward Johanna Haste (26 goals in 2023) and Abigail Sprunger. Boys will follow with the Eagles being led by Carter (nine goals, six assists in 2023) and Myles (38 saves in 2023) Hodgsen while Zed Bennett (three goals, one assist) leads the Bison in the boys game.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter atEthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
