The highly anticipated rematch between Bloomington South and Bloomington North is set for Friday night at Huff Field as they vie for the Class 5A Section 15 championship. The first encounter in September saw Bloomington South dominate with a 36-7 victory, but since then, Bloomington North has turned their season around, winning six consecutive games and entering this matchup with momentum.
Both teams have demonstrated significant improvements since their last meeting. Bloomington South enters the game with a strong overall record of 9-1 and an undefeated Conference Indiana standing at 5-0. Their only loss this season was a 33-12 setback against Center Grove. The Panthers advanced to the championship game following a thrilling match against Terre Haute South Vigo, where they triumphed 41-34. They have averaged 41.4 points per game while allowing 17.3 points to opponents this season.
In contrast, Bloomington North has been on a remarkable six-game winning streak since a rough start left them at 1-3. Finishing the season with a record of 7-3 and 3-2 in Conference Indiana, the Cougars began their resurgence with a resounding 56-0 win over Terre Haute North Vigo and displayed their prowess with a convincing 49-0 victory in their sectional opener. North has averaged 32.1 points scored while allowing just 13.8 points per game during this winning stretch.
Key players for Bloomington South include junior quarterback Duncan Combs, who has thrown for 1,917 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, as well as senior running back Shaun Cooper, who recently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards. The dynamic duo of Cooper and junior Braylen Townsend, who has added 941 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, complements the passing attack led by senior tight end Jalen Williams, a University of South Florida commit with 797 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, junior linebacker Charlie Morris stands out with a team-high 90 tackles.
For Bloomington North, senior quarterback John Bargen has emerged as a critical offensive leader, compiling 1,892 passing yards and 21 touchdowns this season. The Cougars also boast a formidable rushing attack with junior Brayden Johnson and sophomore Carter Matthew, who have combined for over 1,000 rushing yards this season. Notably, junior wide receiver Rashon English leads the receiving corps with 622 yards and six touchdowns.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Huff Field, and the winner will earn a coveted spot in the state tournament. The ultimate goal for both teams is to compete at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the state championships on November 28-29. The stakes are high as city rivals clash once again, promising an exciting showdown under the Friday night lights.