Week 1 area high school football predictions

It is time. Week 1 of the high school football season. Here is a look at predictions on all of the area games for Friday night (kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted):

Warren Central at Center Grove: Class 6A top-ranked Warren Central gets its first big test against sixth-ranked Center Grove. Are the Warriors as good as advertised? Center Grove will be improved from last year’s 6-6 version. Warren Central 26, Center Grove 21.

Brebeuf Jesuit at Bishop Chatard, 7:30 p.m.: It is the first home game for Chatard in school history, but the celebration will be hollow without a win. Brebeuf is coming off a Class 3A state finals appearance and Chatard is capable of making a similar run this year. Chatard 33, Brebeuf 23.

Hamilton Southeastern vs. Lawrence Central, at Lucas Oil Stadium, 8:30 p.m.: There are four first-year coaches leading their teams at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday night. In this one, Adam Morris (HSE) and John Rodenberg (Lawrence Central) look to see what they have. Lawrence Central 30, HSE 20.

More: Longtime CG coach: ‘I don’t know if I want to do this anymore’

More: Class 6A area teams at a glance

Podcast: High School Insider previews 2018 season

Fishers at North Central: One of the eye-opening scores last year in Week 1 was North Central 19, Fishers 17. These teams could meet later in the sectional. Fishers 19, North Central 17.

Louisville Trinity at Carmel: Trinity dominated last year’s meeting with Carmel, 31-3. The Greyhounds will have a better showing. Carmel 20, Trinity 17.

Franklin Central at Decatur Central: This should be one of the more competitive games of the night. Franklin Central looks to build on last year’s 8-2 season. Franklin Central 28, Decatur Central 24.

Roncalli at Southport: After three consecutive losses to the Cardinals, Roncalli has won two in a row. Roncalli 24, Southport 21.

Brownsburg at Bloomington South, 7:30 p.m.: Brownsburg trounced the Panthers 51-14 in last year’s opener. Brownsburg 41, Bloomington South 26.

Kokomo at New Palestine: New Pal opens on its new turf field against a Class 5A finalist from a year ago. Next week the Dragons host Center Grove. New Palestine 31, Kokomo 23.

Monrovia vs. Cardinal Ritter, at Marian: Ritter has a lot to replace from a year ago. Ritter 27, Monrovia 24.

Mt. Vernon at Hamilton Heights: Father (Mike Kirschner of Mt. Vernon) vs. son (Jon Kirschner of Hamilton Heights) is a fun backdrop to this season opener. The Marauders have a good senior class. Mt. Vernon 27, Hamilton Heights 16.

Zionsville at Pike: Zionsville has won exciting shootouts the past two seasons against Pike. Zionsville 35, Pike 31.

Noblesville vs. Cathedral, at Lucas Oil Stadium, 6 p.m.: Have a feeling this one could be closer than expected. Cathedral 20, Noblesville 14.

Avon at Plainfield: This is the last of a four-year contract between these Hendricks County programs. Avon has won all three, though the 2016 game was close (35-31). The Orioles, ranked fourth in Class 6A, host Ben Davis next week. Avon 37, Plainfield 14.

More: Class 5A local teams at a glance

More: Class 4A teams at a glance

Bloomington North at Greenwood: The Woodmen are coming off a Class 4A semistate appearance, but graduated a lot of key pieces from that team. Bloomington North, a 5A program, improved to 3-7 last year after a winless 2016 season. Greenwood 21, Bloomington North 18.

Danville at Cascade: Last we saw Danville, it was playing in a windy monsoon in a 3A semistate, a frustrating 28-7 loss to Evansville Memorial. K.C. Woods’ team will attempt to reload and build on a 13-1 season. Danville 42, Cascade 14.

Edinburgh at Brown County: Edinburgh should be improved from last year’s 1-9 season (only win was a forfeit). Brown County 32, Edinburgh 20.

Franklin at Columbus North: After three consecutive 1-9 seasons, Franklin will have a better record under Chris Coll this year. But this is a tough assignment for the Class 5A Grizzly Cubs, facing one of two 6A programs on their schedule. Columbus North 34, Franklin 16.

Greensburg at Shelbyville: Michael Clevenger coaches his first game at Shelbyville. Shelbyville 24, Greensburg 17.

Lutheran at Beech Grove: These teams have gone back and forth in recent seasons, with Lutheran winning last year, 28-14. Beech Grove is looking to bounce back from its first losing season since 2013. Beech Grove 28, Lutheran 26.

Manual at Heritage Christian: Robert Orkman goes into his fourth season at Manual looking for the Redskins to post a winning record after back-to-back 5-5 marks. Heritage Christian is looking to build on a 6-4 season. Heritage Christian 23, Manual 20.

Shortridge at Southside Homeschool: Shortridge started 4-0 last year, including a 47-6 win in this matchup. Shortridge 41, Southside 12.

Tech at Ben Davis: New coaches Will Patterson (Tech) and Jason Simmons (Ben Davis will make their respective debuts. The past three openers between these teams have been lopsided in Ben Davis’ favor. Ben Davis 45, Tech 13.

Tindley at Trinity Lutheran: Tindley was a surprise team last year in Class A, finishing 7-4. Tindley 33, Trinity Lutheran 16.

Washington at Bowman Academy (at Gary Roosevelt), 8 p.m.: It might take a little time, but Steve Moorman will get it going at Washington. Bowman Academy 26, Washington 12.

Jasonville Community at Covenant Christian, at Zionsville West, 7:30 p.m.: Covenant Christian is 17-4 in its past two seasons. Covenant Christian 35, Jasonville Community 7.

Lapel at Elwood: Lapel won its Class 2A sectional last season. Lapel 41, Elwood 16.

Martinsville at Bedford North Lawrence: Martinsville started 0-4 last year before winning six of seven. The Artesians hope for a faster start against a Bedford program that posted its first winning season last year since 2011. Martinsville 28, Bedford North Lawrence 21.

McCutcheon at Guerin Catholic: Guerin will be a tough out down the road in Sectional 26. McCutcheon 23, Guerin Catholic 16.

Mooresville at Lebanon: It will be interesting to track the numbers that Mooresville puts up behind quarterback Karson Goodman (2,440 passing yards last season) and receiver Jon Eineman (93 catches, 1,556 yards). Can the Pioneers get a few stops? Mooresville 34, Lebanon 31.

Northwestern at Eastern Hancock: Doug Armstrong coaches his first game at Eastern Hancock. Eastern Hancock 27, Northwestern 21.

Osceola Grace at Howe: Howe struggled through a 1-10 season last year. Osceola Grace 48, Howe 14.

Park Tudor at Triton Central: Triton Central has the talent to make some noise this season. Triton Central 34, Park Tudor 13.

Pendleton Heights at Mississinewa, 7:30 p.m.: A tough opener for Pendleton Heights. Mississinewa, a Class 4A program, won its first sectional last year since 1988. Pendleton Heights’ run defense will be tested. Mississinewa 28, Pendleton Heights 21.

More: Class 3A local teams at a glance

More: Class 2A at a glance

More: Class A local teams at a glance

Perry Meridian at Lawrence North: Lawrence North is looking for its third consecutive season-opening win. Lawrence North 31, Perry Meridian 16.

Shenandoah vs. Scecina, at Tech: These Class 2A powers split two meetings in the sectional in 2013 and ’14. Scecina 35, Shenandoah 20.

Speedway vs. Crispus Attucks, at Northwest: Attucks will play in the sectional this year for the first time since restarting its football program. Speedway 43, Attucks 7.

Traders Point Christian at Indiana Deaf: Traders Point is another new sectional-eligible program. Indiana Deaf won last year’s meeting. Indiana Deaf 28, Traders Point 20.

Tri-West at Lafayette Central Catholic: Tri-West will be improved in Tyler Bruce’s second season as coach. Hard to believe both of these programs were under .500 last season (Tri-West 5-6 and Lafayette Central Catholic 4-8). Tri-West 28, LCC 17.

Western Boone at Sheridan: This could be a special season for Western Boone. The Stars are loaded on offense. Western Boone 35, Sheridan 18.

Westfield at Harrison: Westfield is looking for its eighth consecutive season-opening win over Harrison. Westfield 26, Harrison 14.

Whiteland at Columbus East: Defending Class 5A champion Columbus East looks to get off on the right foot. Columbus East 31, Whiteland 21.

Evansville Central at Greenfield-Central, 8 p.m.: Evansville Central was 11-2 last season. Evansville Central 30, Greenfield-Central 17.

Evansville Mater Dei at Indian Creek, 2 p.m. Saturday: Indian Creek takes on a Class 2A power. Evansville Mater Dei 28, Indian Creek 21.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.