> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Providence and Fort Wayne Luers are the only two Class 2A football program that opened their seasons with games against Class 5A competition.

Only one 3A team — New Prairie — opened with two opponents from the state’s biggest class. In fact, only a handful of 4A and 5A programs opened with two 5A teams.

According to the computer-based Sagarin ratings, the Pioneers have played the fourth-toughest schedule of any team in the 2A classification.

Providence posted a 1-1 mark in an overtime win over New Albany and a close loss to Floyd Central.

On Friday, the Pioneers will finally get some relief from the schedule maker. They travel to Mitchell — a sectional opponent — for their first road game.

Providence may be relief for Mitchell, too. The Bluejackets have played Brownstown Central and Paoli — both of which have pounded its two opponents.

After this week, the Pioneers continue with Indian Creek, Charlestown and Jeffersonville. For this week, however, Providence deserves a well-deserved break — and an easy win.

THE PICK: Providence 44, Mitchell 6



BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE AT JEFFERSONVILLE

Just comparing the results from each side’s first two games, the clear choice is Bedford in this matchup.

The Stars lost to Bloomington North by a touchdown, while Jeff fell to the Cougars by 28 points.

Bedford beat Bloomington South in Week 1. Jeff fell to an inferior Seymour team in Week 2.

However, as we’ve learned over the years, comparison scores doesn’t always work when making picks.

Jeff has made some great additions over the past couple of weeks and it seems only a matter of time before it starts winnin games.

Bedford’s the pick, but not by much and with much hesitation.

THE PICK: Bedford NL 21, Jeffersonville 17.



CHARLESTOWN AT CLARKSVILLE

As I wrote this week in “The Aftermath,” Charlestown is much better than its 47-8 loss to Brownstown Central last Friday indicates.

The only way the Pirates were blown out was on the scoreboard. By most measures, it was a fairly tight game.

The scoreboard is all that really matter, but not when projecting the future. The Pirates are still going to win six or seven games this season, including Friday on the road.

THE PICK: Charlestown 41, Clarksville 14.



MADISON AT FLOYD CENTRAL

In two weeks, Floyd Central has been upgraded from rebuilding to Hoosier Hills Conference contender.

There’s no obvious drop off in performance from last year’s sectional championship team. It’s obvious that Floyd has been highly underrated, but that should no longer be the case.

THE PICK: Floyd Central 49, Madison 7.



NEW ALBANY AT JENNINGS COUNTY

The Bulldogs will be contending with arguable the best running back in the Hoosier Hills Conference in Panther junior Iyan Bass. Bass is a beast and won’t be easy for anyone to stop this year.

In Friday’s win over Castle, New Albany’s defense finally started to show the ability to stop the run, but the Knights had a ton of yards on the ground.

The good news for the Bulldogs is that Jennings has given up 74 points in two games in its 0-2 start.

Expect a lot of points and more of them to come from the visitors.

THE PICK: New Albany 48, Jennings County 35



CORYDON CENTRAL AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL

Brownstown’s win over Charlestown last Friday immediately made this the “Game of the Year” in the Mid-Southern Conference. After seing their results from the first two weeks, it’s hard to imagine either team losing another conference game.

Both teams will clearly be able to run the ball, although both defenses have been strong against the run. The difference may be the Panthers’ passing ability with Corydon receiver Brandon Dunaway being a mismatch for any defense.

I picked Corydon from the start to win its first-ever MSC title. I’m sticking with that pick, but with much more aprehension than I would have two weeks ago.

THE PICK: Corydon Central 35, Brownstown Central 22.



OTHER AREA PREDICTIONS

Columbus East 42, Seymour 17

Salem 22, North Harrison 21

West Washington 38, Pekin Eastern 14



Season Record: 25-7