Howard Count Football Week 4 Preview and Predictions
The 2026 high school football season continues to take shape across Howard County, with teams looking to build momentum as the regular season moves into its fourth week. With conference play underway for every team and plenty of opportunities to make a statement, Week 4 features another slate of important matchups across the county.
From teams looking to stay unbeaten to those searching for their first win of the season, there’s plenty to watch Friday night. Here’s a closer look at this week’s Howard County matchups, what to watch for and our predictions for how each game will play out.
Rankings are from the USA TODAY Network Indiana high school football poll.
Kokomo (0-3) vs Jeffersonville (1-2)
Kokomo enters Week 4 still searching for its first win of the season. The Wildkats are coming off a 37-12 loss to Class 5A No. 3 Pendleton Heights and will look to put that performance behind them as they prepare for their final nonconference game against Jeffersonville. Kokomo will need to regroup quickly and focus on executing its game plan Friday night.
Jeffersonville enters the matchup looking to bounce back after a loss in its home opener. The Red Devils opened the season with two straight road games before returning home last week. Kokomo’s offense has averaged 10.3 points per game this season, with struggles in the running game making it difficult to sustain drives and consistently find the end zone. The Wildkats will need to establish a more consistent ground game and find ways to generate offense if they hope to leave Jeffersonville with a victory Friday night.
Winner: Jeffersonville
West Lafayette (0-3) vs Western (0-3)
Western, like several other teams in the county, is still searching for its first win of the season after the Panthers fell to Class 3A No. 6 Twin Lakes last week. The Panthers are a young team that has opened the season against strong, veteran teams, giving them valuable experience heading into Friday night’s matchup with West Lafayette.
West Lafayette also enters the game looking for its first win of the season as it opens Hoosier Conference play. The Red Devils’ 0-3 record can be a bit misleading, as they have faced strong competition to begin the season. West Lafayette will be looking to use that experience as it begins what should be a challenging conference schedule.
One of the biggest challenges for Western will be finding a way to consistently finish drives. The Panthers were able to sustain several long drives against Twin Lakes last week but struggled to turn those opportunities into points. That offensive inconsistency, combined with Western’s youth, could make it difficult for the Panthers to keep pace with West Lafayette on Friday night.
Winner: West Lafayette
Peru (2-1) vs Northwestern (2-1)
Northwestern is riding high following its biggest win of the season, a 48-13 victory over Southwood. Junior quarterback Colin Cook continues to give the Tigers a steady presence under center, and they’ll need another strong performance from him when Peru comes to town.
Peru enters Friday’s matchup riding a two-game winning streak, with the Tigers pitching shutouts in both victories. Their offense has leaned heavily on the running game, which has already produced more than 850 yards and seven touchdowns this season. That ground attack will be one of the biggest storylines to watch Friday night.
Northwestern’s defense will face a significant test against Peru’s rushing attack. The Tigers handled a similar challenge in their first conference game, jumping out to an early lead before controlling the game in the second half. If Northwestern wants to remain unbeaten in conference play, Cook may need another monster performance to keep the Tigers’ offense rolling.
Winner: Peru
Class 2A No. 6 Eastern (Greentown) (3-0) vs Taylor (0-3)
The annual rivalry between Eastern (Greentown) and Taylor will have even more on the line this year with the introduction of a traveling trophy. The two schools have agreed to compete for the Veterans Trophy, which will be awarded to the winning team. With a new trophy up for grabs and Taylor looking to pull off a significant upset, this year’s battle between the Titans and Comets carries added importance.
Eastern continued its strong start to the season last week with a 52-7 victory over Delphi. Taylor, meanwhile, will look to regroup following a 42-6 loss to Carroll (Flora).
The Comets and Titans enter the rivalry game on different paths. Eastern has some of the best talent in the area, while Taylor is working with a young roster that has also been hindered by injuries. Although Taylor has home-field advantage at Taylor Memorial Field, the talent gap between the two teams is a major reason Eastern is expected to leave with the Veterans Trophy and an unblemished record.
Winner: Eastern
Week 4 features another important slate of games for Howard County football teams, with each program looking to build momentum as the season progresses. Whether teams are battling for their first win, opening conference play or trying to maintain a strong start, Friday night provides another opportunity for players and coaches to make a statement.
The best way to support these teams is to be there in person. Make plans to attend a game, bring your family and friends, and help create an exciting atmosphere for the athletes who represent our communities. The Kokomo Post Sports will continue providing coverage throughout the season, but nothing compares to the energy and support of a crowd at the stadium.
Jay’s Stats
Last week: 5-0
2026-2027 sports season: 10-4 (71.4%)
