Howard County Week 6 Football Preview: Predictions for All Five Schools
For the first time this season, all five Howard County high school football teams secured victories in the same week. This unprecedented sweep has energized the community and set the stage for an exciting Week 6.
As the season winds down, every matchup takes on added importance. Teams are looking to build momentum, make a statement in their conferences, and fine-tune their lineups for the postseason.
In this week's preview, we'll break down the key matchups, highlight standout players, and predict outcomes as we continue to track our record throughout the 2025-26 season. Join us in celebrating the success of our local teams and see if you can make your own picks to match ours.
Let's dive into the action for Week 6.
Marion (1-4) vs Kokomo (1-4)
Kokomo is coming off a milestone week. The Wildkats secured their first win of the season, which also happened to be the program’s 1,000th victory. That achievement gives a hungry team extra fuel as it looks to add another North Central Conference win when Marion comes to town.
Marion, meanwhile, enters on a four-game losing streak, each by wide margins. There’s an old saying that the team that wins the rushing battle wins the game. That’s not always the case, but it could be here. The Giants average 221 rushing yards per game compared to Kokomo’s 139.6, making the ground game a key factor to watch.
Winner: Marion
3A No. 13 Western (4-1) vs West Lafayette (2-3)
Western continued its remarkable turnaround last week with a 22-13 win over Hamilton Heights. As prolific as the Panthers’ offense has been this season, their defense has been the bigger story. Both units will need to be sharp during a long road trip to West Lafayette.
The Red Devils are turning things around after a rough start, winning back-to-back games while scoring 69 combined points. While those wins were impressive, Western has been the more consistent team overall. The travel and later kickoff could derail some teams, but it shouldn’t be a factor the Panthers can’t handle.
Winner: Western
3A No. 6 Maconaquah (5-0) vs Northwestern (3-2)
Northwestern is eager to return home after three straight road games, a stretch that included the Tigers’ first win of the year and their first shutout since 2017. To keep building on that progress, they’ll need to elevate their play against an unbeaten Maconaquah squad.
The Braves feature one of the area’s most balanced offenses. Quarterback Aiden Robinson leads a unit capable of striking both on the ground and through the air, a combination that has powered their perfect record. While Northwestern will look to cap homecoming with a win, slowing down Maconaquah’s attack will be a major challenge for the Tigers’ defense.
Winner: Maconaquah
2A No. 12 Eastern (Greentown) (4-1) vs Clinton Central (2-3)
Eastern (Greentown) pulled off a huge upset last week, knocking off Carroll (Flora) to stay alive in the Hoosier Heartland Conference race. That victory was critical for the Comets and showed they’re ready to contend down the stretch.
Clinton Central, meanwhile, dropped its third straight conference game in a loss to Taylor. The Bulldogs have scored only eight points during that skid, and their struggles to stay competitive in league play are unlikely to change this week.
Winner: Eastern
Sheridan (3-1) vs 1A No. 13 Taylor (4-1)
Taylor is off to its best start since 2008 after a 47-8 win over Clinton Central. The Titans’ explosive offense has caused problems for opponents all season and could light up the scoreboard again Friday against Sheridan.
This will be the first Taylor-Sheridan matchup without Larry “Bud” Wright, the IHSAA’s all-time wins leader, on the Blackhawks’ sideline. The game also carries a revenge angle for Sheridan after Taylor snapped a decades-long drought with its first win over the Blackhawks since 1974. Sheridan’s strong rushing attack could make things interesting, but Taylor has been one of the area’s best at stopping the run this season.
Winner: Taylor
That wraps up our look at Week 6. From milestone wins to conference races heating up, there’s no shortage of storylines across Howard County.
The Kokomo Post sports team will be on site Friday night at Maconaquah vs. Northwestern to bring you coverage and updates from the field. Be sure to follow along for highlights, scores, and postgame reaction as Week 6 unfolds.
Jay’s stats
Last week: 4-1
2025-2026 sports season: 15-7 (68.1%)
