Howard County Week 8 Football Preview: Predictions for All Five Schools
Week 8 is here, and the regular season is winding down. With just two games left, every snap matters as teams sharpen their identities and push to build momentum for the postseason. All rankings referenced in this preview are from the latest AP poll.
This week, we’ll break down the biggest matchups, spotlight players to watch, and make our picks as the season heads into its final stretch.
Let’s get into the action for Week 8.
Kokomo (2-5) vs Muncie Central (4-3)
Kokomo enters Friday’s Week 8 matchup following their first conference loss. The Wildkats are gradually getting healthier and hope to mirror the success they had against Anderson and Marion. They’ll need a much stronger performance to pull off a road win at Muncie Central.
Muncie Central comes in with a 3-0 record in North Central Conference play. A victory this week could put them in position to secure the conference crown next week. One key difference between the teams is the defense. While both held Anderson to six points, the Bearcats have consistently been the stronger unit. Kokomo is allowing 31.6 points per game, compared with Muncie Central’s 22.6. The offenses are fairly even, but the defensive edge could determine the outcome.
Winner: Muncie Central
Longansport (6-1) vs Western (5-2)
Western is eager to get back on the field following a blowout loss to Tippecanoe Valley. The defeat snapped the Panthers’ five-game winning streak and adds extra motivation as they aim for a Senior Night victory against Logansport.
Logansport is still riding high after an overtime win over West Lafayette. In overtime, the Berries fumbled at the two-yard line but recovered the ball in the end zone to secure the dramatic victory. While last week’s win was impressive, the Berries will need another strong offensive performance to come out on top Friday.
One key difference between the teams is the strength of their schedules. Both have similar offensive stats, but the Panthers have faced tougher competition this season, which could help them rise to the challenge and bring their best effort on Senior Night.
Winner: Western
2A No. 15 Rochester (6-1) vs Northwestern (4-3)
Northwestern is hitting its stride after winning four of its last five games. The Tigers’ most recent victory was a 35-point road win over Wabash. They’ve found consistent offensive success during that stretch and will need another strong performance against one of the top teams in Class 2A.
Rochester has been dominant all season. The well-rounded team put on a show last week in a 51-14 win over Northfield. As entertaining as Rochester’s offense can be, it’s the defense that has stolen the spotlight. The Zebras have recorded four shutouts and are allowing just four points per game. While Northwestern’s offense has found a winning formula, Rochester’s defense could be a challenge too tough to crack.
Winner: Rochester
1A No. 12 Sheridan (5-1) vs Eastern (Greentown) (6-1)
Eastern is playing the kind of football head coach Josh Edwards wants to see. That’s been evident during the Comets’ current three-game winning streak, which includes a shutout and 158 total points scored. Eastern is one win away from sitting atop the Hoosier Heartland Conference and will need its best performance yet on Senior Night against Sheridan.
Sheridan head coach Jake Chesney has done a phenomenal job replacing Hall of Fame coach Larry “Bud” Wright, maintaining the program’s tradition of success as one of the top teams in Class 2A. While Sheridan has found ways to win multiple games by at least two scores, Eastern’s home-field advantage and well-rounded offense could be the difference as the Comets look to close out Senior Night with a victory.
Winner: Eastern
Week 8 brings another round of key matchups as teams look to finish the regular season strong. With the state tournament just around the corner, momentum and confidence are the goals heading into the final weeks.
The Kokomo Post Sports team will be on site for Logansport vs. Western, bringing you coverage, highlights, and postgame reaction.
Stay tuned and follow along as we wrap up another exciting week of high school football.
Jay’s stats
Last week: 4-1
2025-2026 sports season: 22-10 (68.8%)
