Howard County Week 9 Football Preview: Predictions for All Five Schools
Week 9 has arrived, marking the final week of the regular season. With the state tournament just around the corner, teams are making their final tune-ups, building momentum, and looking to end the regular season on a high note. Every drive, every snap, and every play matters as the focus shifts toward postseason football.
Let’s dive into the matchups and see how local teams stack up heading into the final week of the regular season.
Richmond (3-5) vs Kokomo (2-6)
Kokomo’s regular-season finale comes with plenty at stake. The Wildkats want to finish strong and send their seniors off with a win on Senior Night. A victory would make for a fitting celebration, but Richmond hopes to play spoiler in this Week 9 matchup.
Richmond has been inconsistent throughout the season but is trending upward after back-to-back wins. Still, defense has been an issue. The Red Devils are allowing 43.25 points per game in North Central Conference play, compared to Kokomo’s 24.5. That difference could be the deciding factor. Even if the game comes down to the wire, Kokomo’s defense has proven capable of making clutch stops when it matters most.
Winner: Kokomo
Western (6-2) vs Twin Lakes (6-2)
Western’s final regular season game carries plenty of momentum after last week’s title-clinching win over Logansport. The Panthers secured their first conference championship in more than a decade and now look to keep that energy rolling on the road against Twin Lakes.
The Indians have split their last four games, facing some of their toughest tests of the season. Those matchups exposed areas Western can exploit. With several Panthers stepping up in key moments last week, that same team-first mentality could help Western finish the regular season on a high note.
Winner: Western
Northwestern (4-4) vs Northfield (1-7)
Northwestern enters Week 9 having won four of its last six games, with all of those victories coming on the road. The Tigers have shown they can handle tough environments, and they’ll need that same focus and execution when they travel to Northfield.
It’s been a challenging season for the Norsemen, whose lone win came in their highest scoring outing of the year. However, Northwestern’s consistency and confidence on the road give them a clear edge. If the Tigers continue their strong play away from home, they should finish the regular season on a high note.
Winner: Northwestern
Eastern (Greentown) (7-1) vs Clinton Prairie (3-4)
Eastern enters Week 9 playing its best football of the season, riding a four-game winning streak. The Comets can clinch the Hoosier Heartland Conference title with a win Friday night, adding even more motivation as they head to Clinton Prairie.
The Gophers have managed just two conference wins, both coming in shutouts. However, they’ve struggled against teams with winning records. With a championship on the line, Eastern is poised to stay locked in and make this trip to Clinton Prairie a memorable one.
Winner: Eastern
Taylor (5-2) vs Delphi (2-6)
After an unexpected week off, Taylor is eager to get back on the field. The Titans are one win away from securing their best regular season record since 2008, adding extra motivation heading into Friday’s trip to Delphi.
The Oracles have been inconsistent this season, showing flashes of offensive success at home but struggling defensively on their own field. If those defensive issues continue, Taylor could take advantage and put up big numbers in its final regular season game.
Winner: Taylor
Week 9 brings the curtain down on the regular season, but there’s still plenty on the line across the area. From conference titles to momentum heading into the postseason, every snap matters as teams look to close strong.
The Kokomo Post Sports team will be on site Friday night for Richmond vs. Kokomo, bringing you full coverage, highlights, and postgame reaction from the Wildkats’ Senior Night showdown.
Jay’s stats
Last week: 4-0
2025-2026 sports season: 26-10 (72.2%)
