After starting 0-2, the defending Class 6A state champion Ben Davis Giants got back on the winning track with a 38-14 win over previously unbeaten Pike.
Second year coach Russ Mann took the 0-2 start as part of the growing process for a team that lost its starting quarterback and defensive leaders from last year’s team to graduation.
“The first two games between Cathedral and Avon were the same,” Mann said. “I didn’t like the second half of the Cathedral game – we didn’t match the first half and close it out,” Mann said. “In the second half at AVon we started to learn our identity and who we are.”
The Giants host Center Grove Friday to start a brutal four-week stretch. Center Grove is 2-1 and ranked No. 6 in Class 6A. Following Friday, the Giants travel to No. 4 Warren Central, host No. 9 Lawrence North for homecoming and then travel to No. 8 Carmel.
Mann knows nothing comes easy in a schedule like that.
“Each touchdown is gonna be a fight,” Mann said. “They are not gonna do something like blown coverage that gives you a long touchdown, like in semi-state.”
Ben Davis beat Center Grove 37-34 in an overtime classic for the semi-state title last year here at home. Prior to that game, Center Gove had won eight straight games in a series they lead 19-16.
“It’s always a fun chess game to play with them and schools such as Carmel,” Mann said. “We look forward to it.”
The 0-2 start is now in the past.
“The top coaches know whoever loses a game on a particular Friday still has a chance in the playoffs,” Mann said. “It’s a process.”
