Next Friday is the regular season opener for football teams across the state and the stadium lights that evening will be receiving the bulk of the attention.
However, the gridiron is not the only stage available and football is not the only show in town this week as soccer, cross country, boys tennis, and girls volleyball join the girls golfers in competition. Here is a look at a few of the more interesting games, matches and meets going on from Monday through Saturday during the penultimate week of August.
Monday, August 17, Volleyball, Lapel at Frankton
This one is exciting for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the obvious rivalry between the two schools as a season opener. But there is also a lot of excitement around the teams themselves, both of which believe they are in the hunt for the Sectional 39 championship later this year. Lapel was 25-9 last year, but lost a 3-0 decision to Frankton in the season opener. The Eagles are loaded with seniors while the Bulldogs are leaning on a talented crop of freshmen. All of that adds up to a fun night of volleyball in the Eagles Nest to open the season.
Also looming in the week ahead for Lapel, a measuring stick type of match at home against powerhouse Wapahani.
Tuesday, August 18, Boys soccer, Liberty Christian at Anderson
With Saturday’s season opener at Taylor washed out, this will be Liberty Christian’s season opener while Anderson will have one game under their belt with a Saturday trip to Elkhart. The Indians won 14 matches last season, including a 9-1 rout of the Lions in their season opener. While LC returns the area’s top scorer in Tywaine Fuller (24 goals), the Indians will be looking to figure out a go-to player after their top three scorers – including Fabian Guilarle – graduated.
Wednesday, August 19, Volleyball, Anderson at Pendleton Heights
The Arabians will be heavily favored to continue their domination of Anderson in their home opener. This will be the home debut for first year varsity coach Avery Mayfield, who coached the Arabians junior varsity squad last season. She was a four-time state champion during her playing days at Muncie Burris and played collegiately at the University of Southern Indiana. She later added a fifth state title as an assistant at her alma mater before coming to Pendleton last year.
Saturday, August 22, Taylor University Cross Country Opener
There will be a few races earlier in the week, but this event in Upland is one of the largest invites of the early part of the season. Alexandria, Daleville, Frankton, Lapel, Madison-Grant and Pendleton Heights will take part – although likely separated by divisions – meaning that a number of the area’s top runners will be putting that first time of the season on the board. That group includes Kynlie Keffer (Daleville), Carly Shuter (Frankton), Sarah Combs (Lapel), and Maddie Marsh (Pendleton Heights) on the girls side as well as Jack Combs (Lapel) and Connor Weflen, Henry Corbin and Ryder Engelhardt (Pendleton Heights) for the boys.
Saturday, August 22, Madison County golf championship at Grandview
While there is little drama around which team will claim the first local championship of the 2026-27 school year, there are a number of other battles that will be fun to watch unfold. Yes, Lapel will be heavily favored to win their third straight title and tenth in the last 12 years, one question might involve whether or not they can eclipse last year’s record team score of 316 or 66-stroke margin of victory. The race for medalist will likely be between Lapel teammates Annabelle Marshall – three time runner-up – and two-time champion Jane Armington. All six of last year’s All-County players – Marshall, Armington, Bella Shetterley and Clarie Humerickhouse from Lapel, Anderson’s Addison Goen, and Frankton’s Kylia Buis – are back to defend that status. The closest battle may be for second place between Anderson, Alexandria, Frankton and Pendleton Heights.