Football Game Preview: North Central Panthers vs. Ben Davis Giants

North Central is 1-9 against Ben Davis since October of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Panthers will take on the Giants at 7:00 p.m. North Central has given up an average of 41.8 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

On Friday, North Central lost to Pike on the road by a 46-28 margin. While the Panthers had to settle for second, they closed the game well in the third quarter, where they outscored the Red Devils 7-0.

Chase Grove

Passing Touchdowns

10/10/25 @ Pike	4
09/19/25 vs Harrison	4
08/22/25 vs Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory	4
10/03/25 vs Lawrence Central	2
09/26/25 @ Carmel	1
+ 2 more games

North Central's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Chase Grove, who threw for 183 yards and four TDs, and Tuajohn Averitte, who gained 106 total yards and a touchdown. Grove is becoming a predictor of the Panthers' success: when he posts at least three passing touchdowns the team is 2-1 (and 0-5 when he doesn't).

Meanwhile, Ben Davis came into Friday's game having lost four straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They won a matchup that couldn't have been any closer, slipping by Lawrence Central 31-30. The high-scoring effort was just what the Giants needed considering they were shut out in their previous contest.

North Central's loss dropped their record down to 2-6. As for Ben Davis, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 2-6.

North Central took a serious blow against Ben Davis in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, falling 44-14. That game was all but decided by halftime, at which point the Panthers were down 31-6.