Ben Davis Defeats Avon in Sectional Semifinal
The Giants secured a 32-10 victory to advance to the sectional championship game against Brownsburg.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
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Ben Davis defeated Avon 32-10 in the Class 6A Sectional 5 semifinal football game on October 31, 2026. The Giants defense held Avon scoreless in the second half, securing a spot in the upcoming sectional championship.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant progression for Ben Davis in the Class 6A playoffs. By overcoming Avon, the team now prepares for a high-stakes championship matchup against the undefeated Brownsburg squad.
Ben Davis sophomore quarterback DJ Mitchell led the offense with two rushing touchdowns, while senior teammates Cameron Crawford and KeShaun Taylor added a 13-yard touchdown catch and a one-yard rushing score respectively.
The players
DJ Mitchell
He is a sophomore quarterback for Ben Davis who scored two rushing touchdowns during the playoff victory.
Cameron Crawford
He is a senior at Ben Davis who contributed to the win with a 13-yard touchdown reception.
KeShaun Taylor
He is a senior at Ben Davis who scored a one-yard rushing touchdown during the game.
Andrew Warfield II
He is an Avon running back who scored the team's lone touchdown on a seven-yard run.
Tim Paciorek
He is the kicker for Avon who successfully converted a 27-yard field goal.
The details
Ben Davis utilized a balanced attack featuring field goals and multiple rushing touchdowns to overwhelm the Avon defense. The Giants' secondary and front seven forced multiple turnovers, successfully neutralizing an opponent that entered the game averaging 22 points per outing.
Timeline
The teams previously met in Week 2, 2026, when Avon defeated Ben Davis 22-12.
The sectional semifinal game took place on October 31, 2026.
Ben Davis is scheduled to play Brownsburg in the sectional championship next week.
Season Trajectory
This win significantly reshapes the Class 6A sectional bracket by eliminating Avon and pitting Ben Davis against the undefeated Brownsburg program. The outcome forces a challenging shift in momentum as the remaining teams fight to advance toward the state title.
The 32-10 win moves Ben Davis to 5-5 on the season while ending Avon's campaign with a 6-4 final record. Brownsburg enters the upcoming championship matchup holding a perfect 10-0 season record.
The takeaway
The Giants demonstrate that mid-season adjustments can lead to post-season success after their earlier loss to Avon. Players looking to improve should focus on the second-half defensive intensity that shut out the opponent in this matchup.
What happens next
Ben Davis will play Brownsburg in the sectional championship game occurring next week.
Further reading
For more updates on the high school playoffs, visit the Indianapolis Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indystar.
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