Tri-Central football coach George Gilbert acknowledges it’s going to be anything but easy to walk onto Clinton Central’s field Friday night for a Class A Sectional 37 game.

Gilbert coached Clinton Central for 20 seasons before being let go following the 2007 season. Now in his first season at TC, he is gearing up to lead his new squad onto his old home field.

“I’m not a drama guy, I’m not going to make a big deal out of it because the game is all about the kids, but it is incredibly difficult,” he said. “I put my heart and soul into [Clinton Central football] — I had a heart attack on that field coaching. … It’s going to be tough, but it’s not any tougher than going out and coaching against kids that you had in your youth football league.”

Gilbert, who still teaches at Clinton Central, has already seen his former squad up close this season in a Hoosier Heartland Conference game at Sharpsville. He knows a game at Michigantown will pack an even bigger emotional punch.

“It’s going to be very difficult for me to be standing on the other side of the field that I basically built over the last 20 years. I was hoping I could wait another year before dealing with that, but that’s the way life is so we’re going to be there,” he said.

The following are capsule looks at the three Class A teams in the Kokomo area — TC, Clinton Central and Carroll. Clinton Central is one of the favorites in Sectional 37. Carroll plays in Sectional 34 which includes No. 1 Lafayette Central Catholic and No. 2 Pioneer. Carroll opens against South Newton.

Tri-Central

The Trojans went 0-9 in the regular season, allowing 421 points and scoring just 82. Gilbert is down to 24 healthy players because of injuries. He is starting four freshmen.

“I really thought when I came into Tri-Central that we’d be able to do things a little faster than what we’re going to be able to do them. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a year like this so I almost forgot what it was like,” Gilbert said. “Our community has been incredibly supportive and the kids have listened and worked hard. They have been a class act through this transition.”

Clinton Central whipped Tri-Central 64-0 in Week 5. The Bulldogs bolted to a 26-0 advantage by the close of the opening quarter and went on to lead 40-0 at halftime. The Bulldogs finished with 476 yards — the Trojans had just 61 yards.

“They stuck it to us pretty good the last time we played,” Gilbert said, noting his squad failed to compete. “We’re pretty optimistic about being able to do some stuff if we come out and compete. What we have to do is come out and scare them a little bit and get them out of their gameplan. Are we going to beat them? I can’t say that, but maybe we can get in their heads.

“The kids were receptive [Monday] to the gameplan we want to put in and we’re going to give it our best shot.”

Freshman running back Austin D’Agostino is TC’s top offensive player. He has gained 709 yards and four touchdowns on 183 carries. Casey Colbert leads the receiving corps with eight receptions for 131 yards and one TD. Kenny Parson leads the defense with 63 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.

Gilbert is confident he can turn the downtrodden TC program around. He notes administrative support and a good coaching staff are in place — now, it’s just a matter of the players committing to weight lifting.

“I’m a run coach and we will be a run program,” he said. “The kids are going to have to lift weights and get stronger. I’ve already talked to the parents and the kids and told them that I will have that room open [in the offseason] and I will be the person there. They need to come in, listen to what I have to say, and we’ll get better.”

Clinton Central

The Bulldogs went 5-4 in the regular season, winning four of their last six games. They posted three shutouts during that stretch.

“We had a stretch there where our defense played well. They might have taken a step back last week [in a 40-37 loss at South Newton], but South Newton is a really good throwing team,” CC coach Mike Quick said. “Offensively, we’ve been able to run the ball when we’ve been successful, so we’re going to have to run the ball well and have continued defensive success.”

Quick points to finishing games as another key for his squad in the postseason.

“In three of our four losses, we had the ball, driving with the possibility of tying or going ahead and [came away empty] so we have to find a way in the playoffs to win those close games,” he said.

Quick’s crew whipped Tri-Central 64-0 during the regular season, but Quick is not overlooking the Trojans.

“Looking at them on tape, it looks like they’ve improved since the first time we played them,” he said.

“There’s no excuses, we’re either ready to play and we’re going to make plays, or it will be a short season. The same goes true with the entire tournament,” he added.

Lapel (6-3) and Clinton Central own the best records in Sectional 37. Guerin Catholic is a darkhorse — the Golden Eagles are just 3-6, but they played a rugged schedule and they’re entering the sectional on a three-game winning streak. Clinton Prairie (4-4) is another solid ballclub and Sheridan (2-7) is always a tough out.

“I really think it’s wide open,” Quick said.

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 263-145. Running backs Cody Cannaday and Jordan Woodard key the offense. Cannaday has gained 929 yards and 12 touchdowns on 95 carries and Woodard follows with 743 yards and seven touchdowns on 85 attempts.

Quarterback Dylan Padgett has completed 31 of 73 passes for 521 yards and six touchdowns. He has thrown six interceptions.

“We’ve been trying to get our passing game going and we threw the ball OK last Friday. We were 5 of 6,” Quick said.

Brody Quick leads the Bulldogs’ defense with 85 tackles. David Griffy has a team-high four interceptions.

Carroll

The Cougars head into the postseason with a 4-5 record.

“It’s been kind of an up-and-down season,” coach Steve Keown said. “We have 12 seniors, but we’re pretty inexperienced at some key spots. Our quarterback is a sophomore, we have a young wingback and one of our receivers is a freshman so a lot of times, we have to rely on those young guys and it’s a little bit inconsistent with the offense.”

The Cougars endured a four-game losing streak that included lopsided losses to Class A No. 1 Lafayette Central Catholic, Clinton Prairie and Clinton Central. Keown’s club bounced back to beat Frontier and North White in the final two weeks of the regular season.

“The thing I’m most proud of is the character the guys have shown,” Keown said. “A lot of teams go through those four games and things don’t go well for them, they just mail it in for the rest of the season. We came back and beat a pretty good Frontier team that was 4-3 at the time. And then we went over and beat North White. I know their record [3-6] isn’t great, but anytime you go onto their home field on their senior night and come away with a win, you have to feel pretty good.”

The Cougars scored eight or fewer points in seven of their games. Strong defensive efforts led to narrow wins against Tri-County (7-0), Frontier (7-6) and North White (8-6).

“Jonathan Bush is a big anchor in our defense. He sits in the 4-3 as our [middle linebacker] and just does an unbelievable job for us,” Keown said. “He’ll be the first to tell you the guys up front keep people off of him. We have two big tackles up there, Josh Barnes and Ethan Glascock, who do a good job.”

Bush has 135 tackles and two interceptions.

QB Daniel Huckstep leads the Cougars’ offense. He has completed 52 of 123 passes for 691 yards and five touchdowns. He has thrown 12 picks,

Carroll will need a strong effort Friday night against South Newton (7-2). The Rebels, who have won five straight games, run a spread offense and average 28 points per game.

“They’re going to present some problems for us,” Keown said. “They throw the ball really well, their quarterback runs the ball well and they have a big fullback who runs the ball well. Defensively, they play a 3-4. We’re going to have to play an awfully good game, but I think we’re getting some confidence right now. Our kids believe we can go up there and get something done.”

No. 1 LCC (8-0) and No. 2 Pioneer (9-0) highlight Sectional 34. They meet in the first round Friday night at Lafayette.