Regional preview: sectional champs head west to Castle

The sectional champions go on the road. Floyd Central plays at Castle in the IHSAA Class 3A regional semifinal on Thursday, October 15. Kickoff is 6:00 PM Central at the Castle soccer complex in Newburgh — 7:00 PM Eastern back home, so plan the drive with the time change in mind.

The Highlanders come in at 8-8-3 and on a three-match winning run. They won Sectional 15 at Seymour by holding Jeffersonville scoreless through two overtimes and winning the shootout 5–4, beating New Albany 1–0, and drawing Silver Creek 1–1 in the final before winning that shootout 3–1. One goal conceded in three postseason matches.

Castle is 16-2-1 and won Sectional 16 on its home field, beating Jasper 1–0 in its opener and Evansville North 1–0 in the final. The Knights also won the regular-season meeting with Floyd Central 7–0 on September 19. Under IHSAA rules, the even-numbered sectional winner hosts the regional semifinal, which is why the match is in Newburgh.

Win, and the Highlanders play for the regional title on Saturday, October 17 at 4:00 PM Eastern at Seymour — back on the ground where they won the sectional — against the winner of Columbus North at Bloomington South.

Tickets are digital only through Eventlink — $10, children five and under free, no cash at the gate. Matches may stream on IHSAAtv; search for Floyd Central on match day. Results go up on the site as soon as the match is final.