EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Jarred Howard knows this week has the potential to get wild.

The Forest Park coach has experienced a little of everything in the IHSAA Class 2A baseball sectional over the years. But there's always one constant: It's certain to be a stacked field with several talented teams. 

"Our sectional is always a meat grinder. I think the competition there is the best of any 2A sectional in the state," Howard said. "It's tough, but when you win it then it means something. It's a tough road for anyone." 

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This year's sectional will take place at North High School, hosted by Mater Dei. Games begin Wednesday with the championship set for Memorial Day.

Here's a look at the favorite, a contender and the teams to not count out:

It's been an impressive season for the Dubois County program, which won the Pocket Athletic Conference at 11-1 and finished the regular season ranked eighth in the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A poll.

Forest Park has been led by strong pitching. Junior Clayton Weisheit has become the Rangers' ace (1.72 ERA, no-hitter against Gibson Southern) while the entire staff sports a 1.69 ERA, the best of any of Howard's teams. The Howard brothers have been all-around weapons as Drew is batting .500 with 30 RBIs and five home runs while Reid is hitting .399 with 17 RBIs. They stand out with their hitting, fielding and even pitching when called upon. 

The Rangers open postseason play against Mater Dei in the first contest. A battle that could potentially be the best showdown of the sectional. The key for the Rangers will be sticking with what's led them here.

"We're not gonna change who we are at this point in the season," Howard said. "You have to keep it simple and hopefully find a way to grind out a few at-bats, make a few plays and see what happens." 

The Wildcats have had their fair share of ups and downs. They lost six of their last eight games but have notched impressive wins over several quality teams such as Memorial and sectional foes North Posey and South Spencer. 

Seniors Bryce Humphrey (1.34 ERA, 36 strikeouts) and Nathan VanBibber (2.42 ERA) have led the pitching rotation. Junior Ethan Stolz (.449, 31 hits) and sophomore Ethan Goodin (.318, 24 RBI, six home runs) have provided a spark in the lineup. Six players are hitting over .300.

However, the Wildcats have gone cold at the plate at times. It's something head coach Steve Ricketts wants corrected before their opener against Forest Park. 

"When we hit the ball we hit it, but when we don't a lot of times it becomes contagious," Ricketts said. "We're just working those things out." 

While it's a much different looking North Posey team from last season, it's still hard to count out the three-time defending sectional champions. 

Seniors Clay Douglas (.429, 18 RBI; 2.45 ERA, 45 strikeouts) and Harold Bender (.383) along with junior Adyn Collins (.464, 20 RBI) were among the veterans who led the way this season. The Vikings often found themselves in close games, losing five times by two runs or fewer. 

While dropping those close contests was tough, North Posey head coach Mark Kirkman is hopeful it can prove fruitful for a relatively young Vikings squad in the postseason.

"Even in some spots when we haven't played great, we tend to have our shot late in games," Kirkman said. "These guys just keep getting off the mat and competing." 

Another team to watch is South Spencer. The Rebels defeated sectional foes Forest Park and South Spencer and lost by one run to Mater Dei. They had a strong start to May winning a season-best five straight before losing back-to-back to end the year. 

Noah Bunner has been strong on the mound while brothers Holton and Houston Compton have performed well in a variety of roles. South Spencer can always be counted on as a threat with four-time state champion head coach Brian Kuester directing the program. 

Contact Courier & Press sports reporter Hendrix Magley via email at hendrix.magley@courierpress.com or via Twitter @TweetsOfHendrix.

Wednesday: Mater Dei vs. Forest Park, 5 p.m.

Wednesday: South Spencer vs. North Posey, 7 p.m.

Thursday: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Perry Central vs. Tell City, 7 p.m.