Ever since West Lafayette Harrison stunned Zionsville with a come-from-behind 28-24 win in late September, holding leads has been a concern for Eagles coach Larry McWhorter.

That same issue showed up last Friday, as Zionsville entered the fourth quarter leading Terre Haute South 17-0 only to see that lead nearly dissolve in what became a 17-14 win in the first round of Class 5A Sectional 6.

“When teams are behind, and they have to throw, we have not been able to stop them from doing that,” McWhorter said. “So protecting a lead has become a little bit of an issue.”

That the Eagles (8-2) have been able to build leads is a testament to a strong, senior-led team that recently has been prolific on the ground (Alex Woodard posted 146 yards and Brandt Kidwell 136 last Friday), and stingy on defense (24 points allowed the last three weeks).

The Eagles also stopped the pass three weeks ago against Brownsburg, when Zionsville held the Bulldogs without a completion in a rain-soaked 7-0 win.

That’s important this week, because Brownsburg (7-3) will come to town for a rematch.

Not that the previous meeting’s game film will provide much insight because of weather conditions McWhorter called deplorable.

“I know both teams aren’t going to change fundamentally from that game,” McWhorter said, “but speed was of no bearing at all in that first game, and that may come into play the second time around.”

That could favor Brownsburg, which is smaller and faster than in previous years. The Bulldogs also get another chance to run their offense against an Eagles defense that may have had an advantage in the mud.

“That’s a fairly technical offense to stop,” McWhorter said. “You’ve got to do things a little bit differently than you normally do. So now that they’ve seen our best effort, they’ll surely be able to scheme against it better.”

McWhorter also is concerned about offense — and not just a passing game that he said needs to be more efficient.

“We’ve got to do better than just one touchdown,” McWhorter said. “Last time, (Brownsburg) played awfully good defense, and if it wasn’t for a turnover that we could capitalize (on), I don’t think we would have scored all night. So we have to find some ways to not only move the ball — which we are — but we’ve got to find some ways to get in the end zone.”

Injurywise, McWhorter expects much the same lineup as last week, with running back Paul Gabor, fullback Jack Denton and offensive lineman Blake Dunshee still out.

Zionsville has won four straight against Brownsburg, but by only 21 total points.

The game begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Zionsville. The winner goes to the sectional championship game against No. 6 Pike (9-1) or Avon (4-6), who play Friday at Pike.