IHSAA football: Countdown the top 10 teams in Class 6A in Central Indiana
Insider Kyle Neddenriep counts down the top 10 teams in Class 6A in Central Indiana
In addition to our USA TODAY Network’s Indiana high school football poll, which is voted on by a nationwide panel of media representatives, this season we’re also introducing an IndyStar Super 25, which ranks the state’s top 25 teams regardless of class. My early-season power poll:
1. Ben Davis: Until proven otherwise, the defending Class 6A champions are top dogs. Game on Friday: against Cathedral.
2. Warren Headquarters: I’m excited about the Warriors as they begin the season with their talented and experienced defense. Game on Friday: at Fort Wayne Snider.
3. Grove Center: The Trojans were one overtime loss away from winning their fourth consecutive 6A title last November. Friday’s game: against Westfield.
Top 25 for 2025: Ranking the top IHSAA football recruits in the graduating class
Indiana high school football team preview: Everything you need to know about the season
4. Crown point: The Bulldogs have a good chance to become a 6A power after going 13-1 last year and reaching the state finals. Friday’s game: against Lowell.
5.Westfield: The Shamrocks probably exceeded expectations last year by reaching the semifinals and bringing back many familiar faces. Friday’s game: at Center Grove.
6. Hamilton Southeast: The Royals have started each of the last three seasons with a 4-0 record. Game on Friday: in Carroll (Fort Wayne).
7. Brownsburg: The Bulldogs have a 36-5 record in Hoosier Crossroads Conference games since 2018. Friday’s game: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.
8. Carroll (Fort Wayne): The Chargers reached the 6A state final two years ago before suffering a 7-3 loss in the sectional last year to Warsaw. Friday’s game: Hamilton Southeastern.
9. Carmel: The Greyhounds should have a more explosive offense with junior Anthony Coellner entering his second year at quarterback. Friday’s game: Homestead.
10. Lawrence North: The Wildcats are a dark horse after a 7-4 season and have plenty of talent, including Indiana recruit Davion Chandler at receiver. Game on Friday: at Lawrence Central.
11. Cathedral: The Irish have a brutally tough schedule, but that can only help in the long run. Right? The game on Friday: at Ben Davis.
12. Fisherman: The Tigers lost a lot on defense from last year, but junior Gage Sturgill is a talented quarterback and Stanford freshman JonAnthony Hall should have a great season. Friday’s game: at North Central.
13. Decatur Central: A year ago, the Hawks were coming off a 4-7 season and made it to the 5A state finals. Could this be the program’s first state championship team? Friday’s game: Columbus North.
14. Franklin Headquarters: Sophomore Jayce Brewer has a bright future ahead of him. Game on Friday: against Perry Meridian.
15. New Palestine: The Dragons, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A last season, appear to be a better team than last year’s group that reached the semifinals. Friday’s game: against Kokomo.
16. Penn: New coach Pete Riordan has a lot of new players. The Kingsmen were just one point away from beating Crown Point in last year’s regional tournament.
17. Fort Wayne Snider: Last year’s 5A state champion is moving up a class, but also has one of the best players ever on its team in Notre Dame recruit Brandon Logan. Game on Friday: against Warren Central.
18. Bishop Chatard: No program has more state titles than Chatard (17). Can the Trojans reach 18 in Class 4A? Friday’s game: at Brebeuf Jesuit.
19. Nobleville: The Millers need one of those decisive wins against the top teams in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference this season. Game on Friday: against Mt. Vernon.
20. Lawrence Central: Junior quarterback Terry Walker III, who recently received an offer from Virginia, is expected to have a great season. Game on Friday: at Lawrence Central.
21. White Land: Senior Slate Valentine ran for 1,940 yards and 20 TDs as a junior. Game on Friday: against Jeffersonville.
22. Merrillville: The Pirates won a 5A regional tournament last year before falling to Fort Wayne Snider in the semifinals, 28-0. Friday’s game: Andrean.
23.Avon: Expect the Orioles to enter Rob Gibson’s second season with significant improvements. Game on Friday: at Lafayette Jeff.
24. Lutherans: The Saints, the top-ranked team in Class 2A, have won 43 games in a row. Friday’s game: against Christel House Manual.
25. Valparaíso: The Vikings won a Class 5A state title in 2022, finished 9-3 last season and lost 24-20 to Merrillville in the regional. Friday’s game: at Penn.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
