IHSAA football preview: 5A predictions, top players in Indy-area, what coaches said about their teams
Decatur Central, after winning a state championship, has moved up to 6A via the tournament success factor. Replacing Decatur Central is Cathedral, which moved back down to 5A for the first time since 2021 (the Irish won 14th and most recent state title that season). New Palestine is also a newcomer to 5A, moving up via the tourney success factor after a 14-0 season and 4A state championship last year.
Odds are, one of the teams listed below will represent the south half of the 5A bracket in the state finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. An Indy-area team has advanced to the state finals from the south in seven consecutive seasons.
IHSAA football practice started Monday. Here are 8 questions ahead of 2025 season
A look at three regular season games that will shape 5A (and a fourth that is not yet on the schedule), followed by a closer look at the local teams in the class:
(In order of projected finish; records from 2024)
New Palestine (14-0): The Dragons are back in Class 5A after winning the 4A state title — the program's fourth under coach Kyle Ralph (141-14 record in 12 seasons). New Palestine won back-to-back 5A titles in 2018 and '19 and are playing in 5A for the first time since 2021. There are plenty of reasons for optimism with 19 starters returning. Senior quarterback and Towson commit Jacob Davis (68.1% passer, 1,949 yards, 23 TDs; 662 rushing yards, 13 TDs) leads the offense with senior running back Josh Ranes (2,238 rushing yards, 30 TDs) and junior tight end Mason Oglesby (35 catches, 364 yards, one TD in 11 games). Senior Purdue commit Brock Brownfield anchors the offensive line with Army commit Abe Walling. The defense has plenty of talent back, too, with senior linebacker Garrett Ranes (92 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 3 ½ sacks) and Brownfield (56 tackles, 14 for loss) and Walling (33 tackles, four for loss). Oglesby (24 tackles) returns at outside linebacker, along with senior strong safety Caden Jacobia (49 tackles, 6 ½ tackles for loss) and Indiana State commit Desmond Palmer (32 tackles, two interceptions, two caused fumbles) at cornerback.
∎ Coach's comment: 'We bring back most of our team but have some major spots to fill. We should be solid on offense losing only two starters and defense brings back 10 starters. Experience and being battle tested should be a strength.'
Cathedral (6-4): The Irish will be a Class 5A team for at least the next two seasons after playing in 6A the past three seasons. Coach Bill Peebles (eighth season at Cathedral with 66-21 record) has a team that should be strong up front on both sides of the ball but will be inexperienced at receiver and defensive back. Senior quarterback Cameron Koers is a returning starter who completed 61.2% of his passes for 1,528 yards and 11 touchdowns (nine interceptions) last season. He has an experienced offensive line with senior tackles Eamonn Minch and Kaiden Martin, junior guards Phillip Brown III and Beau Annakin and senior center Lyndal Tipton. Junior running back Xavier Dangerfield (1,087 yards, 16 TDs) had a breakout season last year and is joined by senior Jimmy Pappas (130 yards in six games). Junior tight end Owen Peterson (13 catches for 146 yards in seven games) and senior receiver Jackson Harvey (29 catches, 341 yards, two TDs) are experienced pass catchers. Junior Evan Johnson will be a factor at wideout. The defense has experienced in the front seven with senior linemen Aiden Flournoy (16 tackles in seven games), Jack Watko and Michael Pugh (27 tackles, 6 ½ tackles for loss) and senior inside linebackers Kyle Harden (65 tackles, 11 ½ tackles for loss, 4 ½ sacks), Gannon Knowles (Ball State commit; 57 tackles, 14 ½ tackles for loss, three caused fumbles) and Charlie Long and outside linebackers Houston Dinwiddie and Caden Nelson. Senior and Ball State commit Zyon Hill and sophomore Timmy Onghetich project as starting cornerbacks and senior Alex Couch at free safety.
∎ Coach's comment: 'We have an experienced group coming back. Our strength should be up front on both sides of the ball. Weakness is new group of starting WRs and DBs.'
Plainfield (9-2): In a lot of other sectionals, Plainfield might be the favorite. Not this one. But the Quakers, led by third-year coach Tyler Bless (15-6 record), do bring back a lot of experience, especially at the skill positions. Junior quarterback Bryce Sebanc (63.9% passer, 559 yards, five TDs; 69 rushing yards, two TDs) gained valuable experience as a sophomore and is joined by senior running back Luke Starnes (1,572 rushing yards, 19 TDs; eight catches, 50 yards). The receiving group should be a strength with junior Ethan Ellis (22 catches, 283 yards, two TDs), senior Mason Beers and junior Zander Nattam. Junior Devin D'Amato could have a breakthrough season. The offensive line will be led by senior Harrison Layman and junior Wrigley Matthews. The defense returns leading tackler in senior outside linebacker Tyler Simek (86 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks). Senior inside linebackers Mason Mantooth (40 tackles) and Jake Dellinger (23 tackles) also return. The secondary should be a strength with sophomores Coen Vanderbush and Ty White (58 tackles, five interceptions) and seniors Greyson Hardin (23 tackles, three interceptions) and Tashawn Calahan (30 tackles). Names to watch on the defensive line are seniors Jordan Robertson, Drew White (16 tackles), Brody Clampitt and Connor Denaut.
∎ Coach's comment: 'Really excited about our skill players on both sides of the ball for us. We will have newcomers on both sides of the line of scrimmage but do have a few players that are returning with experience to help bridge the gap. We will need to continue to run the ball first on offense and stop the run on defense.'
Anderson (0-10): Shane Arnold moves over to coach the Indians after seven seasons at Tri-Central. Anderson has not posted a winning season since 2011.
East Central (8-4): The record was not as sparkly as the 15-0 mark in 2023 for the Trojans, who won back-to-back Class 4A titles before moving up to 5A. But East Central played eventual state champ Decatur Central to a 21-16 game in the regional. Coach Jake Meiners' team brings back a lot of talent, including quarterback Nolan Maple, running back Ryan Minges (1,517 yards, 25 TDs) and receiver Ethan Feldkamp.
Whiteland (4-5): Whiteland moved back to this sectional after losing to Decatur Central 28-14 in the first round of last year's sectional. The Warriors return eight starters on offense and eight on defense for coach Darrin Fisher (141-83 record in 20 seasons), though there are some holes to fill at running back and quarterback. The defense will be led by captain and senior linebacker Jordan Palmer (99 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two sacks), who will be a fourth-year starter. Also returning are three-year starters in senior linebacker Clayton Ratliff (109 tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks), senior free safety Dane Kunz (47 tackles, two forced fumbles) and senior linebacker Ian Lewis (23 tackles). Senior linemen Abraham Gonzalez (64 tackles, two forced fumbles) and Javon Denson-Posey (28 tackles, six for loss) are back, along with seniors Jonah Upchurch (37 tackles, three tackles for loss), Eli Taylor (28 tackles, two interceptions) and Jake Klemme (34 tackles, one interception). Palmer (361 yards, three TDs) and senior wingback Tyree Nolan (334 yards, three TDs) are the leading returning rushers. Senior tight ends Zander Hite (seven catches, 141 yards, three TDs) and Peyton Williams (five catches, 85 yards, two TDs) return with three-year starters on the offensive line in Jason Branscum, Evan Scudder and Luke Grismer. Senior receivers Eli Taylor (nine catches, 118 yards) and Eli Zehr also return.
∎ Coach's comment: 'Offensive production returns at tight end and on the perimeter along with three multi-year offensive line starters. A strong class of 36 seniors will lead this team in 2025. A new running back must step up to become the focal point of the offense to replace Slate Valentine along with a new QB replacing Oliver Taylor and his 22 starts. New faces on the special teams must make an impact.'
Franklin (4-7): Ninth-year coach Chris Coll (34-48 record) has a team that might be stronger on defense than offense, at least as the season begins. Senior defensive lineman and Indiana recruit Blake Smythe (96 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5 ½ sacks) will be a standout for the Grizzly Cubs. Smythe will be joined by senior defensive backs Isaiah Stultz (63 tackles, one fumble recovery) and Collin Owens (55 tackles, two caused fumbles, one interception), senior linebacker Jesse Boaz (52 tackles), junior linebacker Kellen Fellure (40 tackles, one fumble recovery), junior linemen Thristian Shannon (39 tackles, three sacks) and Wylee McCain (23 tackles), junior linebacker Kingston Foor (3 ½ sacks), senior linebacker Logan Tuholski (16 tackles) and junior lineman Adil Toe. The offense brings back senior Greyson Betts (888 passing yards, four TDs; 198 rushing yards, six TDs), junior running back Cory Tonte (124 yards; 11 catches, 88 yards) and senior running back Isaiah Stultz and senior receiver Braeden Bonesteel (17 catches, 228 yards). Junior Cole Bowker and senior Collin Owens will also be playmakers. The offensive line has Mason Ford, Max Spongberg, Eli Barnett, David Gonzalez and Carson King leading the way. Franklin lost to East Central 21-0 in last year's sectional championship.
∎ Coach's comment: 'I look for us to be competitive in the Mid State Conference. We will be fairly young overall with a lot of players getting their first varsity experience. Defense returns more experience than offense and has the potential to be pretty good. Offensive success will be determined by growth and development, especially up front in our offensive line. Looks to be a very coachable and good group to work with. Growth and development will be the key.'
Columbus East (6-4): The Olympians got back on the right side of .500 for the first time since 2020 but were bounced 42-17 by Franklin in the first round of the sectional. Senior quarterback Kyson Villarreal (1,522 passing yards, 16 TDs; 503 rushing yards, eight TDs) and senior receiver Keaton Lawson (32 catches, 677 yards, seven TDs) return.
Seymour (4-6): Coach Tyson Moore goes into his sixth season with a group that lost a lot of experience and talent from last season. Junior running back Traysean Hawkins is a name to know for the Owls.
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