It’s almost here. Indiana high school football. Week one will feature several huge games in Central Indiana, and today we are taking a sneak peek at the games you won’t want to miss.
ARCHBISHOP SPALDING (MD) AT BROWNSBURG
The game we consider the best-of-the-best will be broadcast on INDIANA SRN. Nationally ranked Archbishop Spalding (MD) at Brownsburg. This promises to be an amazing match-up. Spalding went 12-0 last season, led by the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year Senior QB Malik Washington. Washington led an offense that outscored their opponents 474-34. With Washington out of the picture, the Cavaliers will have a new signal-caller. They will have their second leading rusher in Antonio Ledbetter (707 yards and 10 touchdowns), and their top three receivers are back, anchored by Myles McAfee (54 receptions, 651 yards, 10 touchdowns). McAfee has offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Auburn, Indiana, and many others. Sophomore receiver Keith Miller has offers from Florida State, Penn State, Pitt, Maryland, Syracuse, and others. Add to the talent is defensive back Sean Johnson (Florida State) and lineman Kyle Lucas (Navy). Brownsburg will be loaded on offense as well with QB Oscar Frye returning (2,445 yards, 23 touchdowns), WRs Branden Sharpe (66 receptions, 1,165 yards), Avin Robinson (41 receptions, 933 yards, 12 scores), RBs Shakovon Sumpterbey (801 yards), and Brady Lewis (714 yards). The big question for the Bulldogs will be replacing so many key players on defense.
CENTER GROVE AT WARREN CENTRAL
The Trojans and the Warriors meet once again in the regular season. Center Grove may still be stinging after that tough loss to Brownsburg in the semi-state. One way to help ease the pain would be an opening season win at Warren Central. Center Grove went 8-5 last season and will be led by QB Oscar Sloan. Sloan will be surrounded by several very talented players, including TE Dominick Barry (Wake Forest), OL CJ Scifres (Indiana), and WR Drake McClurg. On defense, the Trojans are led by DE Kobe Cherry (Purdue), who missed the 2024 season with a knee injury.
The Warriors went 10-2 in 2024 and lost to the Trojans in the regional. Now the Warriors have a new coach and plenty of talent led by Alabama recruit DE Jerimy Finch Jr. There are questions at quarterback unless former Ben Davis signal caller Joe Goss can take control of the offense. Running back Keyon Thomas returns after receiving several college offers, including Indiana, Purdue, Kentucky, Arizona State, and Vanderbilt.
BEN DAVIS AT CATHEDRAL (Game will be played at Butler)
Cathedral dominated this game last season, winning easily 24-6. The Giants are hoping to regain their glory, and a win against Cathedral would help. Who will run the offense is a huge question mark with two inexperienced players in Ken Doss and Gabe Kennett, battling in camp for the job. The defense lost several key players to graduation, but they do return LB Caleb Scott (Army) and DB Robert Reddick (Kansas). Cathedral had an off year as well, going 6-4 in 2024, and losing to Lawrence North in the sectional title game. The Irish get a break by moving back to 5A, and they return QB Cameron Koers and RB Xavier Dangerfield.
NOBLESVILLE AT MT. VERNON
Another broadcast on INDIANA SRN features the Millers and Marauders. Noblesville will have a new coach in John Hebert (Carmel), and a new beginning. A 2-8 2024 campaign left the fans wondering if better days are possible. Six losses by a touchdown or less gives Noblesville fans hope. There are several questions on offense, but the defense should be solid. Mt. Vernon returns QB Mason Meyer, but has inexperience in other key areas.
LAFAYETTE JEFF AT BISHOP CHATARD
The Bronchos head to Indianapolis to take on the Trojans in a game that promises to be a good one. Jeff went 11-1 last season, losing to Warsaw in the regional. The Bronchos love to run the football and return their top three rushers. Northern Illinois recruit WR OJ Williams also returns. Chatard went 9-3 last season, losing to eventual state champion New Palestine in the 4A regional. Jack Harrington returns at QB, and OL Zion Haney (Ball State) will anchor the offensive line.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH:
DECATUR CENTRAL AT AVON…DECATUR MOVES TO 6A THIS SEASON…WATCH FOR DC QB BO POLSTON AND WR KASMIR HICKS.
HOMESTEAD AT WESTFIELD…THE SHAMROCKS ARE LOADED AFTER A 12-2 SEASON, HOMESTEAD WENT 5-5. SHAMROCKS RB DEACON KING IS THE REAL DEAL.
WHITELAND AT COLUMBUS NORTH…A BRAND-NEW GAME ON THE SCHEDULE
PIKE AT ZIONSVILLE…TWO TEAMS LOOKING TO MAKE A HUGE JUMP THIS SEASON
LAWRENCE CENTRAL AT LAWRENCE NORTH…TONS OF TALENT FOR BOTH TEAMS.
CARMEL AT FISHERS….KEVIN WRIGHT RETURNS TO CARMEL.
DANVILLE AT GIBSON SOUTHERN…DANVILLE WENT 8-2, GIBSON SOUTHERN 7-3 IN 2024. WATCH FOR DANVILLE QB CARTER WARD.
MONROVIA AT CASCADE…CASCADE COMING OFF A 10-1 SEASON, MONROVIA 9-3. BOTH LOVE THE RUNNING GAME.
TRI-WEST AT WESTERN BOONE…WEBO NOW IN MONON CONFERENCE, TRI-WEST IN HOOSIER LEGENDS. WATCH FOR TRI-WEST QB JACKSON SORGI.
FT. WAYNE CARROLL AT HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN…HSE HAS A NEW QB IN LC TRANSFER TERRY WALKER III.
