HoopsCoach

Yes. In the 2 year cycle of 22-23 and 23-24, there were actually 6 schools included in the 1A alignment which did not compete in the 1A tournament during the 2nd year of the cycle. Traders Point Christian, Anderson Prep Academy, Rock Creek Academy, Oldenburg Academy, Indiana Deaf, and Dugger Union did not compete in the tournament. So if 1A had started with 32 in this cycle, the tournament this year would have included 26 teams. Sectionals would start with 4 teams in each, so if one or two teams drop from the tournament, you end up with a 1 game sectional. Indianapolis Tindley could have won a sectional without playing a single game. Looking at who the 32 smallest schools were, it is very possible that a sectional would have included Traders Point, Indiana Deaf, Tindley, and Anderson Prep. That would be the definition of a participation trophy. Correct, that was my point, as further illustrated with my example above. Doing this would result in a mid-cycle change of classification for schools. There is already the potential for mid-cycle moves due to success factor (see Dwenger last season and the 3 team sectional that resulted), so the IHSAA might as well just realign the sectionals every year. The leadership group already hates doing it every 2 years, so I don’t think they want to do something that increases the need to realign more often. I do agree with the extra time for smaller schools to recover, but I think that can be accomplished by giving smaller schools the option to play an 8-game regular season.

How much value is there in a 1A state championship after 3-4 teams in the class drop football or close all together in a 2 year cycle? That is my primary reason for opposing 1A having only 32 schools.

In the past, the classifications and sectional alignments have been released after the conclusion of the winter sports season. That way success factor moves for all but the spring sports can be included.

Looks like a cross between Field of Dreams and Deliverance.

Possibly. It would be a tough sell for the Terre Haute schools. They would be a competitive fit in most sports but the distance to Terre Haute is a significant obstacle to membership in almost any conference. When it was first announced that Harrison and McCutcheon were out of the NCC, I thought they could fit well in Conference Indiana. Adding those two schools would either save the conference or be the final step to kill it. Ignoring geography, it would have made some sense. Southport 2368 Columbus North 2267 Harrison 2169 McCutcheon 1786 Bloomington South 1656 Terre Haute South 1609 Bloomington North 1558 Terre Haute North 1467 I think Southport wants to be in the MIC, and maybe Columbus North goes with them to get in together. Columbus could join the Hoosier Hills instead if they can be in the same conference as Columbus East. Not sure what the Bloomington schools do. Maybe try to get into the Mid-State or Hoosier Hills. The Terre Haute schools would fill in the enrollment gap between the members of the Sagamore if they joined (along with West Lafayette). Harrison 2169 McCutcheon 1786 Terre Haute South 1609 Terre Haute North 1467 Lebanon 1033 Danville 820 West Lafayette 750 Tri-West 606

I don’t see it happening, but if it did, go a step further and make it 14 schools. Split them into private and public divisions with a crossover/playoff in week 9. That gives all teams a 7-game conference schedule and still leaves 2 weeks open for non-conference games. ICC Private: Heritage Christian, Cardinal Ritter, Scecina, Park Tudor, Covenant Christian, Lutheran, Greenwood Christian ICC Public: Beech Grove, Danville, Indian Creek, Tri-West, Speedway, Monrovia, Triton Central

I mentioned on another site that I could see West Lafayette entertaining the possibility of moving to the Sagamore to be a 6th member. Doing so would then put the Hoosier Conference at 8 members. West Side would still have room in their schedule to keep Central Catholic and at least 1 more rival from the Hoosier, plus potentially get Lafayette Jeff back on the schedule. They fit competitively in the Sagamore and the natural rivalries with Harrison and McCutcheon would make it worth considering a move. Here’s an example of what the opponents could look like for Harrison, McCutcheon, West Side, and Jeff. I listed non-conference opponents first, but these aren’t necessarily in order since this is definitely hypothetical. Harrison Plainfield Brebeuf Lafayette Jeff Kokomo West Lafayette McCutcheon Lebanon Tri-West Danville McCutcheon Guerin Catholic Kokomo Terre Haute South Lafayette Jeff West Lafayette Lebanon Tri-West Danville Harrison West Lafayette (Sagamore) Central Catholic Rensselaer Central Twin Lakes Lafayette Jeff Lebanon Tri-West Danville Harrison McCutcheon Lafayette Jeff Cathedral West Lafayette Harrison McCutcheon Kokomo Marion Muncie Central Anderson Richmond

Honestly, I am not sure about the tournament eligibility for the teams that played a season of 8 man football. Since these schools have already been IHSAA members and competed in state tournaments in other sports, I am not sure what the bylaws state about their eligibility to play in the 11 man football tournament.

Even if those schools have another season before they are eligible, they need to be included in the alignments since they will be eligible for the second year of the cycle.

Cathedral won a regional in 2022 and a sectional in 2023. They will stay in 6A. Lafayette Central Catholic will also stay up a class. They earned 3 points from a sectional in 2022 and regional in 2023.

The success factor bylaw has changed. 3 points are now required for a team to stay up. Memorial earned 2 points, so they will return to 3A.

I had some similar class splits, but I hope 1A is the largest class. 1A schools are the most likely to not finish a season due to numbers or to drop their football program. I think 1A should always start with 64 teams. The classes with the largest enrollments have the smallest number of schools, so it would make sense in my opinion for 1A and 2A to have the largest number of schools.

There was an error in the reporting data. The IHSAA still didn’t catch it on the original document they shared, but it has now been corrected. They have an enrollment of 430. Rochester has also been corrected. https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-25 2025-26 Enrollments.pdf

Same - I’ve asked an AD and principal at 2 different schools about it. Both requested information about selection of committee members and neither got a reply. Certainly seems that way.

3476 students at Avon High School on the fall count day this year. 6th largest school in Indiana.

Angola, Washington, Boone Grove, and South Adams all added turf in 2023.

Yes, @Coach Nowlin would definitely be a go to source. Just thought some data and the possible correlation to the closure of St. Joe would be relevant to share.

The closure of St. Joseph’s College is probably a factor as well. Here is the enrollment trend over the last 15 years for Rensselaer Central. St. Joe closed in 2017. 2009 - 556 2010 - 570 2011 - 538 2012 - 536 2013 - 523 2014 - 553 2015 - 534 2016 - 531 2017 - 498 2018 - 498 2019 - 515 2020 - 494 2021 - 521 2022 - 468 2023 - 447

A few corrections I need to make - autocorrect seemed to get a couple of the nicknames I posted. I also messed up and listed University as the Blazers instead of Trailblazers. Lake Central Indians Shoals Jug Rox University Trailblazers Vincennes Lincoln Alices

Adams Central Flying Jets Alexandria Tigers Anderson Indians Anderson Prep Academy Jets Andrean 59ers Angola Hornets Argos Dragons Attica Red Ramblers Austin Eagles Avon Orioles Barr Reeve Vikings Batesville Bulldogs Bedford-North Lawrence Stars Beech Grove Hornets Bellmont Braves Ben Davis Giants Benton Central Bison Bethany Christian Bruins Bethesda Christian Patriots Blackford Bruins Bloomfield Cardinals Bloomington Lighthouse Christian Lions Bloomington North Cougars Bloomington South Panthers Blue River Valley Vikings Bluffton Tigers Boone Grove Wolves Boonville Pioneers Borden Braves Bowman Academy Eagles Brebeuf Jesuit Braves Bremen Lions Brown County Eagles Brownsburg Bulldogs Brownstown Central Braves Calumet Warriors Cambridge City Lincoln Golden Eagles Cannelton Bulldogs Carmel Greyhounds Carroll (Flora) Cougars Carroll (Fort Wayne) Chargers Cascade Cadets Castle Knights Caston Comets Center Grove Trojans Centerville Bulldogs Central Christian Academy Chargers Central Noble Cougars Charlestown Pirates Chesterton Trojans Christel House Manual Eagles Christian Academy Warriors Churubusco Eagles Clarksville Generals Clay City Eels Clinton Central Bulldogs Clinton Prairie Gophers Cloverdale Clovers Columbia City Eagles Columbus East Olympians Columbus North Bulldogs Concord Minutemen Connersville Spartans Corydon Central Panthers Covenant Christian (Indpls.) Warriors Covington Trojans Cowan Blackhawks Crawford County Wolfpack Crawfordsville Athenians Crothersville Tigers Crown Point Bulldogs Culver Cavaliers Culver Academies Eagles Daleville Broncos Danville Warriors Decatur Central Hawks DeKalb Barons Delphi Oracles Delta Eagles DeMotte Christian Knights Dugger Union Bulldogs East Central Trojans East Chicago Central Cardinals East Noble Knights Eastbrook Panthers Eastern (Greentown) Comets Eastern (Pekin) Musketeers Eastern Greene Thunderbirds Eastern Hancock Royals Eastside Blazers Edgewood Mustangs Edinburgh Lancers Elkhart Lions Elkhart Christian Eagles Elwood Panthers Eminence Eels Evansville Bosse Bulldogs Evansville Central Bears Evansville Christian Eagles Evansville Day Eagles Evansville Harrison Warriors Evansville Mater Dei Wildcats Evansville Memorial Tigers Evansville North Huskies Evansville Reitz Panthers Fairfield Falcons Faith Christian Eagles Fishers Tigers Floyd Central Highlanders Forest Park Rangers Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger Saints Fort Wayne Bishop Luers Knights Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian Braves Fort Wayne Canterbury Cavaliers Fort Wayne Concordia Cadets Fort Wayne North Side Legends Fort Wayne Northrop Bruins Fort Wayne Snider Panthers Fort Wayne South Side Archers Fort Wayne Wayne Generals Fountain Central Mustangs Frankfort Hot Dogs Franklin Central Flashes Franklin Community Grizzly Cubs Franklin County Wildcats Frankton Eagles Fremont Eagles Frontier Falcons Garrett Railroaders Gary 21st Century Cougars Gary Lighthouse CPA Lions Gary West Side Cougars GEO Next Generation Eagles Gibson Southern Titans Goshen Redhawks Greencastle Tiger Cubs Greenfield-Central Cougars Greensburg Pirates Greenwood Woodmen Greenwood Christian Cougars Griffith Panthers Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles Hagerstown Tigers Hamilton Marines Hamilton Heights Huskies Hamilton Southeastern Royals Hammond Academy of Science & Tech Hawks Hammond Bishop Noll Warriors Hammond Central Wolves Hammond Morton Governors Hanover Central Wildcats Harrison (West Lafayette) Raiders Hauser Jets Hebron Hawks Henryville Hornets Heritage Patriots Heritage Christian Eagles Heritage Hills Patriots Highland Trojans Hobart Brickies Homestead Spartans Huntington North Vikings Illiana Christian Vikings Indian Creek Braves Indiana Deaf Orioles Indiana Math & Science Knights Indianapolis Arsenal Tech Titans Indianapolis Bishop Chatard Trojans Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter Raiders Indianapolis Cathedral Fighting Irish Indianapolis Crispus Attucks Tigers Indianapolis Herron Achaeans Indianapolis International Gryphons Indianapolis Irvington Ravens Indianapolis Lutheran Saints Indianapolis Metropolitan Pumas Indianapolis Riverside Argonauts Indianapolis Roncalli Royals Indianapolis Scecina Crusaders Indianapolis Shortridge Blue Devils Indianapolis Tindley Tigers Indianapolis Washington Continentals Jac-Cen-Del Eagles Jasper Wildcats Jay County Patriots Jeffersonville Red Devils Jennings County Panthers Jimtown Jimmies John Glenn Falcons Kankakee Valley Kougars KIPP Indy Legacy Pride Knightstown Panthers Knox Redskins Kokomo Wildkats Kouts Mustangs Lafayette Central Catholic Knights Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos Lake Central Indiana Lake Station Edison Fighting Eagles Lakeland Lakers Lakeland Christian Cougars Lakewood Park Christian Panthers Lanesville Eagles Lapel Bulldogs LaPorte Slicers LaVille Lancers Lawrence Central Bears Lawrence North Wildcats Lawrenceburg Tigers Lebanon Tigers Leo Lions Lewis Cass Kings Liberty Christian Lions Linton-Stockton Miners Logansport Berries Loogootee Lions Lowell Red Devils Maconaquah Braves Madison Cubs Madison-Grant Argylls Manchester Squires Marion Giants Marquette Catholic Blazers Martinsville Artesians McCutcheon Mavericks Medora Hornets Merrillville Pirates Michigan City Wolves Milan Indians Mishawaka Cavemen Mishawaka Marian Knights Mississinewa Indians Mitchell Blue Jackets Monroe Central Golden Bears Monrovia Bulldogs Mooresville Pioneers Mooresville Christian Eagles Morgan Township Cherokees Morristown Yellow Jackets Mount Vernon (Posey) Wildcats Mt Vernon (Fortville) Marauders MTI School of Knowledge Phoenix Muncie Burris Owls Muncie Central Bearcats Munster Mustangs New Albany Bulldogs New Castle Trojans New Haven Bulldogs New Palestine Dragons New Prairie Cougars New Washington Mustangs Noblesville Millers North Central (Farmersburg) Thunderbirds North Central (Indpls.) Panthers North Daviess Cougars North Decatur Chargers North Harrison Cougars North Judson Blue Jays North Knox Warriors North Miami Warriors North Montgomery Chargers North Newton Spartans North Posey Vikings North Putnam Cougars North Vermillion Falcons North White Vikings Northeast Dubois Jeeps Northeastern Knights Northfield Norsemen Northridge Raiders Northview Knights Northwestern Tigers NorthWood Panthers Norwell Knights Oak Hill Golden Eagles Oldenburg Academy Twisters Oregon-Davis Bobcats Orleans Bulldogs Owen Valley Patriots Paoli Rams Park Tudor Panthers Parke Heritage Wolves Pendleton Heights Arabians Penn Kingsmen Perry Central Commodores Perry Meridian Falcons Peru Tigers Pike Red Devils Pike Central Chargers Pioneer Panthers Plainfield Quakers Plymouth Pilgrims Portage Indians Prairie Heights Panthers Princeton Tigers Providence Pioneers Providence Cristo Rey Wolves Purdue Polytechnic Broad Ripple Lynx Purdue Polytechnic Englewood Techies Randolph Southern Rebels Rensselaer Central Bombers Richmond Red Devils Rising Sun Shiners River Forest Ingots Riverton Parke Panthers Rochester Zebras Rock Creek Academy Lions Rossville Hornets Rushville Lions Salem Lions Scottsburg Warriors Seeger Patriots Seton Catholic Cardinals Seven Oaks Classical Firehawks Seymour Owls Shakamak Lakers Shawe Memorial Hilltoppers Shelbyville Golden Bears Shenandoah Raiders Sheridan Blackhawks Shoals Jug Rod Silver Creek Dragons Smith Academy Fighting 54th South Adams Starfires South Bend Adams Eagles South Bend Career Academy Trailblazers South Bend Clay Colonials South Bend Riley Wildcats South Bend Saint Joseph (no nickname) South Bend Washington Panthers South Central (Elizabeth) Rebels South Central (Union Mills) Satellites South Dearborn Knights South Decatur Cougars South Knox Spartans South Newton Rebels South Putnam Eagles South Ripley Raiders South Spencer Rebels South Vermillion Wildcats Southern Wells Raiders Southmont Mounties Southport Cardinals Southridge Raiders Southwestern (Hanover) Rebels Southwestern (Shelby) Spartans Southwood Knights Speedway Sparkplugs Springs Valley Blackhawks Steel City Academy Flames Sullivan Golden Arrows Switzerland County Pacers Taylor Titans Tecumseh Braves Tell City Marksmen Terre Haute North Patriots Terre Haute South Braves Tippecanoe Valley Vikings Tipton Blue Devils Traders Point Christian Knights Tri Titans Tri Central Trojans Tri-County Cavaliers Tri-Township Tigers Tri-West Bruins Trinity Lutheran Cougars Trinity School at Greenlawn Titans Triton Trojans Triton Central Tigers Twin Lakes Indians Union (Modoc) Rockets Union City Indians Union County Patriots University Blazers Valparaiso Vikings Victory College Prep Academy Firehawks Vincennes Lincoln Alice's Vincennes Rivet Patriots Wabash Apaches Waldron Mohawks Wapahani Raiders Warren Central Warriors Warsaw Tigers Washington Hatchets Washington Catholic Cardinals Washington Township Senators Wawasee Warriors Wes-Del Warriors West Central Trojans West Lafayette Red Devils West Noble Chargers West Vigo Vikings West Washington Senators Western Panthers Western Boone Stars Westfield Shamrocks Westview Warriors Westville Blackhawks Wheeler Bearcats White River Valley Wolverines Whiteland Warriors Whiting Oilers Whitko Wildcats Winamac Warriors Winchester Golden Falcons Wood Memorial Trojans Woodlan Warriors Yorktown Tigers Zionsville Eagles

Yes. They should be right in the middle of 2A enrollments.

That’s the way they did it when there were more than 320 schools with 11 man football. There are less than 320 now.

It’s a suggestion for sectional assignments made by the poster, nothing official. The enrollments have not been released by the IHSAA. They were pulled from the DOE, so they give a preview of the numbers that could be used to determine alignments for the next cycle.

Warren Central’s enrollment is down, but almost all of the students lost can be attributed to the Warren Online Academy. If you add the 379 students from the online school to the enrollment at WCHS, it puts them right around the number they had last year (3748 this year, 3788 last year). So their enrollment hasn’t really dropped. I’m not sure if they allow their online students to participate in athletics. Either way, it has no impact on the classification for Warren Central in any sport.

Yes, Cathedral will be 6A. I left them in the enrollment list for 4A by mistake.