23andCounting

There's nothing that jumps out with North Side as far as a "program" is concerned. That's reserved for schools in NE Indiana like Adams Central, Bishop Dwenger, Bishop Luers, Carroll, East Noble, and Snider...........they've earned it. I will say that North Side has a passionate coach, so best of luck to him. I think the the following resources justify at least a small amount of pre-season hype. Fort Wayne's always been a D1 football factory, but to see this level of talent at North Side is a first for this program, hence the attention it's getting. https://outsidethehuddle.net/2026/06/22/class-of-2028-top-area-prospects/ https://outsidethehuddle.net/2026/02/10/class-of-2027-top-area-prospects/ https://www.on3.com/high-school/north-side-legends-fort-wayne-in-14125/football/roster/

I think your issue is that it's been mentioned several times, by me, that North Side had one of the best teams in 5A in 2022. Outside of that, it's been more of............."they're a dangerous program that other teams shouldn't sleep on." If memory serves me correctly, weren't they tied with #1 Concord last year at halftime? Then spent most the second half just one touchdown behind? See what I'm saying here? Disclaimer: I'm not a North Side fan...........at all. For reasons I'd rather not post here. PM's are welcome. I just think having six guys with D1 offers, potentially eight, is worth mentioning in a thread. Maybe someone else should step up to the plate and provide content on this forum. If there was any content at all, I probably wouldn't have even started this thread. I didn't think it was a bad off season topic.

If they could put a good team together in 2022, perhaps they can put a more talent rich one together in 2026? I get what you and @Komets2727 are saying..........."show me on the field." But what fun is the pre-season without hyping up the lessor programs and making a few bold predictions?

They had the misfortune of playing the best team in 5A in the 2022 sectional. But to your point, they still lost the game. I get what your saying. All I'm saying is that this is the most talent rich team the program has ever seen, and possibly the most talent rich team in Northern Indiana. We'll just have to wait and see what the coaching staff can do with all this talent. No one is making an insane argument that they are some kind of New Pal or East Central, just stating the facts about the talent level in place.

With all due respect, the D1 guys aren't being exaggerated. So the North Side/Merrillville comparison is apples to oranges. And remember, X's and O's beat Jimmies and Joes. Just let the year play out and see what happens.

I'll roll with 1. Carroll, 2. Homestead, 3. Dwenger, 4. North Side, 5. Snider, 6. Luers, 7. Northrop, 8. South Side, 9. Concordia, 10. Wayne

Good to see you back.

Well, after seeing 196 views and no responses, I had to throw something out there. It worked.

First prediction: Half of the best ten teams come out of the north: Crown Point, Penn, Carroll, Merrillville, and North Side. Give me Brownsburg, Westfield, Center Grove, Carmel, and New Pal to finish it off. Second prediction: The 6A North representative won't be from the Indy burbs.

Which teams this year have that kind of potential? I think Brownsburg, Center Grove, and Westfield are in there. There's no reason not to believe in those programs with the consistency they've show in recent years. Maybe throw Carmel in there since Wright seems to win wherever he goes..........not to mention the student body of 5000 he has to work with. I think the best shot out of the Northeast is Carroll, they've have that 6A "good" vibe for several seasons now...........consistency. Dwenger loses a ton and Snider might be a year away. Crown Point, Penn, Merrillville, Jeff, Fishers, HSE, DC, Ben Davis, Warren Central, or New Pal? Maybe a surprise program with an uptick in talent?

I've got Carroll at #1, and deservedly so. Snider could be dangerous, they're pretty healthy in the coaching department and skill guys.........it will come down to line play. Dwenger loses a lot, but feels like the program has momentum regardless. North Side and Northrop probably have the most raw talent in the SAC. Throw Snider, Dwenger, North Side, Northrop, and Homestead in a blender for 2-6.

If I were to rank teams in the SAC, I could see them anywhere from 2-6. And being #6 wouldn't mean they're not good, it just means there are some pretty good teams in the SAC.

Every year brings a different "story." This year brings a North Side team loaded in talent (maybe the Jaylon Smith affect). But for now, this sectional belongs to Dwenger and East Noble. Week 1 brings some massive games with Dwenger/Roncalli and East Noble/North Side.

It took a few decades for NFL teams to realize offensive linemen should be the first ones taken in the draft, not skill position players. Games are won in the trenches. High school is no different. It's why big enrollment schools are so difficult to match up with, more big boys to choose from.

Not very often do you find a team in Fort Wayne with six D1 guys. It happens, but pretty rare. That's reserved for programs of 2800 plus. Snider's 2023 state championship had 3 or 4. I'm not sure the Legends have ever had more than three at a time. They'll find out fast Week 1 vs East Noble. Looking at their schedule, I'd say they have a 50/50 shot of going 7-0 heading into the Homestead game. Northrop, Luers, and East Noble will have something to say about that.

I don't really have an answer as to "how deep." With that many guys going D1, I can only presume that they have a few other players who are D3/NAIA or better.

Six players with D1 offers, probably eight when it's all said and done with. These are high level 6A type of numbers. Are the Legends the team to beat in 4A?

My biggest take after visiting Eastern Europe was that everyone looked healthy. You had to look hard to find someone overweight, and obesity didn't even seem to exist................for now. American culture is rearing it's ugly head over there.

It's hard not to appreciate a program school like Notre Dame where the athletes attend with the goal of getting a degree. Regarding the bowl game, I'd argue that most of the players would have felt humiliated showing up to the Pop Tarts Bowl. They felt like they had the best team in the country, and with good reason. I had IU with a 50/50 chance of beating Notre Dame. Were there a few kids who felt they missed out on the experience? I imagine. But I bet over 80% of the team is still smiling knowing they told them to "go pound sand." No regrets as a fan.

I think it's ok for the big boys to have two or three "yawn" games on their schedule. South vs Carroll: South sees a team that's better than any 4A team they'll see in the tournament. Carroll gets to rest their starters after halftime. That's a win/win if you ask me.

They are scheduled to play one another in Week 8. They must be pretty good program, 35-14 was it?

A win/win for everyone.

Two suburban schools out of Chicago have open dates during Week 3. Both are large enrollment schools of about 2500-3000. Both play in Illinois 8A. A 3.5 hour drive might be better than having an open date. Naperville North Neuqua Valley

I wouldn't be surprised if they beat Crown Point this year. Doubt they'll get to play Carroll with Carmel and Westfield standing in the way. That being said, Carroll will be their usual "good."

History also shows, that with the right coach, Wayne can tangle with anyone. I also like the upward direction that South Side seems to be going in. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Archers do this year.