Another Preseason Top 25

[temptation]

Thoughts?

Personally, I kinda like this one but can find a few things I disagree with.

Just now, temptation said:

Thoughts?

Personally, I kinda like this one but can find a few things I disagree with.

Too high:

New Pal 

Decatur Central

Heritage Hills

Crown Point

 

Too low:

Carmel

I agree with this top 4 though, including the order…and believe there is a significant gap after those 4.

[Justasportsfan]

I must have missed the memo on Concord and Mishawaka...no Avon or Elkhart..interesting..Warsaw neither..rodney dangerfield anyone?

[HHPatriots]

I would venture a guess that 90% of the teams on that list have never even heard of us.

[temptation]

40 minutes ago, HHPatriots said:

I would venture a guess that 90% of the teams on that list have never even heard of us.

Not true.  A long tradition down there.

I just don’t think a public 3A school could hang with the 5A/6A big boys on this list.

And I mean that as respectfully as possible.

Now, admittedly as someone who has compiled rankings in the past, you eventually have to reward teams for winning games, and I have put them ahead of many of these same programs because I thought they were deserving, but I don’t necessarily think they would beat them head-to-head.

A 9-0 HH squad deserves to be ranked ahead of a 5-4 HCC/MIC team in most cases, even though I don’t think they’d match up very well.

Just my opinion.

Edited July 25, 2025 by temptation

[HHPatriots]

11 minutes ago, temptation said:

Not true.  A long tradition down there.

I just don’t think a public 3A school could hang with the 5A/6A big boys on this list.

And I mean that as respectfully as possible.

Now, admittedly as someone who has compiled rankings in the past, you eventually have to reward teams for winning games, and I have put them ahead of many of these same programs because I thought they were deserving, but I don’t necessarily think they would beat them head-to-head.

A 9-0 HH squad deserves to be ranked ahead of a 5-4 HCC/MIC team in most cases, even though I don’t think they’d match up very well.

Just my opinion.

I understand, but there is a gaping chasm between 3A and 4A....that will be tested this year as we move to 4A. If we can make it out of sectional, and stay healthy, we will see what happens when our 280+ lb two way players play guys that not only have fresh legs but backups to boot.

We got a little taste yesterday against a 5A in a scrimmage.  They were putting out fresh guys every 5 plays or so, our guys went the distance.  We have I think 38 on the varsity roster--they had over 100.

I tell my son that it is good for him--builds character.

Edited July 25, 2025 by HHPatriots

[23andCounting]

I have a hard time seeing DC, Merrillville, BN, CN, and Mishawaka without Snider. I get it that Snider lost some dudes, but when you return dudes like Tippmann, Isaacs, and Mohrman, you should be in pretty good shape. Very rare for the Panthers to not be Top 25. This publication appears to be biased toward the south, but that's okay. It's all pretend until October.

[Boilernation]

58 minutes ago, HHPatriots said:

I understand, but there is a gaping chasm between 3A and 4A....that will be tested this year as we move to 4A. If we can make it out of sectional, and stay healthy, we will see what happens when our 280+ lb two way players play guys that not only have fresh legs but backups to boot.

We got a little taste yesterday against a 5A in a scrimmage.  They were putting out fresh guys every 5 plays or so, our guys went the distance.  We have I think 38 on the varsity roster--they had over 100.

I tell my son that it is good for him--builds character.

Wow...that is an interesting perspective. Didn't even consider the Patriots would have only 38 guys on their varsiy roster. I couldn't imagine playing OL and DL the entire game. That has to be tough. Having Ruxer at TE and Goldsberry at QB will definately help. They are rated #1 and #3 in the State for 247's composite rankings. 

For the record, anyone in Indiana who claims to be a HS football fan that hasn't heard of Heritage Hills is just a casual. 

3 hours ago, Justasportsfan said:

I must have missed the memo on Concord and Mishawaka...no Avon or Elkhart..interesting..Warsaw neither..rodney dangerfield anyone?

Concord lost their speedster RB to Purdue. I'm not sure they're returning anything that would indicate they're a Top 25 team.

[Boilernation]

4 hours ago, temptation said:

Thoughts?

Personally, I kinda like this one but can find a few things I disagree with.

Too high:

New Pal 

Decatur Central

Heritage Hills

Crown Point

 

Too low:

Carmel

I agree with this top 4 though, including the order…and believe there is a significant gap after those 4.

I'm going with Center Grove at #1. HSE might be too low now that they have the QB from Lawrence Central. How many starters does LN have returning? Especially from that swarming defense. I know they return the WR who will be a highly coveted recruit. 

The little tidbits I hear from those who have seen Crown Point indicate the Bulldogs could be taking a major step back. 

[HHPatriots]

13 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Wow...that is an interesting perspective. Didn't even consider the Patriots would have only 38 guys on their varsiy roster. I couldn't imagine playing OL and DL the entire game. That has to be tough. Having Ruxer at TE and Goldsberry at QB will definately help. They are rated #1 and #3 in the State for 247's composite rankings. 

For the record, anyone in Indiana who claims to be a HS football fan that hasn't heard of Heritage Hills is just a casual. 

Concord lost their speedster RB to Purdue. I'm not sure they're returning anything that would indicate they're a Top 25 team.

Understand when I say "most of those teams haven't heard of us", I mean the children.  I would say that most 17 year olds at Merrilville have no clue who Heritage Hills is.  

Agreed, any person who claims any knowledge at all about Indiana high school football should know who we are, and likely probably knows who Bob Clayton is.  5A/6A football is a different world when it comes to numbers. The only 3A program I know that gets numbers like that is Chatard.  Chatard has been successful for many reasons, one being their 320 lb guard isn't a DT as well....

[HHPatriots]

21 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Wow...that is an interesting perspective. Didn't even consider the Patriots would have only 38 guys on their varsiy roster. I couldn't imagine playing OL and DL the entire game. That has to be tough. Having Ruxer at TE and Goldsberry at QB will definately help. They are rated #1 and #3 in the State for 247's composite rankings. 

For the record, anyone in Indiana who claims to be a HS football fan that hasn't heard of Heritage Hills is just a casual. 

Concord lost their speedster RB to Purdue. I'm not sure they're returning anything that would indicate they're a Top 25 team.

Additionally, it is hard for many at the big schools to think about the fact that our QB will also likely be one of our top 3 tacklers.  

[Justasportsfan]

15 minutes ago, HHPatriots said:

Additionally, it is hard for many at the big schools to think about the fact that our QB will also likely be one of our top 3 tacklers.  

When coach K played qb/ss at Luers he turned wrs into basketball players. Awesome to see qb's that still have grit..

[Komets2727]

52 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

I have a hard time seeing DC, Merrillville, BN, CN, and Mishawaka without Snider. I get it that Snider lost some dudes, but when you return dudes like Tippmann, Isaacs, and Mohrman, you should be in pretty good shape. Very rare for the Panthers to not be Top 25. This publication appears to be biased toward the south, but that's okay. It's all pretend until October.

Kind of an eye opener to me to see no mention of Snider. Personally, this is usually when the Panthers are at their most dangerous. Here is what I know for the 2025 Snider Panthers: 1) They will run the ball down your throat and get downhill quickly, 2) Speed at QB and running ability should be there, 3) Defense will be good, maybe really good, 4) Special teams will be really good

[hhpatriot04]

1 hour ago, HHPatriots said:

Understand when I say "most of those teams haven't heard of us", I mean the children.  I would say that most 17 year olds at Merrilville have no clue who Heritage Hills is.  

Agreed, any person who claims any knowledge at all about Indiana high school football should know who we are, and likely probably knows who Bob Clayton is.  5A/6A football is a different world when it comes to numbers. The only 3A program I know that gets numbers like that is Chatard.  Chatard has been successful for many reasons, one being their 320 lb guard isn't a DT as well....

Chatard's best players have played two ways, linemen included.

[Sparty]

1 hour ago, HHPatriots said:

Understand when I say "most of those teams haven't heard of us", I mean the children.  I would say that most 17 year olds at Merrilville have no clue who Heritage Hills is.  

Agreed, any person who claims any knowledge at all about Indiana high school football should know who we are, and likely probably knows who Bob Clayton is.  5A/6A football is a different world when it comes to numbers. The only 3A program I know that gets numbers like that is Chatard.  Chatard has been successful for many reasons, one being their 320 lb guard isn't a DT as well....

Kids these days don’t know much history of the pro game either lol

[Bears62]

Surprised to see Chatard that low.. anyone know if they lost a lot from last year? Finished 13th in Sagarin last season, obviously isn't the be-all end-all, but still had a pretty impressive resume as usual

[23andCounting]

2 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

Kind of an eye opener to me to see no mention of Snider. Personally, this is usually when the Panthers are at their most dangerous. Here is what I know for the 2025 Snider Panthers: 1) They will run the ball down your throat and get downhill quickly, 2) Speed at QB and running ability should be there, 3) Defense will be good, maybe really good, 4) Special teams will be really good

Don't forget about the TE who's receiving offers. Again, these polls are just pretend. Games are decided on the field. I'd agree with your assessment without going into much detail. I don't think there's a D1 senior on this team, but there are a lot of really good players. This crew of running backs will be entertaining to watch, to say the least. Probably the best depth at that position since 2004.

I agree that Carmel is too low. I just have a feeling Wright is going to turn this program around overnight. 

Columbus North, Bloomington South, and East Central are too high. I don't think anyone in there right mind would bet on those programs to beat a Wright led Carmel team and Ben Davis. But that's just me. I wish those programs the best.

[tango]

On 7/25/2025 at 2:10 PM, HHPatriots said:

I understand, but there is a gaping chasm between 3A and 4A....

Not really. With EC up in 5A, I don't see you having any significant challenge until Semi-State.

[HHPatriots]

23 hours ago, tango said:

Not really. With EC up in 5A, I don't see you having any significant challenge until Semi-State.

I agree....I think.   I was speaking more to numbers on the roster and players having to play both ways. Pending big injuries I think you are right.  What you have said we have all said but as always, got to stay healthy.

[tango]

2 hours ago, HHPatriots said:

I agree....I think.   I was speaking more to numbers on the roster and players having to play both ways. Pending big injuries I think you are right.  What you have said we have all said but as always, got to stay healthy.

Yep, injuries to key players and not having comparable back-ups is what ended up getting us behind the 8 ball in 2021 and 2022 when we were fairly closely matched. In 2023 EC was just tremendous and we didn't have the horses to really compete. I like your guys' chances this year.

[PDB26]

On 7/25/2025 at 7:37 PM, 23andCounting said:

agree that Carmel is too low. I just have a feeling Wright is going to turn this program around overnight.

100% Carmel too low, possibly by a lot. Not sure about Concord’s inclusion since that program yo-yos wildly imo. Mishawaka is interesting. Part of me says too high, maybe not in the t25 at all, but their style of play would keep them in a lot of games that otherwise they would have no business being in. 

[Flyingangel]

On 7/25/2025 at 3:22 PM, Boilernation said:

I'm going with Center Grove at #1. HSE might be too low now that they have the QB from Lawrence Central. How many starters does LN have returning? Especially from that swarming defense. I know they return the WR who will be a highly coveted recruit. 

The little tidbits I hear from those who have seen Crown Point indicate the Bulldogs could be taking a major step back. 

Crown point I hear doesn’t have a running back and there IU commit TE Gibbs will be lining up in the backfield a good amount. And the QB is good but nowhere near the top one in duneland. Crown point will rely heavy on the coaching staff for adjustments and there line play. if I’m not mistaken I believe crown points jv and freshman combined the last 3 years to lose 3 games. 
 

2 of them to Merrillville and 1 to valpo if I’m not mistaken 

[Boilernation]

1 hour ago, Flyingangel said:

Crown point I hear doesn’t have a running back and there IU commit TE Gibbs will be lining up in the backfield a good amount. And the QB is good but nowhere near the top one in duneland. Crown point will rely heavy on the coaching staff for adjustments and there line play. if I’m not mistaken I believe crown points jv and freshman combined the last 3 years to lose 3 games. 
 

2 of them to Merrillville and 1 to valpo if I’m not mistaken 

I can see Crown Point using the 6'4 235 Gibbs at RB as a wrinkle considering they like to run power sets. Surely they have to have another RB they're planning on using as RB1. 

I figured Ehrlich would be their biggest loss from offense last year. He was a 4 year starter as a varsity QB and MAC recruit. He ran that offense very efficiently. 

[Flyingangel]

On 7/28/2025 at 2:40 PM, Boilernation said:

I can see Crown Point using the 6'4 235 Gibbs at RB as a wrinkle considering they like to run power sets. Surely they have to have another RB they're planning on using as RB1. 

I figured Ehrlich would be their biggest loss from offense last year. He was a 4 year starter as a varsity QB and MAC recruit. He ran that offense very efficiently. 

As of right now in scrimmages they have Gibbs being RB1 and they put a sophomore in the TE spot. The two other running backs they have are sophomores they aren’t very physical, they have some speed but not physical at all. If scrimmage means anything Gibbs is RB1 

 

Noah may not be the biggest loss. The new qb stepping in has a good arm and Is mobile also has more speed than Noah. Other thing I’d say Noah has on him is throwing on run and field vision. Kid will be just fine but again If scrimmages means anything the team is gonna be put all on Gibbs shoulders and he plays both ways 

[Rodney]

1 and 2 are good 3 and 4 questionable maybe swap em

 

Swap HH with Warren 

Then probably knock a few more off hh

Drop CP down below pike

 

 

Also did you quote yourself in your own post

[23andCounting]

1 minute ago, Rodney said:

1 and 2 are good 3 and 4 questionable maybe swap em

 

Swap HH with Warren 

Then probably knock a few more off hh

Drop CP down below pike

 

 

We really doing this with Heritage Hills? I'll give them #8 if they return 10 on offense and 10 on defense. Eight on both sides of the ball drops them  #15. Six on both sides puts them at 18-22. Sorry, but the big schools at that top are brutal, not much room for a 3A enrollment team, or even 4A for that matter.