5A Tournament: OFFICIAL Thread

[temptation]

One week to go in the regular season but with the draw being last night, figured it'd be as good a time as any to generate some discussion around the 5A tournament.

Is it still New Pal's to lose?  A surging Cathedral has put that in doubt.

Who emerges from the north and breaks through like Warsaw did last year?

Bloomington South appears to be the class of southern Indiana.  Can they make a run?

Temp's Title Odds:

New Palestine:  60%

Indianapolis Cathedral: 25%

Bloomington South:  10%

The Field:  5%

Whatcha think?

Edited October 13, 2025 by temptation

[Komets2727]

Gotta laugh at your odds, 95% goes to 3 teams and the field gets the other 5%… Which is probably South teams…lol

[crimsonace1]

Sectional 13 is loaded. Heck, the entire south is loaded. 

New Pal is the only reigning state champ in 5A, and they've been steamrolling everyone. Their 28-6 win at Decatur Central in Week 2 keeps looking better and better. Their defense is incredibly good and their offense has been making plays while keeping guys fresh, and is as balanced as it's ever been. 

Cathedral's defense is one of the best in the state and they've been getting better and better. it's a shame these two are on pace to meet in the sectional, although NP has to get through a solid Plainfield team first. 

East Central or Whiteland will be a formidable regional foe for the Sectional 13 champ. 

Bloomington South appears to be the class of the southern regional, but Castle, Floyd & Evansville North are definitely threats in a really good Sectional 16. 

In the north, Lafayette Jeff has been putting up eye-popping numbers. Their 7-point loss to Chatard in Week 1 shows they're legit. Merrillville has a lot of talent and but isn't talked about as much because their losses are to unbeaten Crown Point and a very good Loyola Academy team. Concord is 7-1 and always good. I wouldn't sleep on Michigan City, either. 

5A is often considered a "weak" class without a lot of standout teams, but this year, there are a couple of real standouts (NP, Cathedral, Bloomington South are all Top 15 in Sagarin) and a bunch of really good ones. Now, three of the top four in Sagarin are success factored 4A-sized schools, but it should be a really fun tournament. 

[23andCounting]

Lot's of love for Bloomington South, but.................

New Pal     53%

Cathedral     47%

Rest of field     0%

[temptation]

43 minutes ago, crimsonace1 said:

Sectional 13 is loaded. Heck, the entire south is loaded. 

New Pal is the only reigning state champ in 5A, and they've been steamrolling everyone. Their 28-6 win at Decatur Central in Week 2 keeps looking better and better. Their defense is incredibly good and their offense has been making plays while keeping guys fresh, and is as balanced as it's ever been. 

Cathedral's defense is one of the best in the state and they've been getting better and better. it's a shame these two are on pace to meet in the sectional, although NP has to get through a solid Plainfield team first. 

East Central or Whiteland will be a formidable regional foe for the Sectional 13 champ. 

Bloomington South appears to be the class of the southern regional, but Castle, Floyd & Evansville North are definitely threats in a really good Sectional 16. 

In the north, Lafayette Jeff has been putting up eye-popping numbers. Their 7-point loss to Chatard in Week 1 shows they're legit. Merrillville has a lot of talent and but isn't talked about as much because their losses are to unbeaten Crown Point and a very good Loyola Academy team. Concord is 7-1 and always good. I wouldn't sleep on Michigan City, either. 

5A is often considered a "weak" class without a lot of standout teams, but this year, there are a couple of real standouts (NP, Cathedral, Bloomington South are all Top 15 in Sagarin) and a bunch of really good ones. Now, three of the top four in Sagarin are success factored 4A-sized schools, but it should be a really fun tournament. 

I believe that 28-6 win over Decatur was the first for the DC backup who really came into his own in Polson’s absence.

Do with that info what you wish.

[Justasportsfan]

I am biased after watching Cathedral come out to LOS with the bag pipes and guys jumping to tap their Linemen on the shoulder pads a few years back. Any time Cathedral is not in 6a, they are the odds on favorite in my eyes. East Noble might have the best shot from the north, hopefully they save some sides as they might be turkey once the game starts...I kid..The knights have the qb to make it interesting and that freshman is a man child..anyone heard that song yet? If not, dont listen it to. It has an earworm affect. If the pirates play at home, then maybe a big MAYBE, they get some bling.

[FastpacedO]

1 hour ago, temptation said:

I believe that 28-6 win over Decatur was the first for the DC backup who really came into his own in Polson’s absence.

Do with that info what you wish.

I do believe Mr. Polston is back in the DC lineup after being injured week 1 against Avon and missing the New Pal game.

20 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

I am biased after watching Cathedral come out to LOS with the bag pipes and guys jumping to tap their Linemen on the shoulder pads a few years back. Any time Cathedral is not in 6a, they are the odds on favorite in my eyes. East Noble might have the best shot from the north, hopefully they save some sides as they might be turkey once the game starts...I kid..The knights have the qb to make it interesting and that freshman is a man child..anyone heard that song yet? If not, dont listen it to. It has an earworm affect. If the pirates play at home, then maybe a big MAYBE, they get some bling.

I think right now the Irish coaches are just hoping to be as healthy as they can be going into the tournament rather than who the opponent is and if they are favored or not. They have really been hit with the injury bug hard.

[23andCounting]

14 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

I am biased after watching Cathedral come out to LOS with the bag pipes and guys jumping to tap their Linemen on the shoulder pads a few years back. Any time Cathedral is not in 6a, they are the odds on favorite in my eyes. East Noble might have the best shot from the north, hopefully they save some sides as they might be turkey once the game starts...I kid..The knights have the qb to make it interesting and that freshman is a man child..anyone heard that song yet? If not, dont listen it to. It has an earworm affect. If the pirates play at home, then maybe a big MAYBE, they get some bling.

East Noble is 4A.

I like Lafayette Jeff out of the North. I like their odds a little more than I do Merrillville, Bloomington South, or East Central. If there is one team with an outside shot, it's the Broncho's.

[temptation]

15 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

East Noble is 4A.

I like Lafayette Jeff out of the North. I like their odds a little more than I do Merrillville, Bloomington South, or East Central. If there is one team with an outside shot, it's the Broncho's.

Keep an eye on Whiteland…

[Justasportsfan]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

East Noble is 4A.

oof. Good catch

[BLACKGOLD2007]

3 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

Gotta laugh at your odds, 95% goes to 3 teams and the field gets the other 5%… Which is probably South teams…lol

So, coming out of the North would be Merrillville, Warsaw or Concord, Jeff?

[Komets2727]

4 minutes ago, BLACKGOLD2007 said:

So, coming out of the North would be Merrillville, Warsaw or Concord, Jeff?

Agreed minus Warsaw

[BLACKGOLD2007]

3 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Agreed minus Warsaw

Well, I mean I know they got waxed by Concord but Bart teams like to do weird things like win games they should not win. 

[Komets2727]

Just now, BLACKGOLD2007 said:

Well, I mean I know they got waxed by Concord but Bart teams like to do weird things like win games they should not win. 

They were tied 30-30 with lowly Snider, nuff for me. Not sure if Snider has scored 30 points total in the other 7 games…. Tigers defense is atrocious and that is being generous

[PHJIrish]

Cathedral got the best draw they could hope for to get some of the injured players back.  I'm not sure the story on QB Cameron Koers injured shoulder.  I talked to a couple of coaches after the game, Friday night, but of course they wouldn't give me any information.  The offense has numerous players out besides Koers, and some could be back for early November.  If not, next man up.  The Irish almost pulled off a big comeback Friday night with mostly JV players on the offense.  Don't let the number 100 fool you, there's not that much depth for the Irish.  That's the big thing that hurt them during their stay in 6A.

[scarab527]

North comes down to Jeff or Merrillville. South will be Cathedral or New Pal. Whoever comes out of the South will win it all. 

[roaringthunderdlr]

22 hours ago, PHJIrish said:

Cathedral got the best draw they could hope for to get some of the injured players back.  I'm not sure the story on QB Cameron Koers injured shoulder.  I talked to a couple of coaches after the game, Friday night, but of course they wouldn't give me any information.  The offense has numerous players out besides Koers, and some could be back for early November.  If not, next man up.  The Irish almost pulled off a big comeback Friday night with mostly JV players on the offense.  Don't let the number 100 fool you, there's not that much depth for the Irish.  That's the big thing that hurt them during their stay in 6A.

Cathedral's middle school team could probably beat Anderson

[23andCounting]

4 hours ago, scarab527 said:

North comes down to Jeff or Merrillville. South will be Cathedral or New Pal. Whoever comes out of the South will win it all. 

Invaluable observation.

[scarab527]

37 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Invaluable observation.

Definitely more valuable than East Noble could take on Carmel you absolute knob LMAO

[Komets2727]

5 hours ago, scarab527 said:

North comes down to Jeff or Merrillville. South will be Cathedral or New Pal. Whoever comes out of the South will win it all. 

Brilliant 

18 minutes ago, scarab527 said:

Definitely more valuable than East Noble could take on Carmel you absolute knob LMAO

Reading comprehension isn’t your strong point obviously. 

[scarab527]

11 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Brilliant 

Reading comprehension isn’t your strong point obviously. 

Glad you’re here to defend your boyfriend sweet cheeks 😘

[23andCounting]

1 hour ago, scarab527 said:

Definitely more valuable than East Noble could take on Carmel you absolute knob LMAO

Quote me where I said that please. Thank you in advance.

1 hour ago, Komets2727 said:

Brilliant 

Reading comprehension isn’t your strong point obviously. 

You get it. Not sure where along the way I said that EN could take on Carmel. Lol, people don't read on here. 

[Rodney]

2 hours ago, 23andCounting said:

Not sure where along the way I said that EN could take on Carmel. Lol, people don't read on here. 

On 10/13/2025 at 4:01 PM, 23andCounting said:

East Noble could beat Carmel

[scarab527]

Back to the thread before the screechers derailed it… 

 

Will be interesting to see if East Central poses a threat to Cathedral or New Pal down south. Really think they’re the only team that has a shot. Bloomington South is a regular season wonder. Maybe EC can shake things up a bit. 

[Lysander]

On 10/13/2025 at 1:23 PM, temptation said:

One week to go in the regular season but with the draw being last night, figured it'd be as good a time as any to generate some discussion around the 5A tournament.

Is it still New Pal's to lose?  A surging Cathedral has put that in doubt.

Who emerges from the north and breaks through like Warsaw did last year?

Bloomington South appears to be the class of southern Indiana.  Can they make a run?

Temp's Title Odds:

New Palestine:  60%

Indianapolis Cathedral: 25%

Bloomington South:  10%

The Field:  5%

Whatcha think?

New Palestine:  50%

Indianapolis Cathedral: 35%

Merrillville:  5%

Lafayette Jeff: 5%

The Field:  5%

I admit that Bloomington South isn't quite the paper tiger they usually are but the South runs through either New Pal or Cathedral....full stop.   

Once again, I expect a 4A team to roll through 5A.