2026-27 sectional map and LINK of Sectionals: Topics Merged

[Sparty]

12 hours ago, 23andCounting said:

"Congratulations on making it to the state title game two years in a row. We know you didn't win either time, but nice accomplishment nonetheless. We're going to bump you up one more class. Good luck to ya." 

Lol

Maybe the IHSAA helped build a bigger trophy case JUST FOR the football program.  

[23andCounting]

11 hours ago, Sparty said:

I have no idea what Luers or any other team in that sectionals has coming back, but I’ll place my order now. Thanks for dinner.  

Late to the show. I already rescinded. 

[WestfieldRocks]

12 hours ago, Zionsville_Superfan said:

Cant wrap my head around how Zionsville somehow made it into to south, they also got a brutal draw.

When they pulled HSE and Fishers into the same sectional with Westfield and Carmel, Zionsville and Harrison had to be moved elsewhere. Geographically where they put them makes sense. Face it, there's few is any cupcake sectionals in central Indiana.

[Titan32]

On 4/2/2026 at 10:01 AM, btownqbcoach1 said:

Its happened to North Harrison GBB.. it is what it is. 

There's nothing to advocate for.. its the rule and it applies to all. 

Agree.....is there really much difference in making it to the State Title game and actually winning the State Title in terms of judging the competitivess level of a program?  

[btownqbcoach1]

2 hours ago, Titan32 said:

Agree.....is there really much difference in making it to the State Title game and actually winning the State Title in terms of judging the competitivess level of a program?  

Nope... and using the "FW Luers Football Program" as the measuring stick for fairness in this sense.... falls on deaf ears. 

[Daniel_Bragg]

On 4/1/2026 at 10:32 AM, AG said:

I do find it interesting that Pioneer and Caston were kept together, yet the Clinton's were separated. Poor South Newton seems to be on an island, while Pioneer, Caston, and the Clinton's seem to be on the far edges of too many sectionals.

Yeah.  The Sectionals in 1A seem to be a little head-scratching.  Why would the Clintons be split up, and Sheridan possibly be going to Pioneer, when Carroll is between both schools?

[Daniel_Bragg]

Looking at the map, I would have put Caston and Pioneer in 42, and moved Clinton Prairie and Carroll to 43.  Also, would have put North Miami in 44, and moved Southwood to 43.

The only reason I can see for NOT doing this is that 6 teams of the 8 would be from the same conference.  But let's be honest, how fun would it be to see Bud Wright against Sheridan for a Sectional title?

[Muda69]

20 hours ago, Daniel_Bragg said:

Looking at the map, I would have put Caston and Pioneer in 42, and moved Clinton Prairie and Carroll to 43.  Also, would have put North Miami in 44, and moved Southwood to 43.

The only reason I can see for NOT doing this is that 6 teams of the 8 would be from the same conference.  But let's be honest, how fun would it be to see Bud Wright against Sheridan for a Sectional title?

Go Knights.

 

[Rodney]

On 4/2/2026 at 12:08 PM, 23andCounting said:

This is a formal request asking for input from the Press Secretary to the GID on this topic. 

@Rodney ????

I believe the sf is stupid, not even considering someone moving up without winning. Which is even more ridiculous.

 

 

Need to completely dismantle the SF system. And while we're at it take down the mercy rule as well.

[Rodney]

On 4/2/2026 at 12:21 PM, First_Backer_Inside said:

I have a feeling his solution is going to be to hell with classes. The problem is solved by having one big state playoff and one champion lol.

Id also be fine with merging classes 2a-4a into one super class and 5a/6a.

 

Then just have 3 classes

[Rodney]

On 4/2/2026 at 9:09 AM, 23andCounting said:

I'll bet you dinner at Ruth Chris that Luers doesn't survive that sectional. Wives are welcome. Probably talking $500+. Proceed with caution. 

We've discussed that im not allowed there anymore.

 

How about kilroys

 

[Rodney]

On 4/3/2026 at 12:18 PM, Titan32 said:

Agree.....is there really much difference in making it to the State Title game and actually winning the State Title in terms of judging the competitivess level of a program?  

Some years/classes the title game is a total blowout, but other then that not really

[HoopsCoach]

The rule is known as the Success Factor, not the State Champion Factor.  It applies to teams that have experienced significant tournament success in consecutive years, which indicates the ability to compete in a classification greater than the school’s enrollment classification.  It was created to prevent teams from holding dominance over a class, especially if a school/team has inherent advantages compared to schools in their enrollment classification.  I think the rule works well, and generally accomplishes what it was created to do.  It is not perfect, and I wish the totals/bumps were based upon a longer period of time so they reflect long-term success rather than a couple of really good seasons.

[Daniel_Bragg]

4 hours ago, Muda69 said:

Go Knights.

 

K

[23andCounting]

On 4/4/2026 at 2:10 PM, Rodney said:

We've discussed that im not allowed there anymore.

 

How about kilroys

 

All in on Kilroy's. Good chicken fingers. 

[First_Backer_Inside]

On 4/4/2026 at 2:10 PM, Rodney said:

We've discussed that im not allowed there anymore.

 

How about kilroys

 

Kilroys probably fits better anyway for the liquid diet you stick to.

[BLACKGOLD2007]

Penn was given a gift with sectional 2. 

Sectional 3 is stacked! Who ever makes it out of that sectional will be a strong favorite the rest of the way in 6A north, assuming they aren't beat up. 

[Rodney]

4 hours ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

Kilroys probably fits better anyway for the liquid diet you stick to.

I'll have you know i haven't drank since Sunday.

 

 

Its important to rest in april/may in order to better prepare for the incoming 500

[crimsonace1]

On 4/2/2026 at 9:39 AM, 23andCounting said:

I was about to get on here and defend Merrillville as well, but without giving it much research, I'm presuming they bumped to 6A due to enrollment, not success factor points. 

Merrillville did move up due to enrollment. 

[Trojanmp52]

I know this is my opinion but, i never have liked  using total enrollment. I know it is the easiest way but never thought the best way. Total number of students at a school does not tell the whole picture of that school. For instance you  have school A with 2006 kids and school B with 2001. School gets pumped up to the next class and B stays down. But what you don’t see in just useing  overall   number is school A has only 900 boys to school B 1100. So when come down to football B has more kids to choice from then A. So is that far.   
I have said you need to break down the class based on boys and girls in the school for each sport. Will it make a big difference probably not but it might make smalls one here and there. 
My favorite idea is not use total enrollment number but use participation number in all sports, I know a lot sports are cut sports that is why I would use the number sport physicals that get turned. I think it give a better number to use to determine where the school should be ranked in the classes

[Titan32]

23 hours ago, Trojanmp52 said:

I know this is my opinion but, i never have liked  using total enrollment. I know it is the easiest way but never thought the best way. Total number of students at a school does not tell the whole picture of that school. For instance you  have school A with 2006 kids and school B with 2001. School gets pumped up to the next class and B stays down. But what you don’t see in just useing  overall   number is school A has only 900 boys to school B 1100. So when come down to football B has more kids to choice from then A. So is that far.   
I have said you need to break down the class based on boys and girls in the school for each sport. Will it make a big difference probably not but it might make smalls one here and there. 
My favorite idea is not use total enrollment number but use participation number in all sports, I know a lot sports are cut sports that is why I would use the number sport physicals that get turned. I think it give a better number to use to determine where the school should be ranked in the classes

Enrollment isn’t a great measuring stick for a lot of reasons. The biggest one is the wide variation in student participation—especially in extracurriculars. That’s really what allows private and parochial schools to punch above their weight (enrollment-wise) in 1A through 4A.

After that, the advantage shifts. Larger public schools benefit from economies of scale—more depth, more kids to draw from—which helps balance things out at the higher classes.