USA TODAY Network Indiana Releases 2025 High School Football Poll

The countdown to kickoff is officially on as the USA TODAY Network Indiana high school football preseason poll has been released. The rankings, compiled by sportswriters and sportscasters from across the state, highlight familiar powerhouses and defending champions entering Week 1.

At the top of the largest class, Class 6A, defending state champion Brownsburg opens the year at No. 1 after receiving 15 first-place votes. Runner-up Westfield slots in at No. 2, followed by perennial contender Center Grove at No. 3. Lawrence North (No. 4) and Crown Point (No. 5) round out the top five.

In Class 5A, last year’s 4A champion New Palestine makes the jump and is immediately tabbed No. 1 with 12 first-place votes. Cathedral follows at No. 2, while Merrillville, Bloomington South, and East Central are also in the top five.

The other top-ranked teams include:

• Bishop Chatard (4A), a 10-time state champion looking to add to its historic legacy.

• Evansville Memorial (3A), which edged out Bishop Luers and Gibson Southern in a tight race for the top spot.

• Adams Central (2A), the powerhouse program that claimed 15 of 16 first-place votes.

• Providence (Class A), earning 14 of 16 first-place votes to open the year as the favorite.

Below are the full preseason rankings by class:

Class 6A preseason top 10

1. Brownsburg (15) – 158 points

2. Westfield (1) – 128

3. Center Grove – 124

4. Lawrence North – 114

5. Crown Point – 93

6. Warren Central – 65

7. Hamilton Southeastern – 60

8. Fishers – 42

9. Decatur Central – 33

10. Ben Davis – 17
    Others receiving votes: Carmel 14, FW Snider 6, FW Carroll 6, Columbus North 4, Elkhart 3, Avon 3, Penn 1

Class 5A preseason top 10

1. New Palestine (12) – 156 points

2. Cathedral (4) – 128

3. Merrillville – 115

4. (tie) Bloomington South – 85

5. (tie) East Central – 85

6. Warsaw – 72

7. Lafayette Jeff – 67

8. Concord – 53

9. Plainfield – 41

10. Valparaiso – 31
    Others receiving votes: Castle 16, Bloomington North 7, Whiteland 6, Floyd Central 4, Terre Haute South 1

Class 4A preseason top 10

1. Bishop Chatard (10) – 149 points

2. Heritage Hills (5) – 140

3. Mishawaka (1) – 111

4. East Noble – 110

5. Martinsville – 81

6. Roncalli – 76

7. Evansville Reitz – 64

8. Greenfield-Central – 46

9. FW Bishop Dwenger – 30

10. Danville – 22
    Others receiving votes: Brebeuf Jesuit 14, New Prairie 11, Leo 10, Columbia City 8, NorthWood 7, Greenwood 3, Mt. Vernon 2

Class 3A preseason top 10

1. Evansville Memorial (5) – 143 points

2. FW Bishop Luers (7) – 129

3. Gibson Southern (3) – 116

4. Lawrenceburg – 86

5. Mississinewa – 70

6. Evansville Mater Dei – 57

7. West Lafayette – 49

8. Garrett – 44

9. Cascade – 43

10. Maconaquah – 39
    Others receiving votes: Knox 29, Tri-West 24, Guerin Catholic 21 (1), West Noble 10, Southridge 8, Batesville 7, North Harrison 2

Class 2A preseason top 10

1. Adams Central (15) – 158 points

2. Lutheran (1) – 125

3. Linton-Stockton – 119

4. Brownstown Central – 98

5. Andrean – 95

6. Lafayette Central Catholic – 85

7. Lapel – 60

8. Heritage Christian – 28

9. Triton Central – 19

10. Eastbrook – 13
    Others receiving votes: Monrovia 12, Paoli 12, Western Boone 12, Bluffton 8, Alexandria 6, Eastern (Greentown) 5, Northeastern 5, Centerville 3, North Posey 3, South Vermillion 1

Class A preseason top 10

1. Providence (14) – 158 points

2. North Judson – 136

3. South Putnam (2) – 127

4. North Decatur – 85

5. South Adams – 75

6. Carroll (Flora) – 65

7. Milan – 54

8. Madison-Grant – 51

9. Springs Valley – 47

10. North Miami – 32
    Others receiving votes: Pioneer 13, Frontier 11, Triton 7, LaVille 6, Sheridan 6, Forest Park 2, Knightstown 2, Riverton Parke 2, Tri 1

The action kicks off this Friday with a slate of Week 1 games across the state. With reigning champions, perennial contenders, and hungry challengers all in the mix, Indiana high school football is once again set for a thrilling fall.

About the Author

Dalton Tinklenberg

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Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE). Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.

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Dalton Tinklenberg

Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).

Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.