As the 2024 IHSAA football season approaches, we will continue our conference previews with the states newest conference: Capital City. The conference is made up of smaller Indianapolis schools with overall struggling or non-existing football programs in Christel House at Manuel, Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Washington, Purdue Poly, Tindley and Herron (Non-Football).
Outside of Crispus Attucks and Washington — who finished the season at 8-2 and 6-4, respectively — no other team in the newly formed seven team conference finished the season with a winning record.
Tindley and Christel House would have been the next best at 4-6 and 3-6, respectively, while Purdue Poly and Arsenal Tech round out the teams with a combined three wins last season.
Despite it being its inaugural season, Attucks, Christel House, Washington, Purdue Poly and Tindley each played in the Greater Indianapolis conference while Herron and Tech were IHSAA Independents.
Pre Season Awards
Offensive Player of The Year: Darrell Taylor, 2026 RB, Crispus Attucks
226 carries, 2100 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. Plus, an additional 200 yards and 2 touchdowns receiving. Granted the competition level is lower in the conference, but Taylor is poised for yet another monster season.
Defensive Player of The Year: Justin Buckhalter, 2025 DL, Crispus Attucks
With a whopping 17 sacks as a junior, Buckhalter will seeing much more double teams in his senior campaign. However, for a guy who averaged nearly two sacks a game it is hard to assume he will not be near that production again.
Breakout Player: Tremael Lowry, 2026 QB/ATH, Washington
As a sophomore, Lowry was able to lead the Continentals to a 6-4 record, relying on his legs to get them to victory. Rushing for 570 yards and five touchdowns, Lowry had a 10 yard average carry and even contributed on the defensive side playing a little bit of safety. Although it might not be through the year again, Lowry is poised to have a breakout rushing year as Washington graduates their leading rusher.
Coach of The Year: Isaiah Bryant, HC, Crispus Attucks
Coming off an impressive 8-2 season, Bryant’s squad does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Expect them to run the table in the conference’s inaugural season.
Pre Season Standings with Short Explanations
- Crispus Attucks
As long as Taylor stays healthy and quarterback Corshawn Sartin continues to make the throws he needs to, Crispus Attucks will be a force to reckon with on both sides of the ball.
- Washington
Bringing back Lowry as well as key pieces in the running back and receiving rooms will at the very least repeat at a winning record, if not more so.
- Tindley
A young team last year that brought back lots of athletes, most notably 2027 wide receiver Jacayre Smith.
- Purdue Poly
Year three under head coach Chris Chang will likely be a slow climb towards the top in year six of the program’s history.
- Christel House
A young team that lacks experience and losing their quarterback, expect a big year from RB/DB John Bible, though.
- Arsenal Tech
1-19 over the last two seasons, any number of wins is a positive.