With the 2024 IHSAA football season rapidly approaching, we continue our central Indiana conference preview with the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
Better known as the HCC, the eight team conference of Brownsburg, Westfield, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE), Fishers, Franklin Central, Avon, Noblesville and Zionsville has been one of dominance over the last decade with its teams frequently making deep runs in the 6A tournament.
Last season, it was Westfield who made it all the way to the Semi State game where they fell to Crown Point 38-31 in a double overtime thriller.
On the Shamrocks journey to the final four, they would get the best of conference foes Noblesville and HSE in the sectional and regional championships, respectively.
After breezing through the regular season undefeated, it was Brownsburg who would get an unfortunate draw against eventual state champion Ben Davis in the opening round of sectionals- resulting in a 24-21 loss for the Bulldogs.
For the third straight season, Fishers would be sent home by their in-town rivals HSE in the sectional championship game while Franklin Central got thwarted by Center Grove in their playoff opener.
As for Avon, they would fall to Pike in an overtime thriller 42-41 in their sectional opener last season.
With a set tier list of teams being set over the past few seasons in the HCC, only time will tell if this year will be any different.
Pre Season Awards
Offensive Player of The Year: JonAnthony Hall, 2025 WR, Fishers
With just about every team in the conference having a player skilled enough for this award, this was a tough choice. However, it is hard to argue against Hall who is coming off a 1000-yard and six touchdown junior campaign for the Tigers. With quarterback Gage Sturgill taking the keys of the offense, the Stanford commit will be in store for yet another heavy productive season. Outside of Hall, keep your eye out for Chandler Weston (HSE) and Eugene Hilton (Zionsville) to fill up the stat sheets as well.
Defensive Player of The Year: Mason Alexander, 2025 DB, HSE
A ball-hawking Pittsburgh commit, Alexander is looking for the endzone anytime a quarterback makes the mistake of throwing his way. The senior is coming off a three interception season where he also racked up eight pass deflections. When he is on the field, a part of the field might as well be closed off. Outside of Alexander, keep an eye on Mikeah Webster (Westfield) as he leads an intriguing Shamrock defense into battle each week.
Breakout Player: Oscar Frye, 2027 QB, Brownsburg
The young gunslinger stayed busy during the offseason lighting up the 7v7 circuits, picking up his first offer from Miami (OH) and even picked up a first place finish at the National Hurricane Jr Golf Ohio Kickoff Tournament in the u18 division. Frye attempted just nine varsity passes during his freshman campaign and torched freshman-team defenses on Saturday mornings with 30 touchdowns and 2,000 yards to pair with a 9-0 record. The only question mark will be his pass catchers, as the Bulldogs return just 185 total yards of production from last season.
Coach of The Year: John Hart, HC, Brownsburg
Coming off a 9-1 campaign last season that got cut short due to an unfortunate sectional draw, Hart’s squad is primed for another good year. Although the program graduates their big three of Jake Dunn, Garrett Sherrell and Corey Smith, joining Frye is running back Aiden Jobe who is coming off a season nine yards per carry in relief of Sherrell and even had a 100-yard game of his own against Zionsville. In addition to returning a good chunk of defensive production, the Bulldogs should be competing for the conference championship once again.
Pre Season Predictions with Short Explanations
- Brownsburg
Reloaded offensive weapons and a veteran defense, all with a sour taste in their mouth from last season. The only question is if they will live up to their potential.
- HSE
An experienced athletic quarterback in Chandler Weston paired with the bruising running of Azariah Wallace and a young — but impressive — defense has all the traits of a conference champion.
- Fishers
Quarterback Gage Sturgill will be letting it rip to Stanford commit JonAnthony Hall, and running back Ryan Thembulembu has the physical traits to have an impressive season. Only question will be if the defense will be reloaded enough after losing key pieces in Brady Wolf (Ball State) and Carter Imes (Indiana).
- Westfield
Aside from a big-time question mark at quarterback and a void to fill with the departure of Garnett III, Westfield has all the pieces they need to contend once again with Mikeah Webster and Alex Aramboles. Just how much can they rely on the run and defense?
- Zionsville
Wisconsin commit Eugene Hilton might have finally found the gunslinging quarterback he has been looking for in Carmel transfer Zachary Trent Jr., but how will the running game and defense hold up?
- Franklin Central
Quarterback Nevan Tutterow and wide receiver Damir Swanigan will have a fun year together, but like Zionsville who will step up in the running game and defense?
- Noblesville
A historically unsuccessful ground and pound philosophy, the Millers lose their top five ball carriers from last season. Their defense will only be able to do so much if the offense gets slowed down.
- Avon
The once perennial power has fallen down the ranks in the past years, and with a new quarterback and an inexperienced defense it does not look good for their tides to turn.