With the IHSAA football season swiftly approaching we continue the conference previews with the Mid-State conference.
An eight team conference that consists of Decatur Central, Martinsville, Plainfield, Whiteland, Franklin Community, Mooresville, Greenwood and Perry Meridian. With teams scattered across the 4A-6A ranks, the conference can often become underrated with the quality of teams it produces.
Last season, it was Decatur Central that got all the way to Lucas Oil before falling to Fort Wayne Snider in the 5A title game. Along the way, they would get the best of conference foe Whiteland in the regional championship 41-7 after falling to them in week three 31-15.
The conference champs last season, Martinsville, would fall to eventual 4A champs East Central in their sectional semi-final to end their year. Greenwood would then try to take a shot at Goliath and lose mightily to East Central in their sectional championship.
After starting 6-1, Plainfield would drop their final three games and lose to Harrison in their sectional opener to end the year at 6-4. Mooresville would win four in a row after starting 3-5 before falling to New Palestine in their regional championship.
For the rest of the conference, Franklin Community would fall to Terre Haute South Vigo while Perry Meridian would fall to Warren Central in their respective sectional openers.
While Decatur Central looks to be on deck for another deep 5A playoff run, only time will tell if they will be able to live up to the lofty expectations.
Pre Season Awards
Offensive Player of The Year: Slate Valentine, 2025 RB, Whiteland
In his junior campaign, Valentine led the Warriors with nearly 2000 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. These numbers led Valentine to lead the conference in both yards and scoring, while ending up at 10th in the state amongst all the classes. Playing for a team that racked up just three passing touchdowns on the season, safe to assume Valentine will continue to leave defenders in his dust this season. Watch for Alex Leugers (Franklin) to tear up defenses as well.
Defensive Player of The Year: Mykul Campbell, 2026 LB/SS, Decatur Central
One part of an elite 2026 group of players at Decatur Central, the three star ATH did a bit of everything for the 5A runner-ups as he accumulated 77 tackles and four blocked punts. With a lot of defensive production graduating from the program, Campbell will have a lot of responsibility laid upon him to play all around the defensive backfield and in the box. In addition to Campbell, his fellow Hawk defenders Kashmir Hicks and Fa’rel Carter will be ones to keep an eye on as they project to have one of the best secondaries in the state.
Breakout Player: Silas Smith, 2026 QB, Mooresville
With Hogan Denny graduating out of the program it is looking like the keys to the offense will be given to young gunslinger Silas Smith. Although the 6’4” prospect does not have any experience under center on Friday nights, Smith has the length and mechanics to be able to excel at the varsity level.
Coach of The Year: Kyle Enright, HC, Decatur Central
After falling just short last year at Lucas Oil, Enright’s Hawks are destined for another deep run with reloading of his elite 2026 class.
Pre Season Standings with Short Explanations
- Decatur Central
A state runner-up bringing back their top quarterback in Bo Polston, running back in N’Po Dodo and three top defensive backs in Campbell, Hicks and Carter. Hard to go against this team.
- Whiteland
The hard running of Valentine combined with the defensive prowess of linebacker Jordan Palmer will make for quite the 1-2 punch for the Warriors.
- Martinsville
Martinsville returns quarterback A.J Reynolds and wide receiver Hunter Stroud, but the question comes in the running game as they graduate workhorse running back Brayden Shrake.
- Franklin Community
The question lies with how much of an offensive load will running back Alex Leugers will be able to carry, as the Grizzly Cubs return minimal production outside of him. Defensively, linemen Blake Smythe is in store for a big senior year, but what about everybody else?
- Plainfield
1000 yard rusher Logan Starnes returns and the Quaker defense brings back experience, just too many question marks at quarterback.
- Mooresville
Mooresville loses their top passer, rushers and defenders – so just how much will they be able to reload?
- Greenwood
Greenwood graduates gunslinger Brock Riddle as well as their top three rushers. Too much talent to replace for the Woodmen.
- Perry Meridian
The Falcons bring back talent on both sides of the ball, but for a squad that has not had more than four wins in nearly a decade — just how much better will they be able to get?