With the IHSAA football season quickly approaching, we continue our conference previews with the Metro Interscholastic Conference.
Better known as the MIC, the conference is home to some of the richest athletics history in the state. With Ben Davis most recently winning the 6A title with an unblemished in-state record of 13-0.
Alongside the Giants in the six-team conference is Lawrence North, Warren Central, Lawrence Central, Pike and North Central.
En route to a dominant state championship run, the Giants ended the season of conference foe Pike 53-0 in the sectional championship game. During their dominant run, they would have to pull off three thrilling victories against top ranked teams Brownsburg, Cathedral and Center Grove before routing Crown Point 38-10 in the title game.
Lawrence North would fall to Cathedral in their sectional championship game after getting by city rival Lawrence Central in their playoff opener.
Warren Central would get out of their sectional without giving up a single point before falling 14-0 in the regional championship to Center Grove.
This year, the reigning champs graduate a lot of talent but are still looking primed for another deep run. While the rest of the conference is littered with power five talent that will be up for the challenge.
Pre Season Awards
Offensive Player of The Year: Izayveon Moore, 2027 RB, Lawrence North
This was a tough choice to make. Throughout the conference there is a lot of offensive firepower to behold, however after what Moore did as just a freshman it is hard to pick against him. In his freshman campaign, Moore racked up over 1100 yards and nine touchdowns rushing against some of the hardest hitting defenses in the state. As long as he stays healthy, these numbers should continue to increase for Moore as he gets faster and stronger throughout his high school career. In addition to Moore, look out for Alijah Price (Ben Davis), Mark Zackery IV (Ben Davis) and Kendall Garnett III (Warren Central) to shine on Friday nights.
Defensive Player of The Year: Damien Shanklin, 2025 DL, Warren Central
The LSU commit led his team in tackles and tackles for loss last season and is in no way slowing down for his senior year. The senior lineman will beat anybody lined up against him with his speed and power and can line up anywhere along the line to pick out an advantageous match up. However, if you double-team him his fellow defensive linemen that consist of Louisville commit Tyrone Burrus and 2026 prospect Jerimy Finch Jr. who holds offers from the likes of Notre Dame and Michigan will be free. It is truly picking your poison when it comes to the Warrior defensive line. Outside of these three, look for Mark Zackery IV (Ben Davis) and Daione Lunsford (Lawrence North) to stuff the stat sheets this season.
Breakout Player: Terry Walker III, 2026 QB, Lawrence Central
Getting snaps each of his first two seasons, Walker III is no stranger to the bright lights of Friday night, but this will be the first season he has the keys to the offense all to himself. In his freshman campaign he threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns while last season he reached 749 yards and five touchdowns. The three star quarterback holds offers from Ball State and Miami (OH) and is in line for a monster season this year. Buy stock now.
Coach of The Year: Russ Mann, HC, Ben Davis
Mann’s Giants graduate nearly every starter on defense and a handful of offensive production. However, the talent still on the roster is hard to look at and not imagine another conference championship and deep run. Mann is one of the best coaches in the state and will be due to take the leap to a collegiate coaching staff sooner or later just as many Ben Davis coaches have done before him.
Pre Season Standings with Short Explanation
- Ben Davis
Mann brings in the former youngest head coach in the state, Tyler Campbell, onto his staff as the offensive coordinator that will bring an air raid offense with him. 2025 quarterback Isaiah Rogers should be up for the task as he steps into the starting role and will have playmakers Zackery IV and Price to lean on heavily.
- Warren Central
Despite having underwhelming records the past few seasons, the Warriors still find themselves playing for a regional championship year-in and year-out. Bringing back a defensive line littered with power five talent, and getting Westfield transfer Kendall Garnett III who is coming off a 1200 yard junior rushing campaign. With a roster like they have, it would be a shame if they failed to hit their expectations once again.
- Lawrence North
The Wildcats lose a good amount of defensive production, but have the offensive firepower with Moore and wide receiver Davion Chandler. The question is will quarterback Tanner Aspelet be able to make the leap the team needs him to?
- Lawrence Central
The Bears have an exciting 2026 offensive trio of Walker III, Albert Gooden III and Caron Parks. The question is if their inexperienced defense will be able to step up?
- Pike
Pike tried the two quarterback system last season and it just did not work. The old saying applies here, “if you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” In this case, the running game is holding them back as well.
- North Central
22 straight losses and have lost 29 of their last 30. And crazy enough, not the first time in the last decade they have had a 1-29 stretch.