Throughout the state, hundreds of football games are played every Friday. Deciding which games to hit up can be hard, but there should be no question that these five games should be on everybody’s radar:
8/22: #21 Bishop Chatard vs. #19 Lafayette Jefferson
After both squads ended their season early in the regional championships of their respective class tournaments, Bishop Chatard and Lafayette Jefferson will be bashing heads for the first time ever.
Both hovering around the top-20 in our pre-season rankings, Chatard will start the season as the IBCA No. 1 team in 4A while Lafayette Jefferson comes in at No. 6 in 5A.
While the Bronchos lose out on gunslinger Keyen Crowder, junior quarterback Trysten Barrett showed promise in his sparing snaps last season and will look to get his team back deep into the playoffs as they reload with running back duo Marquis Adkins and Antwoine Richmond.
On the otherhand, Chatard returns senior quarterback Joey Harrington and a plethora of junior ball carriers to get the offense going.
8/29: #1 Brownsburg vs. #9 Cathedral
Playing for the sixth time in the last five seasons, the Bulldogs and Irish have played some all-time classics since playing their first game against each other for the first time in 2018.
This year, the stakes are as high as ever.
Brownsburg is the reigning 6A champs and got the best of Cathedral last season, 30-14, while Cathedral is fielding yet another competitive team with high expectations after a lackluster 6-4 showing last season. The Bulldogs are the pre-season No. 1 team in the state, ranked No. 46 in the country, and will be coming off a highly anticipated week-one matchup against Archbishop Spalding (MD) on Aug. 22.
The Irish slot in at No. 9 in our pre-season rankings and will be coming off a competitive game of their own against Ben Davis in week one.
Brownsburg reloads several key pieces to their championship run including a trio of offensive weapons in quarterback Oscar Frye, runningback Shakovan Sumpterbey and wide receiver Avin Robinson. While Cathedral brings back an offensive big three of their own with quarterback Cameron Koers, running back Xavier Dangerfield and wide out Jackson Harvey.
9/5: #18 Mishawaka vs. #23 Concord
Each team coming off early playoff exits in their respective sectional championship game last year, both Mishawaka and Concord are fully reloaded with high expectations this season.
The Cavemen return their junior runningback duo of Kadyn O’Neal and Landon Snyder — each of whom rushed for over 1,100 yards last season — while the Minutemen bring back quarterback Bo Brunner and top pass-catcher in Charrese Brevard.
Last year, Concord got the best of Mishawaka in an electrifying 35-34 contest.
9/12: #10 Hamilton Southeastern vs. #11 Fishers
HSE and Fishers have frequently put on some all-time classics throughout the history of their heated and storied rivalry.
Four of the last six match-ups between the two schools have been decided by three or fewer points, and Fishers is coming off its first season sweep of HSE since 2017.
Both teams have high expectations as usual, with each hovering on the outskirts of our pre-season top-10. Fishers gets a healthy Gage Sturgill back under center, returns ATH Ryan Thembelembu, but loses Stanford recruit and top pass-catcher JonAnthony Hall.
The Royals get a much-needed transfer in Duke commit Terry Walker III at quarterback, while returning leading rusher Carter Reed and deep-threat Kendrick Pennybaker.
10/10: #2 Center Grove vs. #4 Lawrence North
After an underwhelming 8-5 showing last season, Center Grove looks to retool with young gunslinger Oscar Sloan taking the reigns under center. Alongside Sloan, the Trojans will be spreading the field with downfield targets Drake McClurg and Dominick Barry.
On the otherhand, Lawrence North is coming one of their best football seasons ever — which was cut short in regionals due to a one-point loss to eventual champs Brownsburg. Although losing a lot of seniors, the Wildcats return two of the best offensive weapons in the state in Izayveon Moore and Monshun Sales while returning their top linebacker in Breck Mallory.
Lawrence North topped Center Grove 34-21 when the two teams squared off last season, but with each boasting a fresh-look roster things should be more competitive than a year ago.