IFCA releases preseason state football coaches poll

The Indiana Football Coaches Association has released its preseason poll.

Brownsburg (Class 6A), New Palestine (5A), Indianapolis Chatard (4A), Fort Wayne Luers (3A), Adams Central (2A) and Providence (A) are the top-ranked teams in their respective classes.

The 2025 season kicks off around the state on Aug. 22.

Brownsburg, the defending state champion in 6A, sits atop the poll ahead of Center Grove, Lawrence North, Westfield, Hamilton Southeastern, Crown Point, Fishers, Warren Central, Carmel and Ben Davis.

New Palestine, who finished 14-0 and state champions in 4A in 2024, start 2025 leading the 5A poll.

Indianapolis Cathedral is No. 2 followed by Merrillville, Bloomington South, East Central, Lafayette Jeff, Warsaw, Valparaiso, Concord and Castle.

Chatard finished 9-3 in 2024 and lost to New Palestine in the regional championship. The Trojans open the 2025 season ranked ahead of Heritage Hills, East Noble, Mishawaka, Greenfield-Central, Martinsville, Evansville Reitz, Fort Wayne Dwenger, New Prairie and Indianapolis Roncalli.

Also getting votes in the Class 4A poll were Greenwood, Mt. Vernon and Pendleton Heights.

Fort Wayne Luers lost to Heritage Hills in the 3A state championship game in 2024. With Heritage Hills moving up to 4A, the Knights received the most votes in the 3A preseason poll.

Evansville Memorial is No. 2 ahead of Gibson Southern, Lawrenceburg, Evansville Mater Dei, Mississinewa, West Lafayette, Maconaquah, Cascade and Knox.

Other notable teams earning votes were Tri-West and Batesville.

Adams Central, who has played in four straight state championship games, opens the season as the top team in 2A. The Flying Jets are the defending 2A state champions after suffering three consecutive losses in the Class A state title game to Indianapolis Lutheran.

Linton-Stockton is No. 2 in the 2A poll followed by Lutheran, Andrean, Lafayette Central Catholic, Brownstown Central, Lapel, Heritage Christian, Eastbrook and Bluffton.

Triton Central is ranked No. 13. Indianapolis Scecina is No. 14 and Monrovia is No. 16.

Providence, the defending state champion in Class A, is preseason No. 1 ahead of North Judson, South Putnam, North Decatur, Carroll (Flora), South Adams, Milan, Springs Valley, Madison-Grant and North Miami.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed.