Indiana high school football preview: Class 2A predictions, top players in Indy-area

Since Western Boone won three consecutive Class 2A titles from 2018-20, the past three champions (Andrean, Evansville Mater Dei and Fort Wayne Bishop Luers) came from outside the Indianapolis-area. Can Lutheran , up from Class A, claim a title for Central Indiana in 2024? Or is there another team below that can do it? Western Boone and Monrovia are back down from 3A.

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Three regular-season games that will shape 2A:

∎ Lutheran at Triton Central, Sept. 6: Lutheran has won five consecutive games against Triton Central. This will be the last meeting between the teams as Indiana Crossroads Conference foes, though they are now both 2A programs and could potentially meet again.

∎ Eastern Hancock at Heritage Christian, Sept. 13: This Week 4 game should be fun as both teams have a lot coming back. Heritage Christian has won eight in a row over the Royals but last year’s game was by a 24-20 score.

∎ Lapel at Eastern Hancock, Oct. 18: This is a Week 9 game and has a high potential for offensive fireworks. Lapel won last year’s regular season meeting, 36-31, then lost to the Royals 45-43 the next week in the sectional. There is potential these programs could meet twice again.

(In order of projected finish; records from 2023)

Sectional 34

Lafayette Central Catholic (10-4): The Knights won a regional championship last year in 2A, but this sectional is a bit different. Quarterback Bobby Metzger passed for 2,943 yards and 34 TDs as a junior.

Western Boone (6-4): Coach Justin Pelley won his 100 ^th game last year in his 11 ^th season at Western Boone. The Stars move back down from 3A to 2A for the next two-year classification, which is where they won three consecutive state titles from 2018-20. Senior quarterback Brandon Potter (749 passing yards, six TDs; four rushing TDs) is in his second year as a starter behind third-year starters Maddex Gadbury and Wyatt Dickey and a second-year starter Evan Allen on the offensive line. Other returners on offense are receiver Marcus Fortner (25 catches, 242 yards, three TDs), receiver Carson Saunders (11 catches, 140 yards), running back Mason Amich, running back Jake Smith (434 rushing yards, three TDs) and receiver Quinn Westerfeld. The defense will be led by sophomore lineman Zander Venis (40 tackles, seven for loss, 2 ½ sacks) and Smith (34 tackles, 4 ½ for loss, 2 ½ sacks), linebacker Amich, senior outside linebacker Marco Velazquez and junior outside linebacker Maverick Kraus and junior defensive backs Malachi Christy (24 tackles), Dylan Sheets (30 tackles, two interceptions), Blake Wasson and Westerfeld.

North Montgomery (6-5): The Chargers drop down to 2A for the first time in almost 20 years. North Montgomery won 2A state championships in 1995 and ’96.

North Putnam (3-7): Junior quarterback Christian Kramer was one of the state’s most productive passers last season with 1,878 passing yards and 15 TDs. Oh, and he also ran for 1,018 yards and 18 TDs.

Southmont (8-6): It was an historic season last year for Southmont, which won its first sectional and regional championships. Coach Desson Hannum has a lot of talent to replace, however.

Lewis Cass (6-5): The Kings averaged 239 rushing yards per game last season, led by 968 on the season from now-senior running back Trevor Rowe.

Seeger (8-4): Seeger played for a sectional championship last season, falling to Lafayette Central Catholic.

Delphi (4-6): The Oracles started last season 0-4 before finishing strong.

Sectional 37

Lutheran (13-0): The Saints last lost a game on Nov. 6, 2020. Since then, coach Dave Pasch’s program has reeled off 43 consecutive wins and three Class A state championships . Lutheran moves up to Class 2A this year via the tournament success factor but still might be the favorite to win a state championship. Senior Jackson Willis threw for 2,555 yards and 31 TDs last season and should be in the mix for the Mr. Football position award at quarterback. He has 6,642 passing yards for his career with 86 TDs and nine interceptions. Two starters return on the offensive line in senior center Owen Lecher and senior tackle Rai McHaney, who has multiple Division I offers. Two of the top skill position playmakers return in seniors L.J. Ward (17 catches, 311 yards, six TDs in five games) and JaVarrea Cooper (25 catches, 497 yards, seven TDs). Senior Da’Marco Wilson is projected as the starting running back. Senior Isaiah Jones and junior Landyn Hazelwood will also contribute at receiver. The top returners on defense are McHaney (38 tackles, four sacks) and senior Nathen Hicks (44 tackles, two sacks) on the line, Lecher (44 tackles, one forced fumble) at linebacker and Ward and Cooper in the secondary. Others to watch are sophomore lineman Logan Kennerk, senior linebacker Joseph Luna-Nix and junior linebackers Hudson Mills and Zander Scearce. Week 2 opponent South Putnam played Lutheran within a touchdown last year in the sectional semifinal.

Monrovia (9-3): Fifth-year coach Andy Olson graduated his top three rushers, including two players who went over 1,000 yards on the season. The Bulldogs are moving back down to 2A after two seasons in 3A, including a run to the semistate in 2022. Leading the offense will be senior running back Ryder Pool (393 rushing yards, six TDs in eight games), senior Noah Bryant, junior running back Ethen Followell (two catches, 129 yards, one TD) and junior quarterback Clay Thacker. The defense has more experience returning, led by Followell (67 tackles, eight for loss, two caused fumbles) and Hand (82 tackles) at linebacker, senior safety Parker Hale (40 tackles), senior lineman Lane Whitney (33 tackles) and juniors Brody Clampitt (44 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks) and Connor Denaut (23 tackles, six for loss, three fumble recoveries, two sacks). Monrovia is always one of the top rushing teams in the state, averaging 397.6 yards on the ground and 25.5 yards passing per game last season.

Heritage Christian (7-4): Ninth-year coach Kyle Ray likes the experience and talent level of his team, particularly on the offensive side. Leading the offense will be junior quarterback Eli Nix (1,578 passing yards, 17 TDs), junior running back Elijah Pimental (1,382 rushing yards, 13 TDs), junior receiver Andrew Sloan (60 catches, 644 yards, five TDs) and sophomore receiver Noah Dearman (20 catches, 316 yards, three TDs). The defense will need to come along and develop its identity with senior lineman Sam Utzig (41 tackles, 3 ½ sacks), senior defensive back Nick Dearman (43 tackles, two interceptions), senior outside linebacker Brock Bucklin (46 tackles) and sophomore linebacker Justus Klingerman (15 tackles, one sack) leading the group. The Eagles won back-to-back sectional titles in 2019 and ’20 but have not won one since.

Scecina (5-5): The Crusaders are starting a new era after the retirement of longtime coach Ott Hurrle and first-year coach Dan Harris taking over . Most of the experience returns along the line of scrimmage, where seniors Noah Stuczynski and Henry Weimer return on offense. They will be blocking for new quarterback Luke McDonald, a senior who played receiver last season. Junior Eric Montgomery (536 rushing yards, five TDs) returns at running back, along with sophomore Gavin Connel. The receiving group will be led by sophomore Tristan Brown (28 catches, 275 yards, two TDs), sophomore Tenauri Woods and senior Wynton White. Stucznski (30 tackles, six for loss, 3 ½ sacks) anchors the defensive line with Orlando Ross (31 tackles, 3 ½ sacks) and Nick Bozzelli (54 tackles, eight for loss, five sacks). Junior Manny Romo (71 tackles, 10 ½ for loss, two sacks) returns at inside linebacker and White at outside linebacker. Senior Joe Alarcon (30 tackles, two interceptions) and Brown lead the secondary.

Cardinal Ritter (4-7): The Raiders made significant progress in Levar Johnson’s first season as coach and should continue on that track this year with multiple starters returning, including junior quarterback Santana Allen (1,851 passing yards, 13 TDs; 317 rushing yards, 11 TDs), senior running back/receiver Marshawnn Henderson (528 rushing yards, five TDs; 25 catches, 235 yards, one TD) and junior receiver Martin Walker (34 catches, 436 yards, three TDs). There is experience on the offensive line with fourth-year starter at right guard in senior Andrew Barber, senior center Sam Duncan (three-year starter) and junior left guard Lucas Jost (three-year starter). Right tackle Terry Robinson also started last season. Players to watch at running back are freshmen Tavien Fox and Ve’Sean Miles. Junior receiver Urayo Orayo is a projected starter. Defensive standouts will be senior Daijon Willis at safety (127 tackles, 10 for loss, eight sacks, three caused fumbles), Robinson on the line (31 tackles), senior Harley Campbell at linebacker (78 tackles, two fumble recoveries) and senior Marquees Savage at cornerback (44 tackles, five interceptions). Other returning starters are junior tackle Lucas Jost, senior defensive end Kaisen Stevenson (41 tackles, six for loss), senior linebacker Angel Suarez (51 tackles), junior nickel back Jacob Hutt (35 tackles) and senior safety Kevin Sanyon (37 tackles).

Park Tudor (12-1): The Panthers bump up a class this season after reaching the Class A regional the past two years, losing to North Judson both seasons. Sixth-year coach Spencer Summerville has revived the program, though there are some major shoes to fill, particularly with quarterback D.J. Gordon gone to graduation. Summerville expects freshman Chris Harris to step in at quarterback with senior receiver/tight end Grant Ludwig (12 catches, 228 yards, three TDs) and running back Eland Edwards (232 rushing yards, five TDs) also leading the offense. On defense, expected standouts are senior linebacker Nathan Harris (89 tackles, six for loss, two sacks), junior defensive tackle Thomas Lillo (22 tackles) and senior defensive back M.J. Gaines (33 tackles). Summerville believes the Panthers can compete in the sectional but may have to learn some lessons along the way.

Covenant Christian (7-4): Coach Evan Cottle has a team in a rebuilding phase with several key players gone to graduation or transferring out. Senior running back Jeremiah Dowdell (619 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and senior receiver Sam Lyons (10 catches, 128 yards, two TDs) are the two offensive players with the most experience. Others on offense to watch are receivers Caleb Jankowski and Noah Sebree, sophomore H-back Bryce Eagen and quarterback Blake Stewart. Leading the defense will be junior Sebree at free safety, Lyons (23 tackles, two interceptions) and Dowdell at cornerback and senior Parker Marshall (34 tackles) and Eagen (65 tackles, 12 for loss, seven sacks) at linebacker. There are some challenges ahead as Covenant Christian moves up a class and will be joining the Indiana Crossroads Conference next season. The Warriors will be lacking experience and size.

Christel House Manual (3-6): New coach Edward Childress comes over from Tindley, where he was the offensive coordinator. There is talent in place with senior quarterback Terrance Meredith (207 passing yards, one TD; 73 rushing yards, one TD in three games), who is athletic and an accurate passer. Senior running back John Bible (399 rushing yards, eight TDs; 18 receptions, 353 yards, six TDs) accounted for most of the Eagles’ offense last season and should have another big year. Sophomore Randy Ayers is a talented young running back. Bible led the Eagles last year with 62 tackles and two caused fumbles. Junior defensive lineman Kameron Prater, junior linebacker Christopher Raymer (11 tackles for loss) and defensive back Trey Morris (47 tackles) will lead the defense. Joseph Abernathy, a 6-4, 365-pound freshman, could be a factor.

Sectional 38

Eastern Hancock (8-5): Coach Pat Echeverria enters the third year of his second tenure at Eastern Hancock with a team that could be one of the best in 2A if things come together, including the maturity of the offensive line. The skill positions look solid with junior quarterback Elijah Edon (62.9% passer, 2,077 yards, 17 TDs; 687 rushing yards, 11 TDs), junior running back Mark Kube (1,746 rushing yards, 28 TDs), senior tight end Kayden Ruble (37 caches, 444 yards, four TDs), junior receiver Eli Manship (46 catches, 605 yards, three TDs). The starting offensive line is projected as Ethan Carter and Carson Smith at tackle, Joe Hollenbaugh and Brayden Hester at guard and Christian Whisman at center. Austin Brown and Hayden Jackson should also factor in at receiver. The defense will be led by senior linebackers Gabe Johnson (100 tackles, 10 ½ for loss), Ethan Sipes (68 tackles, six for loss, three sacks) and Ayden Trueblood (96 tackles, six for loss, 2 ½ sacks). Senior safety Garrett Shaw (61 tackles, one interception) is another leader, along with junior Evan Wheeler (60 tackles, 13 for loss, 6 ½ sacks) at defensive end and junior tackle Carson Smith (30 tackles, two sacks). Jackson, Manship and Kube will play cornerback. Carter, Hollenbaugh and Hester will factor on in the line. The Royals are coming off their first sectional title in nine years.

Triton Central (11-2): The Tigers won a fifth consecutive sectional title last year before losing 28-13 to North Posey in the regional. Triton Central has experience on the line of scrimmage, including seniors Colton Crawford and Willie Baugh at tackle. The other projected starters up front are sophomore guards Kellen Dishman and Dallas Clarke and junior center Seth Richardson. Sam Collier, a senior, will take over as the starting quarterback after backing up Jace Stuckey, now at Eastern Michigan, last season. Other key players on offense will be sophomores Kade Stephens and Henry Kemper (76 rushing yards in three games), fullbacks Braden Brown and Chris Perkon, junior flanker Zeke Robertson (six catches, 68 yards, two TDs), senior receivers Chase Chandler (eight catches, 140 yards in three games) and Cash Compton tight ends Cael Butler (sophomore) and Ben Wilkins (senior). Dishman, Clarke and junior Andrew Bailey will be the defensive tackles, Baugh and Crawford at defensive end, linebackers Wilkins and junior Nick Riggins, Brown at outside linebacker and Compton, Robertson, Butler and Chandler in the secondary.

Lapel (5-5): Tim Miller enters his 13 ^th season as coach with a team that will feature a high-powered offense. Junior quarterback Devin Craig (2,777 passing yards, 31 TDs) triggers the offense and will have senior receivers Rylie Hudson (55 catches, 666 yards, 10 TDs) and Brice Burress (34 catches, 395 yards, six TDs) coming back. Running back Jack Miller rushed for 697 yards and five TDs as a freshman. Karson Kinsinger, a 6-6, 325-pound senior tackle, and senior Tyler Williams bring experience to the offensive line. The defense also has quite a bit of experience with Brayden Pruitt (29 tackles, six for loss, three sacks, two caused fumbles) and Julian Soto returning on the defensive line, Isaiah Young (78 tackles) at linebacker and Isaiah Priest (49 tackles, two fumble recoveries) at defensive back. Lapel lost 45-43 in the first round of sectional to an Eastern Hancock team that ended up winning the sectional title.

Centerville (9-1): Third-year coach Ryan Cole has kept the momentum going for the program following Kyle Padgett’s departure for Muncie Central. Centerville, which played 3A the past two seasons, has never won a sectional title.

Winchester (8-3): Aidan Weatherhead rushed for 1,392 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Northeastern (7-3): The Knights return a lot of talent, including quarterback Blake Waters (1,709 passing yards, 22 TDs), the top three rushers and top two receivers.

Shenandoah (1-9): The Raiders, a traditionally strong program, struggled on offense last season, averaging just 7.4 points per game in nine losses.

Union County (0-10): Kenny Higgins is in his first year as coach for a program that has not won a sectional game in 24 years.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football preview: Class 2A predictions, top players in Indy-area