Region Sports Forums

What’s 2026 looking like for everyone?

Hobart & Andrean both return a lot. Lowell & Crown Point lose alot.

Hobart will be a force again!! Andrean will be talented but won't repeat

I think the biggest takeaway from 2025 is that if you think your team is good you need to challenge yourself with your nonconference schedule.

If you look at Merrillville's schedule they opened up with the 2A state champions and then powerhouse out of Chicago Loyola Academy.

Andrean, had Merrillville then 5A runner up, FW Bishop Luers 3A state runner up and Angola who lost to Knox in the regionals.

Unlike, Crown Point that scheduled 4A Lowell then a usually bad Pike program out of Indy.

If you want to make it far in the play offs need to challenge yourself so your team is ready for good competition.

I think that is a great point, and I completely agree. That being said, because of the nature of the football schedule, most contracts are signed several years ahead of time. Due to the official shortage, the LCAOA pushes schools to complete their schedules over 5 years in advance. In other sports decision makers can get a sense of how talented their program is going to be in the next couple of years and then adjust their schedules accordingly. In regards to football, schools are stuck playing out a schedule that was made when most of their athletes were in middle school or younger.

Great point Bombkicker

Is merrillville playing loyola next year?

cridge wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 6:03 pm

Is merrillville playing loyola next year?

No, they are playing Lafayette Jeff.