Preseason Top 10

[kvkougar2007]

With summer practices just a couple weeks away, I'm kicking things off by sharing my preseason Top 10. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks, what does your list look like?


1. Crown Point – Solid program with momentum, and they return key starters on both sides of the ball.

2. Merrillville – The Pirates are reloading again with size, speed, and swagger. Always in the mix, and their depth puts them at the top.

3. Valparaiso – Perennial powerhouse with a tough, disciplined style. Expect another deep postseason push.

4. Hobart – Tradition-rich and battle-tested. If the QB play improves, they'll rise fast.

5. Michigan City – Could be a sleeper pick for #1 if their playmakers develop. Dangerous in open space.

6. Hanover Central – Coming off a strong run and building a solid core. Program is trending up.

7. Lake Central – Physical up front and always competitive in the DAC. Defense will set the tone early.

8. LaPorte – The Slicers are rebuilding but have the potential to surprise. Watch for a big mid-season push.

9. Chesterton – Quiet offseason, but they’ve got some gritty returning players. Could upset a top team or two.

10, Andrean – The 59ers may be smaller class, but they punch above their weight every year. Elite skill players and tradition.

[Jimbo23]

I did create my own "Jimbo's WAY Too Early 2025 Region Top 10" WAYYYYYY back in January, I believe, and we revisited in March and I stuck with my Top Ten at that time. After recent events, I will go ahead and amend my top 10 a smidge...

Jimbo's NEW WAY Too Early Top 10
1. Crown Point Bulldogs (Someone outside of the Indy Metro area is gonna need to beat them for them to not be #1 around here)
2. Valparaiso Vikings (Very young team this year, mix that with tremendous coaching and a tremendous program and they'll be back with a vengeance)
3. Merrillville Pirates (Losing some key components up front on both sides, interested to see how they bounce back)
4. Andrean 59ers (Losing some key contributors but they're younger than they are old and the young ones are PRETTY good to say the least)
5. Hobart Brickies (Another team that was young in spots, but experienced in others, the Brickies will continue to grow under coach Schreiber)
6. Hanover Central Wildcats (New head coach coming in, lots of key players graduating, but a solid program with good athletes will reload)
7. Morton Governors (The Govs lose A LOT of high profile guys but they have some Juniors, and younger, who are REALLY good too. It's their turn)
8. Michigan City Wolves (Young in spots, lose some key pieces but these guys lost a lot of one score games. If they learn to win em they can be a real problem)
9. Chesterton Trojans (This is my replacement for Portage who dropped out of my initial WAY too early top 10 following Roy Richard's exit at Portage)
10. Griffith Panthers (Not sure about their youth/ experience factor but based on this years leap, I'll put the Panthers in the Region Top 10 for now)

[BallinFreak]

What is the basis for having Laporte in the top 10? I would love to see them get over the hump and be in the mix. Just not sure I see it tho.

[scarab527]

Is it just me or do I feel like Region football as a whole might be down next year? Hope I’m proven wrong but there’s only a few teams I think will be better this year than they were last year.

[Jimbo23]

What is the basis for having Laporte in the top 10? I would love to see them get over the hump and be in the mix. Just not sure I see it tho.

I'm sure his reasoning had something to do with the new OC over there who came from New Prairie and is a tremendous man and coach, from my experiences. I, however, do not think just that 1 man can change the downward trajectory of the Slicer football program. Time will tell, obviously, but I won't imagine we'll be seeing the Slicers in an actual top 10 anytime soon.

[Jimbo23]

Is it just me or do I feel like Region football as a whole might be down next year? Hope I’m proven wrong but there’s only a few teams I think will be better this year than they were last year.

On the whole, I totally agree with you. If you went down the list of the top 10 I created, the ONLY two teams who I think will be "better than last year" are Andrean and Valpo. Andrean's young skill talent is impressive and they have some nice O-Line/ D-line pieces returning too. Valpo I just see being better than a year ago because Valpo has been a constant success in Marshall's tenure and last year was their "worst" under Marshall at 8-4 (God I wish I had that problem lol).

[BallinFreak]

What is the basis for having Laporte in the top 10? I would love to see them get over the hump and be in the mix. Just not sure I see it tho.

I'm sure his reasoning had something to do with the new OC over there who came from New Prairie and is a tremendous man and coach, from my experiences. I, however, do not think just that 1 man can change the downward trajectory of the Slicer football program. Time will tell, obviously, but I won't imagine we'll be seeing the Slicers in an actual top 10 anytime soon.

Makes sense. I have some family in and around Laporte. Always enjoyed their set up there. The unique nickname. Orange colors. Like their stadium. Maybe they will make some strides!

[DACfanatic]

With summer practices just a couple weeks away, I'm kicking things off by sharing my preseason Top 10. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks, what does your list look like?


1. Crown Point – Solid program with momentum, and they return key starters on both sides of the ball.

2. Merrillville – The Pirates are reloading again with size, speed, and swagger. Always in the mix, and their depth puts them at the top.

3. Valparaiso – Perennial powerhouse with a tough, disciplined style. Expect another deep postseason push.

4. Hobart – Tradition-rich and battle-tested. If the QB play improves, they'll rise fast.

5. Michigan City – Could be a sleeper pick for #1 if their playmakers develop. Dangerous in open space.

6. Hanover Central – Coming off a strong run and building a solid core. Program is trending up.

7. Lake Central – Physical up front and always competitive in the DAC. Defense will set the tone early.

8. LaPorte – The Slicers are rebuilding but have the potential to surprise. Watch for a big mid-season push.

9. Chesterton – Quiet offseason, but they’ve got some gritty returning players. Could upset a top team or two.

10, Andrean – The 59ers may be smaller class, but they punch above their weight every year. Elite skill players and tradition.

So this gonna shock some people I think..

1. Crown point (untill beaten they stay put)

2. Merrillville (reloads and might have better skill positions than the year prior I think this team might be better than last year's time will tell depends on line play)

3. Valpo (will improve but doesn't have the skill positions to compete with top 2. )

4. Andrean ( will be the most improved team in region this year and I expect a conference title and a deep tourney run)

5. Hobart (will be about the same as last year depending on QB play)

6. Griffith( Phil mason turned this program around already can they make a tourney run)

7. Hanover central (lots graduated and a "new" coach. Might be a rough season but time will tell)

8. Hammond Morton (some D1 talent and a easy schedule will have there record looking top notch but still a long way away from competing in there sectional)

9. Chesterton (graduated alot but the underclassmen stepped up last year when called upoon they will be just fine)

10. Michigan city ( they have some top skill positions and a some new positional coaches in region. Also took portages starting RB. Can they put it together maybe? But my opinion no I think city ends up at bottom of DAC with Laporte this year time will tell)

[Jimbo23]

With summer practices just a couple weeks away, I'm kicking things off by sharing my preseason Top 10. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks, what does your list look like?


1. Crown Point – Solid program with momentum, and they return key starters on both sides of the ball.

2. Merrillville – The Pirates are reloading again with size, speed, and swagger. Always in the mix, and their depth puts them at the top.

3. Valparaiso – Perennial powerhouse with a tough, disciplined style. Expect another deep postseason push.

4. Hobart – Tradition-rich and battle-tested. If the QB play improves, they'll rise fast.

5. Michigan City – Could be a sleeper pick for #1 if their playmakers develop. Dangerous in open space.

6. Hanover Central – Coming off a strong run and building a solid core. Program is trending up.

7. Lake Central – Physical up front and always competitive in the DAC. Defense will set the tone early.

8. LaPorte – The Slicers are rebuilding but have the potential to surprise. Watch for a big mid-season push.

9. Chesterton – Quiet offseason, but they’ve got some gritty returning players. Could upset a top team or two.

10, Andrean – The 59ers may be smaller class, but they punch above their weight every year. Elite skill players and tradition.

So this gonna shock some people I think..

1. Crown point (untill beaten they stay put)

2. Merrillville (reloads and might have better skill positions than the year prior I think this team might be better than last year's time will tell depends on line play)

3. Valpo (will improve but doesn't have the skill positions to compete with top 2 but they did take portages starting RB. )

4. Andrean ( will be the most improved team in region this year and I expect a conference title and a deep tourney run)

5. Hobart (will be about the same as last year depending on QB play)

6. Griffith( Phil mason turned this program around already can they make a tourney run)

7. Hanover central (lots graduated and a "new" coach. Might be a rough season but time will tell)

8. Hammond Morton (some D1 talent and a easy schedule will have there record looking top notch but still a long way away from competing in there sectional)

9. Chesterton (graduated alot but the underclassmen stepped up last year when called upoon they will be just fine)

10. Michigan city ( they have some top skill positions and a some new positional coaches in region. Can they put it together maybe? But my opinion no I think Laporte ends up at bottom of DAC with Laporte this year time will tell)

This might be the first time ever that we have the same 10 teams in our top 10. So I will respond for documentation. Different order but same teams.

[DACfanatic]

With summer practices just a couple weeks away, I'm kicking things off by sharing my preseason Top 10. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks, what does your list look like?


1. Crown Point – Solid program with momentum, and they return key starters on both sides of the ball.

2. Merrillville – The Pirates are reloading again with size, speed, and swagger. Always in the mix, and their depth puts them at the top.

3. Valparaiso – Perennial powerhouse with a tough, disciplined style. Expect another deep postseason push.

4. Hobart – Tradition-rich and battle-tested. If the QB play improves, they'll rise fast.

5. Michigan City – Could be a sleeper pick for #1 if their playmakers develop. Dangerous in open space.

6. Hanover Central – Coming off a strong run and building a solid core. Program is trending up.

7. Lake Central – Physical up front and always competitive in the DAC. Defense will set the tone early.

8. LaPorte – The Slicers are rebuilding but have the potential to surprise. Watch for a big mid-season push.

9. Chesterton – Quiet offseason, but they’ve got some gritty returning players. Could upset a top team or two.

10, Andrean – The 59ers may be smaller class, but they punch above their weight every year. Elite skill players and tradition.

So this gonna shock some people I think..

1. Crown point (untill beaten they stay put)

2. Merrillville (reloads and might have better skill positions than the year prior I think this team might be better than last year's time will tell depends on line play)

3. Valpo (will improve but doesn't have the skill positions to compete with top 2 but they did take portages starting RB. )

4. Andrean ( will be the most improved team in region this year and I expect a conference title and a deep tourney run)

5. Hobart (will be about the same as last year depending on QB play)

6. Griffith( Phil mason turned this program around already can they make a tourney run)

7. Hanover central (lots graduated and a "new" coach. Might be a rough season but time will tell)

8. Hammond Morton (some D1 talent and a easy schedule will have there record looking top notch but still a long way away from competing in there sectional)

9. Chesterton (graduated alot but the underclassmen stepped up last year when called upoon they will be just fine)

10. Michigan city ( they have some top skill positions and a some new positional coaches in region. Can they put it together maybe? But my opinion no I think Laporte ends up at bottom of DAC with Laporte this year time will tell)

This might be the first time ever that we have the same 10 teams in our top 10. So I will respond for documentation. Different order but same teams.

Michigan city is the only one I'm not sold on. They always have athletes but never really seem to put it together.. and with how rough the QB was last year if he didn't improve significantly or if they didn't get a transfer at that position they may be out the top 10 real fast