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FOOTBALL: 2025 Preseason Top 10 – 8/19/25

Check out our first Home Improvement Top Ten of the 2025 football season! This list is presented by Eenigenburg Exteriors.

10. MORTON GOVERNORS

2024: 5-5, lost to Merrillville in Sectional Championship

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: Portage

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: On paper, the talent is once again there for the Governors. Yes, the program graduated an impressive total of 13 collegiate football signees last year, including Vanderbilt’s Lebron Hill and Western Michigan’s Freddy Brown, so those spots will need to be filled. However, the Govs may repeat or even better that number of college signees after this fall.

We saw a much more competitive Morton team in the second half of the 2024 season. While the competition dips off a fair amount, a strong start in what is arguably the difficult part of Morton’s schedule could lead to a promising regular season and hopefully beyond. While the tough Merrillville Pirates linger in the sectional, the talent on Morton, both old and new, is not one to ignore. New Governors Elijah Boone (Bishop Noll) and Davion Terry (Hammond Central) will provide the juice in a scary backfield tandem, with Cameron Miller Jr., a Kentucky commit, holding things down up front.

The defense, as well, features some name value, as linebackers Jalen Arnold and Antonio Vance are equally as experienced as they are talented. Martece Smith, the future Toledo Rocket, is great on the boundary in his role as a cornerback. It’s back-to-back DAC opponents again to open the year, as Morton faces a new-look Portage team before a trip to #6 Chesterton. Those two weeks can certainly give us a better idea of the status of the Morton Governors.

9. HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS

2024: 9-3, lost at New Prairie in Sectional Championship

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at #8 Michigan City

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: It is hard to leave a team off of any top ten list that has won at least a share of a conference title for the past four seasons, with two most notably in their first two seasons in the NCC. Hanover Central has established a strong track record over the past half-decade. That was all done, however, with the now-former head coach, Brian Parker, at the helm. Now, there is a new sheriff in town with Tony Bartolomeo, with Parker’s resignation this past winter.

That will not be all of the changes for Hanover, as they lose their QB, RB, WR1, and other valuable talents from 2024. While the offense may struggle out of the gate, the defense will be the strong suit – highlighted by the Oklahoma State baseball commit, Dylan Bowen, who will make his impact known on both sides of the ball. Accompanying the senior DB will be classmates Lincoln Zerby, Jacob Hiland, Luke Kopec, Nathan Conlon, and standout sophomore Jacob Ferko. All of those aforementioned players had over 40 tackles a season ago. 

The Wildcats kick things off against a quality DAC opponent at Ames Field in Michigan City. After that, they take on powerhouse Indy Chatard before their quest for a third NCC title in as many years. The standard continues to rise at Hanover Central, as this is shaping up to be far and away the program’s toughest schedule in history.

8. MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES

2024: 3-7, lost at Chesterton in Sectional Semi-Finals

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: #9 Hanover Central

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: The Wolves took a step back in 2024 with a 3-win decrease compared to coach Cody French’s first season in 2023. Make no mistake, a trend that we have seen as of late is that City has been a team that plays a lot of games close. While some games went the team’s way in 2023, City had a rough 1-5 record in one-score games. It was just one of those years.

City is now set to replace Kansas signee Adrian Holley, as well as some other notables from last year’s roster. A positive heading into 2025 is the return of QB Trinaston Hart, who will be in year two in the role for his senior campaign. The Wolves just about evened out in the transfer window, losing and gaining a few pieces. Daequon Fields (Portage) will instantly produce as a weapon alongside the returning signal caller. 

New opening opponent, Hanover Central, will be a fun first game that will tell us a bit about both teams. Last year showed that this team will be competitive for four quarters, but can this roster close out those games that come down to the wire?

7. GRIFFITH PANTHERS

2024: 9-2, lost at Knox in Sectional Semi-Finals

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at Highland

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: The culture is set in stone for now what is Phil Mason’s third year as the head coach of Griffith football. Last year’s win total increased by six from the 2023 season. And although the season ended abruptly with its two losses to Wheeler and Knox, there is plenty of positivity surrounding this program. That said, the Panthers are doing it, featuring a different brand of Griffith football than what many are used to.

Ryan Buillon returns for his junior season, as the then-sophomore QB set single-season passing records in his first campaign under center. While Griffith prided itself on running the football for many years prior, this is still quite impressive, as Buillon was also near the top of the Region leaders in passing for 2024. 

Griffith may be the favorite to take home the GSSC crown, something that they lost to the hands of Wheeler in week nine last year. The two will meet again in what may be another winner-take-all contest. However, we like the Panthers this year, given their personnel and another season with a future Hall of Famer on the sidelines.

6. CHESTERTON TROJANS

2024: 6-5, lost at Valparaiso in Sectional Championship

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at #5 Hobart

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: The Duneland’s biggest surprise was the improvement of the Chesterton Trojans, who won four more games this past year than in 2023. It may be easy to gloss over that the record could have been better, with a 3-3 record in one-score games. Two of those defeats came at the hands of rival Valparaiso, who stood in the way of Chesterton’s first-ever Sectional Championship as a football program. Nonetheless, with the returners leading up to this year’s team, Chesterton may be a threat once again in the conference and the tournament.

To start with the questions, the quarterback position may be an area of concern. Brady McCormack was the guy last year before he suffered a season-ending injury, which capped off his career as a Chesterton football player. After he went down, it strictly became the Andrew Goveia show, who toted the ball an average of 25 times a game. Gus Wisch and Louis Raffin will also be names to look out for the offensive weapons, while All-Area nod Carlos Leon will anchor the O-Line if the identity of smash-mouth football remains in place.

If the Trojans can offer even a little in the passing game, the offense could cause fits with its strong rushing attack. At the bare minimum, a run game like Chesterton’s can milk the clock and limit the other team’s chances to do damage offensively. They open things up against a strong Hobart team in an even stronger environment.

5. HOBART BRICKIES

2024: 6-5, lost to New Prairie in Sectional Semi-Finals

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: #6 Chesterton

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: A 6-5 record may not always fly with the Hobart faithful. However, from our end, in year one of a new coaching regime, there are certainly some things to look forward to. Heck, the Brickies took the Sectional Champions to the limit with a 15-14 loss to New Prairie. If that game goes the other way, things could have been a lot different not only for the bracket the Brickies were in, but also for the overall outlook on the 2024 Hobart football season. Nonetheless, while year two for coach Eric Schreiber Jr. will be pivotal, he brings back a returning class that is expected to be quite productive.

Aleks Tatum will be the man under center for his junior season, as the QB played very well in just his sophomore campaign, living up to the pressure and expectations that come with the role. The defense was younger than usual in 2024, which meant that experience became valuable for names like Bryce Tolliver, Josh Diaz, Aiden Kasch, and others. The unit will be very strong with now-proven pieces who know a thing or two about playing Friday night football for the Hobart Brickies.

Hobart will open up with back-to-back Duneland opponents once again, with the week one matchup coming against Chesterton at the Brickyard. Eric Schreiber and company will certainly wish for a better start to the year, as Hobart dropped last year’s opener 27 to 9 at the hands of the Trojans. After that, the Brickies will head to Portage before what should be a fun race in the NCC.

4. VALPARAISO VIKINGS

2024: 8-4, lost at Merrillville in Regionals

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: Penn

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: No matter the year, the roster, the opponents, or whatever, we seem to always be able to safely pencil in Valparaiso for at least eight wins. That was their total last year, which was surprisingly the program’s fewest since the 2016 season. But while 2024 may not have lived up to the standards we have been accustomed to seeing from Valparaiso over head coach Bill Marshall’s tenure, this team still shapes up to be one of the area’s best year in and year out.

Arguably, the top returner for the Vikes is the QB, as Kellan Hosek turned Valpo from a run-dominant team to one that can do it through the air as well. Some questions may linger at the receiver position, given the graduations of Julian Stokes and Austin McKenzie, as well as an All-Conference running back in Thomas Burda. Offensive line has been a constant strong suit for the Vikings as of late, as some new names may have to step up after the graduation of Cayleb Sharp, one of the Vikings’ best in 2024.

Valparaiso’s recent success has been a result of complementary football. However, last year was more of a one-sided affair, as the defensive unit gave up the program’s most points per game on average since the 2012 season. Ben Fedorchak, a senior linebacker, plans to get his. guys, back on track. To put it lightly, the Valpo offense for a few games did some of the heavy lifting. If a “unusual” season to Valparaiso’s standards is to be avoided, things will have to revert to that complementary style we have seen from Valpo’s best. Penn will visit Valparaiso to open the year, a game that went the Kingsmen’s way by a head-scratching score of 49 to 42. 

3. ANDREAN 59ERS

2024: 9-5, lost to Adams Central in Semi-State

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at #2 Merrillville

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: Tied with the Griffith Panthers, Andrean saw the largest two-season improvement, winning six more games in 2024 than they did in 2023. And while last year’s group did have a fair amount of senior production, such as Northern Illinois signee Jimmy Finley, Charlie Sollars, Jayden Holmes, and others, the bulk of the production came from pieces that will do it again in 2025. 

That class of returners features arguably the Region’s top O-lineman in the Wisconsin commit Benjamin Novak, a soon-to-be Division 1 talent in Ethan Reyna, and a smattering of others. Sophomores Javier McCoy and Tyler Vo plan to make a larger impact if they stay healthy. Both of those names flashed in the respective offensive skill positions when on the field.

Brady Elish will be back under center, hoping to improve on what was a great junior season. Watch out for some additional names on the defensive side, such as Brady Stovall, Landen Murray, and Vinny Szuppon. Lake Central transfer, Christian Gavin, will fit right in and wreak havoc given his previous production against DAC-level competition. You name it, chances are Andrean has it. On paper, a weakness is hard to come by.

The Battle of Broadway is always a good tell of how this team will fare heading into the season. Then again, while the rivalry is fun, going up against one of 5A’s best only prepares you for when some hardware is on the line in the Niners’ respective class at 2A. Dare we say, the 2025 Andrean 59ers might just have the highest ceiling out of all the teams in the Region moving forward.

2. MERRILLVILLE PIRATES

2024: 11-2, lost at Warsaw in Semi-State

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: #3 Andrean

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: Merrillville put together its second-straight 10-win season and has plenty of talent to follow suit in 2025. Yes, there is still talk about the Semi-State letdown against Warsaw a season ago. However, Brad Seiss and company plan to flush that and focus on this year’s squad that has a real chance of getting over that hump.

To start, there are few teams, if any, that have as talented a backfield tandem as the Merrillville Pirates. JQ Johnson broke out in his sophomore campaign in 2023, as Cameron Jordan did the same as a complementary piece a season ago. The two backs keep each other fresh and leave defenses on edge with the change-of-pace situation between Jordan and Johnson. As the adage goes, “every Batman needs a Robin,” but the Pirates may have two Batmen if you will. Of course, they will go as the offensive line goes, which will be a retooled unit given the heavy senior presence last year.

Defensively, up front is rarely an issue for Merrillville. 2025’s unit will be more than fine, as Quran Moore will highlight the group. The other pieces in that room, both old and new, will do just fine next to the Southeast Missouri commit. Warren Brown III will lead things in the defensive backfield after pacing the team in tackles in 2024. 

Much is said about the top team on our list, but the Pirates may have put together a roster of both new faces and experienced returners to take over the top spot, compete for a DAC title, do business in Sectionals and Regionals, and maybe get over the hump in Week 14. The first step before all of that is taking care of a very good Andrean team in the always-exciting Battle of Broadway.

1. CROWN POINT BULLDOGS

2024: 12-1, lost at Westfield in Semi-State

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at Lowell

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: Despite some key pieces graduating from last year’s squad, it is not easy to give a different team the top spot until proven otherwise. Crown Point has not lost a regular-season game since the 2021 campaign. 

That said, we may be exaggerating if we claim that the gap between Crown Point and everyone else is widening heading into this fall. Yes, the culture of Coach Craig Buzea is well implemented in all levels of this program – but there may be some growing pains at some major positions in 2025. Replacing the reigning Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year with Noah Ehrlich under center is not something that is done overnight. With a position that has proven to be important in the Bulldog offense, the play from this year’s signal caller remains in question. Losing a fellow All-State weapon like Larry Ellison in the backfield also may make things challenging to begin. Josh Miller, Lucas Szymborski, and Logan Rodriguez may have been the three most productive Bulldog defenders a year ago, but they will no longer be with the program

Still, despite those aforementioned losses across the board, that unit is slotted to be strong with its multiple-year returners. Indiana commit Trevor Gibbs will lead the charge in addition to his production offensively, while Dom Fantin, Mark Gonzales, and Griffin VanTichelt will round out what is still a well-equipped senior class that features a lot of talent that has been suiting up on Friday nights since their sophomore seasons. Nolan Cicero, the future Ball State Cardinal, is also one of the area’s top offensive linemen. CP hopes to retain the Old Leather Helmet after a trip to the Inferno. They follow up with a tough new opponent at Pike before a quest for its fourth straight outright DAC title. 

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

LOWELL RED DEVILS

2024: 4-6, lost to Hobart in Sectional Openers

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: #1 Crown Point

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: Despite the recent rough seasons, Lowell arguably brings in what many can classify as the most notable coaching hire, as the former New Prairie head coach, Casey McKim, will take over for the longtime Lowell head coach, Keith Kilmer.

Winning was a standard at New Prairie under coach McKim, who hopes to bring Lowell back to its winning ways. Returning seniors Brody Kalwinski, Zak Scharnke, Lincoln Schneider, and a state-champion sophomore wrestler in Kameron Hazlett put McKim in a good start for year one. 

LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS

2024: 3-7, lost at Penn in Sectional Semi-Finals

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at Munster

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: Similar to Michigan City’s case, despite the unappealing record in Pete Koulianos’ first season as the Lake Central head coach, the Tribe went 1-4 in games decided by seven points or less.

The middle-of-the-pack tier of the Duneland is always changing. Last year, we saw Chesterton lead the way out of the bunch. It is not a stretch to say that LC can add a few more wins to their total in 2025, given the second year under a new head coach and a few notable players coming back. They open against rival Munster before welcoming Grand Rapids Central Catholic from Michigan in week two.

WEST SIDE COUGARS

2024: 5-5, lost at New Prairie in Sectional Opener

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: Indianapolis Washington

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: West Side has hung around a winning-to-even record for the past few seasons. Head coach Alger Boswell has the program in the right direction. Things started very well last year with a 3-0 record before dropping five of the last seven contests.

West Side will have to replace the likes of a few valuable pieces, but last year’s Cougar squad did see a fair amount of production from some young guys. No matter the outlook, you can always expect the Cougars to hang around the bubble and potentially creep into the top ten if they emulate the start to last season. 

WHEELER BEARCATS

2024: 8-3, lost to Andrean in Sectional Semi-Finals

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at South Central

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: The Bearcats of Wheeler were a mainstay in last year’s top ten list. This team has improved every season under head coach Nick Testa. The outright GSSC champs in 2024, however, will approach this year with a new-look Bearcat squad at some key positions.

That said, we can’t write off the Bearcats yet. Tyne Vettickal is the top Wheeler returner and may not leave the field, given his ability in all three phases of the game. Plus, having a back-to-back GSSC Coach of the Year winner on your sidelines may help.

CALUMET WARRIORS

2024: 5-5, lost at Mishawaka Marian in Sectional Openers

WEEK 1 OPPONENT: at Osceola Grace

WHY ARE THEY HERE?: The Calumet Warriors improved a bit in year two of the Charles Salary era, increasing their season win total by two games. Things are on the upswing program-wise, but few teams graduate as many as Calumet does heading into the fall.

That said, the Warriors did a lot of damage with transfers, landing a group of former Portage Indians with Brody Mueller, Psymon Marshall, Adrian Williams, and Daylen Simpson. In the ever-changing landscape of Northwest Indiana football, Calumet set itself up in a good spot despite losing the bulk of its core to graduation.

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