1. Valparaiso (11-3): The Vikings put together a memorable run to the Class 5A state championship last season. Senior quarterback Justin Clark, senior running back Travis Davis, senior offensive lineman Matt Hofer (Toledo) and senior defensive back Tyler VerSchure are among the players who give them a chance to repeat.
2. Crown Point (10-1): The Bulldogs broke through in a big way under Craig Buzea last season, going undefeated until a Class 6A sectional final against Lafayette Jefferson. They have plenty of talent back, including senior linebacker Will Clark (Buffalo), senior defensive lineman/offensive lineman Paul Clark (Buffalo), senior wide receiver/defensive back Landen Delich (Toledo), senior tight end/defensive lineman Seamus Malaski and senior offensive lineman Jeff Meschede. Accomplished junior quarterback Noah Ehrlich transferred from Hobart, although Buzea said junior Logan Hadt also was competing at the position.
3. Merrillville (9-3): The Pirates’ streak of three straight semistate appearances ended in a Class 5A regional against Valparaiso. Seniors Terrelle Elmore (Eastern Michigan) and Roshaun McGee give Merrillville the makings of a dominant defensive line. Senior defensive back/running back Trey Stephens also returns, and junior John Peters already was a top wide receiver last season.
4. Andrean (10-4): Drayk Bowen, the Region’s first Mr. Football, is at Notre Dame after the 59ers’ back-to-back appearances in the Class 2A state championship game, including the 2021 title. But senior quarterback Scott Ballentine returns after missing most of last season with a broken collarbone. Junior Jimmy Finley, a Division I prospect, is a standout defensive back and is expected to get more time at wide receiver. Senior linebacker Luke Donsbach also is back, as are senior wide receiver Micah Jones and senior defensive tackle Brent Stewart. Sophomore running back/linebacker J.J. Bolz already has multiple Division I offers.
5. Hanover Central (11-1): The Wildcats move to the Northwest Crossroads Conference after dominating the Greater South Shore and expect to continue to compete, led by senior quarterback Matt Koontz and senior defensive lineman/offensive lineman Collin Foy. Junior Caiden Verrett is poised to become one of the top running backs in the Region. Defensive back Dylan Bowen, described by coach Brian Parker as a “special kind of athlete,” should continue to make strides after making an immediate impact as a freshman.
6. Hobart (8-4): Senior linebacker Bradley Gibson should lead the way for the Brickies, who shared the Northwest Crossroads Conference title with Andrean and Lowell last season. They added senior wide receiver TJ Caldwell, who set single-season program records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns at Calumet in 2022, and senior quarterback Jonny Sorensen, who transferred from Lake Central.
7. Lowell (7-4): Senior running back Owen Thiele and senior defensive lineman/offensive lineman Seth Rindfuss should be among the Red Devils’ top players.
8. Chesterton (5-6): The Trojans could make a move in the Duneland Athletic Conference. Senior wide receiver/running back Garrett Lewis, who also plays defensive back, and senior quarterback Sebastian Boswell are threats on offense.
9. Lake Central (4-6): The Indians are seeking their first winning record in a season since 2014, the year they last won a sectional game. Senior running back Xavier Williams (Iowa) is their focal point. Junior quarterback Chase Kwiatkowski, senior wide receiver James Graham III and senior linebacker Jeffrey Lucas also return.
10. Michigan City (2-8): Cody French takes over as coach of the Wolves after two seasons at Calumet. Senior running back Jaden Hart (Syracuse) headlines the group. Senior defensive lineman/offensive lineman Dion Smith (Ball State) and senior quarterback Tyler Bush also are back.
Scott Ballentine, Andrean, senior, quarterback; Fred Brown, Morton, junior, defensive back/running back; TJ Caldwell, Hobart, senior, wide receiver; Justin Clark, Valparaiso, senior, quarterback; Paul Clark, Crown Point, senior, defensive lineman/offensive lineman; Will Clark, Crown Point, senior, linebacker; Travis Davis, Valparaiso, senior, running back; Landen Delich, Crown Point, senior, wide receiver/defensive back; Luke Donsbach, Andrean, senior, linebacker; Noah Ehrlich, Crown Point, junior, quarterback; Terrelle Elmore, Merrillville, senior, defensive lineman; Jimmy Finley, Andrean, junior, defensive back/wide receiver; Collin Foy, Hanover Central, senior, defensive lineman/offensive lineman; Bradley Gibson, Hobart, senior, linebacker; Jaden Hart, Michigan City, senior, running back; Matt Hofer, Valparaiso, senior, offensive lineman; Nick Johnsen, Highland, senior, linebacker/tight end; Matt Koontz, Hanover Central, senior, quarterback; Roshaun McGee, Merrillville, senior, defensive lineman; Alex Ponce, Calumet, senior, linebacker; Mark Rowland, Boone Grove, junior, quarterback; Ayden Silver, River Forest, junior, quarterback; Trey Stephens, Merrillville, senior, defensive back/running back; Tyler VerSchure, Valparaiso, senior, defensive back; Xavier Williams, Lake Central, senior, running back.