Indiana High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – Sept. 17
To highlight the competitiveness of Indiana high school football, only four of the top ten teams in the latest Indiana On3 Massey Ratings list remain undefeated after four weeks of action. Meanwhile, only five teams ranked from 11 to 25 have unblemished records.
However, despite the latest results, the top of the list stays the same as three teams among the national powerhouse squads take the first three spots in Indiana’s rankings. Here’s where the state’s best teams are after their latest games.
The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory. According to the model — three teams from Indiana rank inside the nationwide top 100.
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1. Brownsburg
Previous: No. 1
The Bulldogs maintained their undefeated streak with a 45-15 domination of Avon. This result also solidified Brownsburg’s spot as Indiana’s best offensive and defensive team. It was a team effort for Brownsburg as Iosua Stephens and Brady Lewis combined for three rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Avin Robinson, Saik Diallo, and Nolan Wilson each had a touchdown catch. Likewise, the Bulldogs’ defense swarmed the Orioles with 3.5 sacks and 15 tackles for losses. Indiana’s top-ranked team can improve to 5-0 by defeating Fishers on Sept. 20.
2. Westfield
Previous: No. 2
The Shamrocks piled on a season-high 38 points in their latest victory over Noblesville. Quarterback Carsen Melvin and wide receiver Gabe Aramboles combined for two touchdowns, while Mikeah Webster and Drew Law had one touchdown each. Westfield will put their undefeated record on the line against seventh-ranked Hamilton Southeastern on the 20th.
3. Center Grove
Previous: No. 3
Make it three straight victories for the Trojans after conquering Ben Davis 42-19. In that win over the Giants, Gabe McWilliams threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns, while Drake McClurg had 111 receiving yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Austin Hennessy led Center Grove’s ground attack with 70 yards and a touchdown. After four games, the Trojans have the second-best offense and third-best defense in Indiana high school football. Center Grove can extend its winning streak to four games with a victory over Trotwood-Madison in their next match.
4. Cathedral
Previous: No. 4
After back-to-back losses to Brownsburg and Ohio-based St. Xavier, the Fighting Irish rediscovered their winning ways. In Cathedral’s 31-7 victory against Bishop Chatard, running back Xavier Dangerfield was a one-person wrecking crew who finished with 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Cathedral’s ground game finished with four touchdowns versus the Trojans, while their defense had four sacks and 9.5 tackles for negative yardage. The Fighting Irish could go over .500 with a win over North Central on Sept. 20.
5. Warren Central
Previous: No. 5
The Warriors’ defense has been elite through their first four games because they haven’t allowed R. Nelson Snider, Warsaw Community, North Central, and Lawrence Central to score a single point. Against the Bears, Chazz Corley had two receiving touchdowns, and Keith Jackson scored a punt return touchdown. Meanwhile, Damien Shanklin collared Warren Central’s fourth touchdown. A win over Ben Davis on the 20th could improve the Warriors’ record to 5-0.
6. Lawrence North
Previous: No. 6
The Wildcats compiled a season-high 62 points in their dominating performance against North Central. Tanner Aspeslet threw for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and Izayveon Moore rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Furthermore, Massey Ratings predicts a 100-percent victory for Lawrence North as they take on Arsenal Technical on Sept. 20.
7. Hamilton Southeastern
Previous: No. 7
Unfortunately, the 37-35 defeat to Fishers snapped the Royals’ three-game winning streak. Despite the loss, Hamilton Southeastern had laudable performances, starting with 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns by Carter Reed. Likewise, Kendrick Pennybaker finished with 92 receiving yards and a touchdown. While the Royals can rediscover their winning ways in their next match, it won’t be easy because they will face second-ranked Westfield on Sept. 20.
8. Fishers
Previous: No. 8
The Tigers’ last two victories were by a total of five points. More importantly, they are now at 3-1 for the 2024 Indiana high school football season, and they have to thank Ryan Thembulembu for that win. The junior running back torched Hamilton Southeastern with 163 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Jonanthony Hall had 105 receiving yards, while Brady Griffits and Gage Sturgill each had a touchdown. Fishers can improve to 4-1 if they pull off a stunning upset against top-ranked Brownsburg in three days.
9. Ben Davis
Previous: No. 9
The Giants are the only team in the top ten with a losing record. They fell to 1-3 after losing to third-ranked Center Grove. Ben Davis’ other defeats were against fourth-ranked Cathedral (24-6) and 19th-ranked Avon (29-28). Another formidable challenge awaits the Giants as they clash with fifth-ranked Warren Central on the 20th.
10. Carmel
Previous: No. 10
The Greyhounds have split their first four games, with victories over Homestead and Centerville. Unfortunately, they are coming off a loss to Kentucky’s top-ranked team, the Trinity Shamrocks, 35-23. Despite the defeat, Dominic Shockley had a commendable output of 128 receiving yards, and Jacob Bellin had six catches for 102 yards. Carmel can improve their record to over .500 by defeating Brebeuf Jesuit on Sept. 20.
Teams 11-25 in the latest Indiana High School Football Rankings
11. Bishop Chatard
12. Crown Point
13. New Palestine
14. Pike
15. Noblesville
16. Columbus North
17. Zionsville
18. East Central
19. Avon
20. Carroll
21. Lawrence Central
22. Plainfield
23. R Nelson Snider
24. Martinsville
25. Roncalli