As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Indiana for the 2009 season.
1. Cathedral
Defending champion Cathedral may only be a 4A school, but the Irish return many important pieces from last year’s squad. Seniors Kofi Hughes (quarterback) and Nick Najem (running back) return after amassing 2,565 yards and 29 touchdowns in 14 games last season. Senior kicker Scott Miller, who hit seven field goals and was the difference in the championship game, is also back.
The Irish allowed just 11 points a game last year and should be stout again this season. The defense will miss star linebacker and leading sacker Kakpindi Jamiru, but senior defensive back Jake Zupancic is coming off an 95-tackle, seven-interception season and junior linebacker Kyle Kennedy is ready to fill the role of resident playmaker after recording 72 tackles (seven for a loss) last year.
2. Ben Davis
The Giants managed to hang with eventual champion Center Grove for the first half in last year’s semi-state, but were clearly not in the same league as the Trojans. While Ben Davis will have to deal with some tough losses on both sides of the ball, there is still enough talent to warrant expectations for a deep run in the postseason.
Leading rusher Miles Wright will be replaced by seniors Phillip Dudley and Donte Asher, who combined for over 1,300 yards and individually averaged more yards per carry than Wright last season. The biggest question mark is at quarterback, where the Giants will have to find a successor for Greg Rice. Senior William Barksdale only threw two passes last season, but the passing attack only managed six touchdowns against 11 interceptions under Rice, so Barksdale is not stepping into improving upon those numbers isn't an unreasonable goal.
The defense lost defensive tackle Jordan Stepp, but still has all-star linebacker Isaiah Lewis, who tallied 102 tackles (10 for a loss), 7.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three picks and a touchdown. He will be joined by fellow senior David Craig, who was third on the team in tackles and posted 3.5 sacks.
3. Carmel
Despite losing last year’s Mr. Football, quarterback Morgan Newton, Carmel returns quite a bit of talent. There were three key losses on the offensive line, and the top running back and receiver, but coach Mo Moriarty attributed his team’s success (over 38 points per game) in large part to the depth at those positions. Senior tight end Eric Courter will see several balls come his way after a solid 2008 campaign, and senior receiver Nick Logan (18.4 yards per reception last year) can stretch the field.
The defense returns all-conference linebacker Brian East (67 solo tackles, eight sacks, five fumbles recovered) and stars at the other two levels in tackle Josh Yoder (six sacks, seven tackles for a loss) and ball-hawking cornerback Chase Varndell (six interceptions).
4. Fort Wayne Snider
The Panthers are just about interchangeable with No. 3 Carmel. Snider fell just inches short of the Greyhounds in the regional, losing 24-21 after a last-second Panther field goal bounced back off the crossbar.
The offense averaged over 30 points and brings back 6-3 receiver Joshua Whisler, big-play running back Jason McGraw and all but two offensive lineman, a group spearheaded by 6-4 tackle Tommy Washington.
The defense returns all-conference seniors in outside linebacker Devon Rush and defensive end Zachary Barnes, as well as senior tackle Rachard Maddox and a plethora of other linemen. Much like Carmel, Snider is having to replace a high-caliber quarterback, who finished last season as the Panthers’ all-time leading passer.
5. Center Grove
The defending 5A champions are down a little on this list because of the loss of their top three rushers, who were crucial in the effectiveness of Center Grove’s triple-option offense. The Trojans will probably have to overhaul at least parts of their playbook, but coach Eric Moore knows how to make the most of his talent and never fails to put points on the board. There is still enough size on the offensive line and speed in the backfield to move the ball, and quarterback Kyle Barth has good size and athleticism.
The real question comes on the defensive side of the ball. Center Grove lost five of its top six tacklers from last season, which includes all three starting linebackers and its top pass rusher. Senior Scott O’Brien returns after a strong season at cornerback and there is a lot of potential along the defensive line, but numerous changes on both sides of the ball could make the Trojans hard pressed to defend their title. Then again, they proved time and again last season that they shine brightest under pressure