What you need to know about the 2020 high school football season in Indiana

In the Hoosier State, a total of 161 games are set to kick off on Friday.

In advance of season openers, here's a look at what you need to know about Indiana football in 2020.

Top 5 Games
Cathedral (Indianapolis) at Carmel, Aug. 28
Carmel at Center Grove (Greenwood), Sept. 4
Avon at Brownsburg, Sept. 11
Cathedral (Indianapolis) at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Sept. 11
Cathedral (Indianapolis) at Center Grove (Greenwood), Oct. 16

Top 5 Teams
1. Avon
2. New Palestine
3. Brownsburg
4. Center Grove (Greenwood)
5. Carmel



Defending Champions
6A: Carmel
5A: New Palestine
4A: Evansville Reitz
3A: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
2A: Western Boone (Thorntown)
1A: Lafayette Central Catholic

Top 5 Recruits
1. Blake Fisher, OT, Avon (No. 50 nationally according to 247Sports)
2. Yanni Karlaftis, LB, West Lafayette (No. 235)
3. Donaven McCulley, QB, Lawrence North (Indianapolis), (No. 320)
4. Cooper Jones, DE, Valparaiso (No. 427)
5. Rodney McGraw, DE, Elkhart Central (Elkhart) (No. 439)

Returning Stat Leaders
Passing
James Arnold, South Adams (Berne), 158-271, 3,168 yards, 43 TDs
Clark Barrett, Lafayette Central Catholic, 229-403, 3,134 yards, 35 TDs
Rushing
Ryan Walsh, Andrean (Merrillville), 278 carries, 2,251 yards, 27 TDs
Wenkers Wright, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs), 231 carries, 2,056 yards, 37 TDs
Receiving
Noble Johnson, Parke Heritage (Rockville), 78 catches, 1,270 yards, 17 TDs
JC Reese, Lebanon, 51 catches, 1,072 yards, 14 TDs