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Indy-area high school football power rankings: New No. 1 in Class 5A, Zionsville makes jump

kyle neddenriep, indianapolis star
·8 min read

The Indianapolis-area high school football power rankings going into Week 5 of the season:

Class 6A teams

  1. Center Grove (3-1): The Trojans faced a 15-point second-quarter deficit against Cincinnati Moeller, but were able to rally and send the game to overtime and win, 35-34. Moeller burned Center Grove for 456 yards of offense, including 164 rushing yards and three TDs on 35 carries from Michigan recruit Jordan Marshall. But the offense stepped up. The Trojans ran for 213 yards and four TDs and Noah Coy caught nine passes for 120 yards. A missed Moeller extra point at the end of overtime was the difference. Center Grove hosts Harvest Prep (Ohio), a team that is 3-0 and played in the Ohio Division 5 regional championship last year. Previous: 1.

  2. Ben Davis (3-1): On the evidence of four games, including a 34-14 loss Friday to an IMG Academy team ranked fourth in the country, I’m moving the Giants up a spot. Ben Davis struggled to stop the pass against IMG Academy, but limited the ground game to 44 yards. The offense was hurt by two interceptions but did account for 232 yards through the air. Nylan Brown had 13 tackles and caused a fumble. Up next is an interesting game against crosstown rival Warren Central, which is coming off a pair of wins. Previous: 3.

  3. Hamilton Southeastern (4-0): I don’t have any reason to move the Royals down a spot, but these numbers are razor thin from about No. 1 through 6. HSE used the big play – four of them – to hold off Fishers in the Mudsock rivalry for a 35-34 overtime victory. Also, linebacker Judah Parker made a huge play on Fishers’ 2-point conversion attempt in overtime to allow HSE to kick the extra point after Jalen Alexander’s 6-yard touchdown run for the walk-off win. Up next is a huge Hoosier Crossroads Conference game vs. 4-0 Westfield. Previous: 2.

  4. Brownsburg (4-0): The Bulldogs got out to a big lead (32-10 at halftime) and cruised to a 53-30 win over Avon. Jake Dunn was 13-for-15 passing for 254 yards and two TDs and Garrett Sherrell ran for 182 yards and three TDs on 28 carries. The Bulldogs will face a serious test this week when Fishers visits. Previous: 4.

  5. Fishers (3-1): How quickly can Fishers rebound from a frustrating 35-34 overtime loss to rival Hamilton Southeastern? The Tigers can take a lot of good things away from that game, including a school record 285 rushing yards from Khobie Martin, who also set a record for carries with 37. It felt like the Tigers outplayed HSE for a big chunks of the game, but will need to shore up some leaks on defense that led to four TDs of 67 yards or longer. Ouch. A visit to Brownsburg is up next. Previous: 5.

  6. Westfield (4-0): The Shamrocks just keep winning close games, knocking off Noblesville 28-21 on a late fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Jackson Gilbert to Mikeah Webster. Gilbert was 17-for-26 passing for 184 yards and two TDs. Huge game this week with a game at Hamilton Southeastern, a team that beat Westfield twice last season. Previous: 6.

  7. Lawrence North (4-0): The Wildcats cruised to a 49-14 victory over North Central as Tanner Aspeslet passed for 320 yards and five touchdowns, including three to Davion Chandler. Freshman Izayveon Moore continued his fast start with 153 rushing yards and two TDs. Big test this week at Carmel. Lawrence North has lost six in a row to the Greyhounds. Previous: 8.

  8. Warren Central (2-2): The Warriors are trending up after a 25-16 win over Lawrence Central, a game Warren Central led 17-0 at halftime. Quarterback Keith Jackson ran for two touchdowns and passed for another. Warren Central has played well on defense since the opening week loss to Fort Wayne Snider. Can the Warriors match up at Ben Davis Friday? Previous: 10.

  9. Zionsville (3-1): The Eagles bounced back from a one-point loss to Westfield with a 24-10 victory over Franklin Central as Eugene Hilton caught seven passes for 123 yards and two TDs. The defense will face a different challenge this week against Noblesville. The Millers knocked out Zionsville in last year’s sectional, 35-10. Previous: NR.

  10. Cathedral (2-2): What to make of the Irish? After jumping out to a 21-0 lead, Cathedral lost momentum and then could not get it back after the game was delayed at halftime Friday night at Arlington and moved to Chatard Saturday morning. Chatard’s 24-21 win was fairly stunning after it appeared Cathedral had it in hand. Cathedral is at 0-4 North Central this week. Previous: 7.

Dropped out: Franklin Central (10)

Class 5A

  1. Plainfield (4-0): There is a new No. 1 in 5A, but this class is serious up for grabs. The Quakers edged Perry Meridian 21-20 as they survived a failed 2-point conversion early in the fourth quarter and a missed field goal late. Luke Starnes ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and Hunter Newell passed for 115 yards and two scores. Up next: Greenwood. Previous: 2.

  2. Franklin (3-1): The Grizzly Cubs notched one of the big wins of the week, taking down Mid-State Conference rival Whiteland, 22-21, on a touchdown in the final minute by quarterback Alex Leugers. Up next is a trip to a Martinsville team coming off a one-point lead over Decatur Central. Previous: NR.

  3. Whiteland (2-2): The Warriors are now a game back in the Mid-State Conference race after a 22-21 loss to Franklin, trailing the Grizzly Cubs and Plainfield. Slate Valentine did run for 150 yards and two TDs on 29 carries. Up next is a trip to Perry Meridian, which is better than its 1-3 record shows. Previous: 1.

Dropped out: Decatur Central (3)

Class 4A

  1. Greenfield-Central (4-0): The fireworks are flying for the Cougars, who won another shootout, 43-38 over previously-undefeated Pendleton Heights. Sophomore Braylen Benavente rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. The team ran for 356 yards total and rallied from a 31-16 second-half deficit. Up next is rejuvenated Shelbyville (3-1) at home. Previous: 1.

  2. New Palestine (2-2): Speaking of wild games … New Palestine ran – and passed – up and down the field for a 63-39 win over rival Mt. Vernon. Kyler Kropp caught four passes for 182 yards from Gavin Neal and all of them went for touchdowns. Grayson Thomas ran for 285 yards and two TDs on 31 carries. Up next is a tricky home game vs. Pendleton Heights. Previous: 2.

  3. Roncalli (2-2): The Royals defeated Columbus North 38-10, pulling away in the second half as Ben Brandenburg ran for 129 yards and two TDs on 19 carries and Collin Ash passed for 152 yards and two TDs. A tough test this week as Roncalli is at 4-0 Guerin Catholic. Previous: 3.

Dropped out: None

Class 3A

  1. Bishop Chatard (4-0): I wasn’t planning on getting a chance to see the Bishop Chatard-Cathedral game, but the lights went out at Arlington and moved the second half to Chatard Saturday morning. The Trojans dominated that portion of the game, rallying for a 24-21 victory over the Irish, getting a go-ahead 34-yard TD pass from Aidan Arteaga to Colin Guy with 1:56 left. Quite a scene at Chatard, complete with coach Rob Doyle getting the Gatorade jug shower. The Trojans are at Columbus North this week. Previous: 1.

  2. Guerin Catholic (4-0): The Golden Eagles ended a seven-game losing streak to Brebeuf Jesuit with a 34-29 victory in a wild fourth quarter that saw a combined 41 points. The key was Guerin’s 368 rushing yards. Peter Rooney had 155 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries and Alex Gibbs had 116 yards and three TDs on 16 carries. Previous: 2.

  3. Hamilton Heights (4-0): The Huskies jumped out to a comfortable lead right away and rolled to a 42-0 victory over Northwestern. Bodie Derrer was 11-for-16 for 151 yards and three TDs. Northwestern had just 129 yards of total offense. This week is a big test at Western, a team that has beat Hamilton Heights the past two seasons and five of the past six. Previous: 3.

Dropped out: None

Class 2A/A teams

  1. Lutheran (4-0): The Saints led Lapel by just a field goal at halftime, but rolled in the second half to a 38-7 victory. Braydon Hall ran for three touchdowns in the second half. The Saints host a Cascade team that has won three consecutive games this week. Previous: 1.

  2. Scecina (4-0): The Crusaders traded blows with Beech Grove for a while before pulling away for a 44-23 victory as DJ Mendez passed for 310 yards and four touchdowns. The Scecina defense shut out Beech Grove in the second half. Previous: 2.

  3. Triton Central (3-1): The Tigers trailed by a touchdown early before putting the petal to the medal for a 55-28 victory over Monrovia as Jace Stuckey passed for 325 yards and four touchdowns. Triton Central is at Indian Creek this week. Previous: 3.

Dropped out: None

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy-area high school football power rankings going into Week 5