Class 4A featured one of the best games of state finals weekend last year as Fort Wayne Dwenger held off a rally from Roncalli for a 36-29 victory that went down to the game’s final play. Who will be the team to beat this year?
There are some good options below, including Roncalli. Also, the return of East Central to the class after playing two years in 5A is notable. Guerin Catholic moved up from 3A to 4A for the next two-year period.
Here is a closer look at the 4A field featuring Central Indiana teams:
(In order of projected finish; records from 2025)
Sectional 21
Bishop Chatard (9-3): The Trojans have high hopes with eight starters returning on offense and six on defense. Senior running back Danny Adams was the City Player of the Year last season (1,821 rushing yards, 33 TDs; 23 catches, 154 yards, one TD) returns with senior receiver Julio Graves (57 catches, 683 yards, seven TDs) and senior linemen Maddox Dwyer (Northern Illinois) and Jondon Folck (Colgate). Senior receiver Cam Harden and senior tight end Drew Swickheimer will also be targets for senior quarterback Harrison Odom. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Jagger Guidry, senior safety Jax Guidry, senior defensive end Cole Lunsford and senior linebacker Anthony Cmehil. Chatard saw its three-year sectional title streak broken last year by Roncalli, but those rivals would now meet in the regional and not the sectional.
Coach’s comment: “We should be very productive with eight returning on offense and six on defense. Best offensive depth we have had at receiver and we have Danny Adams back with D-1 linemen. Defensively we get back Jagger Guidry at MLB. He’s a difference maker and it hurt last year when he tore his ACL.”
Brebeuf Jesuit (3-8): Coach Matt Geske goes into his seventh season with a team he expects to be much improved in 2026. The offense brings back senior lineman and UConn commit Krystian Oakley and senior quarterback Keegan Bouwkamp, who completed 53.7% of his passes for 1,004 yards and 15 touchdowns last season in just four games. Other key players on offense are senior Carter Cosgrove (883 passing yards, nine TDs; 212 rushing yards, five TDs; 21 catches, 418 yards, eight TDs), junior Jasir King (418 rushing yards, one TD), senior linemen Brayden Neese and Sam Grant. The defense brings back senior safety Nate Johnson (63 tackles, two interceptions), senior linebackers Cam Walters (34 tackles, six TFLs, three interceptions), Eli Drake (47 tackles, 6 ½ TFLs), Gabe Cox (36 tackles, 4 ½ TFLs, two sacks) and Matthew Johnson (71 tackles), senior lineman Brendan Kauffman, junior lineman Josh Rogers (42 tackles 11 TFLs, five sacks), junior defensive back Liam Stiver and junior linebacker Ryan Cummings.
Coach’s comment: “We return nine starters on defense and six on offense. We will have much better experience on the field this season. Our offseason was great both in training and team building.”
Danville (6-5): Coach Jayme Comer goes into his seventh season at Danville with a team that has 22 seniors, many of them three- or four-year starters. The offense will be led by senior quarterback Carter Ward, a fourth-year starter who completed 56.2% of his passes last year for 1,504 yards and 19 touchdowns (and ran for 191 yards and six TDs). Also returning on offense are senior running back Daiton Hood (1,050 rushing yards, 11 TDs), senior receiver Mason Shipley (32 catches, 455 yards, four TDs), senior linemen Jack Whitson and Jacob Snider and junior running back/receiver Trevor Lynch (352 rushing yards, four TDs; 12 catches, 141 yards, four TDs). The defense has a couple of four-year starters in senior linebackers Porter Prather (92 tackles, 13 TFLs, two sacks) and Bryce Eagen (121 tackles, eight TFLs, 3 ½ sacks). Logan Thompson is a senior who will anchor the line (50 tackles, seven TFLs, four sacks last year) and senior Jacob Fultz (39 tackles, five interceptions) leads the secondary.
Coach’s comment: “We have 22 seniors who will lead our program for the upcoming season with multiple of them being (multi-year) starters. They have important in-game experience that will pay dividends for our success this fall. Their leadership this offseason and summer has been outstanding, and I fully expect them to help our program take the next step this season. As with most teams, we must stay healthy and continue to build depth throughout the program.”
Guerin Catholic (7-5): Tom Dilley (77-56 in 12 seasons at Guerin) has a talented group of skill position players including senior receiver Isaiah Lewis (65 catches, 905 yards, six TDs), junior running back Kolbe Klee (50 receptions, 592 yards, seven TDs; 108 rushing yards, one TD), senior receiver Aidan Horn (42 catches, 490 yards, two TDs), senior receivers Isaac Justin (10 catches, 141 yards, one TD) and James Hokanson. Senior Luke McDonald steps into the starting role at quarterback. The offensive line will be led by seniors Will Countryman, Oliver Kerr and Isaiah Niccum, junior Ryan James and sophomore Henry Kerr. Junior George Waymouth adds depth at receiver, along with junior Grady Williamson at running back. The Golden Eagles will be led on defense by senior lineman Bryce Kissel (38 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks), junior linemen Matthew Hennie (26 tackles, seven TFLs) and Dan Alferman, senior linebacker Kail Weinrich, junior LBs Erik Sorensen (97 tackles, five TFLs) and Jack Wilson (79 tackles, six TFLs) Andrew Cherba and Grady Williamson and defensive backs Cooper Fisher, Parker Morton, Brody Cain, Vincent Diblasio and Nick Rooney.
Coach’s comment: “We have a good number of returning starters. Our offensive skill players are talented; inexperience at crucial positions and depth are concerns.”
Northview (8-2): The Knights are always tough under coach Mark Raetz, who is 98-36 in his 14th season. There is a lot of talent gone to graduation. Senior running back DeMarius McLawyer is one of the team’s top returners.
Lebanon (10-3): Lebanon won its first sectional last season since 1997 before falling to eventual state champion Fort Wayne Dwenger 39-27 in the regional. The Tigers’ path gets tougher with a new sectional alignment, but coach Josh Yoder enters his second season with talent on the roster. The offense will be led by senior receiver Tannon Monden (60 catches, 796 yards, 13 TDs), sophomore quarterback Jake Linton, junior lineman Zach Terrill and sophomore lineman Brayden Wegener. The defense will have Terrill (21 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks) on the line, senior Dylan Gosewehr (88 tackles, four TFLs, three fumble recoveries), junior cornerback Cris Freitas (49 tackles, two caused fumbles), junior safety Andrew Kaylor (47 tackles, one interception), junior defensive back Nolan Frost and senior linebacker Sam Mukendi (48 tackles) coming back.
Coach’s comment: “We will be young in some areas. We do have the most returning offensive linemen and they will be two-year starters. Weakness will be our youth, but they are talented just not tested.”
Shortridge (4-6): Shortridge coach Ron Qualls enters his second season with a nice new turf field and a team that has experience at some key spots, including junior T.J. Stallworth (552 passing yards, six TDs; 87 rushing yards, three TDs), sophomore running back Lawaun Similton (Stallworth’s brother), junior running back Josiah Elliott (325 rushing yards, four TDs) and sophomore running back Jakhari Elliott. Senior Maison White returns as a starter on the offensive line and Qualls is high on kickers Jack Hawkins and Tate Turman. Some of the same names will be key on defense, including the Elliott brothers at the linebacker position, Kaden Moore (40 tackles, six TFLs), senior Devin Wilson (27 tackles) and sophomore Bryce Davis at safety and senior DaQuon Edmonds on the defensive line.
Coach’s comment: “We will play our first game on our new turf field and improving our attention to detail in all aspects of the game will be pivotal as we take the next step of growth. However, especially with a very young team, our Blue Devils must take the next step of success by embracing our core values of being loved, valued, respected and prepared for life. Even with our youth, we will have experienced returners at QB, RB, and OL as well as LB/DB.”
Frankfort (0-10): Andrew Dudley is Frankfort’s third coach in three years. The Hot Dogs enter the season with a 29-game losing streak.
Sectional 22
Roncalli (11-4): The Royals were on the doorstep of the program’s 11th state championship, falling 36-29 to Fort Wayne Dwenger in last year’s Class 4A state finals. Coach Sam Otley enters his third season as coach with a team that should again challenge at the top of Class 4A. The offense will be led by senior running back Alex Jarvis (844 rushing yards, 10 TDs), senior receiver Luke Roeder (40 catches, 762 yards, 10 TDs) and senior receiver Mikey Dillon (10 catches, 175 yards, two TDs). Senior Kallen Stahley steps into the starting role at quarterback. The offensive line will be a strength with senior Luke Riley, juniors Mac Taylor and Bryan Espinoza, sophomore Luke Schott and freshman Gavin Cherry. Junior Mason Carroll and senior Caleb Maurer will also be playmaker at receiver. The defense brings back leading tackler in senior Carson Keller at linebacker (103 tackles, 6 ½ TFLs), senior safety Will Hegwood (93 tackles, 4 ½ TFLs, three interceptions), senior linebacker Jaxson Lawson (62 tackles, five TFLs, one interception), senior defensive end Nolan Denney (48 tackles, 10 TFLs, 2 ½ sacks) and senior defensive back Brody Runion (23 tackles, one interception). Other key players will be defensive tackles Legend Williams, a senior, and junior Vincent Conover, junior defensive end Charlie Neu, senior linebacker Dom Cromer and senior cornerbacks Ryder Douglas and Malone Flynn.
Coach’s comment: “Hard working group, ready to compete.”
Martinsville (6-7): Coach Brian Dugger (45-29 in six seasons) has led the Artesians to back-to-back sectional titles, though making it three in a row will be more difficult in the current sectional alignment. Senior quarterback Chase Davis (58.6% passer, 2,510 passing yards, 24 TDs) returns with senior receiver Landon Cazee (95 catches, 1,280 yards, 13 TDs), along with senior receiver Rylee Butler (13 catches, 137 yards, one TD), junior Landon Johnson (eight catches, 131 yards in three games), senior running back Christian Koons (136 rushing yards, one TD) and senior offensive linemen Kyson Bunton and Dylan Stidd. Senior linebacker Joel Sumner (67 tackles, five TFLs) is back to lead the defense with senior linebacker Nate LaFary (47 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks), junior defensive end Christian Mercer (33 tackles, five TFLs, four sacks), junior lineman Gunnar Bryant (21 tackles, four TFLs), senior defensive end Blaine Littell (36 tackles, nine TFLs, two sacks) and senior linebacker Quinton Simpson (39 tackles).
Coach’s comment: “We have a lot returning from our sectional championship team but have a lot of big holes to fill. Strength will be skill players on offense. Weaknesses will be depth and youth of defensive backfield.”
Mooresville (5-5): New coach Casey Gillin takes over a program that has a strong senior class of 16 players, including receivers Eli Thompson (29 catches, 466 yards, five TDs in seven games) and Brody Beasley (25 catches, 243 yards, two TDs). Seniors Nate Matthews and Nathan Mayes-West anchor the offensive line for the Pioneers. Junior Eli Hill will step into the starting role at quarterback for an offense that will throw the ball often. The defense will be led by junior linebacker Talan Dobkins (95 tackles, four TFLs), senior linebacker Landyn Powell (90 tackles, 10 TFLs, four sacks) and junior lineman Jon Tyner (38 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks).
Coach’s comment: “We have a challenging schedule against well-coached, physical teams, many of whom have a size advantage. Those games will test us every week and give us opportunities to learn and improve as the season progresses. One of our strengths is our senior class. We have 16 seniors who have embraced leadership and are committed to helping establish the culture we want for our program. They understand the importance of setting a positive example for our younger players and have worked hard to prepare for the season. One area we’ll continue to develop is how we respond to adversity. We’re still building confidence as a program, and there will be moments this season that challenge us. Our players have a strong desire to compete and improve, and how we handle those moments will play a big role in our growth throughout the year.”
Beech Grove (7-4): Coach enters his third season with a third-year starter quarterback in junior Bishop Moore, who completed 60.2% of his passes for 1,876 yards and 18 touchdowns. Moore will have top target Tenauri Woods (49 catches, 708 yards, five TDs) coming back, along with junior Kordell Martin (21 catches, 415 yards, four TDs). Leading the way up front on the offensive line are seniors Tyler Hixon and Dylan Lee. The defense has a ton of experience returning, including senior linebacker David Lepper, junior linebacker Mike Renfro (55 tackles, 12 TFLs, two sacks), junior linebacker Chris Rice, Woods at defensive back (42 tackles, nine TFLs, four interceptions), junior defensive back B.J. Mastin (52 tackles, two interceptions), junior lineman Carlos Moore (41 tackles, 14 ½ TFLs, two caused fumbles), senior lineman Brandon Garcia (25 tackles, six TFLs), senior defensive back Hayden Wright (23 tackles) and senior safety Javier Cruz. The Hornets were a winning team last year for the first time since 2020.
Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of returning players, including our dynamic quarterback, Bishop Moore. We played great defense last season, and we expect to be explosive on offense. We should be a strong team and ready to surprise the state.”
Greenwood (2-8): Fourth-year coach Justin Boser leads a team that will make the transition into the Hoosier Legends Conference. The offense will be led by senior receiver and Lindenwood commit Benjamin Hommell (26 catches, 625 yards, eight TDs), junior receiver Jackson Davis (12 catches, 187 yards, two TDs) and junior running back Leland Morton (596 rushing yards, three TDs). On defense, the Woodmen return senior linebacker James Hurley (67 tackles, two TFLs), junior linebacker Damyan Hernandez, junior linebacker Gage Hall and defensive lineman Aidyn Wiley.
Coach’s comment: “New conference, new goals. Strengths are depth in our front seven on defense. Experience at our offensive skill positions. Weaknesses are a young secondary and young offensive o-line.”
Crispus Attucks (8-2): Attucks is a much younger and more inexperienced team this year in Anthony King’s third season as coach. Senior Darren Taylor (539 rushing yards) returns at running back with receiver Jason Hatcher and Tauheed Doss and offensive linemen DaVon Coleman and Lyric Jackson. Taylor was also the team’s leading tackler last year with 87 total tackles and eight TFLs. Jackson, a senior, had eight sacks last season and 11 TFLs among his 34 overall tackles. Junior safety Jason Hatcher returns in the secondary.
Coach’s comment: “We want to play fast and be as physical as possible. Our weakness is we are very young with a little or no experience.”
Connersville (4-6): Ryan Lynch enters his fifth season with a strong group of returners, including senior quarterback Rylan Keen and senior running back Braydon Keller.
Sectional 23
East Central (9-3): The Trojans drop back down to 4A after two seasons playing up a class. East Central will be tough to handle with senior Colton Bellman (1,589 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and senior Ryan Minges (293 rushing yards, four TDs in two games due to injury). East Central battled 5A state champion New Palestine to a 20-6 loss in the regional last year.
Shelbyville (5-6): The Golden Bears posted their highest win total since 2017 last season and there is hope for improvement in Scott Fitzgerald’s fourth season with several returners, including sophomore quarterback Layden Fitzgerald (1,448 passing yards, 15 TDs; 166 rushing yards, three TDs) and senior Tyler Gwinnup returning from injury after going 17-for-19 passing for 192 yards and three TDs in the opener. Senior Grantland Fitzgerald (415 rushing yards, seven TDs; 39 catches, 537 yards, seven TDs) moves into the primary running back spot. Senior Anthony Stafford will be a four-year starter at left tackle, Nolan Cord is a returning starter and will move to center, Lamberto Leon is a returning starter at right tackle, along with Ethan Griffin at guard. Sophomore Camden Thoman (29 catches, 480 yards, eight TDs) is coming off a big year at receiver. Senior Cooper Thoman started at tight end, along with Austin Martzall at receiver. Leaders on defense will be defensive back Kameron Holland (57 tackles), linebacker Cooper Thoman (53 tackles, five TFLs), safety Grantland Fitzgerald (50 tackles), junior defensive lineman Ethan Griffin (35 tackles) and senior defensive back Jackson Myers (35 tackles), among others.
Coach’s comment: “We have a good core of players back from last season. We need to have some players step up in order to gain some depth. We have four out of five offensive linemen returning as well as our tight end. I believe we can be very good up front and that’s where it all starts. We will have a starting quarterback battle with sophomore Layden Fitzgerald and senior Tyler Gwinnup, who is back from injury. We return our leading receiver in Grantland Fitzgerald as well as Camden Thoman and Austin Martzall. Fitzgerald will move into a primary running back position but will move all around. Defensively we are again solid up front with three returning starters. We may have to make some moves to fill our linebacking core, but we do have two guys with experience there in Cooper Thoman and Kellen Coffey. In the secondary we have several guys who will be able to rotate in positions.”
Charlestown (8-3): The Pirates had a six-win improvement last season in Aaron Daniel’s first year as coach. Senior quarterback Christian Grayson can sling it, throwing for 2,510 yards and 22 TDs last season.
Columbus East (5-5): New coach Tyler Campbell, previously the offensive coordinator at Ben Davis, had success as a coach at Maconaquah from 2021-23.
Silver Creek (3-7): The Dragons have a new coach in Steve Stanley after Dave Papenhaus took the job at Seymour.
Jennings County (2-8): The Panthers improved by two victories in Jason Burton’s second year as coach. Many of the top contributors last year were underclassmen.
Madison (2-9): Patric Morrison returns as coach after leading the program from 2013-18. The Cubs were 6-5 in 2024 before falling off again last year.
Predicted Class 4A sectional winners around Indiana
Sectional 17: Hobart
Sectional 18: Mishawaka
Sectional 19: Fort Wayne Dwenger
Sectional 20: Yorktown
Sectional 21: Bishop Chatard
Sectional 22: Roncalli
Sectional 23: East Central
Sectional 24: Jasper
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA football preview: 4A predictions, top players in Indy-area, what coaches said
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
