Indiana high school football Super 25 rankings: Check out Week 1 statewide poll

In addition to our USA TODAY Network Indiana high school football poll, which is voted on by a statewide group of media members, we are also unveiling an IndyStar Super 25 this season, which will rank the top-25 teams in the state regardless of class. My power poll going into the season:

1. Ben Davis: The defending champs in Class 6A are the top dog until proven otherwise. Friday’s game: vs. Cathedral.

2. Warren Central: I’m high on the Warriors going into the season with their talented and veteran defense. Friday’s game: at Fort Wayne Snider.

3. Center Grove: The Trojans were an overtime loss away from playing for a fourth consecutive 6A title last November. Friday’s game: vs. Westfield.

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4. Crown Point: The Bulldogs are well-positioned to become a 6A power after last year’s 13-1 and state finals appearance. Friday’s game: vs. Lowell.

5. Westfield: The Shamrocks probably overachieved last year to reach the semistate and bring back a lot of familiar faces. Friday’s game: at Center Grove.

6. Hamilton Southeastern: The Royals have started 4-0 each of the past three seasons. Friday’s game: at Carroll (Fort Wayne).

7. Brownsburg: The Bulldogs are 36-5 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference games since 2018. Friday’s game: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.

8. Carroll (Fort Wayne): The Chargers reached the 6A state finals two years ago before going 7-3 last year and falling to Warsaw in the sectional. Friday’s game: Hamilton Southeastern.

9. Carmel: The Greyhounds should have a more explosive offense with junior Anthony Coellner going into his second year as quarterback. Friday’s game: Homestead.

10. Lawrence North: The Wildcats are a sleeper coming off a 7-4 season and a lot of talent, including Indiana recruit Davion Chandler at receiver. Friday’s game: at Lawrence Central.

11. Cathedral: The Irish have a brutally tough schedule, but it can only help in the long run. Right? Friday’s game: at Ben Davis.

12. Fishers: The Tigers lost a lot on defense from a year ago but junior Gage Sturgill is a talented quarterback and Stanford commit JonAnthony Hall should have a big season. Friday’s game: at North Central.

13. Decatur Central: A year ago, the Hawks were coming off a 4-7 season and made a run to the 5A state finals. Could this be the program’s first state title team? Friday’s game: Columbus North.

14. Franklin Central: Sophomore defensive end Jayce Brewer has a bright future. Friday’s game: vs. Perry Meridian.

15. New Palestine: The Dragons, ranked preseason No. 1 in Class 4A, look like a better team than last year’s group that reached the semistate. Friday’s game: vs. Kokomo.

16. Penn: New coach Pete Riordan has a lot of new pieces. The Kingsmen were only a point away from knocking off Crown Point in last year’s regional.

17. Fort Wayne Snider: Last year’s 5A state champion moves up a class but also has one of the best players around in Notre Dame recruit Brandon Logan. Friday’s game: vs. Warren Central.

18. Bishop Chatard: No program has more state titles than Chatard at 17. Can the Trojans make it 18 in Class 4A? Friday’s game: at Brebeuf Jesuit.

19. Noblesville: The Millers need one of those breakthrough wins this season against the Hoosier Crossroads Conference’s top teams. Friday’s game: vs. Mt. Vernon.

20. Lawrence Central: Junior quarterback Terry Walker III, recently offered by Virginia, should have a big season. Friday’s game: at Lawrence Central.

21. Whiteland: Senior Slate Valentine rushed for 1,940 yards and 20 TDs as a junior. Friday’s game: vs. Jeffersonville.

22. Merrillville: The Pirates won a 5A regional last year before running into the Fort Wayne Snider buzzsaw in the semistate, falling 28-0. Friday’s game: vs. Andrean.

23. Avon: Expect the Orioles to be vastly improved going into Rob Gibson’s second season. Friday’s game: at Lafayette Jeff.

24. Lutheran: The Class 2A top-ranked Saints have won 43 consecutive games. Friday’s game: vs. Christel House Manual.

25. Valparaiso: The Vikings won a Class 5A state title in 2022, then finished 9-3 last season and lost 24-20 to Merrillville in the regional. Friday’s game: at Penn.

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