IHSAA football preview: Predictions, top players for Central Indiana's Class 5A teams

It is a fresh slate for Class 5A with two-time defending champion Cathedral, two-time runner-up Zionsville moving up to 6A for the next two-year classification cycle and New Palestine moving back down to 4A. Decatur Central could be the program that benefits the most after losing to Cathedral each of the past three seasons.

Three regular-season games that will shape Class 5A:

Decatur Central at New Palestine, Aug. 26: This will be a good early-season measuring stick for the Hawks, who defeated New Pal 31-29 in last year’s opener.

Plainfield at Harrison, Aug. 26: Plainfield picked up Harrison to replace Tri-West on the schedule. Harrison has been a strong program under Terry Peebles.

Whiteland at Decatur Central, Sept. 2: This is a big early-season Mid-State Conference matchup and, potentially, a regional preview if the projections below hold true.

IHSAA football preview: No one gets you ready for a season better than Kyle Neddenriep

(In order of projected finish; records from 2021)

Sectional 13

Decatur Central (9-2): Coach Kyle Enright expects a veteran front seven on defense to lead the Hawks, especially with the graduation of several key players on offense. Leading the way on defense is senior linebacker Aycen Stevens (35 tackles, eight tackles for loss in five games), a Virginia Tech recruit who is returning from a knee injury. Also back is senior defensive end Alec Lawson (52 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks), junior defensive end Marvin Campbell Jr. and junior linebacker Halbert Aguirre (60 tackles, eight tackles for loss). Senior outside linebacker Alberto Murillo (34 tackles, six tackles for loss) and senior linebacker Cameron Renick (28 tackles) also have experience. On offense, Stevens (296 passing yards, three TDs; 299 rushing yards, four TDs) is back at quarterback with freshman Bo Polston. Senior running back Jordan Cox (214 rushing yards) returns with an inexperienced group of receivers in junior Chris Richmond, junior Desmond Coleman, senior Tequan Taylor and freshman Fa’Rel Carter. Junior Javian Jones leads the offensive line with seniors Keegan Cox and Jacob Roeder and sophomores Mason Mills and Josh Cambron.

Harrison (8-2)

Plainfield (4-6): Coach Brian Woodard goes into his 17^th and final season at Plainfield with incoming Quakers’ coach Tyler Bless on staff. The strength of the team will be the offensive skill positions with junior quarterback Hunter Newell (671 passing yards, five TDs), senior receivers Noah Hessong (77 catches, 735 yards, five TDs) and Grant Irwin (seven catches, 121 yards, one TD) and junior receiver Caden Vanderbush returning. The defense will be inexperienced, but returns junior Landon Drennan (69 tackles, four sacks) at linebacker, seniors Isaac Masquelier (59 tackles, four tackles for loss) and Chris Strange (29 tackles) on the line and senior Harrison Hrbek (49 tackles, one interception) and Vanderbush (50 tackles) in the secondary.

McCutcheon (1-8)

Sectional 14

Whiteland (6-4): Darrin Fisher goes into his 18th season at Whiteland with a team that returns 15 starters, including 10 on offense. Leading the way on that side of the ball will be senior running back Peyton Emberton (976 rushing yards, eight TDs), senior quarterback Kevin Denham (455 passing yards, seven TDs; three rushing TDs), junior wingback Gunnar Hicks (378 rushing yards, one TD), sophomore wingback Nyrius Moore-Smith (220 rushing yards, three TDs) and senior fullback Jakarrey Oliver (200 rushing yards). The offensive line will be a strength, led by two-time all-conference senior tackle Tayton Schakel, senior and third-year starter Dylan Kidwell and senior center Josh Merriman. The defense will be led by senior lineman Peyton Dotson (52 tackles, four tackles for loss) and Mason Darlington (41 tackles, four tackles for loss), senior linebacker Dalton Hughes (63 tackles, four sacks) and senior strong safety Brady Stanifer (73 tackles, one interception). Senior kicker David Mathis was 7-for-9 on field goals last year, hitting a long of 38 yards. Whiteland should contend for its second sectional title in three years.

Franklin (3-7): After a breakout season in 2019, Franklin is coming off back-to-back three-win seasons under coach Chris Coll. The Grizzly Cubs return an experienced group of upperclassmen, including a senior and three-year starter at offensive tackle in Reece Byerly. Also returning on offense is senior tight end John Shepard (18 catches, 158 yards, two TDs; 486 rushing yards, five TDs), junior quarterback Clay Pinnick (921 passing yards, eight TDs), senior receiver Max Clark (25 catches, 547 yards, four TDs) and junior center Conner Voris. Other key players on offense will be junior receiver Luke Bechert, senior receiver Bryce Richardson and sophomore running back Alex Leugers. Byerly (31 tackles, four sacks) returns on defense, along with senior safety Beau Baker (92 tackles), senior defensive end Jake Houston (29 tackles, 6 ½ tackles for loss), senior linebacker Shepard, junior linebacker Lance Jones (77 tackles), senior defensive end Gabe Delgado, senior cornerback Nate Owens (62 tackles, two interceptions) and senior safety Zach Reese (74 tackles).

Terre Haute North (3-7)

Terre Haute South (1-9)

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

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football 5A preview, predictions, top players