Bob Wire
#1 WARREN CENTRAL WARRIORS
The Warren Central Warriors entered a new era in 2008. Fresh off a state
championship at Evansville Reitz, John Hart moved up to take over the
Warriors in 2008. The Warriors captured the Sectional 5 title before
falling to Ben Davis in the regional 45-23 to finish with a 9-4 mark.
Expectations are high for Hart (206-65 overall) and the Warriors entering
2009.
Quarterback Derek Hart headlines six offensive starters back for the
Warriors. Hart threw for nearly 1,300 yards and 18 scores. Three
starters return on the O-line for the Warriors.
Seven starters return on defense for the Warriors. Brandon Almond will
look to lead the defense from his linebacker spot.
The Warriors' 2009 schedule is rugged. Non-conference games at
Merrillville (8/21) and against Cathedral (8/28) open the season. In MIC
play, key games include a match up with Ben Davis at Lucas Oil Stadium
on 9/12, at Carmel on 10/2 and hosting Center Grove on 10/16.
After four consecutive state titles earlier this decade, the Warriors fell
back to the pack a little bit in 2007 before getting some of the swagger
back in 2008. The Warriors get my #1 nod to open 2009 and well be one
of the top teams in the Midwest.
#2 BEN DAVIS GIANTS
In 2007, the Ben Davis Giants failed to advance out of the sectional for the
first time since 1994. In 2008, the Giants turned it on after a 6-3 regular
season to claim sectional and regional titles. A 49-21 loss to Center
Grove in the Semi-State ended the season for the Giants at 10-4.
Head coach Mike Kirschner (17-8 @ Ben Davis, 31-34 overall) welcomes
back five starters on the defensive side of the ball. Isaiah Lewis earned
All-State laurels from his linebacker spot and will look to be a play maker
for the Giants' defense.
On offense, four starters return for BD. Phil Dudley returns in the
offensive backfield after rushing for over 700 yards. Four new starters on
the O-line could be an early concern.
Ben Davis' 2009 schedule sees them traveling to Penn on 8/28. In MIC
play, the Giants face Warren Central at Lucas Oil Stadium on 9/12, at
Center Grove on 10/2 and Host Carmel 10/16.
The Giants have high hopes for 2009. If they find some linemen, the
Giants hope to win their first 5A title since 2002.
#3 CARMEL GREYHOUNDS
Carmel was 6 1/2 minutes away from winning their second straight 5A
title in 2008 when they fell victim to the greatest comeback in State Finals
history. A 33-14 lead evaporated against Center Grove turned into a 36-33
defeat.
Head coach Mo Moriarity (45-12 @ Carmel, 228-54) will have to overcome
some major graduation losses. Gone is QB Morgan Newton (Kentucky).
Gone is FS Joe Rippe. Gone is FB Kurt Freytag. And the list goes on and on.
Just three starters are back on the offensive side of the ball. Nick Logan
returns at receiver for the 'Hounds after averaging 18 yards a catch in '08.
On defense, six starters return for Carmel. Brian East racked up over 120
tackles in 2008 from his linebacker spot.
Carmel opens the season hosting Cathedral on 8/21. They'll open MIC
play by hosting Center Grove in a championship game rematch on 9/4.
They'll also host Warren Central on 10/2 before closing out the regular
season at Ben Davis on 10/16.
The 'Hounds will look to be in the hunt again in 5A in 2009. The offense
might struggle early on but Carmel will rely on a strong defense to carry
them throught the season
.#4 INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL FIGHTING IRISH
In a mix of 'Blast from the Past' and 'Back to the Future', Rick Streiff
returned to the Cathedral sidelines as head coach in 2008. The end
result? Streiff got his fifth state championship and Cathedral got their
eight in a 10-7 defensive struggle over Fort Wayne Dwenger to finish with
a 12-2 mark.
Seven returning offensive starters return for the Irish and Streiff (132-29
@ Cathedral, 155-72 overall). Senior Kofi Hughes transferred to Cathedral
prior to 2008 and was a first-year starter at QB. Hughes ended up
throwing for over 900 yards with eight scores,while rushing for over
1,300 yards and 17 scores. Hughes has committed to Indiana University.
Hughes isn't the lone running threat; senior Nick Najem rushed for over
1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Two starters return on the offensive line.
The Irish have some holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. Eight
brand new starters will take the field. Senior Cameron Beard will look to
make an impact from his D-end spot.
Looking at the schedule, Cathedral faces one of the toughest in the state.
The Irish open up at Carmel on 8/21 followed by a trip to Warren Central
the following week. Cathedral then plays back to back games at Lucas
Oil Stadium against Cincinnati St. Xavier on 9/5, and Chatard on 9/12. The
Irish will also face rival Roncalli on the road onn 9/25 and travel up to
Michigan to face Birmingham Brother Rice on 10/17.
The Irish have some good experience back in their running game to be a
threat again in 4A. If the defense can gel and play to their potential,
Cathedral will be in prime position to repeat as 4A champions.
#5 INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD TROJANS
The Bishop Chatard Trojans for years have been the benchmark that all
other 3A teams measure against. 2008 was another solid year for the
Trojans, with their lone regular season loss coming to Cathedral 15-14.
The Trojans made another deep tournament run, but fell in the 3A
Southern Semi-State to Evansville Memorial 27-14 to finish 11-2.
Head coach Vince Lorenzano (74-13 @ Chatard, 133-80 overall)
welcomes back one of the top runners in Central Indiana. Senior Ari
Pappas headlines seven returning offensive starters. Pappas ran for
over 1,600 yards and 27 touchdowns to earn All-State recognition. Four
starters return on the O-Line for the Trojans.
On defense, the Trojans welcome back six starters. Seniors Max Barron
and Tim Flynn will be the ringleaders of the 'D' from their linebacker spot.
Looking at the schedule, Chatard's key games include a trip to Whiteland
on 8/28, hosting Roncalli on 9/4 and the annual rival game with Cathedral
at Lucas Oil Stadium on 9/12.
The Trojans are pretty stacked again. After last season's disappointing
finish, Chatard will settle for nothing less than a state championship.
The Warren Central Warriors entered a new era in 2008. Fresh off a state
championship at Evansville Reitz, John Hart moved up to take over the
Warriors in 2008. The Warriors captured the Sectional 5 title before
falling to Ben Davis in the regional 45-23 to finish with a 9-4 mark.
Expectations are high for Hart (206-65 overall) and the Warriors entering
2009.
Quarterback Derek Hart headlines six offensive starters back for the
Warriors. Hart threw for nearly 1,300 yards and 18 scores. Three
starters return on the O-line for the Warriors.
Seven starters return on defense for the Warriors. Brandon Almond will
look to lead the defense from his linebacker spot.
The Warriors' 2009 schedule is rugged. Non-conference games at
Merrillville (8/21) and against Cathedral (8/28) open the season. In MIC
play, key games include a match up with Ben Davis at Lucas Oil Stadium
on 9/12, at Carmel on 10/2 and hosting Center Grove on 10/16.
After four consecutive state titles earlier this decade, the Warriors fell
back to the pack a little bit in 2007 before getting some of the swagger
back in 2008. The Warriors get my #1 nod to open 2009 and well be one
of the top teams in the Midwest.
#2 BEN DAVIS GIANTS
In 2007, the Ben Davis Giants failed to advance out of the sectional for the
first time since 1994. In 2008, the Giants turned it on after a 6-3 regular
season to claim sectional and regional titles. A 49-21 loss to Center
Grove in the Semi-State ended the season for the Giants at 10-4.
Head coach Mike Kirschner (17-8 @ Ben Davis, 31-34 overall) welcomes
back five starters on the defensive side of the ball. Isaiah Lewis earned
All-State laurels from his linebacker spot and will look to be a play maker
for the Giants' defense.
On offense, four starters return for BD. Phil Dudley returns in the
offensive backfield after rushing for over 700 yards. Four new starters on
the O-line could be an early concern.
Ben Davis' 2009 schedule sees them traveling to Penn on 8/28. In MIC
play, the Giants face Warren Central at Lucas Oil Stadium on 9/12, at
Center Grove on 10/2 and Host Carmel 10/16.
The Giants have high hopes for 2009. If they find some linemen, the
Giants hope to win their first 5A title since 2002.
#3 CARMEL GREYHOUNDS
Carmel was 6 1/2 minutes away from winning their second straight 5A
title in 2008 when they fell victim to the greatest comeback in State Finals
history. A 33-14 lead evaporated against Center Grove turned into a 36-33
defeat.
Head coach Mo Moriarity (45-12 @ Carmel, 228-54) will have to overcome
some major graduation losses. Gone is QB Morgan Newton (Kentucky).
Gone is FS Joe Rippe. Gone is FB Kurt Freytag. And the list goes on and on.
Just three starters are back on the offensive side of the ball. Nick Logan
returns at receiver for the 'Hounds after averaging 18 yards a catch in '08.
On defense, six starters return for Carmel. Brian East racked up over 120
tackles in 2008 from his linebacker spot.
Carmel opens the season hosting Cathedral on 8/21. They'll open MIC
play by hosting Center Grove in a championship game rematch on 9/4.
They'll also host Warren Central on 10/2 before closing out the regular
season at Ben Davis on 10/16.
The 'Hounds will look to be in the hunt again in 5A in 2009. The offense
might struggle early on but Carmel will rely on a strong defense to carry
them throught the season
.#4 INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL FIGHTING IRISH
In a mix of 'Blast from the Past' and 'Back to the Future', Rick Streiff
returned to the Cathedral sidelines as head coach in 2008. The end
result? Streiff got his fifth state championship and Cathedral got their
eight in a 10-7 defensive struggle over Fort Wayne Dwenger to finish with
a 12-2 mark.
Seven returning offensive starters return for the Irish and Streiff (132-29
@ Cathedral, 155-72 overall). Senior Kofi Hughes transferred to Cathedral
prior to 2008 and was a first-year starter at QB. Hughes ended up
throwing for over 900 yards with eight scores,while rushing for over
1,300 yards and 17 scores. Hughes has committed to Indiana University.
Hughes isn't the lone running threat; senior Nick Najem rushed for over
1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Two starters return on the offensive line.
The Irish have some holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. Eight
brand new starters will take the field. Senior Cameron Beard will look to
make an impact from his D-end spot.
Looking at the schedule, Cathedral faces one of the toughest in the state.
The Irish open up at Carmel on 8/21 followed by a trip to Warren Central
the following week. Cathedral then plays back to back games at Lucas
Oil Stadium against Cincinnati St. Xavier on 9/5, and Chatard on 9/12. The
Irish will also face rival Roncalli on the road onn 9/25 and travel up to
Michigan to face Birmingham Brother Rice on 10/17.
The Irish have some good experience back in their running game to be a
threat again in 4A. If the defense can gel and play to their potential,
Cathedral will be in prime position to repeat as 4A champions.
#5 INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD TROJANS
The Bishop Chatard Trojans for years have been the benchmark that all
other 3A teams measure against. 2008 was another solid year for the
Trojans, with their lone regular season loss coming to Cathedral 15-14.
The Trojans made another deep tournament run, but fell in the 3A
Southern Semi-State to Evansville Memorial 27-14 to finish 11-2.
Head coach Vince Lorenzano (74-13 @ Chatard, 133-80 overall)
welcomes back one of the top runners in Central Indiana. Senior Ari
Pappas headlines seven returning offensive starters. Pappas ran for
over 1,600 yards and 27 touchdowns to earn All-State recognition. Four
starters return on the O-Line for the Trojans.
On defense, the Trojans welcome back six starters. Seniors Max Barron
and Tim Flynn will be the ringleaders of the 'D' from their linebacker spot.
Looking at the schedule, Chatard's key games include a trip to Whiteland
on 8/28, hosting Roncalli on 9/4 and the annual rival game with Cathedral
at Lucas Oil Stadium on 9/12.
The Trojans are pretty stacked again. After last season's disappointing
finish, Chatard will settle for nothing less than a state championship.