Monday is the first official day of high school football practice in Indiana.
Here are 10 storylines to watch as the season unfolds.
1. Can Valparaiso make a deep run in the Class 5A playoffs?
The two best teams in the area, the Vikings and Michigan City, are in 5A. Valparaiso received a break being bumped down to 5A a year early because the IHSAA changed the way schools move up in classes based on the success factor. The Vikings should have one of the best defenses in the state with juniors Cooper Jones and Dylan Dingman anchoring the line. Both are Division I players.
2. How will Class 2A treat Andrean?
The 59ers graduated a bevy of good players from last year, including Indiana recruit Cameron Williams and Zack Merrill, the Post-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year. Andrean hasn’t played in 2A since 2012. It’s always been 3A or even 4A. The 59ers have enough good players to be automatically a top 10 team in 2A.
3. Who is going to be the Post-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year?
There is a clear-cut leader for Defensive Player of the Year in Jones, but the offensive choice is a mystery. Last year, Merrill was a complete unknown. Candidates include Boone Grove’s Brae’ton Vann, who rushed for 1,702 yards, and Andrean’s Nick Flesher, who caught 79 passes. Junior receiver Armani Glass also caught 41 passes for Merrillville.
4. How will the coaching moves shake out?
The biggest changes came at Griffith, where Adam Musielak replaces Ben Geffert, and at LaPorte, where Jeremy Lowery takes over for Dave Sharpe. Brett Jennings also steps in for Jeff Cain at Whiting. Musielak and Jennings were on staff, so there won’t be many philosophical tweaks. The Slicers ran the flexbone offense under Sharpe. That was unique, and it will be hard to duplicate.
5. Can Hobart regain its 2016 form?
Last year, Andrean ran the table in the Northwest Crossroads Conference. The Brickies have won the NCC just twice since 2007. The last time was in 2016. They return six starters on defense and four offensive linemen. It could be Hobart’s year.
6. Will Morton win a sectional?
The Governors have an abundance of high-level skill players. That includes junior wide receiver JoJo Johnson, who has offers from Western Michigan, Ball State and Bowling Green. Senior quarterback Credell Prather, who passed for 2,136 yards, and senior wide receiver Tirae Spence, who had 21 receptions, are among seven offensive starters and five on defense who return for the Governors.
7. Can Bishop Noll revive its program?
The Warriors are back with a varsity schedule after playing just JV last season because of low numbers. The plan, according to Noll athletic director Eric Roldan, is to play a split schedule, which means three or four games will be varsity. The rest are JV. Next year, the Warriors hope to be in full varsity mode.
8. Could this be the year of the Bombers?
Rensselaer coach Chris Meeks said this is his most experienced team since going 15-0 in 2014 and winning the 2A state title. Rensselaer was an offensive dynamo in 2014. It returns nine offensive starters, including quarterback Kenneth Hickman.
9. Can Merrillville make a run in the Duneland Athletic Conference?
The Pirates have some very skilled players returning, led by Minnesota recruit and offensive linemen Martes Lewis, Glass and sophomore nose tackle Kenneth Grant. The Pirates finished 7-4 last year. They could surprise.
10. Can Lake Central become relevant?
The Indians have had back-to-back 2-8 seasons under coach Tony Bartolomeo. Lake Central lost quarterback Zach Bundalo to graduation, but return five starters on offense and six on defense. It appears the Indians could struggle again.
