As the summer sun begins to set, the excitement for the 2025 Indiana high school football season is heating up, especially in the heart of the Midwest, Indianapolis. This year promises to be a thrilling ride filled with talented athletes, intense rivalries, and some significant changes.
The season kicks off on August 4 with non-contact practices, transitioning to full-contact practices just three days later on August 7. The regular season will officially begin on August 22, with junior varsity teams taking the field a day earlier on August 21[2].
One of the most anticipated aspects of this season is the talent pool. Damien Shanklin, a defensive end from Warren Central, has already made headlines with his commitment to LSU. Standing out on the offensive side is Lawrence Central's Nizyi Davis, a 6-6, 205-pound tight end headed to the University of Wisconsin after an impressive junior season with 29 receptions for 410 yards and one touchdown[5].
Warren Central's Cameron Herron, a highly touted 6-4, 275-pound offensive lineman, will be joining the Iowa Hawkeyes, while Davion Chandler, a wide receiver from Lawrence North, has flipped his commitment from Illinois to Indiana, opting to stay close to home. Chandler's junior season was nothing short of spectacular, with 40 passes for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns[5].
Local schools are also celebrating commitments to in-state programs. Purdue is bolstering its roster with talent like Landon Brooks, a defensive end from Delta, and Jaron Thomas, a running back from Concord. Jimmy Sullivan, the top-rated quarterback in Indiana, has committed to Iowa after an outstanding sophomore and junior season, throwing for 2,203 yards and 27 touchdowns, and 1,508 yards and 18 touchdowns, respectively[5].
The Indiana High School Athletic Association has also announced the sectional alignments for the 2025 season, which include some notable changes. Cathedral High School, known for its back-to-back 5A titles in 2020 and 2021, will drop from Class 6A to 5A and join Section 13 alongside New Palestine, which is moving up after winning the 4A title in 2024. Decatur Central, last season's 5A champion, will move up to Class 6A and play in Section 6[3].
As the season progresses, teams will battle it out in sectionals starting on October 24 and 31, with regionals on November 14, semi-states on November 21, and the state finals taking place on November 28-29[2].
With talented players, new sectional alignments, and the anticipation of intense competition, the 2025 Indiana high school football season is shaping up to be one for the books. Get ready for a season filled with excitement, drama, and the best of high school football in Indianapolis.