1. Lawrence North (9-0): Can a team with four section titles (one since 1990) and no other trophies win a state title? The only programs to win 6A championships are Ben Davis (three), Center Grove (four), Warren Central (two) and Carmel (two). The Wildcats open Section 6 next week at Lawrence Central. Back: 2.
2. Crown Point (9-0): The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 391-83 in nine regular season games. Will Crown Point also fly through the sectionals and regionals? Fort Wayne Carroll, a potential regional opponent, could be the toughest test before the semistate. Back: 4.
3. Brownsburg (8-1): The Bulldogs were blanked in the first half for the second straight game and still managed to erase a 20-point deficit before losing 30-23 to Hamilton Southeastern. Next up is a game at Avon (3-6) in Section 5 next week. Back: 1.
4. Westfield (8-1): The Shamrocks bounced back well from the loss to Brownsburg with three decisive wins against Avon, Fishers and Franklin Central by an average score of 45-11. Westfield hosts West Lafayette Harrison (6-3) in the Section 3 first round next week. Back: 3.
5. Warren Central (8-1): Airic Hester (41 catches, 504 yards, four touchdowns) had a productive season for the Warriors, who defeated Cathedral 34-28 last week. Next up is a Sectional 7 game at Tech next week. Back: 6.
6. Cathedral (5-3): Van Krisiloff was a good weapon for Cathedral, as he made 10 of 12 on field goals and more than half of the kickoffs were touchbacks. He also averages 43.4 yards per punt. Cathedral plays 0-9 North Central next week in Section 9. Previous: 5.
7. New Palestine (8-0): It would be interesting to go back and see what would have happened in the Week 2 game against Decatur Central, which was tied at halftime and not completed due to a lightning strike. The Dragons haven't really been tested in any other game and may not be in Class 4A, Section 21. First up is Mt. Vernon at home on Friday. Back: 8.
8. Center Grove (5-4): The Trojans lost three straight at the end of the regular season, dropping games against Cathedral, Lawrence North and St. Frances (Md.). That series ends next week at Jeffersonville (6-3) Class 6A Section 8. Previous: 7.
9. Carroll (Fort Wayne) (7-2): The Chargers have rattled off seven straight wins in Class 6A Section 2. With a win over Fort Wayne Northrop, Carroll will face Fort Wayne Snider or Elkhart for the section title. Back: 10.
10. Merrillville (8-1): Merrillville had a tough battle against Chesterton in the season finale, winning 29-23. The Pirates will be a heavy favorite in Class 5A Section 9 and will then face Michigan City, Valparaiso or Chesterton in the regional. Against these teams, Merrillville was 3-0 on the season. Back: 11.
11. Bishop Chatard (7-2): Chatard lost 14-0 to Cincinnati Elder after a week off. The Trojans will now see Crispus Attucks in Class 4A Section 22 at Tech. Back: 9.
12. Columbus North (8-1): The Bull Dogs have been impressive this season, led by quarterback Asher Ratliff (1,694 passing yards, 20 TDs; 405 rushing yards, five TDs) and running back Gino Prescott (1,089 rushing yards, 15 TDs). Can they make a splash in the section? Columbus North opens at home against Franklin Central in Class 6A, Section 8. Previous: 12.
13. Hamilton Southeastern (6-3): If anyone thought the Royals weren't a contender in 6A, think again. HSE defeated the previously undefeated Brownsburg 30:23 in the season finale. Mason Alexander's kickoff return for a TD provided the decisive points. HSE opens in Homestead on 6A Section 4. Previous: 14.
14. Evansville Memorial (9-0): Talk about a tough road in 3A Section 32. The Tigers have an eight-team field starting with a game at Evansville Mater Dei on Friday. But I think this Memorial team is the best in 3A. However, Heritage Hills also looks awfully tough. That could be the sectional title opponent. Back: 18.
15. Lafayette Jeff (9-0): The Bronchos completed an undefeated regular season – their second in five seasons – with a 21-14 victory over McCutcheon. Lafayette Jeff will be the favorite in Class 5A, Section 12, which begins next week at South Bend Adams. Back: 15.
16. Concord (9-0): The Minutemen completed their first undefeated regular season since 2010 with a 42-14 win over Plymouth. Jaron Thomas finished the regular season with 1,125 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs. Concord opens in Class 5A, Section 11 at Fort Wayne North. Back: 16.
17. Decatur Central (6-2): Can the Hawks make another run to Lucas Oil Stadium and finish it this time? It won't be easy in Class 5A Section 13, where Decatur Central faces Whiteland at home and would then likely face Plainfield. Back: 17.
18. Plainfield (8-1): The Quakers are a strong, physical team. Plainfield handed Martinsville its first loss, 50-37, as Luke Starnes ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Plainfield's first game next week in Class 5A Section 13 is against winless Anderson. Back: 19.
19. Ben Davis (4-5): The Giants are a sleeper — if that's possible for a reigning state champion. Ben Davis has won three straight games against Carmel, Lawrence Central and North Central. The Giants open next week at Pike in Class 6A, Section 5. Previous: 21.
20. Franklin Central (5-3): Franklin Central is a difficult team to evaluate. A four-game winning streak was followed by a 44-7 loss to Westfield. The Flashes open at Columbus North in Class 6A, Section 8. Previous: 13.
21. Elkhart (8-1): The Lions have won eight straight after dropping a point to Concord in their opening game. Only one of those games — a 7-3 win over Penn — came against a 6A opponent. A tough task next week in 6A Section 2 against Fort Wayne Snider. Back: 22.
22. Fisher (5-4): The Tigers defeated Zionsville 30-6 and ended the regular season with Caden Hill rushing for 284 yards and a touchdown. Fishers opens Class 6A, Section 4 next week at Noblesville. Back: 23.
23. Martinsville (8-1): The Artesians dropped a 50-37 decision to Plainfield to end the regular season despite AJ Reynolds having 405 passing yards and three touchdowns. Martinsville has a winnable section and opens Friday against Charlestown (2-7) in Class 4A Section 23. Back: 20.
24. Fort Wayne Snider (7-2): Snider, the reigning 5A state champion, is back in Class 6A for the first time since 2020. The Panthers won the 6A sectional titles in 2017 and 2018. Back: 24.
25. Heritage Hills (8-1): Heritage Hills, a state finalist last year, has a tough road ahead in Class 3A Section 32. The Patriots open with Gibson Southern in the first round, a few weeks after beating the Titans 28-0. Heritage Hills has allowed just 20 points in the last seven weeks. Back: 25.

Dropped out: None

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

(This story has been updated because an earlier version contained an inaccuracy.)