Looking at the next five years which programs will be on the upswing/downswing?
Crown Point:
Merrillville:
Lowell:
Hobart:
Valpo:
KV:
Hanover:
Any others?
Future Outlook
Re: Future Outlook
Crown Point: Upswing. I don't think this needs much explaining. Lol
Merrillville: Same swing. They NEED to get over the Semi-State hump in 5A. That is a class MADE for them to win it. Win it, and I'll change to upswing...
Valpo: Upswing. They were kind of "down" by their standards last year so I only assume they'll trend upwards in the short term.
Lowell: Downswing. I think coach McKim is great and has proved so in his past. But I think it'll be an uphill battle after losing some key assistants with his hiring.
Hobart: Same swing. As of now, I don't see them trending up, but I also don't see them trending down. To be completely honest, this season will help me answer this question over the next 4 years after this one.
KV: Downswing? I know they lose their big back but I also thought that was a strong KV senior class? Unless I was mistaken? Time will tell, I do know they added a little "old Lowell" to their staff.
Hanover: Downswing followed by an upswing. I think Hanover will have a little bit of an immediate drop off post-Parker but I think as younger talent rolls in and the population in this community grows, coach Bart can get them back on an upswing quickly.
Rest of DAC
Chesterton: Downswing. It feels like that 1st Sectional Title is further away than ever at this point. I don't think they can catch their neighbor Valpo anytime soon.
Portage: Same swing that's always swung. Roy did an amazing job going from 0-10 to 4-6 and I wouldn't be surprised if their win total improves again. But I think the Portage admin and higher ups will continue to hold this once proud program back.
LC: Downswing. The 2025 LC Indians will not be as talented as the 2024 version and I don't see brighter days ahead...
MC: Same swing. See Hobart.
LaPorte: Upswing. New OC is a quality football coach and quite honestly, I don't think they could go anymore "down."
Rest of NCC
Andrean: Upswing. The 59ers have a ton of talent from 9th-11th grade in the building already and I imagine they'll add a nice 8th grade class along with some transfers to keep the Andrean train moving along.
Highland: Slight Upswing. Last years Highland group was abysmal. Their JV was much more competitive than their Varsity and they will be young on both sides of the ball in 2025. Similar to LaPorte, idk if it can be any worse...
Munster: Slight Upswing. Coach St. Louis did a good job in year one with a pretty good group of kids. I imagine he will keep the Stangs trending up. Not sure how high up, but I'll give them an upswing grade.
Illiana Christian: Upswing. Only way to go is up when you're at the floor. Lol
Bonus
BNI: Upswing. Upgrade at head coach (no offense to Milby but if we stack resumes...). Coach Good could take advantage of Hammond resident's distrust in the School City of Hammond and "steal" away a couple athletes for the Hammond Catholics.
Hammond Central: Downswing. Going to be stuck in 5A, BNI has a new shiny head coach, and the kids seem to leave there more than stay. Tough battle for coach Milby.
Morton: Upswing. Word on the street is they won't be 5A for long. If they're dropping down to 4A, they should see an upswing. 4A, especially in the NW Corner of Indiana is not very strong and is a class the Govs can have some success in. They've lacked the interior depth to stack up in 5A but for a 4A team, they've got enough to have an upswing with a class drop.
Wheeler: Same swing. I know they have some guys coming back and lost a few key contributors. Just not sure of the upswing ceiling for the Bearcats.
West Side: Same swing. It seems coach Boz is doing a nice job but they're a 4A school with a 3A schedule. I can see them doing exactly what they've been doing for the foreseeable future.
Merrillville: Same swing. They NEED to get over the Semi-State hump in 5A. That is a class MADE for them to win it. Win it, and I'll change to upswing...
Valpo: Upswing. They were kind of "down" by their standards last year so I only assume they'll trend upwards in the short term.
Lowell: Downswing. I think coach McKim is great and has proved so in his past. But I think it'll be an uphill battle after losing some key assistants with his hiring.
Hobart: Same swing. As of now, I don't see them trending up, but I also don't see them trending down. To be completely honest, this season will help me answer this question over the next 4 years after this one.
KV: Downswing? I know they lose their big back but I also thought that was a strong KV senior class? Unless I was mistaken? Time will tell, I do know they added a little "old Lowell" to their staff.
Hanover: Downswing followed by an upswing. I think Hanover will have a little bit of an immediate drop off post-Parker but I think as younger talent rolls in and the population in this community grows, coach Bart can get them back on an upswing quickly.
Rest of DAC
Chesterton: Downswing. It feels like that 1st Sectional Title is further away than ever at this point. I don't think they can catch their neighbor Valpo anytime soon.
Portage: Same swing that's always swung. Roy did an amazing job going from 0-10 to 4-6 and I wouldn't be surprised if their win total improves again. But I think the Portage admin and higher ups will continue to hold this once proud program back.
LC: Downswing. The 2025 LC Indians will not be as talented as the 2024 version and I don't see brighter days ahead...
MC: Same swing. See Hobart.
LaPorte: Upswing. New OC is a quality football coach and quite honestly, I don't think they could go anymore "down."
Rest of NCC
Andrean: Upswing. The 59ers have a ton of talent from 9th-11th grade in the building already and I imagine they'll add a nice 8th grade class along with some transfers to keep the Andrean train moving along.
Highland: Slight Upswing. Last years Highland group was abysmal. Their JV was much more competitive than their Varsity and they will be young on both sides of the ball in 2025. Similar to LaPorte, idk if it can be any worse...
Munster: Slight Upswing. Coach St. Louis did a good job in year one with a pretty good group of kids. I imagine he will keep the Stangs trending up. Not sure how high up, but I'll give them an upswing grade.
Illiana Christian: Upswing. Only way to go is up when you're at the floor. Lol
Bonus
BNI: Upswing. Upgrade at head coach (no offense to Milby but if we stack resumes...). Coach Good could take advantage of Hammond resident's distrust in the School City of Hammond and "steal" away a couple athletes for the Hammond Catholics.
Hammond Central: Downswing. Going to be stuck in 5A, BNI has a new shiny head coach, and the kids seem to leave there more than stay. Tough battle for coach Milby.
Morton: Upswing. Word on the street is they won't be 5A for long. If they're dropping down to 4A, they should see an upswing. 4A, especially in the NW Corner of Indiana is not very strong and is a class the Govs can have some success in. They've lacked the interior depth to stack up in 5A but for a 4A team, they've got enough to have an upswing with a class drop.
Wheeler: Same swing. I know they have some guys coming back and lost a few key contributors. Just not sure of the upswing ceiling for the Bearcats.
West Side: Same swing. It seems coach Boz is doing a nice job but they're a 4A school with a 3A schedule. I can see them doing exactly what they've been doing for the foreseeable future.
