Northern Indiana’s Top Teams Gear Up for 2026
The South Bend Tribune’s preseason rankings have spotlighted five standout programs from Northern Indiana and the Northern Lakes Conference, setting the stage for a competitive 2026 season. Penn, Mishawaka, South Bend Saint Joseph, Concord and Elkhart represent the region’s most promising squads across Classes 4A through 6A.
Penn enters the rankings as the defending IHSAA 6A sectional champion, riding the momentum of a strong returning core. Junior quarterback Landon Hall will again anchor the offense, supported by standout receivers Brayson Hurley and Mason Biernacki, while senior center A.J. Needham and lineman Adrien Brown provide depth up front. Defensive standout Noah Wallis leads a resilient unit that could keep the Kingsmen at the top.
Mishawaka’s offense will be built around a potent flexbone scheme, with senior quarterback Landon Snyder and running back Kadyn O’Neal expected to drive the attack. The defensive line features key contributors Tristan Garcia and Alex Demaegd, giving the team balance on both sides of the ball as they navigate a tough sectional that includes Saint Joseph, Riley and NorthWood.
South Bend Saint Joseph’s resurgence under head coach Ben Downey has been remarkable; the team posted a 12‑2 record last season, the most wins in program history since the 2011 state finals run. Returning rushers Daivid Waite and Matt Champlin, along with defensive starter Criniti, give the Indians a solid foundation as they aim to repeat their semi‑state success.
Concord, the reigning 5A regional champion, must replace seven All‑NLC seniors but retains senior offensive lineman Drake Light and transfer quarterback Braylon Monroe, who arrives from NorthWood. Junior wide receiver Jaron Allen will also see increased involvement, though the running back position remains uncertain heading into the new campaign.
Elkhart’s senior quarterback Micah Jarrell led the Lions in both passing and rushing last year, and his dual‑threat ability could prove decisive against a challenging sectional that includes Penn. The defense will need to fill the void left by linebacker Kros Jones, with junior defensive back Cole Bell and senior Aaron Horton stepping up to maintain competitiveness.
Across the five teams, nearly every program will meet at least once during the regular season, with only three matchups left off the schedule. This dense slate of intra‑regional games promises to provide a clear gauge of each squad’s true strength as the 2026 season unfolds.