The South Bend Tribune has unveiled its preseason rankings for the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association football season, a snapshot that places teams ranked sixth through tenth in the state’s competitive hierarchy. The list spotlights five programs — South Bend Riley, NorthWood, Mishawaka Marian, South Bend Adams, and LaVille — each of which brings a distinct storyline and a set of returning standouts.
Riley’s defense returns key playmakers Adin Norton, Muri Jackson and Kros Jones, all of whom earned All‑State honors a year ago and helped the team finish a modest 4‑6 record. Coach Darrick Lee has emphasized mental toughness and consistency, urging his unit to finish every play with the intensity needed to climb into the upper echelon of the Northern Indiana Conference.
NorthWood, after losing its top offensive weapons, is banking on a revamped scheme that leans on the hard‑hitting presence of All‑State lineman Wesley Burkholder and a collective commitment to brotherhood and accountability. Coach Nate Andrews stresses that the team’s intangibles — chemistry, discipline and a willingness to adapt — will be the foundation upon which the new attack is built, with the hope of turning early‑season growing pains into a potent scoring threat.
Rebuilding the offense at NorthWood
The rebuild is not just about replacing lost talent; it is about forging a new identity that can compete week after week. By emphasizing a balanced attack and a disciplined line, the team aims to reduce the mistakes that plagued them last season and to establish a rhythm that keeps opponents guessing.
Mishawaka Marian, under coach Joe Calderone, brings a deep defensive core led by Brayden Cerney and Parker Mrozinski, while junior tailback Vinnie Gruber and senior receiver Terrel Lane return to give the offense a balanced threat after a 4‑8 campaign. The team’s aggressive style is designed to challenge rivals early and set a tone of competitiveness that could carry them into championship contention.
South Bend Adams, guided by Frank Karczewski, is chasing its first winning season since 2016, focusing on daily improvement and mental toughness to tighten a defense that allowed 25 points per game last year. The coaching staff believes that incremental progress, combined with a disciplined approach, will translate into more victories as the schedule unfolds.
LaVille, whose 2‑4 start last season gave way to an 8‑5 finish, will lean on quarterback Griffin Smith and running back Konnor Amor to establish a physical ground game, while the coaching staff emphasizes minimizing turnovers and stopping easy gains. The team’s offensive philosophy centers on running the ball with power and precision, aiming to control the clock and wear down opponents.
The five programs hail from three different conferences — the Northern Indiana, Northern Lakes and Indiana Northern State circuits — underscoring the regional diversity that will shape the early schedule and playoff aspirations. As the season progresses, the interplay of defensive strength, offensive innovation, and conference dynamics will determine which teams can translate preseason optimism into real‑world success.