Bulldogs Bite Into State’s Top 20 as Coaches Poll Drops; Olympians Flying Under the Radar

The Indiana high school football season is still a couple weeks from kickoff, but the early scoreboard is already lighting up — at least in the court of public opinion. The Indiana Football Coaches Association released its preseason rankings this week, and while the defending 6A state champion Brownsburg Bulldogs sit firmly in the driver’s seat at No. 1, our own Columbus North Bulldogs are getting some statewide respect after last year’s deep run.

North, who finished sixth in 6A last season, cracked the “others receiving votes” category and landed in the No. 16 spot in media composite terms — not bad for a team looking to reload and run it back. With two votes in a loaded 6A field, the Blue-and-White are quietly circling the yard, ready to make some noise when the whistle blows in Week 1.

Over on the east side, the Columbus East Olympians — fresh off a No. 12 finish in 5A a year ago — will begin 2025 without a number next to their name. The O’s were left out of the preseason top 10 and the “others receiving votes” category in 5A. But if there’s one thing history has shown, it’s that East thrives as the underdog. This program has a knack for turning early-season doubt into late-season dominance, and you can bet they’ll be looking to plant their flag in the rankings before long.

In the meantime, the Bulldogs and Olympians will have a chance to show the pollsters exactly where they belong once the pads start popping later this month. After all, paper rankings may start the season — but it’s the scoreboard that finishes it.