Quarterback Central: Top Indy-area quarterbacks to watch for 2025 IHSAA football season

Indianapolis Star

a day ago

Any high school football team with high aspirations for the upcoming season better have a quarterback to lead the way. With the season just nine Fridays away, we take a look at 20 Central Indiana QBs to watch going into the 2025 season:
Previously: Top-10 Week 1 games in Central Indiana
Can the senior make the jump from Class 2A to 6A? Allen, who transferred at the start of his second semester of his junior year, put up outstanding numbers the past two seasons as Cardinal Ritter's starting quarterback. As a sophomore, the 6-foot left-hander completed 55% of his passes for 1,851 yards and 13 touchdowns (eight interceptions) and ran for 317 yards and 11 TDs. Last year as a junior, Allen completed 54.3% of his passes for 1,664 yards and 12 TDs (10 interceptions) and rushed for 350 yards and six TDs as he was named first team All-City. Lawrence Central, coming off a 4-6 season, had a hole at quarterback with Terry Walker III transferring to Hamilton Southeastern.
The 5-10, 185-pound senior left-hander was limited to just four games due to injury but was productive in that time, completing 51% of his passes for 584 yards and three touchdowns with five interceptions. Cameron also ran for 85 yards in those four games. He was injured in the Week 3 game against Hamilton Southeastern and missed the rest of the regular season, coming back to play against Brownsburg in the sectional. Cameron was 16-for-31 for 203 yards and one touchdown in that 21-13 loss to the Bulldogs, who went on to win the 6A state title. Avon finished just 3-7 but there are high expectations for the Orioles to make a jump.
From a team perspective, it was a disappointing season in the win-loss department for the Greyhounds, who won just one game after a 2-1 start to sputter to a 3-7 mark. A coaching change will be the big story for Carmel going into the 2025 season as Kevin Wright returns to lead the Greyhounds for a second tenure (2010-14 his first). But a secondary storyline will be the play of 6-2, 200-pound Coellner, who is one of the most talented and experienced quarterbacks in the state. The two-year starter and Troy University recruit completed 61% of his passes as a junior for 1,896 yards and 17 TDs (eight interceptions) in nine games. Coellner passed for 937 yards and eight TDs as a sophomore and ran for 298 yards and two TDs.
The 6-1, 180-pound senior was named as the IFCA Class 2A Junior All-State quarterback last season after completing 66% of his passes for 3,231 yards and 30 touchdowns (10 interceptions) and rushed for 133 yards and three TDs for a Lapel team that won a sectional championship and finished 9-4. The three-year starter has a 65% completion rate for his career and has 7,568 passing yards and 70 passing TDs overall (30 interceptions) with 243 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs. Craig will easily reach the top 10 in state history in career passing yards with a season similar to his junior year, though his top two receiving targets did graduate.
The 6-2, 200-pound senior transferred from Covenant Christian to Mooresville for his junior season and completed 56% of his passes for 2,483 yards and 25 touchdowns (with 15 interceptions) in a 4-7 season for the Pioneers. As a sophomore, Cruz passed for 2,631 yards and 33 TDs (with 14 interceptions) and ran for five touchdowns for Covenant Christian. He has an offer from Indiana Wesleyan.
The 6-3, 195-pound senior transferred from Springboro (Ohio) prior to his junior year and helped the Dragons to a 14-0 record and Class 4A state championship. Davis completed 68.1% of his passes for 1,949 yards and a staggering 23-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The Towson University commit also proved to be a dangerous runner, going for 662 yards and 13 TDs on the ground. As the Dragons make the jump this season to Class 5A via the tournament success factor, Davis is one of several experienced players coach Kyle Ralph can count on.
The 5-9, 165-pound Dobson helped Greenwood Christian to a 7-3 record in its first season as a sectional-eligible program (the Cougars lost by one point to Eastern Greene in their first sectional game). With Dobson returning and plenty of depth on the line, Greenwood Christian could make another jump in Class A. He completed 55% of his passes as a junior for 1,918 yards and 21 TDs (seven interceptions) and 1,029 rushing yards with 15 rushing TDs. Overall, Dobson has 3,236 passing yards and 33 TDs (14 interceptions) and 1,781 rushing yards and 24 rushing TDs. Dobson is one of the few on this list who also punts and returns punts and kicks.
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior has been one of Central Indiana's most prolific passers over the past three seasons. As a junior, Edon completed 59% of his passes for 2,172 yards and 19 touchdowns (with nine interceptions) and ran for 396 yards and seven rushing TDs. In his three seasons, Edon has a 58% completion rate with 5,782 passing yards and 55 passing TDs (with 25 interceptions). He has also run for 1,255 yards and 21 TDs to date for his high school career. New coach Josh Holden has been impressed with the team's talent and depth as the Class 2A Royals are coming off a 5-5 season. Edon has an offer from Saint Francis.
The 6-2, 190-pound Frye, a junior, did not disappoint in his first year as a starter, playing a key role in helping the Bulldogs to the Class 6A state championship – the program's first state title since 1985. Frye completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,445 yards and 23 TDs (seven interceptions), and added a little bit of running (122 yards). He already has offers from Bowling Green, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Sacramento State and Toledo and interest from many other FBS programs. With many of the skill position players around him returning, along with several offensive linemen, the Bulldogs should feature one of the best offenses in Class 6A.
The 6-1, 205-pound senior completed 65% of his passes as a junior for Chatard for 1,950 yards and 14 touchdowns (with four interceptions) and ran for another four scores. Harrington is a young senior (just turned 17), so coach Rob Doyle is hoping Harrington can take another big step this season and have a big year for the Trojans, who finished 9-3 and battled eventual Class 4A state champion New Palestine to an overtime loss in the regional.
The 6-foot, 160-pound senior put together a solid season in his first year as a starter, completing 61% of his passes for 1,528 yards and 11 TDs (with nine interceptions). Koers, who has offers from DePauw and Wabash, helped his team to a 6-4 season. Cathedral will move back down to Class 5A for at least the next two seasons. Koers will have one of his top receivers back in Jackson Harvey and 1,000-yard rusher Xavier Dangerfield.
The 6-7 Moore was one of the most productive freshmen in the state last season as he completed 58% of his passes for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns (with four interceptions). Moore also ran for 57 yards and one TD for the 4-6 Hornets. It will be interesting to see how Moore progresses. He is a three-sport athlete who averaged 11.0 points and 6.4 rebounds as a freshman on the basketball court and batted .438 with nine doubles on the baseball field.
The 6-1, 205-pound senior transferred to Franklin Central from Speedway, where he passed for 1,652 yards and 17 passing TDs as a junior and ran for 265 yards and two scores. Moreland also had a big sophomore season for the Sparkplugs, completing 60% of his passes for 1,884 yards and 15 TDs (with six interceptions). Moreland joins a Class 6A Franklin Central team that was 6-4 last season and returns leading receiver Hudson Moritz.
The 6-4, 205-pound Nix was 60% passer as a junior, throwing for 1,725 yards and 22 TDs with 11 interceptions. He was also the leading rusher for the 7-3 Eagles, going for 805 yards on the ground with 14 rushing TDs. Leading receiver Andrew Sloan returns for the Eagles, though there will be some changes going into this season for Heritage Christian, starting with new coach Caleb Brink. Nix has 3,332 passing yards and 40 passing TDs (23 interceptions) and 833 rushing yards and 15 rushing TDs in high school.
The 6-2, 185-pound senior, a Toledo commit, helped the Hawks to their first state title last year with a victory over Warsaw in the Class 5A title game. Decatur Central makes the jump to 6A this year under the tournament success factor but could be a contender in the larger class. The presence of an experienced quarterback like Polston certainly helps. He completed 64% of his passes last year in an 11-2 season, going for 2,069 yards and 21 passing TDs (eight interceptions). Polston is also a threat on the ground, rushing for 301 yards and five TDs. In his three years as a starter, he has 5,366 passing yards and 55 passing TDs (27 interceptions) and 1,108 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs.
The debut of the 6-4, 190-pound sophomore will be fun to watch. As a freshman, Sloan was a backup to now-graduated senior Gabe McWilliams, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Sloan was 6-for-9 passing for 85 yards and a TD in backup duty. But the potential is off the charts. Sloan already has nine Division I offers, which is highly unusual for a player with so little varsity experience. His offer list includes Cincinnati, Maryland and Purdue. Center Grove, coming off an 8-5 season and regional championship, should stay among the Class 6A elite.
The 6-4, 200-pound Sorgi, a Louisville commit, is the son of former Colts' backup quarterback Jim Sorgi. Jack is quickly making his own name for himself, completing 59% of his passes for 1,729 yards and 19 TDs (four interceptions) as a sophomore with 225 rushing yards and four rushing TDs. Sorgi should be poised to take another step forward as a junior and the full-time starter at quarterback for the Bruins, who are coming off an 8-5 season and Class 3A regional championship.
The 6-foot, 185-pound senior was well on his way to a breakout junior season, completing 62% of his passes for 1,156 yards and 13 TDs (with two interceptions) before he suffered a season-ending injury in a Week 5 31-30 loss to Brownsburg. Sturgill also proved to be an adept runner, averaging 4.0 yards per carry (161 rushing yards total) and running for four TDs. Sturgill, who threw for 344 yards and three TDs as a sophomore, has offers from Butler and Western Illinois.
The 6-3, 190-pound Walker, a Duke recruit, transferred from Lawrence Central to HSE before the second semester of his junior year. Last season for the Bears, Walker completed 46% of his passes for 1,467 yards and 17 TDs (with three interceptions). The dual-threat quarterback also ran for 377 yards and four TDs. For his career, Walker has completed 47% of his passes for 2,685 yards and 28 TDs (with six interceptions) and ran for 503 yards and five TDs. He joins a Hamilton Southeastern team that is coming off a 7-4 season.
Ward, a junior, has led Danville to a 11-2 record in his starts over the past two seasons. As a sophomore, he completed 59% of his passes for 1,063 yards and 16 TDs (with three interceptions). Ward also ran for 63 yards and four TDs and caught seven passes for 55 yards when he was not playing quarterback. Overall in his two seasons, Ward has 1,780 passing yards and 28 passing TDs with six interceptions. Danville returns a strong group of upperclassmen from last year's 8-2 team that lost in last year's controversial Class 4A sectional game against Brebeuf Jesuit.
Collin Ash, Roncalli: Ash, a senior, split time last year with now-graduated Jayden Buchanan. Ash passed for 732 yards and four TDs and ran for 649 yards and 11 TDs.
Evan Clark, Indian Creek: The 6-1, 210-pound Clark was one of the most productive freshmen last year, throwing for 1,476 yards and 20 TDs and running for 190 yards and five TDs.
Anthony Dennison, Warren Central: In eight games as a sophomore, the 6-1, 205-pound Dennison passed for 754 yards and seven TDs with six interceptions. Jack Quillen, a sophomore, will also be a name to watch at quarterback for the Warriors.
Christopher Harris, Park Tudor: In seven games as a freshman, the 5-11, 165-pound Harris completed 63% of his passes for 1,122 yards and 18 TDs with six interceptions. He also ran for 425 yards and nine TDs.
Mychael Lewis, Pike: The 5-11, 165-pound sophomore earned some valuable playing time as a freshman for the 6A Red Devils, passing for 343 yards and four TDs and rushing for 164 yards and three TDs.
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon: The 5-10, 165-pound Meyer completed 49% of his passes for 1,150 yards and nine TDs and ran for 423 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore for the 4-6 Marauders.
Bryce Sebanc, Plainfield: The 6-3, 170-pound junior picked up his first offer from Sacramento State this week. Sebanc passed for 559 yards and five TDs and ran for two TDs as a sophomore.
Brady Trebley, Cascade: The 6-2, 185-pound Trebley had a big junior season as he completed 65% of his passes for 1,218 yards and 20 TDs and ran for 392 yards and eight TDs for the 10-1 Cadets.