South Putnam finished the regular season in the top 10 of the Indiana Football Coaches Association State Coaches Poll.
Following a 35-10 loss to Class 2A, No. 1 Linton-Stockton, South Putnam (7-2) dropped in the final state coaches poll from No. 6 to No. 9.
The Eagles will open the postseason Friday at Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran (9-0), who has won 24 straight games and are the defending Class A state champions.
Adams Central (9-0) and North Decatur (9-0) are unbeaten as well and sit at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the Class A poll.
North Judson (8-1) is No. 4 followed by Sheridan (8-1), Carroll (Flora) (8-1), Tri (8-1), Tecumseh (8-0), South Putnam, South Adams (7-2) and Triton (6-3). Also receiving votes are Southwood (7-2), Covenant Christian (6-3) and Park Tudor (6-3).
Linton-Stockton (9-0) remains No. 1 in the final Class 2A poll ahead of LaVille (9-0), Andrean (6-3), Indianapolis Scecina (8-1), Evansville Mater Dei (6-3), Triton Central (7-2), Eastside (7-2), Fort Wayne Luers (5-4), Lafayette Central Catholic (6-3) and Rochester (8-1).
Four more teams received votes: Eastbrook (6-3), Heritage Christian (5-3), Perry Central (8-1) and Lewis Cass (6-3).
Unbeatens West Lafayette (9-0) and Gibson Southern (9-0) are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the Class 3A poll. Chatard (5-4) is No. 3 ahead of Hanover Central (9-0), Lawrenceburg (8-1), Owen Valley (9-0), Norwell (8-1), Tri-West (7-2), Guerin Catholic (5-4) and Southridge (8-1). Also receiving votes are Oak Hill (9-0), South Dearborn (7-2) and Batesville (4-5).
East Central’s 21-19 loss to Roncalli Friday cost the Trojans one spot in the final Class 4A poll.
New Palestine (9-0) finished the regular season undefeated to hold on to the No. 1 spot in Class 4A. Roncalli (8-1) is No. 2 followed by East Central (7-2), Evansville Reitz (9-0), Kokomo (8-1), New Prairie (8-1), Mooresville (7-2), Columbia City (8-1) and Brebeuf Jesuit (5-3). Also receiving votes are Greenfield-Central (6-3), Mt. Vernon (6-3), Martinsville (6-3), Evansville Memorial (6-3), Hobart (6-3) and Leo (6-3).
Whiteland (8-1) moved back up to No. 2 in the Class 5A poll behind Fort Wayne Snider (8-1). Mishawaka (8-1) is No. 3 ahead of Bloomington South (7-1), Merrillville (7-2), Harrison (West Lafayette) (8-1), Fort Wayne North (7-2), Franklin (7-2), Valparaiso (6-3) and Fort Wayne Dwenger (6-3). The only other team to receive votes in the poll was Terre Haute South (6-3).
The 6A poll received a major shakeup when previous No. 1 Brownsburg and No. 2 Center Grove lost Friday to top-five ranked opponents.
Hamilton Southeastern (9-0) defeated Brownsburg, 31-28, to rise from No. 4 to No. 1 in the final 6A poll of the year.
Cathedral (7-1) toppled Center Grove, 40-29, to move from No. 3 to No. 2.
Center Grove (7-2) is No. 3 with Brownsburg (8-1), Carroll (Allen) (9-0), Carmel (6-3), Ben Davis (6-3), Crown Point (9-0), Penn (7-2) and Westfield (6-3) rounding out the top 10.
Also receiving votes are Fishers (6-3), Warren Central (4-5) and Elkhart (7-2).
The 50th Annual IHSAA State Football Tournament starts on Friday with opening-round sectional games.
