For the last three years, West Noble and Garrett have been the teams to beat in the NECC Big Division, with the Chargers going 4-0 in 2025 and 2023 and Garrett doing the same in 2024.
Will it be a battle of those two teams once again for the division title? Or will another team break through?
Let’s break down the NECC’s Big Division.
The favorite: West Noble Chargers
Despite graduation taking away the likes of Trey Shisler, McKale Bottles and Xavier Yates, there is a lot to like about the junior class of West Noble, some of which we have already seen thrive on Friday nights.
The two top rushers are back in juniors Brogan Parks (102 carries, 633 yards, 10 TDs) and XyMire Barnes-Bridges (89-516-7). Very much a thunder and lightning-type combo, the duo will be crucial to the Chargers’ offensive fortunes, especially considering sophomore Jackson Christlieb takes over the QB1 spot and could need some time to settle in.
Senior Brayden Limerick is the only returning receiver who caught more than four passes a year ago, as he hauled in 15 receptions for 302 yards and five touchdowns. His big-play ability will help Christlieb immeasurably, but he will need some help at the position. Junior Ryan Glick and sophomore Brody Mast are two to watch at wideout, as well as junior Caleb Saggars at tight end.
Ethan Yates is a four-year starter along the offensive line, a unit which will be laden with seniors. Yates will be joined by classmates Cole Lundy, Trenten Henson and Alex Valle, as well as junior Yosgart Diaz.
Parks and Yates will be dynamic on the defensive side of the ball, with Yates along the front line and Parks roaming at linebacker.
West Noble lost three games last year by a combined five points, including one-point defeats to Churubusco and Angola. This year’s squad will want to get the team back into double-digit victories as it was in 2023 and 2024.
The contender: Garrett Railroaders
Year 1 under Coach Chris Albertin was all about laying the foundation. Year 2 is all about taking that next step.
Despite beginning the season 2-4 last year, Garrett rallied to go 5-2 the rest of the way, with the two losses coming to Angola by a combined five points.
A pair of seniors will be pivotal for the Railroaders – Alex Guzman and Aiden Reed. On defense, Reed is the alpha as he finished with 102 tackles and nine tackles for loss last season. Guzman will make the back end of the defense, where he picked off a pair of passes, forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one as a junior.
Offensively, Guzman and Reed are the one-two punch at running back, having combined for over 1,100 rushing yards and 11 scores last year.
The biggest question for Garrett? Who is the starting quarterback.
The rest
ANGOLA HORNETS
After capturing its first sectional title since 2018 last season, Angola has to replace a pair of stalwarts – former coach Andy Thomas and do-everything athlete Hawk Hasselman.
Coach Seth Wilcox, former coach at DeKalb, takes over in the place of Thomas. Wilcox has been on staff at Angola, so the acclimation period was short. It will be his job to identify the next group of Hornets standouts, including a few guys who can do what Hasselman did – pretty much lead the team in all three facets of the game.
A strength may very well be the guys up front, with Eric Neilson back as well aslinebacker Landen Bussard and wide receiver Brayden Gruner.
FAIRFIELD FALCONS
Coach Cory Stoner’s team began 2025 with a 3-1 record, but dropped six in a row to end the season.
But there is optimism for the Falcons. Kahler Maust will be QB1 after missing most of last year due to an injury. Seniors Isaac Yoder (595 yards rushing) and Miguel Gutierrez (252 yards rushing) return in the backfield, as well as a pair of offensive line starters in senior LaDainian Miller and junior Alex Hagar.
Defensive pieces back include Gavin Lash up front, Yoder at linebacker and Reese Miller at safety.
LAKELAND LAKERS
Quarterback Brayden Holbrook, the program’s all-time leading passer, is irreplaceable, but it will be Coach Tom Wogomon’s job to limit the fallout from the 2,000-yard passer.
Keyan Arroyo, who was a multi-year starter on both sides of the ball for the Lakers, also needs replaced.
Lakeland has 10 seniors, a good place to start with so much production out the door. Leading tackler Bryar Alleshouse is back, as well as lineman Aiden Givens and defensive back Cruz Richard.
It will be junior Brady West taking Holbrook’s position behind center.
There may be some regression here, and with less than 40 players on the roster numbers are thing, but Coach Wogomon is experienced and will get the best out of the Lakers.
NECC BIG DIVISION PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. West Noble
2. Garrett
3. Fairfield
4. Angola
5. Lakeland
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