Times Staff
Editor's note: The Times Top 10 is voted on by Times sportswriters Sam Beishuizen, Noah Bortle, Alex Burr and Grace Opinker as well as Region Sports Network 's Mike Dywan and Regional Radio Sports Network 's Vince Gray.
1. Crown Point
Last season: 12-1 (7-0 Duneland Athletic Conference)
Week 1: at Lowell
Crown Point hasn't lost a regular-season game since 2021. Craig Buzea's squad has reached semistate in each of the past two seasons, playing in the Class 6A state championship game in 2023.
While the Bulldogs lost stars like quarterback Noah Ehrlich and running back Larry Ellison, they return enough talent to make them the top dogs ('Dogs?) heading into 2025.
2. Merrillville
Last season: 11-2 (6-1 DAC)
Week 1: vs. Andrean
Merrillville has reached semistate in