Triton Central opens the 2022 football season ranked No. 9 in the Indiana Football Coaches Association’s Preseason Football Poll.

Defending state champion Andrean is ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A poll. Evansville Mater Dei follows at No. 2 with Eastbrook and Fort Wayne Luers tied for No. 3.

Lafayette Central Catholic is No. 5 ahead of Linton-Stockton, Scecina, Eastside, Triton Central and Heritage Christian.

Also receiving votes in the 2A poll are LaVille, Brownstown Central, Eastern (Greentown), Tipton, Ritter, Alexandria, Lapel, Lewis Cass, Sullivan, Paoli and Seeger.

Triton Central, Brownstown Central and Scecina are grouped into Sectional 39 this postseason.

Five of the six top-ranked teams in the IFCA Preseason Poll are defending state champions. The sixth, Cathedral, won the 5A title in 2021 and is ranked No. 2 in the 6A poll behind Center Grove.

Mt. Vernon is No. 1 in the 4A poll. Chatard sits atop the 3A poll. And Lutheran is the top-ranked team in Class A.

The 4A poll is led by a pair of Hoosier Heritage Conference schools with a third sitting just outside the top 10.

Mt. Vernon, New Palestine, Roncalli, Mooresville and Brebeuf round out the top five. Evansville Memorial is No. 6 ahead of East Central, Hobart, Kokomo and Northwood. Greenfield-Central is ranked No. 13.

Shelbyville will face all three HHC schools this season plus Delta (3A, No. 13) and is now in Sectional 23 with East Central and Silver Creek (4A, No. 16).

Following Center Grove and Cathedral atop the 6A poll are Carmel, Brownsburg, Warren Central, Westfield, Ben Davis, Hamilton Southeastern, Lawrence North and Avon.

Merrillville leads the 5A poll with Decatur Central, Fort Wayne Snider, Michigan City, Whiteland, Fort Wayne Dwenger, Valparaiso, Mishawaka, Concord and Harrison (West Lafayette) in the top 10.

The 3A top 10 includes Chatard, West Lafayette, Gibson Southern, Tri-West, Mishawaka Marian, Lawrenceburg, Danville, Western Boone, Guerin Catholic and Norwell.

Lutheran won a state title in 2021 and starts the 2022 season ranked No. 1. Adams Central is No. 2 ahead of South Adams, Covenant Christian, Monroe Central, North Judson, Park Tudor, North Decatur, South Putnam and Tri.

The 2022 football season kicks off Friday night around the state.