Despite only about five miles separating the two schools nestled on opposite sides of a college town, Bloomington High School North and Bloomington High School South will not play in the same conference starting in 2026.
Bloomington North, which is leaving a crumbling Conference Indiana for the Mid-State Conference next year, hopes to have a final season that ends much better than the previous. The Cougars impressed in the regular season, posting a 7-2 regular season record while going 4-1 in conference play.
In the playoffs, however, they suffered a disappointing loss in the sectional championship game to rival Bloomington South. That loss, 27-3 on Nov. 8, 2024, mirrored the boys’ soccer team’s playoff exit a month earlier.
Bloomington South, despite finishing one place lower in conference standings than its rivals, went on a run to clinch the regional title 28-21 over Castle High School on Nov. 15 before losing 27-13 to Decatur Central High School in the Class 5A State-Semifinals on Nov. 22.
Despite having a 5-4 record heading into the playoffs, the Panthers got hot at the right time and were able to roll over their local rivals to ultimately challenge for a championship. Now, the weight of conference realignment hangs over their heads.
Non-conference results so far
Both schools have played two non-conference games so far this season, with both teams due to play their first conference matchup away from home Friday.
Bloomington South picked up where last season left off with a 42-7 blowout home win over Columbus East High School on Aug. 22, which was followed up by a 38-27 home victory over Martinsville High School on Aug. 29.
Bloomington North, in contrast, stumbled in its first game with a 28-14 home loss against Mooresville High School on Aug. 22. The Cougars rebounded the next week, edging out a 29-20 home win over Bedford North Lawrence High School on Aug. 29.
Players to watch
John Bargen (North) - Despite being a senior quarterback, Bargen is a newcomer to the Cougars. He previously played for Dunlap High School in Dunlap, Illinois, where he threw for 1,211 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead Dunlap to the Class 6A Playoffs.
Jalen Williams (South) - The senior tight end joined from cross-town rivals Bloomington North after compiling 370 yards and 6 touchdowns from 21 catches. He switched from wide receiver to tight end this season and has initially committed to the University of South Florida as a three-star prospect.
Ross Ogden (South) - The second straight inclusion to switch from North to South, Ogden was one of the Cougars’ standouts on defense, racking up 18 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns. The senior linebacker will now anchor the Panthers’ defense. He initially committed to Northern Illinois University as a three-star prospect.
Lucas Rice (North) - The senior defensive lineman led the team in sacks last season with five, also gathering 90 tackles, eight quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. He will be one of the few returning players on a much different-looking defense due to major player turnover.
Isley Adamson (North) - The senior offensive lineman managed to earn starting varsity snaps as a freshman and never looked back. Having anchored the Cougars’ front line for multiple seasons, Adamson has received offers from Franklin College and Hanover College.
What’s next
Bloomington North opens conference play away against Terre Haute South Vigo High School on Friday at 7 p.m. Bloomington South will play away against Terre Haute North Vigo High School on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
After the conference opener, both teams will face off against each other in their final conference clash. Bloomington South will host Bloomington North on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Future games played in this rivalry will be non-conference.
Playing in different conferences lowers the stakes of the rivalry matchup; while a win won’t count for much more than bragging rights, the competition is likely to remain strong beyond conference lines.
