PREDICTION: Western Looks to Bounce Back Under New Coach Austin Colby
The high school football season will be here before you know it, and there’s no better time than now to start predicting regular-season records for county schools.
Last week, we spotlighted Kokomo’s 2025 campaign. This week, we head west to Russiaville, where Western begins a new era under head coach Austin Colby. With a talented roster and a hungry fanbase, the Panthers have a prime opportunity to bounce back this fall.
Follow along as we break down Western’s 2025 schedule and predict their regular-season record.
Western High School
Head coach: Austin Colby (first season at Western; 54-23 overall in his eighth year as a head coach)
Western’s 2024 campaign was a season-long struggle, ending in the program’s first winless season since 1996. Led by an interim head coach, the Panthers never found their footing — leaving a sour taste and a shared determination to make sure it never happens again.
The 2025 season brings a different feel as former Kokomo head coach Austin Colby takes over the program. Colby enjoyed plenty of success early in his career, and his leadership — along with “The Colby Way” — should help bring much-needed stability to Western football.
It won’t be an easy road. The Panthers face tough battles all season long, which should make every win that much sweeter.
Western 2025 Football Schedule (Predicted Results)
Aug. 22 — vs. Indian Creek
Winner: Western
Aug. 29 — at North Montgomery
Winner: North Montgomery
Sept. 5 — vs. Indianapolis Lutheran
Winner: Indianapolis Lutheran
Sept. 12 — vs. Tipton
Winner: Western
Sept. 19 — vs. Hamilton Heights
Winner: Western
Sept. 26 — at West Lafayette
Winner: West Lafayette
Oct. 3 — at Tippecanoe Valley
Winner: Tippecanoe Valley
Oct. 10 — vs. Logansport
Winner: Western
Oct. 17 — at Twin Lakes
Winner: Western
Predicted 2025 Record: 5-4
Western’s road back won’t be easy, but the pieces are in place for a turnaround in 2025. With Austin Colby at the helm and a motivated roster eager to erase the memory of last season, the Panthers are poised to take a big step forward.
Next week, we’ll turn our attention to Northwestern as we continue predicting regular-season records for each county team ahead of what could be a memorable high school football season.
