The season begins on March 26 with the annual Red-White Scrimmage, which serves as both a fundraiser and a community event. Alumni are invited back, and it provides an early opportunity to connect past and present players before the official start of the season. Four days later, Southport opens its regular season at home against Brebeuf Jesuit. The game carries added significance as it will be the first official contest played on the program’s new turf field. It also serves as a rematch of last year’s Marion County Tournament loss to Brebeuf, a 9–6 game that was competitive throughout.

The opening stretch of the schedule continues with a mix of returning opponents and new additions. Southport travels to Ben Davis before returning home to face Decatur Central, a 16–12 team from a year ago. Indianapolis Lutheran follows, bringing a 21–10 record and a Top-50 ranking into the matchup. Southport defeated Lutheran 8–5 last season, making it one of the early benchmarks on the schedule. Covenant Christian appears as a new opponent before conference play begins with a trip to Terre Haute South. Southport won that matchup 7–2 last season, one of several conference results that will be revisited in 2026.

This season marks Southport’s final year competing in Conference Indiana alongside Columbus North, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Terre Haute North, and Terre Haute South. The Cardinals split results within the conference last year. They picked up wins against Terre Haute South and Columbus North, including a 3–2 extra-inning game, while dropping games to Bloomington South, Bloomington North, and Terre Haute North. Each of those teams returns to the schedule, providing direct carryover from last season’s results. Bloomington South finished 17–7 and ranked inside the Top 30 in the state. Terre Haute North went 18–9 and finished inside the Top 50. Bloomington North posted a 15–11 record and held Southport to two runs in a 2–0 game. The conference schedule remains one of the most consistent measuring points across the season.

April features a dense portion of the schedule that combines competition with several program-centered events. Southport hosts Perry Meridian on April 17 in a game that will include Alumni Night, a township rivalry atmosphere, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Cardinals defeated Perry Meridian 10–0 during the regular season last year before falling to them 6–0 in sectional play. That contrast gives the matchup additional context. Later in the month, Southport hosts Mooresville, a 16–12 team that the Cardinals defeated 8–6 on the road last season. Greenfield-Central follows as part of Future Cards Night, an event that brings middle school and youth players onto the field during pregame introductions.

The Marion County Tournament returns in early May, with Southport opening at home against Franklin Central. Southport won that matchup 10–2 last season. The tournament structure allows for multiple games in a short window, culminating in the championship at Victory Field. Last year, Southport advanced before being eliminated by Brebeuf. The format remains an important part of the schedule, both competitively and structurally.

As the season moves into the final stretch, several of the most notable opponents appear. Southport hosts Center Grove, a 27–5 team that finished ranked third in the state last season. The Cardinals also face Triton Central, which won 20 games, and travel to North Central, which finished 19–10 and ranked inside the Top 75. Guerin Catholic, another winning program, has been added to the schedule as well. These games are paired with returning opponents such as Beech Grove, Greenwood, and Lawrence Central, all of whom Southport defeated last season. Southport went 3–0 against Beech Grove, outscoring them 36–7 across three games.

2026 Schedule Snapshot

• 10 opponents finished above .500 in 2025

• 6 opponents ranked inside the Top 75

• 4 opponents ranked inside the Top 50

• Combined opponent record: 310–321

• Average opponent record: approximately 13–13

• Average opponent rating: 7.07 (Southport: 7.89)

• Southport went 13–5 in the regular season vs returning opponents in 2025

• 4 of those 5 losses came against Top 75 teams

• Losses included Bloomington South (#29), Bloomington North (#64), and Terre Haute North (#45)

The structure of the 2026 schedule reflects a program that has already established competitiveness and now has the opportunity to build on it. Many of the matchups are repeat games from last season, which creates clear points of comparison. Close losses and competitive wins both carry forward into this spring. With three consecutive years of improvement already established, the upcoming season will be defined by how those returning matchups evolve.

2026 Special Events

• Red-White Scrimmage (March 26) – preseason fundraiser and community event with alumni invited back

• Home Opener on New Turf (March 30 vs Brebeuf) – first official game played on Southport’s new field

• Alumni Night + Township Rivalry (April 17 vs Perry Meridian) – includes ribbon-cutting ceremony

• Future Cards Night (April 24 vs Greenfield-Central) – youth and middle school players recognized, on-field pregame experience

• Staff Appreciation Night (May 5 vs Columbus North) – players honor impactful Southport staff members

• Marion County Tournament (May 8–12) – potential run culminating at Victory Field

• Senior Night (May 26 vs Lawrence Central) – final regular season game honoring the senior class

Southport opens the regular season on March 30 at home against Brebeuf Jesuit.