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I have long thought the league would make more money selling team packages rather than just the full league. There was a time though where you could pay a rate to watch an individual game, or maybe it was the games that day. Is that no longer an option?

The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes again. When NIL came to be, no one foresaw borderline NFL players going back to college … because the NIL $$ exceed the NFL’s rookie pay scale. I sincerely hope this is the straw that breaks the camel’s back … and causes someone to grab college football by the throat and shake some common sense into it. As many have observed, the current model is unsustainable.

In Indiana, yup. If you love 8-man football so much why don't you start coaching it, maybe move to Oklahoma. Or is 8-man Rensselaer's "long term strategy" as it's enrollment continues to decline: https://ballotpedia.org/Rensselaer_Central_School_Corporation,_Indiana#Students

My favorite of Dolly’s. A true American treasure

Gibson Southern has been a very good program for a number of years. It's early in the season, so there's plenty of opportunity for them to move up the rankings. Gibson Southern plays Heritage Hills head to head in week 6, so that will take care of itself. So don't get your panties in a bunch just because someone with no influence on the real polls or Gibson Southern's win/loss record has your favorite team lower in a set a rankings then you would have them.

I agree. Although much can change as the season plays out with injuries, etc. IMO it has to be Castle just because they played a competitive opponent in Wk. 1. At this point I think its hard to gauge Reitz or Mater Dei, but we should find out a lot more this weekend.

Harrell has AP, USA, and IFCA listed on his website, but the AP is still the final poll of last year. I used to have access to AP subscriptions, I might have to ask a former colleague if it is still going out.

It's my understanding that his hire is just temporary until they find a full time replacement. I think Smiths investment in the program might change now that his cousin is out. He's a good replacement for now as I'm sure he wants to see this group of kids succeed since he probably had a lot to do with them coming to North Side. He's not going to abandon them. North Side can absolutely be competitive in 5A. There's talent in the halls even without the recruits. But it's going to take a coach who has a good grip on fundamentals, x's and o's, ability to teach leadership, and willingness to stick around more than a couple of years. Wealth isn't made overnight, it's built over time.

They already co-op of sorts, kids of Cannelton have played at Tell City for ages. Kids at Forest Park used to play at Southridge and Heritage Hills.

Yep: In 1934 when a coach in Oklahoma decided to create it and was expanded many times over the Great Plains since.... yup. very inferior product to start in 1934 and continue to this day in 2026. Yup.

SIAC Conference Standings: 1. Reitz 1-0 (-) 2. Mater Dei 1-0 (-) 3. Memorial 1-0 (-) 4. Castle 1-0 (-) 5. North 0-1 (1) 6. Harrison 0-1 (1) 7. Jasper 0-1 (1) 8. Central 0-1 (1) 9. Bosse 0-0

If any of these southern "basketball schools" are like Rossville in my neck of the woods, trying to get any sort of tackle football program to the JV/Varsity level is a lost cause. The communities are too entrenched with basketball and in the case of Rossville, also baseball, to ever support such a program. Now you may be able to get away with a co-op arrangement, as long as not too many of the "basketball/baseball" kids want to play. Can't have them getting hurt on the gridiron when they really should be practicing that jump shot.

Nope, I relied on Harrell’s website last year. I’m guessing the USA Today Poll replaced AP.

It already is a trendy location for transfers.

Any luck finding the Associated Press (AP) Polls?

Who is the favorite between Castle-Mater Dei?

USA Today Poll: 5A: 4. Castle 13. North 4A: 11. Reitz 13. Jasper 3A: 1. Memorial (9) 7. Mater Dei

16 or 24 teams to have a legitimate state champion? Also the South has almost no representation. Union (Dugger) has a team but is considered more south central Indiana (Bloomington region) than Southwest or Southeast. There are however a ton of schools like Loogootee, Barr Reeve, Wood Memorial, Cannelton, Northeast Dubois, Evansville Day which are "basketball schools" still and might be able to get an eight-man program going in southern Indiana.

Is it safe to assume Jaylon is a popular figure in Fort Wayne and the youth look to him as a celebrity? I can't help buy wonder how his hire changes the landscape in Fort Wayne if he's there for the long haul and can build a competitive 5A team. I would think that would make North a trendy location for transfers.

This joke won't get enough credit. We'll done.

Really curious to see the result of Castle v MD and Memorial v North. These two results should tell us a lot about the season.

But how long until 8-man football reaches a "critical mass" in Indiana, if it ever does? Is 8-man football recognized as an "official sport" by the MHSAA? Do they hold a state championship tournament?

I have seen it 2 times. An OL - big kid. Did well at the D3 level. I also saw a RB that didn't have it to play D3.

Yes, I am aware of that. I coached in the state of Michigan. My point is that having 8 man football is helping save the sport for kids and schools...

Clovers NK ND Castle I wouldnt think transportation would be the issue for WW to get their JH to ND for a game. They seem to have plenty of buses to go around.