Leaderboard

Sagarin currently rates Tecumseh, South Spencer, Washington and Princeton all higher then Reitz. That should tell you all you need to know about comparing a closed conference to the rest of the state using mathematical rating systems (Hint: you can't do it)

I said the same thing last night! Cathedral (and not taking anything away from Center Grove here) could win the state championship in any class in both Indiana and Ohio this year. Impressive seasons from the 2 Indianapolis Catholic rivals

Now that’s going out in style!

NK was superb last night. Like other's have said, they were clearly the better team. Congratulations! Not Linton's best night. Certainly weren't as sharp as the Warriors. Even had we been as tuned as NK, I'm convinced it wouldn't have made a difference. Likewise, should these two meet in a few weeks, expect a better game from the Miners. P.S. Any Linton football fan "embarrassed" by the performance of the 15-18 year olds they proclaim to support are the ones who should be embarrassed. Miner fans have been spoiled with an abundance of riches over the last several years. Surely, as adults you can handle a questionable performance or two by these young men without being embarrassed???

I wouldn't say this team is among the all-time best...yet. If they can run the gauntlet through a very tough 3A, then I might change my answer in November. The talent level isn't close to some of the best Chatard teams in terms of raw athletic ability - there are no D1 players on this team. I'm not sure there are any players even getting D2 looks, although I would hope/expect this to change by the end of the season. I do think last year's Chatard team was one of the best in school history, and I don't think this year's team is there yet. But I will say this year's team seems to get better every week. The defense is very undersized, but they really fly to the ball. As fast as Merrillville was, I thought Chatard's speed on defense really gave them fits. Offensively, they don't have the big time play maker at RB that's been here historically, but this isn't the Chatard offense most teams are used to seeing. I think they threw for over 300 yards last night. The ability to be multi-dimensional has reduced the need to rely on a big time RB, and I think they are better offensively for it.

I’ll have a ticket with me if you need it.

I’ll gladly make a donation.

Ironically Chatard was more penalized than Merrillville last night but Chatard did win the turnover battle....which was critical. Merrillville was supremely talented (seemed abundantly obvious from the start) but I think Chatard’s fundamentals and discipline of play, constant physicality, swarming defense and, frankly, ability to adjust offset that, so, by game’s end, Chatard seemed to often be able to do what they wanted. Pretty typical recipe for a Chatard win....which more than a few times have been against more talented teams. Chatard teams generally will just wear you down. I think, playing a Chatard team for the first time is a bit of a shock to the system for most schools. As a fan I’m used to it but it just seems to throw a lot of teams off that first time. I really did want to remark about a couple of things that stood out to me regarding Merrillville. First, they truly are talented....admittedly, everyone acknowledges that. But the other thing was just how Merrillville handled themselves. I’ve seen a LOT of talented teams play Chatard and get visibly frustrated, then get chippy (both with Chatard and within their own ranks) and then......just.......quit. Merrillville did NONE of those things. They never got visibly frustrated or chippy and they darn sure didn’t quit. They played the whole game and played with class. I honestly think this game should make them better. Much like Doc22 stated above, I think people underestimate Merrillville at their own peril because of the result of this game.

Congrats Trojans! What a fun game to watch! It wasn't always pretty, but Chatard showed up ready to play. They played tough, physical football all four quarters, which I think was the difference in the game. A lot of people quick to dismiss Merrillville after that game, but I'm not so sure. Merrillville was every bit as big and as athletic as advertised. They have some VERY good players on both sides of the ball. As others have mentioned, I think the travel definitely had an impact. Merrillville was also down a few starters. Lastly, Chatard is a pretty darn good football team. They played a competitive game with Cathedral (who is historically good by their standards), which no other Indiana team can say so far this year, including Merrillville's potential semi-state opponent Westfield. I wouldn't count Merrillville out just yet. If they get healthy and clean up some mistakes, they could be a very dangerous team in November. Keep your heads up pirates and good luck the rest of the year!

Congrats to Madison on their victory against Jeff. That is the first time in history they have defeated them.

Good night for Knox county teams.

Congrats to the Irish and Hoosier state. ETA: Any direct feedback from any of the GCL fans at the games during the tailgate or game? Are they aware at least one other team (Center Grove) is likely on or above Cathedral's level this year and teams like Chatard and Carmel wouldn't be cakewalks?

That’s the sad part. New Palestine credited their 35 point 4A semi-state loss at Columbus East in 2013 as the driving force that got the program where it is today. It showed them what it took to be an elite program and motivated them to hit the weight room hard. And that was just one loss. I would’ve thought by now some of the other HHC teams would’ve figured that out after multiple losses to East. Not trying to seem like I’m looking down my nose at the other seven schools because I’m not. I’m just disappointed because a lot of the HHC schools have the potential to be able to compete with East but I feel like there’s a lack of commitment on their part.

Congratulations to the Indians in their hard fought 18-15 victory over Tech tonight.

I’m surprised that someone hasn’t. I was never a believer in school extracurriculars (including sports) as regards keeping kids out of trouble when I played simply because I was never going to get into trouble - it just wasn’t part of my make up. Admittedly, the fact that sports allowed me to go to college was a bonus, though. In the rear view mirror of life, having raised kids and seeing others grow up with them, I now have little doubt that sports and other extracurricular activities are an absolute salvation for many. I’ve seen more than a few kids that fell into the cracks of life once those things were taken away. Frankly, my oldest could have cared less for school and would admit that it was ONLY sports that made him care about his grades. In his case, he cared about grades all the way through college sports and ended up with a paid masters degree as a grad assistant. Honestly, not sure where he would have ended up without football. He was a pretty headstrong (or hard headed..) kid that needed coaches just as headstrong.

I couldn't agree more.

Feels good man. Go Colts.

Just a public service announcement to those that view The Gridiron Digest regularly and contribute to its content . . . Any others that are willing to make a donation to The Gridiron Digest headquarters, please feel free to: Click on 2020-21 Budget and donate what you wish! https://gridirondigest.net/ And no, I am not a GID administrator or key member of the staff or paid endorser. Just a proud member of the GID community that wants to see this site continue to pay its bills and keep our ability to express our thoughts about Indiana high school football going. And yes, I have made a donation the last couple of years and proud to do so. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

cal 6 gs 24 end of 3rd

Ok, I’ll take that. Definitely would have changed things. I would love to see Dwenger make a run, probably one of the few teams in our area who can get deep in the tournament. And thanks! Hoping for a run!

To answer your 1st question, I believe there are at least 371 reasons to say yes.

For Knox last night, I was thoroughly unimpressed with their defense. Offensively I understand struggling without Rose in the lineup but that defense was undisciplined and not very physical compared to the Hendryx teams of the last few years.

Contract you cowards. Im kidding!!

Ironically, the best team in Ohio right now is a Div. II school, Archbishop Hoban from Akron.

If, as often happens, they announce to the officials/opposing team that they’re going to take a knee ... and then do something else, that’s not going to be allowed. That’s the one time an inadvertent whistle comes in handy. 😉 On the other hand, if they just line up in a formation, it’s “play football.”

Glad to see you on here and know you are alive and well, my friend. Yeah I have NO IDEA what that was last night. I've only followed the Miners for 25 years but I can't recall the last time they played that poorly. It was as though they weren't interested in playing the game. Offense, defense, either one was just awful. I give props to North Knox for the game plan and their line play. I know their line didn't play that well against the Bombers last weekend. I guess the coaches got them fired up for the Linton game. Not taking anything away from the Warriors (they played a superb game) but the performance by the Miners was an embarrassment. I hope they get whatever's wrong, fixed in the next 2 weeks.

Triton at NJSP (+18) So if you are a man of your word . . . and I take it you are. And IF and I emphasize the word IF you were a betting man, you would be making that donation to GID. The line was NJSP +18 . . . the final score was NJSP 30, Triton 12. That is exactly 18 points. The house wins all ties. See the donation link as The GID is still taking donations to cover expenses for the year. Let's see how we did on the others: Glenn at LaVille (+27). If you took Glenn, You would have won. From what I watched on a live stream, the game was much closer than some expected. I think jh had his pick at 31-17, if I remember correctly. LaVille had the ball inside the red zone three times - lost the ball on downs once, missed a field goal and threw an interception near the goal line. The Lancers definitely had their chances. The LV defense was the difference, IMO, 2 INTS, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 punts, and held on downs What a game . . . fans in attendance got their monies worth. Not a work of art for either team, but also got to remember there are a lot of young puppies playing out there. A pair of freshman QBs being asked to direct their team. Caston at Culver (-8) Culver wins 36-12. Culver wins. Pioneer at Knox (-9) Pioneer wins 38-20. Pioneer wins. West Central at Winamac (+24) Winamac 35-12 ..... If you took West Central, you win. Remember These Are Just Predictions. as always, the game is better from_the_sidelines007

First time on the field. Jeff had to forfeit a 36-7 win in 2012.

Which is why I thought there was no way they win a game this season. Then Connersville came to town last week and decided to give the game away by committing over 100 yards of dumb penalties.

The reason is that ejection is such a severe penalty that it triggers automatic replay review in NCAA. We don’t have the ability to review those calls at the high school level. Note that disqualification is warranted under the NF rules if the targeting (or any personal foul) is deemed “flagrant.”

Hahahahahahaha... my friend that made me laugh so hard.

WTG Trojans!!!! I had a PBJ sammich when I got home tonight to celebrate!

Future Boilermaker, too....

Once again region overrated that’s why I skipped town for the west

I watched countless Chatard players blow past that “speedy M’Ville defense” and pulled away as they were being chased.

This sure didn’t age well

Don't overlook Elkhart !!

Holy Hell. Just checked the nwitimes.com score thread and Lowell leads Highland 20-7 at the half. Wayne & Tommie have lots of explaining to do.

Always enjoy a game at East. Glad I was able to get a ticket. Gaddis is first class and runs a first class program and their fans could be obnoxious not losing a conference game in 14 years but they aren’t. BNL needs to hit the weight room but I’m saying they won’t so nothing will change. You’d think a group of you g men would get tired of losing to East somewhere in the HHC but evidently not.

FC up 48-0 over JC at half. I guess this is what it feels like to be East. Lol.

Yeah, I would imagine it'll be ugly. First game with limited practicing against a team that has played 6 games and went way above their weightclass in some of them. Plus, Gibson Southern has the best Junior QB in the Country. 😉

I was bored and found Peyton's bio from IU. Apparently, the parents have an affinity for naming their boys after famous QB's: Montana Ramsey Peyton Ramsey Drew (Bledsoe) Ramsey I think it's cool for Cathedral that thye can essentially call themselves GCL South Champions with a win tonight. I grossly underestimated La Salle. I'll take Cathedral by about 6 this time.

Roncalli didn't make it out of sectionals from 2006 to 2014, the first year the SF was implemented go figure. It's because Cathedral ended their season all but one year. Cathedral hasn't played in 4A since the SF's inception. Roncalli's made it out of sectional every year they've been in 4A post-SF. The only years they didn't make it out of sectionals since SF implementation is when they were once again paired with Cathedral in a 5A sectional.

I’m going to guess it’s not to tell someone where they can or can not live...

"The purpose of the IHSAA is to encourage and direct wholesome amateur athletics in the high schools of Indiana. In keeping with this mission, the Association: Regulates, supervises and administers interschool athletic activities among its member high schools as an integral part of the secondary education program."

Once again though, there is nothing to "step in" on. 1. There was a move 2. The IHSAA isn't in charge of competitive balance, if they were we would seed and limit who got into the playoffs and 3. Who is to say a team like New Pal in a growing area wouldn't want to switch to a more metro conference anyways therefore taking away the whole "they blew up the HHC" argument. Trust me, I wasn't thrilled to see him leave, he made us better and is a great kid off the field as well. All this other nonsense is just how the chips fell in this situation.

When an athlete and their family buy a house in a new district, there is nothing that the IHSAA can do to block a transfer in that case. Whether or not that is the only home they own or whether or not they choose to stay in the area post high school is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that Charlie was a great player at Delta and a great player at New Pal. Couple that with the fact that New Pal had already built something special with the other players they had on the roster and it made for an incredible two year run. Whatever the motivation for the move (family in Hancock county, closer/more business opportunities, etc..) is a non-factor in a transfer.

This type of topic gets attention, but I can't disagree more with the notion that a school should just give up and call it quits. I think of a school like Caston. They had a long losing streak and barely enough kids to field a team. They've won two games this year, and are much more competitive. Two years ago they would have been told to fold up the team and let's concentrate on cross country and basketball. While there may not be research to back up the theory that playing keeps kids off the street or out of trouble, I would think giving them something to belong to and hold them accountable would be a good thing. I had kids who didn't play who I saw later hanging with the wrong people and getting in trouble, so from what I saw when they were on a team and following the rules they did stay out of mischief and keep their grades up.

Dropping a football program is not the answer and would be doing a disservice to these young men that have committed to a TEAM. If these young men are learning discipline, respect, teamwork, and accountability, this football program is a success. Some of these young men will not be taught these imperative life lessons anywhere else.