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Here is a very good article from Referee magazine on 3 of the toughest judgment calls on fouls — holding, pass interference, and blocking in the back — from the point of view of the official. Fans, coaches, etc., I bet when you read this, you’ll learn something new. For example, the next time you hear someone drag out that tired cliche that the officials “could call holding every play,” you can explain to them, using the information in the article, why that is not really true. https://www.referee.com/3-miscalled-fouls/ Three of the Toughest Judgment Calls In most seasons, false starts are the most frequently occurring fouls and arguably the foul that requires the second least amount of judgment (calling 12 players in the formation doesn’t require much judgment). But every foul requires some degree of discretion before the flag is thrown. For various reasons there are three fouls that seem to be most often called incorrectly. Holding Judging the legality of blocking is arguably the most difficult aspect of officiating a football game. On any given play there are six to 10 blocks and some of them go unobserved by a crew of five. Consequently, holding and illegal use of hands may be the most problematic of all fouls in football because there are so many forms of hand contact between players during constant personal collisions. Complicating the matter is the rules allow defensive players more freedom (push, pull and grasp to get at the runner) in how they use their hands. For a holding foul to be called, a player must prevent an opponent from possibly making a play by using an illegal technique. In other words, there must be a demonstrated restriction. If an opponent is taken to the ground, that is an obvious restriction. That could occur either through an outright tackle, a takedown or, less frequently, the pull-over in which the blocker pulls the opponent down over himself to make it look like he has been run over. An upright restriction can occur if the opponent is grabbed and prevented from moving to participate in the play (grab and restrict). The opponent can also be grabbed and physically manhandled to a different position (jerk and restrict) or be hooked with an outstretched arm to alter his path to the runner (hook and restrict). None of the preceding restrictions are likely to have an impact on the play unless they occur at or near the point of attack — an area in close proximity to where the play is intended to go. Since that isn’t really a “point,” some prefer to call it the “attack zone.” By examining the logic trail an official must follow, we can begin to understand why that foul is inconsistently called. First is the judgment on the legality of how the hands are used. Often the hands are hidden from the observing official and the decision must be made on the effect of the apparent grip. If the hands are deemed to be used illegally, the official must decide if the technical indiscretion actually restricted the opponent. Did the jersey pluck slow him down? Did an arm bar change his path sufficiently to prevent a tackle? Sometimes opponents will hold onto one another while they are moving — the so-called “dance.” Who is holding who? In actions such as that, it is hard for an official to make an accurate distinction. The next step is to assess the impact of restriction on the play. A block may begin legally and then progress to an illegal restriction. In passing situations, that may happen after the quarterback has released the ball. Or it may happen far enough away from the quarterback that an impact on the play is highly unlikely. Some officials will call that; others won’t. Additionally, because the point of attack is not a precisely defined term and is not addressed in the rulebook, there are officials who do not take that into account when ruling on holding. Whether an act does or does not prevent a play may not be taken into consideration. Takedowns by offensive players who are well away from or behind the play pose a particular problem for officials, especially when they are out in the open for all to see. Some officials believe the takedowns should always be called while others make exceptions especially when a touchdown would be negated. Similarly, there is a school of thought that holding should not be called when a defender is double-teamed. The theory is that if the offense is committing two players to one opponent, any advantage gained by holding is negated because a different defender has gone unblocked. Other variations include calling unnecessary roughness instead of holding and declaring a dead-ball foul when the act began while the ball was live. Without taking all those notions into consideration, a simple grab of a jersey — and a relatively quick release — may look like a foul, but it isn’t necessarily so. Consequently, making judgments on holding requires a thorough knowledge of what is legal, plus long study and experience to detect the actual behavior and to determine if an advantage has been gained. Pass Interference The inequities in the calling of pass interference appear to emanate from two elements. The first of those is an apparent lack of understanding on the part of the officials that both receiver and defender have a right to the ball and that “incidental contact” is a legitimate option if both players are making a simultaneous and bona fide attempt to reach the ball. Some officials are unconsciously biased in favor of the offensive player. When you think about it, any favoritism should be for the defender; he doesn’t know what’s happening, while the receiver is following a planned route that has been decided in the huddle. The words “not playing the ball” often enter the discussion by officials on pass interference and although the phrase is not mentioned in the rulebook, it is a legitimate factor — to a point. A player who is not playing the ball is responsible for any contact with an opponent, while a player who is playing the ball — making a bona fide attempt to reach the ball and looking back at it — may be absolved from unintentional contact. The second source of inconsistency is “catchability.” Under NCAA rules, a pass must be catchable for there to be defensive pass interference. However, an uncatchable pass does not excuse offensive interference (7-3-8c). In NFHS play, it is not interference if the contact by team B is obviously away from the direction of the pass (7-5-11c). However, if such contact interferes with an eligible opponent’s opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the ball, catchability is not a factor. The spirit of pass interference restrictions is to apply them to intended receivers and their defenders and not to other players who go downfield. Some prep officials will avoid calling an interference foul when the pass is not catchable and they can be very creative in explaining their rationale, such as, “The play was over when the contact occurred.” That discretion is frequently applied when the ball is past both players when the contact occurs or when both players are or nearly are out of bounds and no catch is possible. Other officials will strictly follow the rule and call a foul. Blocks In The Back The challenge in calling blocks in the back is that contact from the side is legal. If the player who is blocked saw or could have seen the blocker, there is probably not a foul. A block from the side, even though violent and even though it results in a player being put on the ground in vigorous fashion, is not a foul unless for some other reason it is also a personal foul. Frequently blocks from the side are erroneously flagged. The placement of the hands or shoulder during the block is a good indicator. If an official can see both jersey numbers, unobstructed, on the back of the player being blocked when the initial contact occurs, it’s difficult to rule such contact a foul. To be called a foul, a block in the back should clearly meet the definition of contact on or near the numbers of the player being hit. Another guideline is to note how the player who is blocked falls. If the blocked player falls forward, he almost certainly was blocked in the back. That is the type of fall that is most prone to cause injury and a player would not go down like that unless it was unavoidable. If he falls to side, it is a sign he was most likely blocked from the opposite side, but it is not an absolute indicator because in some cases players who are blocked in the back are able to turn to their side to lessen the impact. Another aspect of those blocks that is subject to varying philosophies is whether the blocked player is knocked to the ground. Those should be called as a safety foul and they usually are (if observed). Contact that merely puts a player off stride is subject to advantage/disadvantage. Not every bump in the back should be flagged. A slight brush that does not cause the contacted player to tip off-stride is not a foul. Some contact of that sort is incidental, because the player making the contact may himself have been jostled into another individual. However, slight contact that causes a defender to stumble and to perhaps miss an opportunity to make a tackle is deserving of a flag. Additionally, location is a factor. That type of block may take place far from where a play can be made. If an opponent is tipped off balance far from where the ball is in play, such action may be judged incidental, as having no effect on the play. If the contact occurs away from the point of attack and does not affect the outcome of the play, a verbal reminder.

@vicvinegar, don't you know that Coach Hart is the very bestest coach there ever was and will be? He does things that haven't even been invented yet. LOL. Just pulling your leg DumfriesYMCA....

frequently

Good preview TigerFan20. Enlow will be packed. I think Reitz might be more dangerous with Vera at QB.

$$$$$$ Sorry didn't see your post as I was typing my above reply. Want to say A&M's first recruiting class post-NIL tallied over $30 mil in endorsement deals.

For landlocked schools turf is equal to buying property.

We’ll said @Esso Ayche 👏👏 Kinda like Monday night football. CeecD wide open Rush hits him in stride, oops thru the hands. Wasn’t really knocking you @DumfriesYMCAbut they have been finishing. 6-0 baby! Does it have to be pretty all the time…… nope! I really do enjoy reading your posts so keep them coming.

Coming back to this. He had 5 TFLs and 1 sack Friday. Puts him at 16 on the year with 3 sacks. What a monster im pretty sure his older brother set the record for GS on TFL in 2013 with 27 as a sophomore before putting up 28 in 2015 as a senior. Who knows how close he can get before the season ends for GS, but either way through 6 games this is insanely impressive for any player let alone a freshman

I’m a very self aware person and…. i have to admit I tend to romanticize things when I write. It is what it is 😂 But Coach Hart is the best. If I’m not mistaken, only the New Pal HC has a better W/L % since Hart took over in 2012. Maybe West Lafayettes HC too.

I think you’re reading too far into what I said and taking it as a jab certainly not my intention. it might have been some hyperbole but sentiment behind what I said was more “hey here is what one of the best coaches at a top program has done in regards to this topic”

HSE & Fishers were moved into Sectional 3 in the Ft. Wayne-area with Homestead & FW Northrop. Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield & Zionsville are in Sectional 4 and also in the north.

When I was in high school 1957-1961, if Joe Dezelan called for a pass play, that was considered a trick play.😉

My practice field in Houston was a converted Brahma pasture that still had artifacts of the previous occupants.

Harris hails US ‘alliance with North Korea’ in latest Biden admin botch: https://nypost.com/2022/09/29/kamala-harris-hails-us-alliance-with-north-korea/ Gees, I don't know who is worse, sleepy Joe or stupid Kamala.

And who needs these newfangled hard helmets? Let's bring back the leather ones!

All season I believe. A joke honestly.

Yes.

I played Indiana HS football in the 80's. Yes, the condition of the field at the end of the season was def not as good as the start, but I don't remember our field or competitors fields being dangerous/unplayable parcels of ground. All of a sudden it's almost akin to child abuse to have the kids play on grass in Nov/Dec? Can't remember anyone ever complaining about the game fields or even the practice fields, for that matter. Also don't remember an inordinate amount of foot/ankle/leg injuries late in the season vs. early on. They conditions were what they were. We were just happy to be out there knocking the crap out of each other. Probably because we didn't have anything else, we didn't know what we were missing. Now with continuously more schools being turf, I can see how a grass field in late season might not look as attractive to those used to turf, and yes a good turf field keeps the game more consistent in bad weather conditions, I'll admit that. This curmudgeon still prefers grass and no one's changing my mind. I know I'm stuck in the past on this, sorry. I think if we had cried about deteriorating field conditions when I played, the coaches would have told us to HTFU.

Did someone mention The Cactus? @gonzoron

As a statistician, it matters.

Yeah no knock on your Alices was intended. You got a solid ball club up there in Knox County. That QB is something special. And I agree, I personally think Sagarin has weighed the SIAC 10-15 points too high. Thanks for sharing. That would make sense.

You think the majority of coaches around the state do not care as much about their player's safety as Coach Hart? As far as "thudding up" during practice goes, this is extremely common. Not only in high school programs around the state, but in college programs as well.

Barron honeymoon statement? With what talent he has or lack of , the guy has done a good job !

I concur with NLCTigerFan. This game will come down to how well Mishawaka runs the ball and controls the clock. NorthWood is a pass heavy offense (however they ran alot against Warsaw). Mishawaka will need to keep NorthWood's offense off of the field. NorthWood will have to come up with a couple of stops / turnovers and capitalize and score off of those. I think a key to this game will be NorthWood's kicker. He is a fantastic kicker, and those 3 points may mean the difference in the game.

Totally believable if you really look at how 247 does their rankings. In any given year, 247 only rates 30-35 players as 5* and then about 300-350 4*. Pre-NIL, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State were typically raking in almost 20% of the total 4 and 5* in each class, there's not much talent left to evenly disperse once they dust settled. And there's still teams like LSU, Oklahoma, Penn State, and Clemson who recruit extremely well themselves. NIL caused a huge shakeup in last years recruiting spectrum. Be interesting to see how things play out going forward. UA, UGA, and OSU only accounted for 9 of the total 35 rated 5* prospects which was way down from the last few years.

MG @ Frankton - Low scorer and the best game this week Eagles 14-13 Elwood @ Eastbrook - Panthers by a bunch Alexandria @ Oak Hill 40-13 Blackford @ Mississinewa 42-6 Stay Healthy everyone

You've gone from "Merrillville is the best in the state" for the past three years to "at least we will be the last DAC team standing" LOL.

My comment was tongue in cheek since essentially that's what you had with the old RCA dome turf and many of the "Astroturf" fields prior to Fieldturf.

I agree VL is better than 82nd in the state. on the Nick Hart show this week he was talking about sectional 30 a little bit and said something along the lines of “I don’t know how VL can have the schedule they have and not be ranked in the polls. To me they are a top 5 3A in the state”

Knowing the rules, Team Ballhawk would be just fine. I'll stand by my BS comment. First series of the 3rd quarter for starters, then they sit. I used that practice for many years when I had the roster numbers to allow. If I didn't, I'd scramble the positions around or just run dive plays.

I'll preface by saying I too find it a little shocking to see Lincoln as high as they are when compared to the best in the state (but not necessarily complaining haha). The Alices are a legit threat in 3A no doubt, but there's a lot left to prove just in the SIAC alone, not to mention Sectional 30. But to question VL's ranking you absolutely have to look at Reitz at #9, since the two teams are so closely tied together. VL's near defeat of the Panthers in Week 2 seems to have carried A LOT of weight. Reitz faces Memorial this Friday followed by VL/Memorial in Week 8...so we're about to get a more realistic picture of this. Overall though I'm not about to question Sagarin's feel for the SIAC, as they've been low balled the past two years (as explained by @Alduflux). Me personally, I would knock off 10-15 points for SIAC teams and that would put you in the ballpark. Massey has got it all wrong. No way that Reitz and VL are 50 spots apart.

Miners Equal Parts Run/Pass in Dominating Cougars 42-7 Delayed a day due to a lighting pole falling onto the field at Thurman Brown field earlier that week, Linton showed up hitting on all cylinders to beat North Daviess for the 14th consecutive year. The Miners jumped out to a 14-0 1st quarter lead that ballooned to 36-0 at the half. The 2nd half had a running clock for the 3rd time in 2022, Linton emptied the benches enroute to their 6th win 42-7. It was a beautiful fall say at the kickoff from ND’s Jessie Carter landed into Miner freshman Russell Goodman at the Linton 28 where he bolted up the middle nearly going the distance but caught by Wyatt Bishop and Elliott Park at the Cougar 42, a return of 30 yards. On Linton’s 1st play from scrimmage Hunter Gennicks connected with Paul Oliver, another Miner Freshman, for his 12th passing TD of the year on a sideline route in stride at the Cougar 18 when Oliver out dashed his defender for the initial Miner score. Senior Nathan Fray hit his 1st PAT of the year for the 7-0 led 14 seconds into the game. The bad start would continue for the 4-1 Cougars as on 2nd and 9, ND Sophomore Coltyn McNabb broke into the Miner secondary on a 16 yard run. However, he was hit hard by Hunter Gennicks near midfield jarring the ball loose. Miner Senior Aiden Giles scooped up the ball at the ND 49. Linton then started a march that appeared stalled with a 4th and 15 at the Cougar 29. Back to back encroachment fouls against ND made it a conceivable conversion from 5 away as Linton had been successful on 4 of 6 4th down attempts coming into the game. The Cougars proved game as ND Frosh Casey Andrews and Senior Ethan White wrapped #15 short of the 1st down stick. ND could not take advantage of the momentum gained though, and Andrews would boot a monster 63 yard punt to the Miner 17. The Miners’ 3rd possession would be finished with an impressive 11 play 83 yard drive culminating in a perfect pass from Gennicks to Oliver on a quick out at the Cougar 5, and Oliver turning and waltzing into the end zone at the 4:15 mark that, with another Frady PAT, put Linton up 14 zip. The drive featured a 20 yard pass from Gennicks to Braden Walters on a 3rd and 4 early in the march. Walters gained 13 on a rush while Oliver caught a 13 yard pass as well. North Daviess would get their initial 1st down on the day on a wide receiver screen from junior QB Brock Knepp to Senior Austin Webster for 14 to their own 44. Knepp was forced to scramble on 3rd and 11 and opted to slide down 6 yards shy forcing another Andrew punt. A nice return by Senior Hunter Johns was called back on a penalty and Linton started their 4th possession from their own 27 as the 2nd quarter ushered in. It was not the best Miner series, as Gennicks was sacked for only the 3rd time all season as Andrews managed to wrangle in the fleet-footed Gennicks for a huge 12 yard loss then a screen to Johns barely got back to the line of scrimmage bringing in Oliver for a 31 yard punt. ND started on the Miner side of the field with a great chance to grab momentum again, but Giles and senior Wrigley Franklin dropped Webster for a loss of 2, and Giles and junior Ty Boyd combined to drop Knepp for 6 yard sack on 3rd and 12. Andrews came in to punt to the Miner 32. Gennicks connected again with Oliver for a 13 yard gain to the Miner 45, then a couple plays later facing 3rd and 5, Gennicks pulled the ball back from John’s belly and blasted through the right side for 50 untouched yards to the house. Once more, Nathan Frady was perfect on the kick, and with 6:47 in the half, Linton was coasting with a 21-0 lead. Since Braden Walters hit the field in week 2, he took the kick off duties, and has been a solid kicker averaging 35 yards a kick, and would get one to the end zone (albeit aided by a misfielding of the ball inside the 5. Elliott Park hauled in a Knepp pass on a 3rd and 12 for exactly 12 yards then a Webster catch converted a 3rd and 3 to the ND 45. McNabb, who came in leading ND in rushing with 434 yards? Gained another 11 to the Linton 44 to sustain the Cougar’s best drive of the night. On 2nd and all Knepp let loose an ill-advised deep throw that Hunter Gennicks took in on the Cougar sideline at the Miner 21. He would wow the crowds on both sides of the Thurman Brown Field as he zig-zagged, dodged, and broke free of several would be tacklers for an apparent 79 yard return for a back-breaking score; but the yellow hanky at the spot of the interception was for a push in the back nullifying an outstanding effort. Instead of lining up for a PAT, Linton started from their own 11 with 2:16 until half-time. But Linton did not relax, and on 1st down Johns broke free down the ND sideline for a 33 yard burst to the Linton 44, and one play later Gennicks hit Walters in stride at the ND 44, and Walters out-raced all Cougars for a 56 yard catch and score at the 1:39 mark of the 2nd. Walters had best night in receiving yards with 115, which it tops in a single game this year. Frady hit his 4th PAT in a row, and Linton was on top 28-0. ND tried to answer from their own 21 with back to back wide receiver screens to Webster, the 1st getting 9, but the second producing an obvious holding penalty. Add to that a procedure call, and the Cougars were back on their own 17. On 3rd and 14 the snap from center Niklaus Fine came in a little high but catchable however it slid through Knepp’s hand and bounding toward the Cougar end-zone. Knepp and Linton’s Oliver raced to the pigskin where a scrum erupted at the goal line. In the end, Knepp came out with the ball, but it was inches from the ND end-zone. Coach Fine decided to have Knepp take the snap and surrender 2 points via a safety, and a Miner 30-0 advantage with 1:09 still remaining in the half. Plus, after the Carter kick-off from their own 20 bounced off Linton’s Jesse Voigtschild, the Miners had the ball at the Cougar 34 with time to strike. However, after 2 incompletions and a procedure call Linton was facing 3rd and 15 from the ND 39 with time running out. Walters hauled in Gennicks quick out pass at the ND 38 and broke and immediate tackle, stiff-armed another and ran through another as he went 39 total yards for the score. Frady finally showed he was human by not hitting the PAT, and Linton was up 36-0. ND ran off one more play before the teams headed off to locker-rooms for the Half-Time break. As the score would indicate, Linton dominated in all facets in the numbers. 324 to 59 in total yards at the half with 129 rushing and 195 passing. ND’s spread offense spear headed by Knepp’s 1000+ passing yards coming into the game had been stymied hitting only 5 of 10 at this point for 45 yards. The defense came in with notable changes in positions compared to the prior week in Boonville, and it was clear the coaching staff had laid down the challenge to a Miner D that had been challenged in some area’s the prior 3 contests. Through 2 quarters these changes had brought a positive effect on the gridiron and also the benefit of rotations seemed to be able to rest players going both ways. With the Miner margin over 35, it was a running clock coming out in the 2nd half. Both teams had their starters still going at it, and the Miner re-vamped D brought the heat to start things off in quarter three. Giles and Franklin stopped McNabb for no gain, followed by Franklin chasing on a scramble where Oliver and Boyd brought the QB down for a yard gain. On 3rd and 9 it was two of the Miners upgraded to the starting line-up freshman Russell Goodman and junior Ashton White, both at the top of the tackle chart, who combined to drop Knepp for a sack and loss of 2. It was Franklin again who forced Knepp into that tackle. The Linton offense lost a 1st down on a hold penalty and on the punt snap Oliver had to scoop it off the ground then due to the heavy rush, Paul tucked the ball and ran for it. However, he needed 10 and was tripped up by the shoestring by Andrews at the Miner 24 well short of the needed yardage. The Cougars would not seize the moment, or perhaps the Miner Defense was determined to keep the goose-egg on the scoreboard. McNabb had a net loss of 1 with 2 carries. Voigtschild, White and NT Hank Gennicks were involved in each play. Knepp, under heavy pressure from Christian Shonk as well as White made a great effort eluding the sack and finding receiver Brock Kain at the Miner 13. He put the ball in Kain’s hand, but he was unable to keep it aided by a solid pop from Hunter Johns. Facing 4th and 11 Knepp’s pass for Matthew Wager at the Linton 5 was broken up by Walters. The first play back for Linton it was sophomore Voigtschild rambled 55 yards finally tracked down by a diving Park’s tackle at the Cougar 6. Hayden Falter caught a quick out that he turned into a 14 yard gain to the 6, then 2 plays later Hunter Gennicks ran in the last 3 yards as the 3rd Quarter ended. ND blocked the Frady PAT attempt to finish 4 of 6 on PAT attempts, and Linton was up 42-0. ND put themselves in a hole with a holding call on 1st down, and 3 pass plays still left the Cougars 13 yards short. Andrews 6th punt of the night put the Miner JV offense at their own 37. Still facing the ND 1st team defense produced negative runs from Bradyn Cox and Eli Scott, but an offside set up a 3rd and 7. Corey Andrews continued his impressive showing for the Cougs and he got to freshman QB Michael Auberrry tipping the ball in the hit to Auberry. The ball sailed high intended to Scott in the flat, but it was Park who caught the ball and broke a couple should be tackles on his way for a 39 yard return and score to eliminate the shut out with 4:30 left. Jessie Carter boomed the PAT for a 42-7 margin. The JV Miners and an ever changing array of Miners shuffling in and out after every play would then run out the clock but not without a great run from soph RB Tyson Walker of 29 yards nearly went the distance. It was another nice job from the Miner from OLine of Gennicks, Franklin, Watson, Giles and Breedlove. Linton came in averaging 443.2 total offense per game and even with a running clock produced 429. It was an unusual stat that has Linton with more passing yards than rushing. Gennicks hitting for 209 yard on 9 of 19 passing. His 4 passing TD’s give him 15 on the year and well on his way to surpassing his total of 20 TD passes in 2021. Big nights were had by Paul Oliver (4 receptions for 81 yards and 2 TDS) and Braden Walters (3-115 2 TDs). Walters had 94 YAC (Yards after Catch), Oliver 38. It was the 1st game this year that saw Senior Logan Webb without a catch although he was targeted twice. Feltner had 1 for 14, and Johns 1 of (-1) on a failed screen. The Rushing game averaged 7.0 per carry and it was led by 68 yards on 5 touches from Jesse Voigtschild, 59 on 6 carries from Hunter Johns. Hunter Gennicks streak of 100+ yard games ended as he had 58 yards on 10 carries, but still added 2 TDs bringing that total to 15 for the year. Sack yards hurt Gennicks as 22 yards came off from 2 sacks from Andrews. Braden Walters added 4 for 15. Linton’s defense was led by DE Ashton White’s 9 tackles, 4 of those for loss and 1.5 Sacks. He also had 2 hurries on Knepp. Hunter Gennicks vaulted to the very top of the tackle chart for the year to date with 7 (4 of those solo stops). Linton had 12 TFL on this night, and 3 sacks with a fumble recovery (Giles) and Interception (Gennicks). ND managed just 12 yards on the ground with McNabb leading the way with 33 on 14 attempts. Knepp was a victim of sacks, finished with (-17) on 9 totes, Austin Webster 2 for (-4). More impressive was the effort by the pass defense especially the backfield of Gennicks and Walters at Safeties and Johns and Voigtschild at Corner. The pressure put on Knepp certainly hindered any hopes of a successful downfield passing game. I had Linton with 7 pressures in addition to the 3 sacks. Franklin, White, Giles and Shonk, as well as Oliver. Knepp came in with impressive numbers including a completion rate and left hitting on just 6 receptions of 14 throws for just 5 yards and a pick. Webster had 4 catches for 33 yards, with 1 catch each from Park (12 yards) and Wagler (8 yards). North Daviess’ young freshman Corey Andrews left the Cougars 8 tackle, 4 TFL, 5 Hurries and 1.5 Sacks. Elliott Park had 8 stops along with a pick 6 on the JV offense. 5 tackles each from McNabb, Wagler, Webster and Brees Woolford. The Miners who came in ranked #1 in 2A are now 6-0, North Daviess fell to 4-2. The Cougars only losses coming to unbeaten Linton and unbeaten 1A Tecumseh. They have a tough task next week hosting 6-0 1A #4 North Decatur likely on Saturday Afternoon since all home games will be moved since all the light poles had to be cut down and won’t be replaced until the season is over. Linton returns to Roy Williams Field after 2 weeks on the road. The opponent is another old rival with North Knox coming to town. The Warriors sit 3-3 after back to back wins over 0-6 Pike Central and 1-4 North Central. They battled the same Boonville squad Linton won in a shootout 50-40, to a 13-7 Overtime loss. Game Stats Attached Linton vs North Daviess 2022 Stats.docx

I don't think Dumfries was knocking the O or anyone on it, just noting some things that Coach has said also. The offense has been performing really, really well and we all can see how close the boys on that side of the ball are getting to being unstoppable. I think it is a shared yearning for their success, not a criticism of the boys. A defense has less to worry about in getting a squad clicking, so I think that is why that side of the ball is looking better at this point, given everyone's experience. Relatively speaking, a cake walk compared to getting the offense firing on all cylinders. The O has so many more moving parts to get right. It isn't out of the ordinary to take a little more time to get everything figured out, especially when so many were on the sidelines all last year, just champing at the bit to get in, grinding out scout team and JV reps. The important thing is they are winning and, more importantly, I think they'll be near or at 100% in late October and November when it counts. They've been tested in the first half of the season and performed admirably when it was gut check time. The O hasn't faltered when it has mattered and, frankly, performed above and beyond where many thought they'd be. I knew they'd be as good as advertised, but then again I've been watching this crew for, oh... a decade or so already 😀

Oh sorry I’ll just go die and stop following this team even though I’ve listened to every single game that I wasn’t able to attend over the last 10 years….I’ve also listened to every Nick Hart show during that time, have read probably every newspaper article….I even pay for the courier press simply to follow Indiana football and the team. It’s probably a bit much but it’s a simple passive hobby that makes me happy. Shoot me for not driving 500 miles one way every Friday and opting to just watch highlights on Twitter/hudl while listening to the game on whichever station has the clearest broadcast (it’s not always 89.1) also damn me for repeating some observations that others on here have witnessed in person that have been discussed with me in private conversations. I guess if it’s not from their mouth and just repeated out of mine it’s no good last thing….Coach Hart quite literally said the quote above this week discussing how there were 3 times in the first half of the HH game that they couldn’t convert for a score. so funny right

Reitz Mid-Season Preview Stats: Offense: Passing yards: 233.3 YPG/ 14.7 YPC Rushing yards: 196.5 YPG/ 6.3 YPC Offensive YPG: 429.8 PPG: 39.0 Defense: Passing yards allowed: 56.8 YPG(341 yards)/ 0.441 (38/86) PCT/ 8.97 YPC Rushing yards allowed: 134.2 YPG(805 yards)/ 5.06 YPC on 159 carries Defensive YPG: 191.0 YPG Defensive PPG: 12.5 Recap There was a different feeling on Reitz Hill over the summer as the Panthers were hoping to make some noise when the season started, as the Panthers returned a lot on Offense and Defense. In Week 1, the Panthers beat Harrison, 39-8 behind a new defensive scheme and a new QB in Ben Davies throwing 223 yards to his favorite target in Summers (116 receiving yards) and RB Burnett to finally show his skills. But an interesting opponent popped in Week 2 in Vincennes, as the Alices finally return some key players from last season's injury. In a back-and-forth game all night at Inman Field and down with 28-24, with a minute left in the game, QB Davies found a receiver to throw it 50 yards, 1st and goal. With seconds ticking away, Reitz scored with only a few seconds left on the clock to win the game 31-28. But, the tough part of the schedule was just beginning as the Panthers would face the defending 2021 SIAC champion Jasper, coming off a 20-15 loss to Harrison. At first, the game was somewhat close, as Jasper scored a TD in the 2Q to make it 14-7, but that didn't bother Reitz, as they shut them down, 41-14. The message was clear, Reitz was back to competing for the SIAC and the revenge tour was beginning. Week 4, at North, the Panthers had themselves a battle in the 1H, as the Huskies were moving the ball decently and made it a 17-8 game at HT, Reitz wasn't phased at all and ended up winning 38-15 in a very strong Offensive/Defensive effort. However, news broke out that QB Davies was injured and facing some shoulder problems. That didn't matter for ATH Roland Vera Jr to temporarily replace his QB in Week 5 against Central. As the new QB threw for 187 yards and 4 TDS in his first start ever, while the Defense shut down Central, 44-0. But a big game in Week 6 against a ranked opponent in Castle. In a close game of 3 quarters, Reitz wore down Castle, as the Panthers scored 24 points in the 4Q and gathered 376 yards on the ground to win big by 41-10. Reitz is definitely the #1 team in the SIAC, as how dynamic they are and can overcome the challenge. While behind a dynamic Offense under QB Davies/Vera and a trio of receivers to throw to. Not to mention a dominating Defensive scheme that has been working well for Reitz over the last 6 weeks. This week, the dream may finally come true and finally win at least a share of the SIAC for the 1st time since 2017, when they shared it with Memorial and Central. All they have to do is beat a very hot Memorial team peaking at the right time and motivated to spoil the Panthers. However, the Panthers are also motivated too since they can clinch the SIAC and spoil Memorial's homecoming and the claim of win #600. And I am sure Coach Brunson is reminding the team that Reitz hasn't beat Memorial since 2016, and since then, has been dominated by them, especially last year's loss at home. Come Friday night and likely the return of QB Davies, the Panthers will be hyped up on the sidelines and a sell-out Visitor section.

Memorial Mid-Season Preview: Stats: Offense: Passing yards: 175.5 YPG/ 11.7 YPC Rushing yards: 126.8 YPG/ 4.8 YPC Offensive YPG: 302.8 PPG: 24.7 Defense: Passing yards allowed: 91.8 YPG(551 yards)/ 0.495 (52/105) PCT/ 10.59 YPC Rushing yards allowed: 136.3 YPG (818 yards)/ 4.35 YPC on 188 carries Defensive YPG: 228.1 Defensive PPG: 13.7 Recap Following a very rough start against a solid Jasper squad at the time losing 34-10. And Memorial being shut out for the first time in 10 years against North back in Week 2 by 14-0. It started to look like the season was already in shambles, as a majority of the team was injured or other factors were involved. However, Memorial looked pretty hopeful in Week 3 against their Conference Rival, Central. As the Tigers finally had a chance to get their first win of the season, since the team started to return key players for that game. While you might say it was rough, Memorial ended up winning the game 21-0 behind a strong effort from RB Porter Rode with 187 yards and 2 TDs. In Week 4, the Tigers faced a 2A State Contender in Mater Dei, luckily for the Tigers, they returned WR Leo Collins after coming back from injury, and made a big improvement in Memorial's offense, while the Defense was a brick wall the entire night. As the season turned around from beating Mater Dei 22-6, in a game Memorial mainly controlled, as the Tigers win 6 straight over their Catholic Rival. In Week 5, Memorial faced an improved Harrison that had a big win over Jasper in Week 2, but was losing their momentum too, however, Memorial ended up winning 42-14. In Week 6, Memorial faced Bosse, from a week of controversy, the Tigers prevailed beating Bosse, 54-14, for their largest win of the season. So far, it appears the Tigers have finally found their strive on Offense, behind a strong QB, RB, and a nice set of receivers to throw, Memorial looks pretty good offensively, unlike the start of the season. Memorial's Defense is looking really good, as the Tigers are led by a massive D-Line and a strong backfield. All eyes are on the Tigers this week, as the Panthers can officially clinch up the SIAC with a win over the Tigers. And likely shuts the door for the remaining contenders in the conference. However, with a Memorial win, the inevitable is delayed by a week and gives the rest of the contenders a chance of sharing the title with Reitz, if they lose to both Mater Dei and Memorial. For Memorial, there are some other factors involved too for being motivated, as a win over Reitz will welcome the Memorial team to the 600-win club in HS football, and beat the #1 team in the SIAC for Homecoming. The crowd at Enlow is going to be rocking!

One reason is JV quarters, although the expansion of quarters to 6 in a weekend helps. The other thing is, teams that get to a running clock scenario often *frequently* get to that scenario. A lot of times, they'll give the varsity starters one drive in the third quarter just to get into the rhythm of coming out of the locker room and being ready to play (even if the game is a blowout). With running clock, you usually only get one possession a quarter, so that will take up the entire third.

Our field was, and still is, grass. Takes a lot of work, and water, especially in TX. Probably 3/4 of the schools we played in reg season were also grass. My boys didn't have a problem with it, liked the cushion of grass up to about mid-season, and absolutely loved playing on grass in the rain. Once playoffs rolled around the kids looked forward to playing on turf at the bigger schools stadiums (TX is all neutral sites post season). Said they felt faster and could make cuts better. Also liked being able to wear their "white out" away uni's. Pros and cons to both. Turf has it's advantages but the old-schooler in me says football should be played outdoors on grass, no matter what level (HS/NCAA/NFL). When I was playing, and when my kids were, the team student managers washed the uniforms.

National studies tell us natural grass IS safer. Just because you claim at your school it hasn’t been doesn’t mean it isn’t. How about you tell all the many more players that have been injured on turf that it’s safer than grass just because you think it has been at your specific school.

What's done is done, they won't play again and Crown Point can call themselves the better team in 2022.

They are all playing great and the rotation coming in also pretty dang good. The freshman is so impressive. Grew up with his older brother and that family sat right in front of me in church…just a great family and he’s been ahead of his age physically for years and now it’s really showing GS hasn’t updated their stats yet on maxpreps, but coming into this week the freshman led the team with 11 TFL through the first 5 games and I’m pretty sure he added a sack and a few more this last week. i mean..I don’t want to talk too much about him considering he is like 14/15 and just a freshman….but dang…against the schedule GS has played….kid has proved 10x over already that he earned that spot on varsity

I could see it! If that chance ever happens, he'll be leaving North Newton better then when he got there and the next coach will have all the tools to atleast compete.

Depends on the opponent and the age of the players I think for the most part…at least for many Ill use Gibson Southern as an example because I am most familiar with them….they have put a running clock on a number of opponents over the last 10 years…Coach Hart is one of the best coaches in the state and cares about safety more than most to the point that even practices are half pads/quick whistle/no tackling to the ground. against teams that are generally smaller in size physically, Varsity almost never plays the 2nd half at all unless it’s a running clock. Maybe the special teams still gets reps for punt or kick off but even then that’s a stretch against larger schools with more physical players however I have noticed the varsity will still start the 3rd Qtr and try to milk out the clock. JV won’t get work until the 4th. if the starters on varsity are young and it’s their first year of experience they may get 1 drive in the 3rd before getting pulled ultimately it’s up to the coach to decide and I would think most do a great job of this. This is just one example of how a coach does it from what I have noticed over 10 years as a fan. It ultimately factors in a lot of different things and not every matchup that is a running clock is the same….and there is no rule that says a team should pull their starters to put in smaller less athletic players….especially if you are playing a 5A/6A school…at that point putting in freshman might be a bigger risk for injury than leaving in established starters

No time zone difference, just a different starting time of 7:30.

Moore than one Rockville kid got the boot. I mean what else did you expect bringing multiple transfers?

The Warrior graduated in 77. A WRC powerhouse usually doesn’t get their ass kicked at the regional. South Vermilions is almost 3A in enrollment and won’t get out of their sectional. Real powerhouses!

Agreed. Any post that starts with “the xxxx team is the best ever” always has recency bias. I don’t even know how good the 1983 Mustangs team was, but if the Ultimate Warrior is lining up on the field, I’ll take them. 😃😃. (I also heard he played in the Terre Haute youth league)

And there is no such thing in the football rule book as a lateral. It's either a forward pass or backward pass. I know what you mean but lateral means same/sideways and not backward. It's coach/announcer speak and can be like nails on a chalkboard to officials.

Jasper only went undefeated last year and won the conference. And won the first match up 31-10. But sure. Convincing win and Jasper wouldnt stand a chance. 🙄

STATE LAW! I swear to God it is!