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I have taken some time to reflect the last few days and decided to author a love letter to the Conference that brought our Program to great success since 1999. I will first appolgize if you are looking for a well penned grammar free words on the page, so I will first appolgize to @gonzoron of Hoosier Conference fandom Hamilton Heights ahead of time. Titles: It all started in 1999, but I was film guy for my DC when I played, now HC Chris Meeks, when I was leaving Purdue to come back and or drive across the river or around the block to WL to film all the Bomber games in this new conference that I knew nothing about. Coach told me and others at the school that this will be a great thing for football and hopefully the rest of the school as it will force our coaches and athletes to raise their expectations if we are going to compete against Lafayette area teams on a consistent basis. Then in 2001, enter 2 schools named Sheridan ( who at the time, only knew of bc of a RB in my teen years from IU that was from Sheridan named LAW) and Tipton a school I had never heard of but knew there was DQ there on our way from Rensselaer to Ball St my JR year of HS. My first great memory was in 2001 when Tipton rolled into our town on Charter Bus and we had our 1st play of the game called down with an inadvertant whistle that took a TD off the board, Bombers would lose 18-0, however, they would bounce back an some called it an upset and knocked off Benton Central in week 9 to secure our 1st Hoosier Conference championship, a 3 way split with TIpton and BC. BC was undefeated at the time, perhaps the cake outside the locker room congratulating the Bison on undefeated conference championship was a bit early. However in 2002, BC returned the favor, knocked Bombers off week 9 and created another share for the title with RCHS. 2004 was our 1st outright title where we knocked off @Ballhawkoldest QB, SR Brett, who brought his undefeated Blackhawks to town vs undefeated Bombers, a game so looked forward to, Radio station made signs to hand out to fans as they came in, the term BUZZSAW was used as we blitzed the Blackhawks 42-7 on our way to our 1st outright title, game was played an monsoon. So much rain. Fast foward to 2005 and showdown with @Ballhawk boy, the middle of the 3 outstanding QBs of Sheridan lore, the Freshman Phenom vs the SR of Ghost at Rensselaer Kiger, game so big, literally 2 helicopter from 2 differen INDY stations flew in and flew out, a jammed packed Bud Wright Stadium for an outstanding HS football game, 2 undefeated teams again, this time Blackhawks come away 35-32 victors that evening, and a great memory of Coach Wright after the game so excited meeting with Coach Meeks and reminded us he had this freshamn for 3 more years!!! He did it in only the way Coach Wright could, not bragger but true sincerity of excitment. The following Week, where we thought we could of not had a chance at a title, we were awarded a nice surprise as WL knocked off Sheridan the following week to create another shared title. The next title came in 2010 as our giant OL and great defense and power running game swept the conference that year and swept it again in 2014 on our way to undefeated state championship. Those are the championship years and memories of our 6 titles from the Hoosier. Memories of the early days of warming up over by our hospital, not to be seen until it was time for the coin toss, just letting teams enjoy our field to themselves, somtimes with no music, a few times with Lawerence Welk playing. Coaches Segment of the Love Letter: Coach Overly getting BIG MAD pregame in one of his final years at WL, storming up to pressbox yelling we ain't Tipton, turn off that music (mind you, classic rock was playing, and our pre game specialies were on their way out to the field, but man he was stressed that night, of course when they won the game, he was all smiles and appolgized for his outburst pregame at me, but Coach O also didn't allow Music at WL pre game in locker room or on field either. Some Pre-Game chatter with the young pup on WL staff that ended up taking over from Coach Overly, where I may have been aggessive in some story telling of my world, Coach O was not quite ready for my shenanigans, however the cordinators were in stiches. Coach Tolle (Mike) pre game talking to Coach Meeks and I about the Hoosier and how many great coaches there was, naming a couple and then a weird silence followed by: and you too Chris 🙂 Trying to figure out how to gain yards against Tim O'shea's slanting 3-4 defense at LCC still give me night terrors, which beating them in 2014 both in Regular season and at Semi State was just incredible as that team was LOADED. I have personally been great friends with many from this conference over the years, so much love and respect for many we have locked horns with. Coach Steve Snyder, long time DC at TWIN LAKES, my older brother HC at RCHS, Coach Overly was AWESOME man and true steward of the game. O'shea Brothers at LCC, I think we got 1 year of Kevin at TL, but I maybe off. Coach Strasser when at Delphi. What an outstanding experience coaching against Bud Wright led teams of Sheridan before there exit out. Coach Nay/Goodin combo when they arrived at LCC, good peoples to me. Coach Dave Black at Benton Central was blue collar grinder and tremendous individual, great seeing him a few weeks ago on our last trip over. Watching Coach Fry ascend from his time at WL assistant to one of the top coaches in the state has been fantastic, as we first met at PE dept together at Purdue, both aspiring PE teachers and Football coaches, many great memories over the years, some not so great, but him and his staff of DC Roseman, Coach Speaker and RCHS HOF member Coach DeWees are true friends of mine that have extended well before our battles on the gridrion. Sidenote: I am 1-0 against Coach Fry in 9th grade Girls Hoops !! BOOM BABY, yes, I coached girls hoops back in the day, so did he, as young teachers and getting started we all did things like that to get going, I rolled into WL gym and there he was , my college buddy across the bench, with that win, we took the girls to Silver Dipper for some ICE CREAM. ATHLETES: What a conference of just DUDES over the years: SO SO MANY. Zachary Brothers of Sheridan, Mills Brothers at LCC, Weatherford at HH, the numerious #87, #2 at Tipton, I see you Hooker, and Shively, Schoen Brothers at BC, Anthrop Bros at LCC, Cronk of LCC, the unbelievable talent run that WL had last 10 years, Karlaftis brothers, not bad for George so far I'd say in the NFL, Woodyard, DE, Mr. Football at QB Wodika, then Lancaster, then the list goes on and on and on there for RDP of 765. I am sure there many others that I just can't place my brain around right now, needless to say, we had to bring it each week since 1999 to compete. FOOD: Eating Pre-game Chilli as a guest of @Ballhawk one year. Eating Pre Game Pork meal at Hamilton Heights my first year there when they joined the Hoosier. Googling Russiaville when a team called Western joined the ranks but that came with pre game Tenderloins from a place near Kokomo!!! Being able to promote the greatest BURGER in the Conference the WAGONMASTER to the tune of 30 PLUS ordered every time WL came to town over the years for thier pre game or post game coaches meal. TO THE GID POSTERS: I had great pleasure running the Hoosier Conference Pick em over the years when I was teaching Credit Recovery/Alt School, we had some time on my hands during that 13 year run. Thanks to @CoachDurham for taking over the ranks last few years. Having battles with Mr. October and great conversationst with @Fballfan15 (still chat to this day) were outstanding and occasional drop by @dazed and confused Running into LCCFAN09er, literally this summer in VEGAS CEASARS HOTEL POOL (there on AAU team trip, me 20 year anniversary) and remembering how many times I had recieved a phone call from folks in LCC program asking me to remove things he has posted !!! 🙂 Fond conversations with @LCCAlum (man his brothers could ball) Meeting up with my guy G @nmsu_aggie many times pre and post game and I appreciate the lone flag bearer around here of HH @gonzoron when his kids were going through . EDIT: HOW COULD I FORGET: Hand delivering @foxbat his well EARNED HOOSIER CONF PICKEM plaque at Walts on WL having a cocktail !!! In Summary, just wanted make an appreciation post for some of my meathead thoughts that are in this noggin as we have exited out gracefully of our run since 1999, a RUN that has seen the BOMBERS win our 1st CONFERENCE GAME 14-12 thriller vs Twin lakes in 1999 and our Last Conference game 51-0 vs BC OR 36-35 OT Thriller against Logansport if you want to count that, for me, I AM !!!!! A run that has seen our HC, myself and our DC Zacher be part of now 202 Wins of Coach Meeks, a tenure that started in 1999 as member of conference and ends in 2025 as we head of into the world of Independence. BE WELL MY HOOSIER CONFERENCE FOOTBALL FAMILY Coach Nowlin Rensselaer Central

Any chance Rodney and I can come? Maybe Komets and FootballKing? Sounds like a good time. I'll take the wine coolers if Temp doesn't want them. I'll sip on my "girly" drink while utterly destroying all of you in a debate.

Open the link. Click the button 'Donate toward this goal'. Enter the amount you want to donate. On the next screen it will give you the USPS option to mail a check. I assume the address will be on the next screen after you select the option. https://gridirondigest.net/clients/donations/

I had a spot picked out on my waterbed headboard, right by my black light and rubbers

Interesting. I saw Central got mentioned in the IHSAA minutes from 10/9 for having multiple players who exceeded the quarters limit. Just let us know when we have to start paying rent.

Nah, that was due to Western. The evil of Russiaville needs to be contained or it's malignancy will spread unchecked.

I think this year will be much like 2023 at Penn. It's going to be tight. I don't know if it'll be as high scoring but it'll be a tight game. Much more winnable for Penn than many may think. I like CP as the winner but Penn has a good chance to win this one.

Nah, he’s right.

Joel Klatt, Deion Sanders, Nick Saban, and Kirby Smart aren’t Michigan fans…

Always welcome. I’ll get my tractor out of the driveway so there is plenty of parking space!!

The Eleventh Commandment is "Thou shalt not exceed the quarters limit."

I don't have PayPal or Venmo, how can I make a donation?

Thank God someone else picked highland, I was worried about that one

Sent this to @temptation in PM on Monday, but figured some of what I thought could be some sneaky plays, seemed to be not so sneaky....I was trying to chanel my inner MR. DEEDS sneekiness Coach Nowlin Eliminator Picks 6A: see you next week 5A: See you next Week 4A: HIGHLAND (265) 3A: FRANKTON (252) 2A: LEWIS CASS (207) 1A: BOWMAN ACADEMY (271)

He finally admits it Quick rank them 23 like ive been saying for weeks

Realistically you guys should just let me seed all the tournaments Well everything > 2a There would never be another upset

Sagarin would be my #2 option. My #1 would be a seven person committee with representatives from NE, NW, EC, WC, Indy Area would be Central, SE, and SW. And the committee would be comprised of members of this forum. I don't trust the media. Nor would I trust a current coach or an athletic director. I think we could find seven guys here who could give an objective opinion. I think the reps would come from Fort Wayne, South Bend, Lafayette, Indy, Muncie, Evansville, and someone from either Columbus or Madison to represent the SE. If you're asking me how I would seed it myself, that would take a bit of time. I could get back to you later tonight probably.

Oh, the conference! The sheer, unadulterated romance of it all. As an occasional lurker these days, I must confess: you and this athletic conference have quite a love affair. Rennselaer will always be in the heart of the Mills family. Both parents poured their formative years into that sacred ground. Numerous occasions where my dad and the guy officiating the JV game would talk about the glory days of go kart racing on the St. Joe Campus. But the true star, the influencer before influencers were even a thing, is Coach Nowlin. The man is a legend. I mean, who else would personally deliver a wagonmaster to a junior high coach warming up for their first game at Rc. That's not coaching, that's performance art. His relentless, almost cult-like marketing of the Wagon Wheel is so intense I'm convinced he's secretly on the payroll, or maybe he's just trying to secure a lifetime supply of those delicious burgers. I hope the future scheduling gods, keep RC on the LCC schedule

Love it. Better seed hosts in the first two rounds and then neutral locations for the regional/semi state.

If you have a burner on the sideline, first play throw it deep. See if the Penn secondary is as good as they have played all season. Penn relies on getting to the quarterback. If they can get to him either with the sack or with pressure their DBs can make plays down the field. The O, can become pass happy at times. Which is frustrating when they are a good running team. They have quality backs and even a back that if you get him into space can become a big problem. 3 is shifty hard to bring down, 4 is a hard runner that can brake a play wide open and 10 is the bruiser of the group.

trying running an offense where he was on the other side of the ball...... We ran at Jaylon Smith at Luers, but he was only a Frosh/Soph at the time..... Bowen and Karlaftis at WL were NIGHTMARES in HS

You guys won't have any trouble with Jasper.

BNL Whiteland

Week 10 Schedule BNL (6-3) at Jennings County (3-6) 5A #7/8 Whiteland (7-2) at Seymour (2-7)

Congrats to Evansville native Don Mattingly and best of luck. The entire world, excluding Los Angeles is pulling for you and your Jays. 🙂

My Predictions: Sectional Winners: Crown Point Carroll Carmel Fishers Brownsburg Decatur Central Warren Central Center Grove Regional Winners: Crown Point Carmel Brownsburg Center Grove Semi-State Winners Carmel Brownsburg State Champion: Brownsburg

A youth movement going on at Luers. 100% effort though.

I have him ignored, and it actually solved a problem. I'm a happy camper! Now back on topic: How about those Louisville Cardinals?

Let’s be honest here, with NIL a part of the equation, the SEC is now on an even playing field with everyone else. Zero titles since NIL for the SEC. Anyone with half a brain knew what was happening and that titles were bought.

Because the NCAA is spineless (and powerless) in this era.

Edit for OP, as Adams Central would be looking for their 5th straight trip this year! (3 in 1A & 1 in 2A last year) Go Flying Jets! Here is to hopefully another deep playoff to continue the tradition!