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The longest most prestigious Pick 'Em in GID history. Maybe even Coach Nowlin will make an appearance again. We will see if there is any interest this year! Let's get more discussion going on these games and maybe some talk about the picks you made!

Greenfield-Central at Plainfield, 7 p.m.: G-C had a turnaround year last season - winning 7 games last season. They lost QB Rashawn Street and a handful of critical players to the diploma, but return two of their top rushers in Andy Zellers and Brayden Herrell and a really good defender in Brad Allen. Last year's meeting was a one-touchdown game. This will be a good measuring-stick game for G-C. Greensburg at Shelbyville, 7 p.m.: Shelbyville has lost four straight to Greensburg but took some big strides under Brian Glesing last year, including snapping a 26-game losing streak in Week 2. Interestingly, the Golden Bears scored 24 points a game in three non-conference games last year but were scoreless against four conference foes in a COVID-shortened year. Eli Chappalew was solid at QB and Shelby returns its top two rushers, Cael Lux and Axel Conover, as well as top receiver Jackson Parker. Mt. Vernon at Noblesville, 7 p.m.: Noblesville handed the Marauders their only loss last season, as MV then ripped off 14 straight wins and a state title. Mt. Vernon has won back-to-back conference titles and kept the HHC trophy in western Hancock County, where the Marauders and New Palestine have been the lone teams to hold it since 2010. MV was hit hard by graduation, but receivers George Burhenn and Eli Bridenthal are pretty good building blocks. Burhenn is also the top returning tackler. New Castle at Franklin County, 7 p.m.: Injuries decimated the Trojans last year, who went 2-8, but QB Tyson Lewis - who took over after an injury last season and had to learn on the job - returns. He has three of his top four receivers back from the "Air Raid" attack. New Castle was very underclass-heavy last season and three of their losses were by a touchdown or less. One of New Castle's losses was a 44-34 defeat to Franklin County in Week 1. The two teams have played in Week 1 every year but one since 2014, with New Castle's lone win coming in 2018. Pendleton Heights at Lebanon, 7 p.m.: PH was *very* young last year and had a 3-0 start before suffering a couple of close losses to G-C and Yorktown and struggling against Mt. Vernon and New Palestine. This is a new series for the Arabians. PH will have to replace QB Luke Candiano, but I like RBs James Malone and Dresden Roberts. The top three receviers return, led by Caden Sims. Roberts is also the top returning tackler. Three of the top four tacklers for the Arabians were sophomores. This won't be a make-or-break game for PH, but it's a really good matchup for a well-coached team from a community with a good football tradition that's looking to hit its stride. Yorktown at Anderson, 7 p.m.: Yorktown has won 10 consecutive games against non-conference teams in the regular season, with Anderson and Muncie Central their annual tune-ups. The HHC usually fares well against the NCC, and this was a 46-6 win for the Tigers last season. They were *really* young last year and went 5-5, winning three conference games despite being the smallest school in the league. QB Mason Moulton is back after throwing for 1,868 yards last year. The Tigers return all but 13 yards of their rushing offense and top receiver Kolten Nanko, who had 725 yards last season. Westfield at New Palestine, 7 p.m.: This will be one of the marquee Week 1 matchups in Indiana, with the Dragons moving back to 4A and facing a team that has finished the last two seasons playing Center Grove in Lucas Oil Stadium. The Dragons challenge themselves in the non-conference schedule - many of their pre-conference opponents in the Kyle Ralph era have found their way to Lucas Oil Stadium in November, and the Shamrocks are no exception. Dragons are senior-heavy and return nine offensive and eight defensive starters from last year's 5A sectional championship squad. Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Grayson Thomas and top returning receiver Isaiah Thacker, a two-time all-state selection, pace the offense, with two high-level collegiate prospects - Luke Burgess and Ian Moore - anchor the line. The Dragons return their top three tacklers, including senior LB Eli Hook and sophomore DL Michael Thacker. Westfield suffered heavy graduation losses but Jake Gilbert has a tremendous program and a lot of depth that reloads. Delta at Muncie Central, 7:30 p.m.: A young Eagles squad suffered its first sub-.500 season since 1995 last year, going 5-6. Delta downed its county rival 49-6 in the opener and started 3-0 before dropping five of its six conference games. QB Kaiden Bond threw for 1,000+ yards as a sophomore, and Delta returns *all* of its rushing yards, including senior Abram Stitt (844 yards) and sophomore Nolan Carpenter (597 yards). Stitt was also the team's top receiver. Expect the Eagles to get off to another strong start after a rebuilding year.

Westfield needs to be on upset alert against New Palestine. Jake Gilbert told Kyle Neddenriep that he was concerned about his team's attention to detail so far in practice this season. In the scrimmage against Ben Davis, Westfield's defense gave up several big plays and their offense didn't get close to the end zone against Ben Davis' defense. New Palestine returns a ton of starters, including several D1 linemen, and should be the clear favorite in 4A. They are good enough to win 5A if they were still in that class. If Westfield doesn't show up focused and ready to play on Friday, New Palestine is going to push them around in the trenches up and down the field for 4 quarters.

the IHSAA asks, weather teams listen, is another story

There is an expectation from the IHSAA that schools post stats on MaxPreps. Don't post stats to MaxPreps, your players don't get listed in the state leaders, et al. It seems most coaches in our area (Central Indiana) use them. Some schools guard their statistics like state secrets because making them public might aid opponents in scouting (even though *every single opponent* likely has most, if not all, of your games on film, has run them through Hudl Assist and not only do they know your stats, they know all of your formations, tendencies, et al). Prior to a tournament game a few years ago, the visiting coach sent me his stats - likely in part because he trusted me because of a mutual friend in the media (and I did not break that trust - I did not share them with anyone prior to gameday). An hour or so before the game, I had them at my broadcast position in the press box and virtually media member from that team's region came over and started taking photos of them because they had never seen that team's stats and they were useful to help determine all-county/region status.

Yeah, your right, I will say 2 TD’s.

Reitz also threw 5 ints

@Footballking16might drop by to actually explain why the Irish should be applauded for scheduling the game and even go as far to say they should be underdogs due to the enrollment discrepancy.

With all the road construction, closures, and detours in the city of Frankfort will opposing team buses, fans, and even Frankfort fans themselves be able to get to the FHS football field? Current detours and alternate routes are marked in red on this screenshot:

Where’s Andy and the stat boy from Winamacs? They usually have a lot of input. Maybe scouting at McDonald’s, I gotta go

So it looks like Memorial will be without several starters for at least the opener against Jasper. WR Leo Collins was in street clothes with a knee brace. Hearing he likely won’t play next week. RB Porter Rode’s final hearing on his transfer appeal won’t happen until after the Jasper game. DE Joey Collins was in street clothes in a boot. No word on his status. OL Edward Hartig will miss the first two games for a disciplinary reason. DT Kaleb Collins hasn’t practiced yet while recovering from an off-season injury.