npcougar15

4A sectional 17 championship is week 1. Hobart @ New Prairie. By far the 2 best teams square off in the first round. Bottom half of the bracket features arguably 4 of the 5 worst teams. Lowell was given a gift.

Not going to go through the record books but Penn's defense just probably gave NP the worst statistical night in school history. 27 total yards. Penn wins 22-0. NP defense did their job; they did a heck of a job only giving up 15 points when Penn was in their territory ALL GAME LONG. Don't think NP offense ever got near the 50 yard line and even gave up a TD on a botched snap. One of the worst offensive games you can imagine.

While of a conference of: Penn, Elkhart, Warsaw, New Prairie, Concord, Mishawaka, Northwood, Northridge would be an absolute GAUNTLET I'm not too sure how appealing that is for New Prairie, Northwood, Northridge and maybe even Concord or Mishawaka. That is a TOUGH conference in every sport year in and year out. Unfortunately Penn is just such an outlier that long term there is no benefit for them to be in a conference with 4A schools; even if those schools are on the upper end of 4A. I mean that conference would probably make the most sense for Penn, not too sure the other schools are going to bite. Another thing though to watch out for is the industrial developments happening over in New Carlisle. NP has grown the past decade but with the 3.5 BILLION dollar battery plant starting to be built, the acreage for other developments, and just the sheer land mass that is New Prairie schools district (I've heard New Prairie is the largest school district by acreage in Indiana. I could be wrong but it's near the top if it's not the top). NP could quickly become a 5A in the next decade or so which would change things up.

NIC is dead. The only way to fix the issue that makes sense is a complete restructure of michiana conferences. Not going to happen but this is what it would look like. Conference A: Penn, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Warsaw, Goshen, Adams, Riley, Washington Conference B: Marian, St. Joe, New Prairie, Concord, Northwood, Northridge, Plymouth, (idealy CMA but also Jimtown, Wawasee in the last spot) Conference c Bremen, Glenn, Tippy Valley, Rochester, Laville, Knox, (idealy Jimtown and Wawasee but maybe a Triton, Culver or Fairfield if one of the better fits goes to conference B.) But in a more realistic scenario, I'd love for New Prairie to get to the NLC if Wawassee were to join the new NSC at some point. The only schools in the new NIC that NP can relate too are St. Joe and Marian and if they are gone NP is better off going there own way.

Bremen at Riley - Riley's run defense is extremely good. Only way you beat them is through the air. Don't think this one is particularly close and Riley wins the conference title this year. Culver Academy at St. Joseph - St. Joe was without some starters last week? Thought they played Penn tough anyways. St. Joe gets the "W" Elkhart at Marian - While Elkhart isn't what they should be, they are still a decent football team in the area. Marian is going to be in some tight games to end the season. Lions by a few TDs John Glenn JV at Clay - Go to channel 46's short post game interview with a clay senior who has been with the program for 4 years. That's what high school sports are all about. Maybe Colonials get 2 in a row? Penn at New Prairie - The game of the week. If both teams play their best games; Penn wins. But NP isn't too far behind, and I think it should be another good one in New Carlisle this Friday. This one is probably going to be a battle and have a "November" feel to it. Can't wait for a packed house at Amzie Miller Adams at Jimtown - This will be a good barometer on the difference between the NIC big and small schools. Adams has scored a total of 13 points against NP, STJ, Marian, and Elkhart and with Penn still looming it doesn't look good for the eagles. If Jimtown gives up 3 TDs or more that will tell us something. Also what's up with Adams helmets this year? the yellow eagle on the side doesn't match or look good at all Washington at Hamilton Heights - HH big Tippy Valley @ Glenn - TV is very good this year. Green and yellow easily.

Bremen, Glenn, Jimtown are leaving. Clay is no longer going to be a school, that means the NIC is left with: Washington Riley Adams New Prairie Marian St Joe Penn Elkhart 7 game conference schedule for the 8 schools.

Riley vs. NP: First let me say; Riley has a real good ball club, I think they are going to roll past Bremen and Jimtown - They are legit. And honestly I wouldn't want to face them in the sectionals either. The kind of team you would want/expect out of a south bend school. Their run defense is legit, they were in the backfield and attacking the point of line of scrimmage all night long. Cougars rushed for only 81 yards on 31 carries - NP did have a 25 yard run on the their first play of scrimmage so you take away that and Riley essentially shut down the cougars run game. But on the flip side Riley sold out on the run which led to some wide open receivers. Cougars threw for a school record of 306 yards on 9/17 passes, and honestly there were some dropped balls where it could easily been more. NP left some points on the boards; badly missed chip shot field goal, and fumbled snap exchange on first and goal from the 2 on the second drive of the game, Riley just didn't have the offense to keep up. Riley was penalized for holding calls, especially early on, I think that was just a by-product of the competition they have played prior to the game. Overall I came away impressed with Riley, especially their front 7 attacking all game long.

Amzie Miller Field has become one of the toughest places to come away with a win in Michiana the last decade. With homecoming, 5-1 vs 6-0, and a beautiful night, it will be interesting to see how Riley handles an engaged environment. My guess is Riley is going to come out of the gates trying to hit the homerun or with some trickery to get their kids believing.

While I wouldn't be completely shocked if this is a tight game or even Riley comes away with a win; but this is a pretty interesting take.

So what's Riley's identity? Run or Pass first? They've had some good athletes at the receiver and running back positions that last handful of years, but haven't quite established what they want to be yet. I'm sure the coaches are going to throw the entire playbook at the Cougars and wouldn't be surprised to see a few trick plays early and often.

Elkhart at Adams - Adams didn't look very good at all last week. Massive holes every play for the cougars to run through. Elkhart easily. LaVille at Glenn - Lancers best the falcons. Marian at Angola - Knights beat the 0-6 Hornets. Marian has a chance to salvage an average season Prairie Heights at Bremen - Don't think the Lions will have a problem this week, Bremen big Riley at New Prairie - Probably the most intriguing game this week. 6-0 Riley vs. 5-1 NP. Riley has played a HORRIBLE schedule; especially the last 3 weeks. The only common opponent is Adams. Riley beat them 22-12 while the Cougars dismantled them 49-0. All signs point to a NP win but Riley's coach Lee has the one circled on the calendar. Would be a massive win for the Wildcats and the SB publics, but don't think it's going to happen. NP 35 Riley 14. St. Joseph at Penn - I think this game will be closer than what paper would suggest. Penn still wins Washington at Jimtown - Jimmies North Newton at Clay - Fun stat of the day, Clay is 1-74 the last 8 seasons against IHSAA sanctioned varsity teams. Jimtowns JV is 1-0 in that same span. NN is horrible, this game is a match made in heaven.

Having 10 on the field is just inexcusable; and the fact they ran into the same situation earlier in the game is ridiculous. Legitimate question though; if Freeman has the 11th guy run out onto the field with 3 second left basically guaranteeing a penalty. Wouldn't that give OSU 2 opportunities to score? They would have a "free play" and then could just decline the penalty if they did score. Then they would have a 2nd chance a few inches closer if they didn't score on the first play and the penalty was enforced. Maybe I'm wrong but, isn't that how it would go?

NP 35 Adams 0 Few minutes left until half time

after 1 NP 13 Adams 0

4 of the top 5 ranked players are in 4A. That doesn't even include one of the best in the state in Ringer at East Central.

Hard to imagine the winner of this game NOT at least get a share of the conference title. But you are right, the NLC is far from being over with 4 teams that could all beat one another and a 5th that could pick someone off. The minute Curtis took the Warsaw job I knew he would get them to being a consistent winner. It's kind of interesting too look at the programs that he has left and where they are at now with New Prairie and Mishawaka. The guy doesn't just get buy in from players but he also gets it from the community and the community is what gets you stable programs. Truly one of the best out there

Jimtown at Tippecanoe Valley - I like TV in this one. They've had some good ball clubs as of late. Unfortunately their sectional is pound for pound toughest in the state. Glenn at Bremen - Something tells me Glenn gets it done New Prairie at Adams - Nothing suggests that Adams is going to win this game. NP comfortable Penn at Marian © - No way Penn loses this game. I will be interested to see what the final score is though St. Joseph at Elkhart - Don't think Elkhart has the offesive firepower to keep up with STJ. The Indians are headed in the right direction; Elkhart is well uhhhhhh Washington at Riley © Riley beats up on another cream puff Saturday, Sep. 23 Jimtown{} at Clay - If clay wins does it even count?

While I wasn't 100% bought into the Northwood hype going into the season. I am surprised they are sitting at 3-2 and essentially eliminated from an NLC title 3 games into the conference season. I thought they'd be fine until the weather turns bad during the post-season, didn't think it would happen this early. It will be interesting to see what the Panthers are made of going forward. They have an opportunity to learn and grow from the early setbacks and use this as a wake-up call that leads to a nice playoff run (essentially reversing last years fortunes). Or have one of the biggest let-downs of a seasons I can remember from a Michiana area team.

NP/St. Joe was a pretty entertaining game. St. Joe has come a long way and is getting back to where they should be. 2 contrasting styles. NP couldn't stop STJ quick hit passing attack while the cougars basically were running at will all night long. NP only attempted 4 passes all night and STJ probably was under 40 yard rushing. The Indians have some nice athletes once they get the bal in their hands and can make some plays. Can anyone give a rundown of the Penn/Elkhart? Surprised it was 0-0 at halftime.

Yup. The crew does a GREAT job of broadcasting, but honestly I'm pretty salty NP doesn't get featured for a single game this season. They have arguably been the most successful program in the area the last decade and by far the most successful the past handful of years. This year they feature Laville, Bremen, Riley, Adams, Concord, Edwardsburg, Warsaw, Elkhart, Northwood, Mishawaka (x2), Penn (x2), Niles (x2), Northridge (x2). The crew is getting repetitive with who they feature and gravitate towards Mishawaka (they've covered them 5 games the last 2 years), Penn, Warsaw, and Northridge - I'm sure it's viewership related. But why not feature NP vs. Laporte, Knox vs. North Judson, Tippy Valley vs. Rochester, Jimtown vs. Concord, Glenn vs. Jimtown, etc.

Bremen at Jimtown - I feel like every game Bremen has played in the last 3 seasons has been a close one. I don't expect this one to be any different. I'm thinking Jimmies in a squeaker. Elkhart at Penn - A waste of the "game of the week". Penn easily. Glenn at Knox - This is a way more intriguing match up that I wish the 46 crew would highlight. 2 coaches with a lot of wins trying to build something at smaller schools. I'll take the redskins New Prairie at St. Joseph - St. Joe showing some positive signs but their SOS is horrible. This game will be a good measuring stick to where St. Joe is this year. Still think NP wins here. Since the turn of the century NP is 10-1 against the Indians. Adams at Marian - Marian has played a killer schedule for a 3A to start the year. Adams with a pretty bad performance last week. Knights get the "W" Clay at South Bend Washington - Panthers Riley at Indianapolis Washington - Riley easily

Congrats to Northridge on the win, they seem to be a thorn in the panther's side as of late. Very impressive when you take into consideration NR was without their starting RB who's going to the best FCS program in the country. East Central appears to be on another level and will be the hands down favorite in Indianapolis if they make it there. But 4A north is shaping up to be an intriguing tournament. Northwood, Northridge, New Prairie, New Haven, Columbia City, Kokomo, East Noble, Hobart all seem to be challenging for that position to get to LOS

Sloppy win for NP last night. Too many penalties and starting drives 1st and 20 isn't going to get it done in the playoffs. One interesting play that happened was with 15 seconds left in the first half NP caught a pass but didn't get out of bounds with no timeouts. NP then has a mad scramble to get the field goal team on and try to attempt a kick, there were kids running around everywhere, they snap the ball with 2 seconds left in the middle of the chaos, but penalty flags fly everywhere for either "too many men on the field" or "false start". This stops the clock. they move the ball back 5 yards which allows NP to get organized. NP then snaps it right when they start the clock again and kicks a 35 yard field goal right before the half.

NP 7 Marian 7 1st quarter

NP 7 Marian 0 1 quarter