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I watched the NJ / Pioneer game yesterday and came away with a deeper respect for the Jays than I had previously! Judson played hard and did some of the things you must do to beat a team like Pioneer. They controlled some clock, got some first downs, didn't give up a lot of big plays, made the Panthers earn their scores for the most part. I definitely like the Blue Jays in their sectional and think they have a decent shot to represent the Northwest quadrant in the 1A semi state, especially if they get to host LCC in the regional. As for Pioneer... I hate losing to them by 50 every year, but I love watching that team play! They are so fundamentally strong and disciplined! It's just awesome! Bremen is probably the only team in their sectional that has a chance to play with them. But even though they play 3A & 4A teams, they haven't seen a team like Pioneer. I just enjoy watching them execute. It's a thing of beauty!

It's time for the postseason! How will HNAC teams perform in their runs toward postseason success? It should be fun!! Friday, Oct. 23 Knox at Benton Central, 7:30 pm LaVille at Cass, 7 pm Delphi at Pioneer, 7 pm Winamac at South Central, 7:30 pm Culver at Lake Station, 7:30 pm North Judson at West Central, 7:30 pm Churubusco at Triton, 7 pm North Miami at Caston, 7 pm

I saw on another thread that the sectional game between Goshen and Mishawaka was going to count as their conference game since they didn't get to play during the regular season. Why couldn't the semi-final game between Pioneer and LaVille (if it happens) be the same? Count it as the conference matchup for final placing. If LaVille wins they share the title. If Pioneer wins they are the outright champion. Pretty simple if you ask me.

Final Winamac 10, Triton 9

Triton 3 Winamac 0 half

Totally agree. Now, why do you think North Judson will win by two points tonight? Do you have some analytical data that supports your prediction? Do you have some position matchups that in some way favor the Jays? My prediction of a Panther win was based totally on previous game results. But if you're not looking at that, what is driving your prediction? Maybe it's just a gut feel, and if so that's fine. Just wondering how you're coming up with a Blue Jay win.

On Harrell's basketball site there is a guy who uses the transitive property to show how a one win team could beat the best team in the state (assuming they have lost at least one game). It's a blast to see how that works! I wish someone would do that here on the football site. Surely someone could figure out why Taylor should be able to beat Brownsburg!

That's a great point! Teams are not stagnant. But in theory every team would be getting better each week, so week one results could accurately predict week 9 results. Of course, as you said, we all know some coaches are better at getting their teams to improve than others, so I suppose there's room for debate. Which is exactly why we are all on here! To express opinions and have some fun! If we are all expected to ignore previous weeks' results when discussing future games, this site would be EXTREMELY boring! So I will continue to consider the results of previous games when discussing future games. Since you are not looking at results from previous weeks, why don't you break down your reasons for thinking North Judson will win the game tonight by a couple points. I'm interested in hearing your analysis.

Caston at Knox - I know Knox is shorthanded, but they did not impress me at all last week. Triton should have won that game and just let it slip away. But the Redskins should have enough to take down the Comets. Not a huge blowout, but it will never be in doubt. Knox 35-7 LaVille at Culver - Culver's defense hasn't been good. I can't see them stopping LaVille. I'll take the Lancers with a running clock. LaVille 42-6 Pioneer at North Judson - Every time we see a conference team that looks pretty solid, we all want to jump on the bandwagon and give Pioneer their first HNAC loss. But every time we do, the Panthers remind us just what kind of team they are. Judson is a good team and I think they have a shot to play into mid-November, but they aren't Pioneer good. I think the Jays will run some clock, but will ultimately struggle to put up points. Pioneer 30-7 Winamac at Triton - The best game of the week in my opinion. Triton has looked pretty decent in a couple of games, but they haven't been very consistent. Probably due to their youth at some key positions. I think the Trojans would have the same record had they played the Warrior's schedule. Triton's kicking game cost them last week. I think they redeem themselves this week and win by a field goal. Triton 24-22

If I was a betting man, I'd take that one. Of course it's possible the Trojans could run all over the Warriors... so I could be wrong. 😁 Judson has scored exactly 1 TD against good teams this year. Pioneer's defense will be the best they've faced by far. Maybe the Jay's defense will keep it close for a while, but I just don't see it being a game deep into the second half.

Only one close game this week and it won't be the Jays and Panthers.

Knox 22 Triton 18. Final

Knox with a 98 yard drive and a score inside of a minute to win it 22-18.

Triton leading Knox 18-14 late in 3rd.

Triton 12 Knox 8. Half

Friday, Oct. 2 - WEEK #7 Hoosier North Athletic Conference Caston at Culver - The Cavs are a bit of a mystery. They averaged 22 points a game over the first few weeks - including 28 on Knox - and then lay an egg against Triton and Winamac. They'll play better this week against Caston, but the Comets will be able to put points up as well. Should be a good game, but I'm picking the Comets to get win #3 and play their way out of the HNAC cellar for the first time since West Central left. Caston 33-29 Glenn at LaVille - How can you not be impressed with the way the Lancers handled Knox last week? They should be a confident group heading into this rivalry game. Glenn has faltered lately after their big win over Jimtown. Knox pummeled Glenn. LaVille pummeled Knox. LaVille with a double-pummel of Glenn! LaVille 42-14 Pioneer at Knox - If you think Knox will hang with Pioneer, then you are essentially saying LaVille would have the potential to beat the Panthers this year. We may find out later, but history tells us that the Lancers in their best years are still no match for Pioneer. I don't see the Panthers having any trouble with the Redskins this week. I think Radtke is a great coach! But I would not be surprised if he is losing the team with his old-style approach to player motivation. Pioneer 36-7 Triton at North Judson - Judson should win this easily. Earlier in the year I thought Triton might be able to make a game of this one, but last week they were short a couple guys that hurt the team. I don't know about tonight. But the Jays at home will pull away in the second half. North Judson 35-10 West Central at Winamac - Nothing to see here. The Warriors should win big. Winamac 48-7 BTW - Great to see everyone still playing this far into the season! Kudos to the players and staff for taking precautions and staying on the field!

Thanks for the link! I was able to watch a little of the game.

Does anyone know if the Knox / LaVille game was broadcast by either team and if the game is available out there somewhere? I couldn't find it last night, but would like to watch it if possible. I don't think Pioneer will have any trouble with Knox. Won't be close. I also think Triton hang with NJ for a while.

LaVille @ Knox - LaVille has a great football program under Coach Hostrawser, but their setbacks this year are a lot to overcome. After a couple of tough early losses, Radtke seems to have the Redskins rolling. No letdown this week as Knox looks forward to the showdown with Pioneer next Friday. I think Knox wins this one handily. Knox 30-10 Pioneer @ Triton - Triton is improved from last season, but they are playing a lot of young players. I was impressed with their defensive performance against Culver, but they won't have the mindset or the stamina to slow down the Panthers. Pioneer 52-0 Winamac @ Culver - I was disappointed with what I saw from the Cavs last week against Triton. Their defense just wasn't very good and their run game was stuffed all night by the Trojans. I haven't seen Winamac, but they have to be better than Culver. Winamac 34-13 CMA @ N. Judson - CMA has struggled, but they're playing some pretty decent competition. Judson is putting up big numbers against weak teams. At this point I don't see Judson as a top 10 1A team, though they are getting votes. They will have a chance to prove themselves in the next 4 weeks. But I think Saturday will be a wake-up call for the Jays. CMA 28-14 N. White @ Caston - I know nothing about North White and little about Caston. But have a feeling the Comets will come ready to play and I think they'll get the second of 3 W's they'll get this season. Caston 28-6

Culver never made it inside Triton's 40 all night long. They scored on a 50 yard pass but probably didn't have more than 50 yards rushing on the varsity D.

Triton over Culver 48-8. I thought there would be some close games tonight. I was wrong.

Triton 34 Culver 8 half

Triton sold a limited number of tickets on a pre-sale basis. I don't know the exact number, I'm guessing around 150-200 for Triton and maybe half that for Culver. No ticket sales at the gate. Home and visitor fans enter through different gates. It's senior night for fall sports, so the Triton tickets were sold out. Social distancing in the stands. Sit by family groups. Masks required. Concessions open, but separated for home and visitor fans. Trying to keep fans separated as much as possible. Fans must exit the bleachers and the stadium within 10 minutes of the game's end. No interacting with players. It stinks, but we're trying to keep the kids in school and the players playing.

I haven't seen anyone play in person yet this year. I'll get my first taste of high school football tonight when Culver comes to Triton. But I'll take a shot as some predictions: Knox @ Glenn - Which Glenn team will show up? I'm guessing there will be a bit of a letdown after a big win last week. Knox 21-10 North Judson @ Winamac - I think this will be a good game. Neither team really has a quality win yet. I'm going with the Jays. Judson 28-21 Pioneer @ Attucks - Pioneer by whatever they want. Pioneer 52-7 Culver @ Triton - Maybe the best game in the conference this week. I could see a lot of offense from both sides. Ultimately someone will need a key stop to win the game. I'm guessing the Trojans get it done. Triton 33-27 Caston @ LaVille - Caston's a lot better this year, but no match for LaVille. Lancers 42-8

The Triton / LaVille game in week 2 has been cancelled.