FlyingHigh

***Game of the Week*** Adams Central @ Heritage - This one becomes the de facto conference championship after Heritage beat SA last week in a big time win for their program. The Adams County schools have been hoping that a team steps up and turns into another tough matchup and it looks like Heritage is there. If Heritage wins, they'll win conference because no one left on their schedule will beat them. If AC wins, they'll still need to get past the rivalry game next week against SA. I don't think they'll have a hangover from the SA game and will compete against AC. The Jets have looked decent, but tend to take their feet off the pedal once they get up. Assuming they fix that problem, I think AC wins by double digits.

Jay County @ Bluffton - This one is kind of tough. I think Jay County can score, but they will need to put together a solid performance to stop Bluffton's running game.

Monroe Central @ South Adams - Give me SA in a bounce back game against Monroe Central. I'm sure MC will be up for their return to Starfire Field after last year's appearance at the Mud Bowl. That game should have never been played on that field and I'm sure MC would like to provide some payback. 

Southern Wells @ Woodlan - Woodlan wins big. 

41 minutes ago, DumfriesYMCA said:

That’s news to me.  Just looked on Harrells site…what’s weird about that is they went 15-0 and then didn’t even keep the interim coach? 

Just really weird to me.

 

I think the interim coach from 2020 is still on staff. Maybe he didn't want to be the HC? I'm not sure, just speculating.

I’m surprised by the amount of people taking HN over CC. CC has looked good this year and their only loss is a 1-score game to a decent Delta team. HN’s one win is over Jay County. I’m taking CC by double digits. 

AC wins big

SA wins in a close one...This is the most intriguing match-up in the ACAC. Is Heritage ready to push SA & AC? I expect them to be improved, but they might be another year away. 

Carroll Flora by a lot

Bluffton by 14...Woodlan has struggled against the run and Bluffton rushed for a bunch against SA. I expect quite a few points to be scored in this one by both teams.

3 minutes ago, Kamikaze said:

The Bluejays have a solid team this year. As their young talent continues to grow they should be better than last year's team. However, they are fully aware that Triton and Pioneer are in their sectional. Triton is very talented and North Judson hasn't beaten Pioneer since 2008!!!

Plus, everyone knows that Adams Central is the true lock to make it back to state!!!😀

I'm a big fan of the brand of football that Triton plays and they have a bunch of kids who have played varsity ball for 2-3 years. I expect them to challenge North Judson. I do think NJ wins sectional 41 and will face off against Park Tudor in regional.

Who is the most likely to make it out of sectional 43? Carroll Flora???

3 minutes ago, FrankCostanza said:

You read a post from one fan thinking that NJ may go undefeated in conference. As for LOS, a guy from Rochester mentioned that he thought we may represent the north. 

Why exactly are you exaggerating these details? I can assure you that NJ has not yet crowned themselves state champs, or conference champs for that matter. 

I'm mostly exaggerating the details to promote discussion outside of AC/SA arguments. It would be great to hear from schools from the south. It seems like there are a few schools that could represent the north in LOS, but is there anyone who can legitimately challenge Lutheran in the south?

I can't believe the HNAC crowd hasn't been very active in this thread. From what I've seen on the HNAC threads, North Judson is all but a lock to make a trip to LOS. They should probably be #1 in the polls according to the things that I have read. 

Full disclosure, I'm fully aware that I'm baiting them into responding, but we need conversation that doesn't have to do with AC and SA. Also, I do think that NJ is very good.

26 minutes ago, Thor77 said:

Why would that way of thinking be seriously flawed? AC put a running clock on North Judson last year by halftime, while the SA regional game was only 21-0 before the wheels completely fell off on the 4th quarter. 
 

The statements regarding SA on their ranking on basis to AC is incredibly arrogant based on SA’s body of with the past 5-6 years. 

I think it's seriously flawed based on what both teams return in 2022. The polls should be based on this year's teams and I don't think there's a chance SA would compete with North Judson this year.  North Judson returns most of their starters and SA lost Wanner and Schoch. 

I'm not sure what I said that would be considered arrogant. The comment by another poster about SA being ranked because of their association with AC can definitely be taken as arrogant, but nothing I said should offend you. I acknowledged SA has a solid program with consistent success, but I think another team deserves to be #3 over them. If ranking NJ ahead of SA simply because they have had really good seasons in the past is arrogant, then I'm guilty. I'd likely also put Park Tudor and Triton over SA (I'm sure you'll also be offended by that). The HNAC posters on GID are extremely confident in NJ (much more arrogant than anything I've said). If you're offended by my statements, then maybe the GID isn't for you.

11 hours ago, Thor77 said:

Are you saying SA only gets prestige for being associated with AC? Yes, AC in recent history has had our number, but we have also won three straight sectionals, 10+wins 3 straight years, 7+ wins for 6(?), and are still consistently ending games early. SA has earned the benefit of doubt for early poll placements. 

It pains me to say that SA has earned the benefit of the doubt for these early polls. The program has been consistently solid in the last several years. That being said, any early 1A poll with SA over North Judson is seriously flawed. Early polls mean absolutely nothing, though. It will all play itself out.

The 25-21 AC win over 2A #6 Eastside was as impressive a win the program has had in awhile, last year’s semistate game at North Judson and sectional matchup against Busco included. Eastside is incredibly physical and jumped to a 14-3 lead in the first half. AC met the physicality and came back despite playing without one of their best and most important players.
 

I look forward to watching this team progress. If they stay healthy and continue to improve, they’ll be a tough out. Next up is a fun matchup at Taylor U against Covenant Christian. 

5 hours ago, Oldschool said:

Is Adams Central that good? Or is Garrett that bad?

Garrett was not good at all but is still probably better than some of the teams in the ACAC. AC played really well for week 1. I’m most impressed with how quickly they put up 28 points in multiple different ways (offense, defense, special teams) in the first quarter. I think they have plenty to improve on but I don’t think any team would say they’re playoff ready just yet. 
Eastside will be the biggest challenge all regular season. This is the week both teams find out just how good they are (or aren’t). Should be fun, as it has become one, if not the best non conference rivalry in NE IN. 

Eastside’s Briar Munsey had 201 yards on 16 carries. 

4 hours ago, Basementbias said:

Looks like you may have to pay for the Garrett webcast? Berne Witness only has South Adams vs Arcanum tonight. Did they not get enough sponsorship for Bellmont this year?

I think Garrett is offering a stream PPV on IHSAATV.

On 8/15/2022 at 12:26 PM, Basementbias said:

Curious to see the Arcanum result. They lost their star QB & coach due to a transfer to a bigger school. I think they could still be a good matchup for South Adams. Of course I think Garrett and AC will be a good game. I hope your prediction is right. Missed the scrimmage against Central Noble. How did that go? I know I've heard some yelling at practice the two days I was around. 

Scrimmage looked pretty good, but Central Noble didn't look good at all so it's hard to tell.

3 minutes ago, Bonecrusher said:

Heritage.  Being an alum, would love to see them turn the corner and have a strong winning season

Columbia City

Dekalb

Eastbrook, won't even be close.

Leo in a squeaker.

New Haven

Norwell by several scores.

East Noble

I expect Heritage to have a winning season and fully anticipate that they will win handily against Bellmont.

3 minutes ago, Oldschool said:

Coaches poll is out!  Thoughts?

Covenant Christian, North Judson and Park Tudor are all too low. AC, CC, NJ and PT should make up teams 2-5, but I'm not sure what order they should be in. SA and Monroe Central are too high.

Adams Central at Garrett - AC by 14. I expect Garrett to be solid this year and could push the Jets early on.

Arcanum (OH) at South Adams - SA by 10. I have no clue how good Arcanum is, but I expect SA to be the 2nd best team in the conference.

Bellmont at Heritage - Heritage by 17. Bellmont dropped AC week 1 with the hopes of getting a potential win early in the season. I don't think they'll have the results that they hoped to get from the switch.

Jay County at Blackford - Jay County by 14. I don't know much about either program coming into this year, but I expect Jay County to be an improved team from last year.

Woodlan at Eastside - Eastside by 35. I think Woodlan will be improved from last year, but Eastside will be really good again.

Northfield at Bluffton - Northfield by 20. Bluffton will take a step back this year and Northfield runs an offensive system that can be difficult to defend.

Fremont at Southern Wells - Fremont by 21.

18 minutes ago, NE8_Fan said:

Not sure about scrimmages, but I am seriously considering leaving the confines of Ft Wayne to see the AC/Eastside game.....should be a banger!

That game has low-key become one of, if not the best non-conference rivalries in NE IN. It goes a long way for both teams to determine how the rest of the season will go. This year should be another great game! Both teams lost significant players from 2021, but both also return a solid core of players that contributed heavily to last year's success.

What are the conference matchups for scrimmages? AC hosts Central Noble. 

4 hours ago, Basementbias said:

How many seniors are there? Thinking around 6 or so unless more came back out. I know that class had a lot drop off from middle school to focus on other sports.

No more than 6. 

On 8/1/2022 at 5:27 PM, Oldschool said:

Counted 46 kids on practice field for Triton today!

That is solid for a 1A program! AC usually floats around that size, but they have around 65 this year with a really small senior class. The trip to LOS must have encouraged some more kids to come out.

What are the realistic expectations for Eastbrook this year? I watched them scrimmage Adams Central and didn't think Eastbrook looked nearly as strong as usual. It's tough to tell with summer stuff since kids could have been on vacation, etc.

1 hour ago, Spanky Harper said:

we're from Judson son. we luv 2 make bold proclamations.  i just left mark bailey's discount center and they had turtle wax on sale 2 for a $1!  i'll be shining this fiero all night and blastin the alpine.  i might be 12 old styles in, but let me tell you something bout them bj's from north judson.  they ruff, they tuff, and they dont give a *insert expletive*  now i know that them jets had a good year, but that was last year.  we dont live in the past.  if i lived in the past id still be pining over that time wendy bailey broke my heart at the winterballs.  id be worried about my three ex wives all wanting alimony.  I dont have it Sherry. and if i did i wouldnt tell you.  if'n i lived in the past id be sweatin ross rattkey showin up surreptitiously in the middle of the night to claim this here fiero.  WELL IT AINT HAPPENING.  not 2nite; not never!  this fiero is paid for son.  

My point was more about what seems to be a tendency for NJ fans to put the cart in front of the horse than it was about living in the past. At AC we don’t worry too much about living in the past because we’re ready to compete every year no matter what is lost to graduation.

To each their own. Act as a fan/player/coach as you see fit. I just know the same attitude was shared last year heading into SS. Complete underestimation of their opponents. I don’t think the NJ people had any clue what they were getting into. Maybe it’s different this year.

Enjoy the success that you’ve already made up in your heads. I’m sure after a solid season in 22 (which should apparently end in a state championship according to the NJ fans on GD), NJ will return to winning sectional every 4 years or so. Hope to see the Bluejays again in semistate. 
 

On 7/24/2022 at 9:02 AM, Cheyenne Allen said:

I believe NJSP will go undefeated in the conference. They are returning 10-11 starting seniors. They are the strongest I have ever seen a team be across the board. From freshman to the seniors. They have put the Time in the weight room and most of them have been to several camps this year . Definitely gonna be a awesome season. My hat goes off to Coach Lambert and his coaching staff. They are definitely leading the team in the right direction 

Pretty bold statements. I agree that NJ will have a fantastic season. I just remember hearing/reading similar comments like this from NJ fans on social media and radio coming into the semistate game against AC last year. The game was over by halftime. I think Winamac fans were also saying similar things last year and NJ came in and humbled them. 

My point is it’s pretty early to be declaring “undefeated” and “strongest I’ve ever seen.” Good luck to NJ in what should be a fun season. 

45 minutes ago, Kamikaze said:

North Judson will be very solid. Triton could be very solid as well.  On paper Pioneer looks like they'll be down, BUT they are a team that reloads not rebuilds. Knox also has a lot of guys back and a HOF coach.

However, you forgot about LaVille, who has everyone back from a sectional championship team! They will definitely be one of the contenders for a conference championship.

I definitely forgot about Laville! I honestly don’t know enough about the schools outside of NJ, Pioneer and Triton, so take anything I say about the HNAC with a grain of salt.