FlyingHigh

Friday, Sep. 9 Jay County at Adams Central ©, 7 pm South Adams at Heritage ©, 7 pm Southern Wells at Carroll, 7:30 pm Woodlan at Bluffton ©, 7 pm 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.

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???

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.

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.

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.

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.

I think Garrett is offering a stream PPV on IHSAATV.

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

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

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.

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.

No more than 6.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I’d expect North Judson to be the top of the conference with Triton and Pioneer fighting for 2nd. Triton returns about everyone from last year, including some guys with 2 years of varsity experience already. I know I’ve seen some Pioneer people comment about how the team may not be super strong this year, but I have a hard time believing their tradition and coaching won’t carry them to a solid season.

Adams Central at Norwell tomorrow night right out of moratorium!

I know that you’re doing a lot to drive conversation in the off-season on GID and I appreciate that overall, but using Bellmont as an argument for the NE8’s status as an “elite” conference is laughable. It wreaks of desperation. There are much more legitimate topics to be discussed.