RegionFBFan

Lutheran by 7

NP by 14

Chatard by 24

BD by 28

East Central by 21

Completely agree with you BTF. if you are so determined to identify best team in State, go back to 5 classes by combining 5A and 6A. It would essentially capture the top teams in State 90% + of the time.

He is a senior and a State Champ. He played at Andrean freshman and sophomore years. Started as a Sophomore. Transferred to Merrillville last season. I think is getting D2 looks.

No kidding. Completely agree.

I haven’t had time yet to watch. I’ll let you know. It sounds like Merrillville held up well until late 3rd quarter vs high scoring Snider team. Probably didn’t help Pirates when they lost Stephens in 1st quarter. Arguably, one of their better players and not that would have changed outcome.I was always concerned with Merrillville offense. QB is average at best. They needed to establish the run to have a chance. Obviously that didn’t happen.

What a bunch of bull!! No one is suggesting there aren’t complicated issues to solve. The point is it works elsewhere, it can be done, issues can be resolved and have been resolved. However, Simple people don’t have the desire to explore or reach out to others. It’s called continuous improvement to a great sport in our great state. I don’t get the obvious resistance to even explore and try! Many of the issues/ concerns you state are hypothetical anyway, Specifically, attendance and revenue. You don’t know that for a fact because we haven’t done it. I’m sure Ohio has tracked all of these changes the impacts. Ask them! What did they see and how did they address? what makes it frustrating is we already do it in a number of sports in Indiana. It obviously can be done. Lastly as I stated at the beginning, It’s about fair and balanced competition for the players, coaches and teams. It’s should not always be about the money!

Congrats to Snider and good luck in Indy. The better team won! I was at the CP vs Westfield game so I have not watched the Snider vs Merrillville game replay. From what I gather from other posts and newspaper articles, Merrillville D played well but offensive struggled. Not surprised by either. Good season for Merrillville nothing to be ashamed of.

I have an idea. Pick up the phone and call your peers in Ohio and ask them how they do it. All of your questions can and have been resolved elsewhere! Are we not capable as a State to figure it out? Yes we are but you have to want to first!!

Coach is correct. So many good places on the Square and close to high school. Westfield fans should really try to take advantage. CP has really blossomed as a community in the last 5-7 years. Safe Travels to All!!

In my opinion, Merrillville has to keep it low scoring to win. Will not win in a shootout. Merrillville 21-17. Merrillville speed? One of their strengths, is team speed especially on defense. They fly to the ball. Not the biggest defense but fast and athletic. Front 4 are good.

Agree with BTF. Who went and ordained SAC the best conference in NI this year??? Oh yes NE8 did. No bias there. Game time is near. Close game and don’t underestimate Merrillville. Loads of talent and they have improved a ton since beginning of the year especially offensive line.

If anyone thinks this is a slam dunk, they are way overconfident and underestimating CP. CP offensively can score against anyone. They are balanced and have a qb that can make plays. Defensively, as I and others have mentioned, the pass defense is horrendous and has been for the last three seasons. The front 7 are strong against the run. Weather should be cold but dry thus not impacting both teams passing attacks. I believe Westfield driving 2-2.5 hrs will have an impact on their performance. This should be a close game.

The only reason the IHSAA does it this way is for the money. It has to be because they have predetermined locations in many of the other sports. So why not football? A suggestion: Change it to Neutral sites for one 2 year cycle similar to classification changes, track the revenue, cost and attendance vs current set up. Then determine path forward.

How about equal competition for both teams vs a built in advantage for one team. It’s shouldn’t always be about the money. This is my #1 complaint about the tournament. Neutral sites with turf should be in place for Regionals and Semi State games. Other States have figured it out.

Merrillville has a legit shot in this one. Good football team with speed everywhere. Their strength is their defense specifically the front 4. All four are good players. Merrillville offensively will come down to how well their qb plays. He is a much better runner. As mentioned below, his vertical passing is more of throw and hope style. His receivers made some of those catches to beat a good Valpo defense. Merrillville can not let this become a high scoring affair. If it’s low scoring, Merrillville has real shot on the road.

Chatard easily!! Not much more to say.

In my opinion, his issue was not lack of receivers this year but their offensive line looked bad vs BD.

Penn would have had close to 400 yards passing and a likely win if #3 didn’t have 3 drops on the last drive. All balls were right in his hands.

LaVille offense is/was awful. They need to diversify some to be effective. I’m not sure they are capable of tweaking their offensive scheme. Obviously, you need to score points to win games and that offense vs LCC was not going to score. Also, hats off to #75 for LaVille. He’s one heckuva a player. High motor, big kid. Is he playing somewhere in college?

Does Westfield have a good passing attack? CP is going to score some points. They love to run power but can throw it around too. CP defensive secondary is awful. It has been the past 2 years. If Westfield can throw and slow down CP’s offense, Westfield wins.

Right off the top of my head, Matt DeSomer.