RegionFBFan

Congratulations Josh Ringer and the EC coaches, team mates and community. It’s a very big honor!!

Enjoy the rest of your senior year and best of luck at Miami.

Craig Osika is both the Head Football Coach and school Principle. It’s very hard to do both. This is not a surprise to anyone as this has been rumored for a couple of years now. He did a great job as HC. 

On 12/4/2023 at 9:13 AM, Bobref said:

Since 1903 Crown Point and Lowell have battled each other 117 times. Winner gets possession of The Old Leather Helmet trophy. 

Is there one longer than this in Indiana?

29 minutes ago, BLACKGOLD2007 said:

Really right now, until the IHSAA goes to neutral site semi-state games, state is the only place that can handle the angles required to provide the production of angles needed for replay. 

Agree this makes sense. 

Personally, I agree with the use of instant replay on a limited basis. Limit it to the playoffs, only on scoring plays and turnovers. Too much hard work goes into a season by players and coaches to be ruined by some really bad calls. That call in BD game was terrible. Cost them 4 points. Just think if it was a much closer game.

I hate the excuse of it’s just part of the game. That is old school thinking. Besides that and no offense Bobref, high school officials aren’t as skilled as college and pro officials and lord knows they miss calls but have a replay safety net.  I believe hs refs simply miss more calls for a variety of reasons with no safety net to correct.

41 minutes ago, CoachMack219 said:

Perfection! 

Yes correct call. Actually called 1A game correct as well. Close on most of the others. Unfortunately for CP, 28 point loss was my “heart” prediction. I originally thought BD by 42 and the reality is they could have easily won by 42 or more. 
 

CP would not have won the 3A, 4A or 5A title either. Scores would have been a little closer but still been beat. Penn should have won in Regional. Westfield slept walk from long bus ride in 1st half, woke up in 2nd half and should have win in semi state. Westfield qb did not play well in that game either.

DC by 3

Lutheran by 7

NP by 14

Chatard by 24

BD by 28

East Central by 21

21 minutes ago, BTF said:

I don't see the point of winning a state championship then putting your team in position to lose a game the following week. That makes absolutely no sense to me. 

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.

14 minutes ago, psaboy said:

Yea, I know it hurts when team loses key player like that earlier in game. Is he back next year? The M-ville QB hit a few good throws, certainly had some bad throws as well. That may have played into Sniders plan, letting him throw the ball vs blitzing alot. Kind of like basketball, let the poor shooter open for the 3 pointers. It seemed too that Snider D front could rush 3-4 and still get pressure on QB.

Interested in your thoughts on game. 

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.

2 hours ago, Cavemenfb38 said:

Is it just me or does it seem as if when IHSAA Champions Network replies to a post, they come across as confrontational, condescending or beyond reproach?  As if we should just stay in our lane, not as questions or have suggestions and we(IHSAA) are the professionals and you're not.  Idk, maybe I just read their replies wrong.

No kidding. Completely agree.

2 hours ago, psaboy said:

I would be interested in your thoughts after you watch the game. I'm not saying this just because Snider won, but it looked as if Snider had more talent across the O & D positions, maybe that is why they won?? I think Merrillville was some players going back next year, so if they can reload at some spots, they will be in mix next year as well. Things that I think made the difference was Sniders D handled the game well, their O line handled Merrillville's D line and Billingsley is a true dual threat. 

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.

1 hour ago, IHSAA Champions Network said:

SImple people suggest apparently simple changes without any next-next thinking of the ramifications.  Simple suggestions generally are to support their team, not the sport in its entirety.

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!!

2 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Hope many the ROCKS fans can get into town early enough to enjoy the wonderful Downtown restaurant scene!! 

My personal favorites:  

Square Roots 

Lecrezia's 

Tavern on Main (21 and over) 

Many Great Pizza Places 

Fareinheidt 212 

 

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.