RegionFBFan

As I stated earlier, I love the addition of CP and Grand Rapids Central Catholic. I'm a firm believer in the better the competition the better you become as a player, staff and team. The players and coaches are very excited about the addition of CP. With St. Mary's Parish in Crown Point being the #1 feeder to Andrean, a lot players know each other from youth sports and going to school together. I can see this game quickly surpassing Merrillville in terms of rivalry. The addition of the 2 year home and home with Grand Rapids Central Catholic is really nice but I would have rather seen Andrean add an Indy Catholic School or even SB or Ft Wayne Catholic school. There are Chicago Catholic schools that would be good adds to schedule but I'd prefer leaving it within the great State of Indiana.

CP vs Andrean is a great addition to the Region football schedule. As DT pointed out, especially if the new school is built on the proposed site in CP. The new school is still not officially approved by the new Bishop. Work continues by Andrean leaders, but Bishop has not decided yet, very frustrating for many at Andrean. With the addition of CP, the first three games next season are going to be tough for a young, rebuilding Andrean team. They open with Merrillville, then CP, then travel to Michigan power Grand Rapids Central Catholic. Baptism by fire for many new starters. Offensively they have to replace 9 out of 11 starters, lose key players at WR, QB, RB and will start a sophomore QB behind a new offensive line. Offense will evolve and improve over the course of the season, but will be work in progress early. Defensively, this will be the strength of the team led by Bowen. Many starters and key players return. Good size and speed on defense. In terms of NCC, Andrean will be right in the mix as usual. Lowell likely will be the favorite, Hobart loses a lot of skill players and leadership, as do Highland and KV. I'd say NCC is wide open. State title run always one of their goals, but realistically this is a retooling year for them. Talent is there and they have been working hard in off season, but awfully young and inexperienced at Oline and QB.

Great topic by DT. It's been a great read following DT and Footballking16 and their respective opinions. Sorry DT, Footballing16 wins this debate.

He is an outstanding student as well with a 4.1 gpa. Extremely hard worker on and off the field. Parents are active, involved and push for excellence. Offers just keep coming every week. Wisconsin this week.

Facts support the statement. 6 of the first 8 champions in 6A (almost 70%) are the three largest schools, Carmel, BD, and WC. Big time props to CG for their 2 titles against these mega schools. The answer is not in expanding to another class (7A). Agree with DT's proposal, although 24 schools still seems like too many. Why not 16 in 6A, drop the remaining 16 into 5A and rebalance all classes?

Ole Donnie Boy you having a bad day or just part of the new Cancel Culture??? You completely misconstrued my post. If you read the original post in thread, it listed a lot of teams that were mostly Girls teams from various sports with Boys only coming from football. My question was even more specific to the original one as to what is the secret to the success to the Girls sports at Pioneer. Coach Nowlin replied with some good posts as to why the success from Adam Berry. You need to chill out and take you banning/cancel culture, overreaction elsewhere! Ridiculous!

Boys: it has all been in football. Football - its called Kiser for 4 years (D1 talent at 1A level makes a big difference) and Llewelyn brothers for 3 years, 1A for most of that and very good coaching. Girls: Real question is girls sports? They have been good across multiple sports.

Buzea hire is the closest thing to a "brand name" hire. Good coach with some health concerns. I'm not anointing CP as an instant contender in DAC. It's still Merrillville, Valpo and MC ahead of CP. What's the old quote; "It's not about the X's and O's, but the Jimmy's and Joe's." CP does not have the Jimmies and Joe's and they haven't had them in years. They have size not necessarily strength but lack any real skill position athletes. From what I hear, Buzea needs to take over the CP Bulldog and Middle school programs, change i.e. mandate off season weight lifting and find a way to eliminate the "internal booster club/parents" influence on program. I believe all of these can be done over time just not resulting in immediate results.

Yes, I think they would be very supportive. My question is do they let HC run it or do they meddle/interfere?

An intersting difference between LC and CP and the comment about CP being buttoned up. CP is one community with the high school in the core of it's growth plans. They clearly have an image that they want to project to the community (not a bad thing). LC is different in that it is actually 3 different towns with three different community leaders, cultures, plans and priorities. I'm sure LC is in each towns focus area but at varying degrees for each of them. I'm sure this presents a bit of a challenge. DT's description of each community is pretty accurate. Dyer does have parts of Briar Ridge which is wealthy. Suffice it to say that LC is much more diverse socioeconomically than CP. CP and St. John are more similar than Dyer and Schererville. Mason and LC a much better fit than CP and Mason. I still agree with Scarab that it is highly unlikely Mason leaves MC. I'm not sure about the upcoming talent but assume those comments are accurate. I do know that Mason loves being in charge of his program with a lot of degrees of freedom at MC. I'm not sure he would get that at CP or LC.

Bobref posed it has a hypothetical question from Mason's perspective. I would tend to agree that I don't see Mason leaving MC either but you never know about Mason. Did he move back to Lake County recently? Also, he has shown interest in LC job in the past. I don't see CP pursuing Mason but could be wrong also.

Good school, plays in a high exposure league. Easy drive from Tri Town.

Good question on Mason wanting to take on a project at this stage of career, possibly not. LC cultural change needed but does administration want it and support it? Maybe wrong word used regarding cultural fit at CP, I don't see CP administration and Mason fitting stylistically or philosophically period. I would be shocked on CP move but not LC. Not a knock on either Mason or CP, just not a good fit.

Hammond Central will remain "the hoops school" and Morton "the football school" in Hammond.

I agree with Boilernation, it would be LC. He lived in the LC community for years. He's always has had some level of interest in LC. It will be a project though but with a lot of upside. Also, culturally I don't see CP and Mason as a "fit" from both sides perspective.

There are a lot of similarities between the two schools. - Rapid population growth - Nice,up to date facilities - LC and CP lose kids to Parochial schools (Andrean, Mount Carmel, Marian Catholic). I think LC loses more though.(not data driven statement) - Girls sports very successful, Boys baseball and soccer very good, Boys hoops competitive but not great - Administrative support and desire to be successful is about the same with a lean towards CP wanting it a bit more. - Football participation (9-12) about the same - LC has 3 middle schools and CP has 2 - Good youth programs (Tri Town Raiders - LC, CP Bulldog Football - CP) I think the pieces are in place at both schools. I'd have to give the edge to CP since they have been more competitive the last 5 years. Having said that, I think LC from a potential perspective is higher. The overall talent at LC in regards to size, speed, and athleticism is better than CP. The problem with LC is many of these kids aren't participating. If they could get a coach to motivate them to come out and play, LC could and should be a force in NWI. In watching both of these schools over the last 5 years, my opinion of CP is that their kids play hard and the defense is usually very good. In my opinion, the offensive is where the opportunity exists for new coach. They are not lacking in size but the skill players don't really stand out to me. I don't know if this is a scheme problem, coaching problem or they just don't have high end skill guys. Likely a combination of all three.

PhilLee and Bobref proposals are similar and both make a lot of sense. A big difference is the number of teams in 6A and 5A. I would like to see 16 6A teams and then divvy up the remaining teams into the 5 classes. The enrollment disparity in 6A from the top schools (Carmel and Ben Davis) and the bottom 16 of the current 32 in 6A is massive and needs to be addressed.

I think Andrean has to win State to get bumped to 3A. Two points from last year (Regional) plus 4 points State title totaling 6 points.

Thanks. I was reading the notes from the Exec meeting and they did add language to transfer section. I'm wasn't sure of the rule before and was curious why they added a section to 8.5. It was voted on and accepted 19-0. (at lest they publish their votes, unlike B1G).

Can someone a lot more knowledgeable than I please explain what the Exec Committee did last week regarding eligibility rules? Did they make exceptions temporarily due to Covid? For example, multiple athletes at Hammond Morton became eligible to compete at Merrillville after Hammond canceled all Fall sports. I'm happy for the students that they get a chance to play their senior season. How did this happen and happen so quickly? Also, it clearly appears to be for athletic purposes. So once again, did they change the rules for this season only? Was because Hammond canceled and this allowed all student athletes to transfer.

Congratulations to Pioneer. Very impressive win!! I was way off on my prediction.

Agree with your assessment on 6A size and depth taking a toll on 2A/3A opponents. Having watched Andrean play 6A competition over the years, you see the wear down effect in second half. Andrean has a bit of a gauntlet; scrimmaged Valpo last week, @Merrilville tonight, @ Lake Central next week, home against New Prairie week 3. We will see the wear down impact for a few weeks. I'm just happy we are playing.

Chesterton by 3 td's unless some big injuries in week 1. QG for Chesterton is real deal. Pioneer pass defense will be tested all night long.

Good point but I think B1G's optics are shot anyway and can't get much worse!!

Play it at Ross Ade on Saturday afternoon, halfway between the two, bigger stadium to allow more fans. Purdue can generate some income since the stadium will be empty until Spring!!