TheDoctor22

Yeah, I completely expect them to battle all season. I think they are replacing something like 9 starters on offense, all 5 olinemen, and 7 on D. Hell of a stretch to start your varsity career for most of these guys!

This was a big upset in that it's been several years since Brebeuf won this game, but I'm not shocked by the outcome. Brebeuf has a good team with some very talented players. This was also expected to be a down year for Chatard after taking some big hits to graduation. Unfortunately, I think this season is going to be a painful one for Chatard faithful. They honestly looked like a JV team compared to Brebeuf physically. Smallest Chatard team I've seen in recent memory. But take nothing away from Brebeuf. They were the better team, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a run in 3A. Hats off to the Preps!

Yeah, this. I could play QB for Cathedral this season and they'd only lose one game. I can't take a dump without pulling a muscle. Cathedral boosters have done a fine job putting together this year's team (only a joke my Irish friends)!

Thanks DT, I've really enjoyed these interview series! Rob Doyle is as good as they come. X's and O's definitely, but more importantly as a role model and leader of young men. I am very grateful that my son was able to play for and learn from Rob and his staff.

This is the lowest Memorial will be in this poll all year, and frankly, it's way too low as it is (I know, I know, preseason polls mean nothing). I know they stumbled a little early in the season last year but they finished 8-4 in a very tough conference and return almost their entire team from what I hear. They are a top 2 team in 4a in my opinion. As Lysander mentioned, this is likely going to be a "down" year for Chatard, but we'll see how it plays out. They will have a very young team that will need to grow up quickly. Right now, my money would be on Memorial and Roncalli. Regardless, 4a south SS is a meat grinder. I think this is probably going to be the strongest 4a we've seen in several years.

That they most certainly do. I'm looking forward to following GS's season this year as a casual observer for once, rather than a potential opponent. It'd be great to see Allen get them over the hump and win that elusive state championship that GS has been so close to in recent seasons. This is a great list DT. I wouldn't change much, other than regrettably I'm not sure Chatard belongs there this year. They graduated something like 80% of their two-deep from last year, so it could be tough sledding for the Trojans, especially with that meat grinder at the start of the season. Time will tell though, I just can't wait for a "normal" season to get started!

Wish this matchup would have happened last year or the year before. We'll see how the underclassmen develop, but I think next year will be a very tough year for Chatard. I believe they are only returning 1-2 players on both sides of the ball, and their current junior and sophomore classes don't have the same level of talent of previous teams. I still love that Coach Doyle put this one on the schedule, but I think it could get ugly for my trojans.

I don't know that anyone is saying it doesn't exist? Chatard absolutely recruits. Every school recruits (or should), especially those that charge $13k+ a year to attend. But I know with certainty that Chatard doesn't have some state wide recruiting program funded by deep-pocketed boosters. And they definitely haven't broken any IHSAA rules.

Have you ever inquired about or participated in D1 training or training at Finch Creek? The camp is hosted at the D1 Training facility who's owner, Tayt Odom, is an assistant coach at Chatard. That might be how you ended up on the e-mail list. I hope you send your young one to the camp, sounds like a great opportunity to get some high-level coaching! Plus, you can get some first hand knowledge of Chatard's recruiting. Let me know the make and model of your car and I'll pass along to the Chatard coaches to make sure the envelope of cash gets to the right place! They had to stop using McDonalds bags after the Tennessee fiasco.

Chatard has some great young coaches: Eric Quintana, associate head coach and OL coach. Would not be surprised to see him get a HC job somewhere soon, although I selfishly hope he stays at Chatard until Coach Doyle hangs up the whistle. Kyle Dietrick, defensive coordinator. He's done an amazing job with their defense over the last few years. I know from talking with current parents that the kids would run through a brick wall for him.

Agree with all of this. Just looking at freshman/JV records and number of players getting varsity playing time, the current sophomore class is one of the most "down" in recent memory. The next two years could be difficult for Chatard fans, but I think many of the current freshman will get varsity playing time next year, which should reap benefits down the road. I have also been extremely impressed with the coaching staff's ability to develop players and get the most out of the talent on hand. I was skeptical all year that Chatard could repeat 2019's performance with how much they graduated, but they absolutely did so. I'm admittedly biased, but I think the current coaching staff is as good as any in the state, so I'm not going to completely count the Trojans out yet. But I do think Roncalli will be the overwhelming favorite to win the Circle City and whatever sectional they and Chatard inevitably end up in.

I entirely misread the original question, that's what I thought I was answering. Every topic on the board these days is centered around P/P, so I must have subconsciously inserted that verbiage in Temp's question. I will go under 3.5 for both P/P champs and repeat champs. Roncalli, Cathedral, Center Grove all repeat next year. Luers, Roncalli, Cathedral all P/P champs next year.

Cathedral loses some very talented players, but they return the bulk of their team and have several capable playmakers in waiting. They will be at least as good, and likely better, than they were this year. They are a lock in 5A. Same can be said for Roncalli. This year was just the start for Roncalli. They have had (and continue to have) a ton of talent coming up through the south deanery CYO schools recently. They get a much larger majority of their CYO kids than the other deanery catholic schools. I would throw Memorial in the mix as well, I hear they have a lot coming back next year too. Unfortunately, Chatard won't even be in the conversation in 4A next year. I think 3A goes to a public school next year. Danville should be tough again, Lawrenceburg, Heritage Hills, West Lafayette are all solid contenders, but I think Gibson Southern makes the trip and takes home the crown with their stud QB leading the way. I don't know enough about 1A or 2A to make an informed opinion, so I'm going to guess only 1 of those goes PP. I'll take the under. 3 PP champs next year.

I know Cam Jordan (one of their many great receivers) has D1 football offers. Sounds like he's an even better baseball player though. As Stax said, they will have close to double digit D1 kids by spring. OL has several D1 prospects, couple linebackers, one of the DL, the sophomore TE will go high-level power 5. Tons and tons of talent on that Cathedral team. And they may not have been recruiting Marion county 15 years ago but they certainly are now. Their QB attended Center Grove before Cathedral. And he was a St. Roch kid prior to that, so you're backyard.

Don't have exact measurements but from watching their game with Chatard, every lineman looked to be above 6'4" and at least 270-280. Couple of them pushing 3 bills. I also haven't seen Danville mentioned yet. If they beat Chatard tomorrow (which is probably at least 50/50 chance), they will bump up to 4A. Sounds like they may be close on enrollment as well.

This year's Chatard team is definitely good, which I think is backed up by the results of their schedule. We'll find out how good this Saturday when they face their toughest challenge yet (in 3A). Having watched almost every game in 2019 and 2020 (albeit several on web broadcasts this year), I would say this year's team isn't even in the same ballpark as the 2019 team, especially offensively. Depth has also been an issue this year. Our injuries right now hurt (no pun intended) a lot more than they did last year, which will be on full display next year when these senior graduate. Next year will be about as down as Chatard has been in recent memory, unless some of these underclassmen really step up in the off season. How is the future at Heritage Hills looking? I figured this year might be a rebuilding year after you graduated that awesome senior class last year.

There you go @superjay, you are finally coming around on my Trojans! I jest, I jest... I know you'd rather eat nails than see a Chatard victory. I also understood the sarcasm and agree with you. The past will have zero outcome on this game.

If Danville wins, they will be in 4A due to success factor I believe. They won regionals last year, so a state championship would give them the points to bump up. Someone from Danville would have to comment on their enrollment. Not sure if they would have seen enough growth the last 2 years to bump regardless? I'm sure it would depend on who else is moving class to class.

Just my opinion having watched both teams. Take a look at some of their games and let me know what you think. They have a 6'4" 230 lb WR/TE that can run, a 230 lb RB that can run, a tall, athletic QB who has a cannon, and plenty of other skill players that can hurt you. I'm not saying Chatard isn't talented, because they have some really good football players. I just mean more from a measurable or "on paper" point of view. To my knowledge (and I'm several years away from being "in the know"), Chatard doesn't have a single player with D1 or D2 offers on their team. We saw in the Merrillville game that talent isn't everything, but Chatard definitely doesn't have a huge speed/size advantage like they did in some of the 2000s games. Either way two very good football teams. Very excited to watch this weekend! 100% agree with this.

Curious what you saw that makes you think they are one dimensional? I wish that were true, but in the games I've watched online they appear to be extremely multiple. They have a monster running back and physical offensive line, they have size and speed at receiver, they have a tall QB who can sling it, they spread you out, they bring everyone in with a power run game. I don't think they are one-dimensional at all. I don't have a prediction, other than I hope it will be a great game. I do think Danville has more talent all around than Chatard, strictly speaking from size, speed, and athleticism.

Yeah I'm in agreement with you. It's the state championship game. If any additional motivation is required, then there's something wrong. I don't think what happened between Chatard and Danville in the last 20 years has any impact on this game. Two great teams competing for a state championship, and it should be a great game to watch.

I'd like to second this - great game Marian, you guys played your hearts out. Chatard better figure out a way to clean up some of the sloppy play or it will be a rough game next week. Danville is a VERY good team.

I remember going to watch that game after Danville put a beatdown on my Trojans the week before, absolutely brutal weather. Took me a full day to get warm after that one. But as you said, they had a hell of a team (so did you guys), and from what I've seen in the few games I watched earlier in the year, they have a hell of a team again this year. Wish I could watch this one live, sounds like it should be a great game! Good luck to both teams and stay healthy!

Love to hear it! We'll take any admirers that we can. But I agree completely, a big reason I'm always thankful that my kid had an opportunity to be part of the program. I agree but they were also put into a tough position last year. They gave Chatard's offense fits for the first quarter, but I believe Chatard's defense forced three and outs (or close to it) on Marian's first 4-5 drives last year. Really difficult for a defense, even a really good one, to stop an explosive offense when they are on the field the whole game. And this year's version of Chatard is not nearly as potent as last year. For all of those reasons, I think we'll see a much closer and more entertaining game this year.

Yeah not a chance this ends up being reality. I'm thinking a 28-24 type game. I watched Marian play Jimtown online a few weeks ago, and they have some major firepower on offense. Defense looks just as tough as they were last year as well. Throw in that Chatard has to travel long distance for the first time all year, and I could see either team pulling this out. 3A is shaping up to be the most exciting class this post-season. I think any of the four teams remaining could end up taking the crown at Lucas Oil.