TheDoctor22

Agreed, Chatard is moving up to 4A just in time for what is expected to be a very down two years. Should make for a more interesting sectional for roncalli, but I think Chatard will have a tough time in the post season for the next two. Good news is their freshman class is the best they've had in a long time.

I hadn't checked Sagarin but was just thinking the same thing reading through this. Concordia plays in one of the better conferences in the state, so strength of schedule is not going to be a factor. Both teams have played a tough schedule and both of won and lost some of those games. I don't know enough about Concordia to really comment on how good they are, but I'm pretty certain its not going to be a 20+ win for either team.

Its one of the scrimmages that teams are allowed during the summer, not the scrimmage right before the first game. That popped out on their schedule for me as well - Concordia was competitive in almost every game in the SAC, which means they are a very good 3A school. We are not too far removed from the Concordia juggernaut that blew everyone out on their way to a state championship a few years ago. If I remember correctly from last year's game, Concordia's starting lineup was mostly underclassmen, so they should have a bunch of experience as well. Expecting a great game.

Yeah sort of where I was going with that. I think there have been years recently where 3A was probably stronger than 4A top to bottom. I'm no expert on the rules either, but I believe if Chatard wins their regional game this Friday, they are going up to 4A for '21-22 seasons regardless of whether they win state again. I obviously want them to win every game, but I have been really hoping they make it far enough to make the jump to 4A. I tend to agree with DT here, at least in Chatard's case, that I'd like to see them up a class. We can argue all day about who belongs in which class, but I think there's nothing more impressive than teams like Memorial, New Pal, Columbus East, and Cathedral that have bumped up a class and still been very successful.

Not disagreeing with the premise of your argument, but I believe Cathedral is guaranteed 5A the next two years after this season regardless. This is year two of the "cycle", and even with a state championship this year, they will not have accumulated enough points to move up to 6A next year. They would have to win state next year and then win at least regionals in 2022 to bump up to 6A. Would be curious if anyone know the answer to this? If a school shares DT's competitive ambitions and wishes to play up in class, would the IHSAA even allow that?

I'm assuming a Chatard poster must have defended the losses with that excuse? Second or third time I've seen someone make reference to that. I don't know about those being "down years". Chatard had some pretty good players on those teams. Danville was just flat out better both years. I thought Danville was going to win the whole thing in 2017, they just happened to run into another fantastic team in Evansville Memorial. I think there's wayyyy more parity in 3A this year than in previous years. There are legitimately 8-10 teams that have a realistic shot at making it to Lucas Oil. Should be a fun couple weeks to watch!

To echo @Lysander's earlier comments, this is not the same Chatard team as last year's team. I think they are more than capable of making another run, but there are a number of really good 3A teams with the talent to beat them. Beating an improving Guerin and a very dangerous Brebeuf twice in the same season won't be a walk in the park, let alone Concordia, Marian, and one of several good teams from the South. Definitely don't agree with the "give Chatard the trophy already" comments, and I wouldn't suspect the players or coaches do either.

I'd like to volunteer myself as an impartial judge, since as you pointed out earlier this year, we only have ugly moms at Chatard! And a late congrats to the Irish on another big win. Sagarin currently has your schedule as the hardest in the state, and to my knowledge, that doesn't include your GCL games. Very impressive what your team has been able to do so far. Beat the Braves by 1000 next week.

No, you're right. Competitive was the wrong word choice. "Chatard didn't get mercy ruled and Cathedral kept the first team on the field the whole game" is a more accurate description, which might be as close as anyone gets to Cathedral this year, save Center Grove. Dwenger and Valpo might have something to say about that though. Point I'm trying to make though is if I'm Merrillville, it's not time to completely panic. Obviously have some things to improve and clean up, but they have as much talent as anyone in the north IMO. I'd rather learn that week 7 with time to fix some of those issue rather than not finding out until the sectional finals vs. Jeff. Correct on this as well. I actually take this away as a positive for Chatard. You didn't play your best game, and you still beat a quality 6A team. If they can clean up some of those mistakes and continue to improve, they will be a very tough out in the playoffs.

Definitely agree with you here. '02, '03, '04, '06 were probably the best/most talented. Talent doesn't always mean the best teams though, as evidenced by your Patriots knocking off a loaded '04 Chatard team.

I wouldn't say this team is among the all-time best...yet. If they can run the gauntlet through a very tough 3A, then I might change my answer in November. The talent level isn't close to some of the best Chatard teams in terms of raw athletic ability - there are no D1 players on this team. I'm not sure there are any players even getting D2 looks, although I would hope/expect this to change by the end of the season. I do think last year's Chatard team was one of the best in school history, and I don't think this year's team is there yet. But I will say this year's team seems to get better every week. The defense is very undersized, but they really fly to the ball. As fast as Merrillville was, I thought Chatard's speed on defense really gave them fits. Offensively, they don't have the big time play maker at RB that's been here historically, but this isn't the Chatard offense most teams are used to seeing. I think they threw for over 300 yards last night. The ability to be multi-dimensional has reduced the need to rely on a big time RB, and I think they are better offensively for it.

Congrats Trojans! What a fun game to watch! It wasn't always pretty, but Chatard showed up ready to play. They played tough, physical football all four quarters, which I think was the difference in the game. A lot of people quick to dismiss Merrillville after that game, but I'm not so sure. Merrillville was every bit as big and as athletic as advertised. They have some VERY good players on both sides of the ball. As others have mentioned, I think the travel definitely had an impact. Merrillville was also down a few starters. Lastly, Chatard is a pretty darn good football team. They played a competitive game with Cathedral (who is historically good by their standards), which no other Indiana team can say so far this year, including Merrillville's potential semi-state opponent Westfield. I wouldn't count Merrillville out just yet. If they get healthy and clean up some mistakes, they could be a very dangerous team in November. Keep your heads up pirates and good luck the rest of the year!

I love this matchup, but I'm surprised there are many that believe Chatard will be in this game. I always like the Trojan's chances, but I saw Merrillville play Andrean, and they have some DUDES. There will be 10 or more players on Merrillville's team that are bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic than anyone on Chatard's team. However, I have to believe this is a win-win for both teams. For Merrillville, as others have already pointed out, they can use this as a trial run for a potential visit to Indy in November. It should also be a good measuring stick for where they stack up currently: if they win decisively (2+ scores), then I think it reaffirms that they have a legitimate chance to make it to Lucas Oil. If it's close or they somehow lose this game, then they know they have a lot more work to do. For Chatard, as long as they can stay healthy and don't lose more starters, then this is a great experience to play top competition. There are some great teams in 3A this year, but none of them are fielding anything close to the athletic ability and speed that Merrillville will be rolling off the bus Friday night. My heart tells me Chatard wins a nail biter in the 4th quarter. My head tells me that Merrillville's D1 studs are too much to handle, and this game ends up looking very similar to what we saw against Cathedral earlier this year. Either way, this is one silver lining of covid. We get an opportunity to see some unique matchups that we'd likely never see otherwise.

Congrats to the Irish, they were as good as advertised, particularly #16. Chatard actually did a fairly good (note "fairly good") job of covering up receivers initially and getting some pressure, but McCahill continually eluded the rush and put money balls right on his scrambling receivers. Props to Chatard for showing heart and keeping this somewhat a game. The size, depth, and talent disparity was evident. Actually surprised this wasn't a 50 point blowout in the first half based on the "eye test" of the players taking the field. And I'm not suggesting Chatard isn't talented, because they absolutely are. Cathedral is just on another level this year. Enjoy this season Irish fans, I think it's going to be a special year for you.

I think Chatard had 7-8 turnovers in their semi-state game against Memorial a couple years ago, and 4 of them were returned for touchdowns! Like you, it was the first time I had seen anything like it in many years of watching high school football.

Looks like this thread has been hijacked by 17 year olds taking jabs from the school computer labs, aka their parents' basement in the year of covid. Or at least I hope these are teenagers. Looking forward to watching two great programs go to war tomorrow night. I hope it's more exciting than most on here are anticipating. Go Trojans!

This is spot on. I'm obviously hoping for the Trojans to pull this one out, but Cathedral has too much speed, size, and depth for Chatard to hang for 4 quarters. I don't believe in moral victories, but I wouldn't feel terrible if Chatard comes out of this injury free without a running clock at any point in the game. Good news is this is why they play the game on the field Friday night. Wouldn't be the craziest thing 2020 has shown thus far...

Closer to 0.50 - 99.50. Cathedral has too many weapons this year for Chatard to defend for 4 quarters, and their offense definitely can't go toe to toe in a shootout. Hope the rivalry aspect keeps this one close, but I fear another mercy rule for the Cathedral juggernaut.

Stink, I have enjoyed reading your comments over the years! Always entertaining. Looking forward to this week's Trojan vs. Trojan matchup. As much as I love my Catholic Trojans, I would not be surprised to see EC win this convincingly. I watched most of the Lawrenceburg game and was very impressed with both teams! EC looks like a college team with the size they have up front! Very physical football team - really enjoy how they play the game. Chatard lost a bunch of experience to graduation, and after the first game, it's apparent that they are feeling the shortened summer as much as anyone. I have no doubt Coach Doyle, who is an amazing coach and an even better man, will have them firing on all cylinders come playoffs. But for this week, I think the size and experience of the Public Trojans is too much for my Catholic Trojans - I'll take EC 28-14. Hope I'm wrong but will take a competitive, injury free game regardless. Safe travels for those EC fans making the trip up! Hope you enjoy our new stadium - much improved over the facilities you saw the last time these two great programs faced off!

Was just thinking the same thing. Congratulations Memorial on another great season! Very impressive considering the talent that graduated last year. The Combs boys have been a pleasure to watch over the past few years (with the exception of one game...). I love the way they play the game. Are there any more Combs coming through the pipeline?