Indiana Fan

Sectional 1: Merrillville

Sectional 2: Chesterton

Sectional 3: Carroll

Sectional 4: Westfield

Sectional 5: Carmel

Sectional 6: Ben Davis

Sectional 7: Warren Central

Sectional 8: Center Grove

Regionals-

Merrillville

Westfield

Carmel

Center Grove

Semi State-

Westfield

Center Grove

State Champions-

Center Grove Trojans

what is the pressbox situation at Arlington? Have to feel for media/film crew and coaches. Especially the coaches who need to be able to spot during the game. 

I know its the elephant in the room and it won't affect the outcome of the game, but this facility that this matchup is being played at is just disappointing. And I know I will be jumped by Cathedral faithful, but with all these beautiful facilities in central Indiana that high schools have built and this game has to be played at this rundown stadium. It's Cathedral football, one of the best programs of all time, and they are hosting Center Grove at Arlington. My rant is over. Time for some football.

Anyway... I will take CG 20-17. 

3 minutes ago, NLCTigerFan07 said:

Except Sagarin Ratings do a poor job or ranking schools in conferences that play a closed conference schedule. Just take a look at the SAC and SIAC ratings. They are all over the place every single week, and it is due to the fact that those conferences play closed schedules. Sagarin's formula does not appropriately account for this currently, and therefore do not accurately rank those SAC and SIAC teams.

A perfect example is Sectional 24 ratings right now. You have a 1-5 Boonville team with a 58.58 ratings, while 7-0 Jasper has a 23.15 rating. Are you telling me you would like to see Boonville seeded higher than Jasper?

I don't know what the right answer is to be honest. I totally agree with that and I think a team's record should be factored in more than it does sometimes. But if you look at 5A and 6A, and you got rid of the sectional numbers and just seeded the North and  the South, for the most part it is about exactly how I would rank the teams. I know that there will always be exceptions and discrepancies that we all would argue about and I know Sagarin isn't always perfect, but for the most part year in and year out it is very close. 

I really believe Sagarin ratings are the best way to seed the tournament.

2 hours ago, temptation said:

17-4 so far this year picking MIC contests.  Here we go:

Ben Davis @ Lawrence Central - Trap game again for the Giants as they are reeling and LC is gaining more confidence every Friday night.  BD's inability to finish games (no pun intended, I promise) cost them against Warren and LN though they played with Carmel for three quarters.  LC took care of business against a reeling NC squad.  This one is closer than many think and I am going to fall for it again I guess.  BD wins 34-27.

Lawrence North @ Center Grove - LN used a dominating 2nd half against Warren to come back and beat the Warriors for the first time at LN in over 25 years.  The competition gets stiffer this week as they travel to nationally ranked Center Grove.  The Trojans have been on cruise control but cannot afford to take this LN outfit lightly.  I do not believe they will.  CG wins this one 38-13.

North Central @ Pike - The unofficial 7th place game in the MIC.  Pike seems to be steadily improving though it is not showing up in the win column, while NC continues to go the other direction.  Pike's kids get a feel good game this Friday night and feast on the struggling Panthers.  Pike wins 27-14.

Warren Central @ Carmel - Two teams in CG's rear view mirror but hungry for a potential rematch in the tournament.  Warren let one get away last week at LN while Carmel "survived" (no pun intended, I promise) at BD.  I expect a lot of points in this one as neither defense impresses me much, which is why I simply cannot take them seriously as a threat to Center Grove.  I think Carmel wins this one 38-23.

What say you?

BD 43 LC 21

CG 31 LN 13

Pike 28 NC 14

Carmel 24 WC 23

20 hours ago, Yuccaguy said:

I predict screwgies (as always) in the 1st round that are basically Sectional Finals to start off the playoffs.  

We need SEEDING!!!  

Always is. As a follower of 6A and 5a football mainly, I miss the days of 8 team sectionals. The draw was always so exciting to see. Always had chances of new matchups and different schools traveling to different places. You just don't get that anymore. It is the same teams and same sectionals year in and year ou.

It is almost that time again. Sectional pairings will happen next Sunday 10/10. Always an exciting time to be a fan of High School football in Indiana. Predictions? Thoughts? Which teams are peaking at the right time? Potential good matchups? Lets hear it!

56 minutes ago, BTF said:

I don't recall anyone from the region stating that they would beat Center Grove or Cathedral. From what I'm gathering, they'd be happy with just an appearance at state. Even if they do believe they can beat the Indy schools, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of enthusiasm. I guarantee if Snider makes it to state, they'll be there to win it, not just show up and lay down. 

How will the Snider vs Dwenger fair? I have not heard much about either team this year. 

Side note, both of Merrillville is very likely to drop down to 5A next year due to enrollment. Not sure if Valpo will move up to 6A. Both are right on the line as far as enrollment go. This year, not sure Merrillville has what it takes to beat Westfield or HSE. 

13 hours ago, temptation said:

The calendar turns to October this Friday and we will continue to sort out the MIC hierarchy.  14-3 picking MIC vs MIC contests in 2021.

Carmel at Ben Davis:  This appears to be a contest of two teams heading in opposite directions as Carmel seems to have found its stride since the CG loss whereas BD has not been the same SINCE their loss at CG.  Who decided this would be a good homecoming matchup for BD?  I guess I just have a differing philosophy.  I stated that BD would have trouble recovering from their devastating rivalry loss to Warren and then history repeated itself in Lawrence Township Friday night.  This game could save the season for the Giants and while I think they keep it close, Carmel ultimately prevails on the road.  'Hounds win 37-27.

Lawrence Central at North Central:  Two teams hungry for a win.  LC (as silly as this might sound) has exceeded expectations in my book, whereas NC has been a disaster.  I'll take the Bears on the road, though I am not extremely confident in either offense.  Low scoring game.  LC wins 20-16.

Pike at Center Grove:  It's Pike's turn to take one on the chin as they head to the southside.  The Red Devils kept it respectable on the east side last week whereas CG continued to roll and is in cruise control.  Running clock in this one.  CG wins 51-7.

Warren Central at Lawrence North:  Warren had a classic first quarter let down after an emotional rivalry win last Friday but eventually stepped on the gas and disposed of Pike.  Lawrence North got its biggest win of the season in come from behind fashion against BD.  LN failed its last litmus test in attempting to elevate themselves into the second tier of the MIC as they were throttled by Carmel.  This will be another opportunity and I expect a competitive game.  Warren wins it late however.  WC wins 34-28.

What say you?

 

Carmel 28-20 over BD

LC 33-16 over NC

CG 45-7 over Pike

Warren 35-21 over LN

6 hours ago, Staxawax said:

3 blowouts and this:

Lawrence North 26 Ben Davis 24.

Inexplicable 

Astonishing

Perplexing

Shameful

Very shocking result

1 hour ago, BTF said:

From the outside looking in. Zionsville is a very good football team, but they are facing what may be a 6A team that is Top 5 or 6 in the state?

Zionsville I believe plays all 6A teams with the exception of Lebanon. The HCC as a whole is right there with the MIC as of now. 

North central is just a head scratcher to me. Not sure what is happening this season

7 hours ago, temptation said:

A questionable two point conversion failed after their second TD to go up 13-7…ended up losing by ONE.  (Though they did get a safety on an intentional grounding call later in the game.)

A decision late in the 3rd/early in the 4th quarter (113 points scored so it’s escaping me) to go for it on 4th and 8 from your own side of the 50 yard line.  They were stopped and Warren gained momentum and never looked back.  They were up 3 scores at the time I believe.

Constant letting down their guard in the back four as they seemed to let Warren skill guys run past their DB’s and safeties the entire night, particularly in the 2nd half when Warren was in obvious passing situations.

43-21 lead with 3 minutes to go in the third quarter.

Hindsight is 20/20 but BD drew Warren offside with 2 minutes to go when lining up for a FG which would have put them up 53-43.  They were awarded a first down and then scored with 1:51 left and then missed the extra point to go up 56-43.  Could have taken three knees (I’ll be honest in saying I do not know how many timeouts Warren had at the time.)  Not sure it would have mattered.

Disappointed we will likely not see a rematch in the tournament as used to be customary as CG will be heavily favored the week prior should they meet Warren.

I am not counting out Warren against CG in the regional.

3 hours ago, BDGiant93 said:

LN a few years back during the waning years of the previous coach was the worst I've ever seen. Even the Hautes would sneak up every once in a while and bite somebody. There were some very lean years for South. It was usually one team that was significantly worse than everyone. 4-5 mediocre teams and a strong top 3-4. This year you have..

Center Grove

(BIG GULF)

BD, Carmel, LN, Warren

(BIG GULF)

LC, Pike, NC

I can’t put LN is the same category as Carmel, BD, and Warren. They haven’t proved that to anyone yet. Last year was supposedly their best squad in history and they didn’t win the sectional.

3 hours ago, Footballking16 said:

I agree, Tech has a phenomenal facility. Not sure it is an option to Cathedral anymore.

Just thought it was ironic for a Roncalli fan of all people to chime in. Roncalli dropped Cathedral after a few drubbings awhile back and now wants to dictate where Cathedral hosts a game? 

Phenomenal? Not sure I would call Tech phenomenal. It’s solid. The pressbox looks like middle school and there are trees growing on top of it. Lots of seats and a nice field service but I’ve seen players walk a long distance to the lockeroom and I’ve heard stories about the awful small outdated pressbox. There are many stadiums I would put first before I call tech phenomenal.

The MIC has progressively gotten less and less exciting over the years. It for sure has hurt the programs of LC and Pike.

I wish I could attend this game Friday. The intensity should be unbelievable with all the different storylines. At Ben Davis correct?

I think the Giants win a close one late. Too much fire power and they will make the big plays when needed.

6 hours ago, temptation said:

BD had a great game plan last night in my opinion.  They didn’t even try to run the ball.  Got the ball out of their quarterbacks hands quickly and allowed players to make plays in space.

Just couldn’t sustain enough drives to stay in contact in the second half.  CG ran a three man front 80 percent of the night I’d say.

If Carmel or Warren simulate that game plan they could make it interesting in a potential rematch.

North Central, Pike, and LC are pretty damn bad.  I honestly think I would take the bottom three in the HCC over the bottom three in the MIC right now.

Have to be able to run the ball to win

CG will be able to relax and take a few weeks “off” 

Looks like another MIC title for the Trojans. I think BD is the next best. They have lots of speed and will be able to put up points against anyone. 
 

Not sure what’s going on with North Central or Pike. 
 

I think Warren will continue to improve and will give CG a test in the regional

21 minutes ago, Olympian06 said:

They still wouldn’t have lost tonight with him coaching.. I would have thought the coaching staff would have gained some knowledge over the 19 years he was the HC. 

I think you should take over as HC. 

2 hours ago, Olympian06 said:

Seymour - 28

Columbus East - 24

Final..

 

99 game win streak in the conference is over!

 

This team is absolutely terrible. Offense AWFUL, defense AWFUL, and the coaching staff is about on par with the team. Zero percent chance Coach Gaddis would have lost this game. Absolute embarrassment. 

He left for a reason

IMG is not a high school program. They need to stop being placed on ESPN. Show real high school programs. I don’t want to watch IMG. That’s not high school football.
 

Now mix IMG with with Bishop sycamore that is just absolutely ridiculous. What I don’t get is that IMG played Bishop sycamore last season… so wouldn’t have IMG have known and understood what they were going up against?? Just ridiculous 

1 hour ago, temptation said:

Avon @ Hamilton Southeastern - Talk about two teams that seem to be heading in opposite directions.  Gut check time for the Orioles, but I don't like their chances.  HSE rolls 41-17.

Franklin Central @ Brownsburg - Not seeing any opportunities for FC on the remainder of the schedule and certainly not this one.  Dogs win 30-7.

Fishers @ Noblesville - Didn't see this one as very intriguing as recently as two weeks ago, but both teams have made great strides and this is honestly one of the more interesting matchups of the week.  I'll go with Fishers 24-21.

Westfield @ Zionsville - If not for CG/Carmel, this would be the game of the week.  Two defending state finalists who have aspirations to make another deep run.  Should be fun.  I'll take Westfield 20-17.

Shall we go ahead and consider Carmel vs CG as a part of this HCC week 3 thread???