Indiana Fan

2 hours ago, BigBH said:

I watched a down Avon team dismantle Zionsville team just a month ago...they have zero chance in this one

Dismantled? I don’t know about that game. I feel like that was a one possession game until the very end. Zionsville passed for about 250 yards that’s night

1 hour ago, Ballhawk said:

Any school with over 2,000 students should have no trouble fielding a football team that can compete with those in the 4-5,000 range.  I'm sure they can find 50 athletes out of 2,000.  I don't buy that argument.  This is why 5A was split to add a 6th class, so schools with 1,500 students weren't having to compete with the BDs and Carmels of the world.  

I can tell you that the Carmel middle schools struggle for numbers and the teams aren't real competitive, but why are they at the top of the 6A world?  When you talk about feeder systems, their feeder system isn't real strong.  Maybe just having 3 middle schools is an advantage as you end up with a lot of kids who have played, even if they weren't very good.

Westfield is a relative newcomer to 6A, but their feeder program is solid from elementary up.  Their middle school teams consistently win the Hamilton County championship, and they have been successful at the HS level with only 1 middle school to feed in.

I don't know what other regions have, but I do know that Indy and the donut counties do compete against each other at the 5-6th grade level and the teams are pretty good.  Do the other areas of Indiana have leagues like that to lay the foundation for strong MS & HS teams?

So a public school with 2,000 students should compete right with Carmel who has over 5,000? There is no other class that asks teams to compete with schools with that big of a difference of students. I get that at some point there needs to be a cut off and I agree there should be a 6A. But to ask a school to compete year in and year out with 3,000 less students is very difficult. 

Also I should note that yes Westfield has a great feeder program and great high school program. But They do only have 1 middle school. Where the other big schools in Hamilton County are split up. So they do have an advantage to win the middle school  Hamilton County championship. Numbers do matter a lot!

On 11/16/2020 at 9:53 PM, Gridiron_Junkie said:

How about no seeding, no nuteral playing sights, no sucess factor and no mercy rule. Football like it used to be.

And no Lucas Oil too right?

28 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

I would agree. My gut feeling is that it'll be Avon who eventually breaks through. The committment is definately there for all schools when it comes to facilities and feeder programs. Even Noblesville just recently broke ground on a new $14M stadium that will hold roughly 8,500. The new stadium wont' be ready for football until the Fall of 2022.

That facility is going to be fantastic. I am just  curious, out of the Indy area teams, is there a list of top 5 stadium capacities anywhere? I would love to see exact numbers of some of the best stadiums in Indy.

4 minutes ago, Warren05 said:

Counting Merrivile out already? 

I am yes. Westfield has swagger and is playing with confidence. 

CG @ BD

I like the Trojans in this one. Giants will keep it close early, but will eventually fall behind. Trojans 44-14

It is odd not having Carmel in the North this year. It will be exciting to see Westfield play either CG or BD in the state finals.

Never. If we move a game because of it being too cold, then football has officially become soft. 

18 hours ago, DT said:

Covid has had a devastating and long term impact on many high school athletic programs across the state.  Unfortunately, those who could least afford to deal with the impact of Covid are being hit the hardest,  and their ability to compete in this brave new world has been compromised.

Conversely, wealthy school districts and PPs have the deep pockets and overall resources to navigate the pandemic and come out stronger on the other side.

Given the events of the past 12 months and the outcomes that we have seen playod out on the athletic fields across the state, its time for The IHSAA to step back in and revisit the issue of competitive balance between and amongst its member institutions.  One of COVIDS unintended consequences has been to further the competitive gap between the haves and the have nots, taking an ever dwindling number of post season contenders and further reducing that once again.  

Two findamental changes are needed to further addrewss the widening gulf that is separating the haves from the have nots, especiually in high cost sports such as football.

1. Roll back the Success Factor to include Indiana Public Schools only.  

2. Institute the Mandatory 2.0 PP Multiplier, whereas all PP schools will have their actual enrollments multiplied by "2" to achieve class designation.

We are seeing a new period of emerging PP dominance, due primarily to the PPs ability to better manage and manuever their way thru the COVID Pandemic.  Most observers will agree that common sense would dictate that PP football programs generally play "up" during the regular season and "down" during the post season.  This reality defies all good logic and common sense, and clearly has a negative overall impact on competitive balance within the classes.  

Under this new proposal, PPs will accept their new 2.0 Multiplied Classification, or have the option to contract their football program.  There are several throughout the state that might seriously consider contraction.

Below is a recap of the new enrollment numbers to be used for classification purposes :

Roncalli    1188/2376    6A

Cathedral   1099/2198    6A

Dwenger     1015/2030    6A

SB St Joe   857/1714       5A

Brebeuf     791/1582        5A

Guerin        761/1522       5A

Chatard      714/1428      4A

Marian        645/1290       4A

Ev Memorial  609/1218    4A

Ritter          566/1132       4A

Luers         542/1084       4A

Mater Dei    497/994     4A

Heritage Christian  462/924    4A

Bishop Noll  460/920     4A  (Contract)

Scecina       427/854     4A

Andrean      414/828     4A

Covenent Christian   365/730  3A

LCC                287/574          3A

Ind Lutheran    225/450      2A

Traders Point Christian   128/256   (Auto minimum 1 class bump)

 

 

 

I have always believed PP schools should play in a class above them. I am with you on this DT. It would be more fair for everyone involved. I believe the succes factor should only be for Private schools. Just another thought in my opinion.

Carmel @ Ben Davis:

This will be interesting to see how Ben Davis comes out and plays after playing some weaker opponents the past 2 weeks. Carmel coming off of a big win vs. Brownsburg. However, I saw where their QB went down. I do not know how severe that injury is. Will he miss this upcoming game? or is he back? I will take the Greyhounds 31-20.

Warren Central vs. Center Grove:

Another exciting matchup between these 2 powerhouse programs. CG is the team this year, but do not tell the Warriors this. Their D will likely make this a game. I will stick with the Trojans 24-20 in a close one!

The BIG 4 always prove to be the best each year. Having Carmel in the south shakes things up for sure. Whoever wins the south semi state will win the state finals this year for 6A and another MIC state champion. Until they get knocked off, the MIC (BD, Carmel, CG, WC) are the kings of the state.

I imagine not many people from the public will be able to see these games in person this year. If I had to bet, I would say only relatives of players and coaches allowed. It will be extremely spaced out. Also, IHSAA commissioner stated the days will be longer to allow for fan entrance and exit. The following game fans will not be allowed to enter until previous fans are exited and place is sanitized. I don't know what this will do for game times and team entrances and exits either. Very tricky situation and I pray Lucas Oil still hosts these 6 games on Thanksgiving weekend. It would be a shame for everyone who is involved if they do not get to use that facility for a State Finals. Always a special weekend of mine and it is in a lot of jeopardy at the moment. 

I will take the Greyhounds 31-20

2 hours ago, Olympian06 said:

Majority teams not named Cathedral looked like JV teams to CG. No skin off CE fans back.. playing up 2 classes is an honor and only 1 other school can say they have done that 

That’s why I hate the success factor. Punishing teams for having success and a great program. It should only be for the private schools.

Made the trip to CG tonight. Trojans dominated. I thought Columbus East players were going to get hurt out there. Pure dominance by CG. 
Also, couldn’t help but notice the fight that broke out in the Columbus East stands between fans. Interesting

7 hours ago, Staxawax said:

I don't think it is officially a forfeit.  Dropping out for this reason should not penalize a team and counted as a loss.

I think it should be. As tough as that sounds. Zionsville is awarded the Sectional Championship so they get the win. McCutcheon is given a loss. I hate it for everyone involved, but that is the way it is.

At some point Conference Indiana has got to give and a potential new conference might have to be formed. CN, Bloomingtons, and Southport need to have something in mind. Terre Hautes will be tough just because of their size and their location to other schools.

A lot more goes into joining a conference than just football. Also  @DT, you crack me up because you always state you dislike talking about new conferences, but yet you always start these threads haha. It is all good though. Conference realignment is intriguing. And even if Franklin Central is an outlier to the HCC, I still think it works. Gives HCC 8 teams with a school that is similar in size. I have no problem in it.

Carmel @ Brownsburg

- This matchup has been talked about all season long. Now we finally get to see these 2 teams meet. Carmel definitely looks like they are trending in the right direction. I feel Brownsburg will come out strong, but will not be able to get the job done. They never seem to win the big games. Greyhounds 31-20

Ben Davis @ Perry Meridian

- Good for Perry on getting their 1st win last week vs. Tech. Giants roll 62-7

Lawrence North @ Warren Central

- Oh boy. LN can definitely feel the pressure of this game. I expect a very close battle that comes down to the very end. Can LN get the job done like they should? I think so. Wildcats 27-23

Columbus East @ Center Grove

- CG continues to impress and prove they are #1. Trojans 42-14

39 minutes ago, BDGiant93 said:

Bet on the team that's shown up the last two times out (and in the OT loss to LN). BD's playing 1000 times better, and Coach Simmons again, for the second year in a row, has them playing their best ball in October into November. That confidence is only going to grow. I think the Giants will be a tough out.

When the Giants get on a roll, they are a tough team to beat in any year.

1 hour ago, IndplsCathedral_Dad said:

Everything but your angle here....lol

What is my angle? 

3 hours ago, IndplsCathedral_Dad said:

A CG fan cry afoul when they kept around 80% of the tickets for themselves for our game?!?  There are some great people down in CG, but some are just complete knuckleheads that have no clue what the hell they're talk about.

And I am sure all Cathedral fans know absolutely EVERYTHING...lol

37 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Agreed.  The Trojans have already effectively played their state title game.....................

 

I dont know about that one just yet. I think Carmel or Brownsburg will give them a serious challenge in Semi-state. Westfield will play tough in the state finals as well.

Fans or no fans, the outcome of this game will be the same. CG will dominate with a running clock in the 2nd half. End of thread.

Pike @ Carmel: 

Interesting matchup as Pike lost to Carmel in double OT earlier in the season. However, I think Carmel has come on strong and will definitely have home field advantage for this one. Greyhounds 34- 14

Ben Davis @ Southport:

The Giants have been all over the place this season. You never know which BD squad is going to show up on Friday night. However, this sectional is the worst sectional in 6A and Ben Davis will roll. Giants 47- 7

Lawrence Central @ Lawrence North:

The Lawrence Township games always provide excitement and are usually very close matchups. This game will be different. LN knows the importance of their postseason season run this year and I think LC will not even show up. Wildcats 35-7

Warren Central @ North Central:

This by far was the toughest to choose. I do not understand the Warriors this year and North Central has played some good football, but has also played some poor football. It is always tough to beat a team twice. Let alone Warren... BUT I think North Central pulls this one out in a close, low scoring matchup. Panthers 17-14.

Center Grove @ Columbus North:

Trojans 56-0.

Sectional 1: Lafayette Jeff over Merrillville

Sectional 2: Elkhart over Penn

Sectional 3: Homestead over Carroll

Sectional 4: Westfield Over HSE 

Sectional 5: Carmel Over Browmsburg

Sectional 6: Ben Davis over Perry

Sectional 7: Lawrence North over Warren

Sectional 8: Center Grove Over Columbus East

Regionals:

Elkhart over Jeff

Westfield over Homestead

Carmel over BD

CG over LN

Semi State:

Westfield over Elkhart

CG over Carmel

State Finals:

CG 31 Westfield 14

43 minutes ago, Dave007 said:

The team that comes out on top tonight will no doubt have undue pressure on themselves to blow through the playoffs with expectation of winning state title in convincing fashion, whomever they face.

The team that falls short tonight has two weeks to forget about the loss and focus ‘all-in’ at next opponent one at a time.

Assuming the game lives up to the hype, a shout out to both AD’s to get next year’s rematch on the schedule for week one.

Hey that photo is five weeks old!  Our line is bigger and stronger since that photo was taken!  

I will say CG’s playoff run will be much more difficult than Cathedral’s.