JackStraw1

Indy CYO starts pads in 3rd grade. But I do think flag up to fourth grade is a great alternative. From 2009 to 2018, I think there was about a 40% participation drop so Indy CYO went to 7 man, full pads, with a 40 yd field a couple years ago to space the game out and give more kids an opportunity to carry the ball. This has worked well, but I don't know if its translated to increasing participation.

Couldn't agree more, and I get it with the noms - I think 3A teams in the finals get 5 noms. Chatard's defense was # 2 in points allowed in 3A (.04 pts behind Norwell), and against the schedule they played, I'd say #1. They should have had at least one more from their defense, but to be fair Matt Coons played safety and was more impactful on the defensive side of the ball as he was on offense.

Too many awesome memories to count. Being at my son's last practice last Friday and watching him walk off the field and tap the goal post one last time was really special. He ended his season and career with a win on Saturday, and that was pretty great too.

You mean in the same way Merrillville and Roncalli manhandled Chatard, because I'd be up for that! Pretty sure both are bigger than Danville. Two certainties with Saturday's game...it'll be a very competitive game, and neither team is manhandling the other

Reitz Bowl for sure. But I love Enlow Field in Evansville as well

3A - Chatard will be a contender again, FW Concordia returns a lot of starters, Gibson Southern from the south. Not sure who will challenge them in the south?

Absolutely agree here! Kyle Cheek was very deserving this year of All State honors. The numbers speak for themselves, and he led them to a state championship, playing the hardest playoff schedule possible. The kid is a gamer! The limit on nominations prevented several on Chatard from All State honors - no juniors on the IFCA All state Junior team??? As I stated in a previous post, there were at least two very deserving juniors, especially given their performance against better competition in regular season and in the playoffs against the #2, #3, #4, #5 and #11 ranked teams in 3A. I understand the rules on limitations and coaches nominating seniors, but sometimes rules should be changed, like the rule that gets you thrown out of a national championship for targeting!

Yes. Coach Dum was a former LB at Chatard.

Public School open houses Lawrence Central, Lawrence North and North Central all held open houses for incoming freshmen this year. Guessing most public schools do.

Agree with Cheek at QB and definitely a few deserving Juniors!