NLCTigerFan07

In all fairness - Warsaw played quite possibly their worst game of the season that week, much of which was self-inflicted by the Tigers. Not trying to take credit away from Wawasee, because I do think they are better than their 1-8 regular season record showed and they made obvious improvements the final 4 weeks of the season.

3rd year in a row the Tigers and Chargers have faced off in the tournament. 2020 - feels very similar to this years. Tigers come in, fresh off a shared conference title with Mishawaka, hosted a high-flying Carroll offense that averaged 47 points per game on offense. The difference, though, is that Charger defense also gave up 24 points a game on defense. This was a fantastic matchup that went back and forth the entire night, with Warsaw prevailing 42-35 2021 - this one... wasn't any fun. Warsaw had that stupid "double-bye" into the Sectional Championship game and went 20 days between losing their final game of the season (and defacto NLC championship) at Concord, to getting completely steamrolled in the first half at Carroll. You could tell the time off really impacted the Tigers. Chargers cruised to a 36-0 victory. 2022 - improvements were made by the Tigers, but Carroll still controlled the game with relative ease. Warsaw was able to keep it close (13-10 Carroll lead at halftime), but the Chargers made it 20-10 late in the 3rd quarter, the Tigers fumbled on the next possession, and Carroll maintained a 2+ possession lead through the end of the game to win 34-17. I would imagine this game will be closer to how last year went. The Tigers will have to play perfect "Bart Ball" (no turnovers, limited penalties, stay on schedule) to keep it close. Carroll might have a worse record than they did last year, but they are a few plays away from being 9-0 on the season, and the two teams they lost to are a combined 15-3 and their 3 losses come by a combined 12 points themselves.

1. Beech Grove @ Muncie Central 2. Culver Academy @ Lowell 3. Hobart @ New Prairie 4. Pendleton Heights @ Greenfield-Central 5. Danville @ Tri-West 6. Lawrenceburg @ Centerville 7. Scottsburg @ North Harrison 8. Twin Lakes @ Boone Grove 9. Western Boone @ North Montgomery 10. Andrean @ LaVille 11. Bluffton @ Alexandria 12. Eastbrook @ Frankton 13. Evansville Mater Dei @ Tell City 14. Greencastle @ North Putnam 15. Sullivan @ Southmont 16. Clinton Prairie @ Covington 17. North Miami @ Southern Wells 18. Pioneer @ North Judson

Big game tonight in the Lake City! Very impressed with the Raiders this season. Beginning the year, I would have predicted them to finish the regular season 6-3 or 5-4. It speaks to the job Coach Eppley has done in Middlebury and how he's elevated Northridge to new heights. Quite the decade their program has gone through. Should be a defensive slugfest. I'll take the Tigers pulling out the victory by a field goal.

Week 9 Pick ‘Em Games: 1. Carmel @ Lawrence Central 2. Hamilton Southeastern @ Brownsburg 3. Portage @ LaPorte 4. Terre Haute South @ Columbus North 5. Northridge @ Warsaw 6. Northview @ Indian Creek 7. Yorktown @ Mount Vernon (Fortville) 8. Hamilton Heights @ West Lafayette 9. Bluffton @ Lakeland 10. Madison-Grant @ Alexandria 11. Seeger @ North Vermillion 12. North White @ West Central

Week 8 Pick ‘Em Games: 1. Fishers @ Westfield 2. Fort Wayne Wayne @ Fort Wayne North 3. Greenwood @ Franklin 4. Columbia City @ Leo 5. Mooresville @ Martinsville 6. New Haven @ East Noble 7. Delta @ Greenfield-Central 8. Pendleton Heights @ Yorktown 9. Western Boone @ Danville 10. Southridge @ North Posey 11. Sheridan @ Eastern (Greentown)

Point 1: Correct - only 1 Sectional Championship ever in school history. Prior to 1998, the Tigers had never won a single sectional game. Point 2: Uh... yeah... kind of makes sense since the only other big schools around are Penn or in Fort Wayne that they would be who ends Warsaw's seasons... Point 3: Conference affiliations are more than just football. Many Tiger sports have competed against non-NLC foes in their regular seasons with the likes of Penn, Elkhart, The Region, and Fort Wayne area schools. Those sports benefit from having longer seasons/more opportunities. Football is more difficult with only 9 games to be able to add those non-conference opponents. Point 1: I can never remember a single season in which NorthWood ever had "double" the amount of kids on a sideline compared to Warsaw in my lifetime (30+ years). Equal amount of kids? Yes. Double? Absolutely not. The Tigers have rarely ever had "numbers" issues. But it is surprising that they rarely seem to have the number of athletes that similiar schools of their size (other 6A/5A norther teams) have. Point 2: I agree wholeheartedly with you here. Pounding week-over-week with Carroll, Homestead, Snider, Dwenger, Penn, Region teams... I don't see how that does anything to "develop" the program. Looks at some of the weaker schools in the MIC and HCC. What has a school like Noblesville done playing in that meatgrinder of a conference HCC? They have 5 sectional victories in the last 20 years. Has playing HSE, Fishers, Westfield, Brownsburg, Zionsville and Avon (all strong programs) benefitted the Millers at all? I don't think so. Point 3: In what world would Warsaw get dominated in every other sport moving to the SAC or any other large conference in the north? As previously stated, the Tigers play a majority of these teams already in basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc., and typically hold their own. I would say Warsaw competes rather consistenly with the likes of Penn, Carroll and Homestead in a variety of sports on both the girls and boys side of things. Michigan City has been a good add to the schedule. Chesterton the last two years was added when they were a 6A school at the time, but since dropped to 5A. As well, added perennial Columbus, OH area power Dublin Coffman a few seasons back. Next year, Warsaw starts a home and home with Warren Central, then I'm pretty sure after that home and homes with Ben Davis and Fort Wayne Snider. To me, adding these types of games in the non-conference are much better for the program than playing an entire conference season against the same teams they would have to face again in the post-season. Simply not true. As long as Warsaw has been a 6A school, they have never played a 3A opponent. NorthWood actually moved to 4A even before a 6th class was added. The only 4A schools on their schedule currently are Northridge, NorthWood, Plymouth and Wawasee. As well, in the 10 years since they have moved to 6A, they have gone "one and done" less than half those years (only 4 "one and dones" vs. 6 post seasons with at least 1 sectional victory) Everyone here acting like Warsaw is some huge 6A school that should be dominating in 6A football. It's mind baffeling. The Tigers have had more success in the last 25 years that they ever had historically. It started with Coach Jensen in the late 90s and Coach Curtis has done a tremendous job raising the bar even more during his 6 seasons at the helm. But as a reminder - Warsaw was the 30th largest school in the state during the last enrollment cycle. They were only 17 students away from being in class 5A.

Correct - there is no desire for Warsaw to leave the NLC

But now I'll be in last-last place! lol Week 7 Pick 'Em Games: 1. Terre Haute North @ Southport 2. Martinsville @ Perry Meridian 3. Northridge @ Concord 4. Bedford North Lawrence @ Floyd Central 5. Vincennes Lincoln @ Evansville North 6. Evansville Memorial @ Evansville Reitz 7. Bluffton @ Heritage 8. Lafayette Central Catholic @ Twin Lakes 9. Indianapolis Scecina @ Triton Central 10. Hagerstown @ Winchester 11. Milan @ Providence

Here I was last week saying I rarely complain about officials, and I do not believe it would have made a difference in the outcome of the game as Mishawaka was clearly the better team Friday night... but the Tigers were driving with 8 minutes left in the game, down 16 points, at the Caveman 18 yard line. 4th and 2 Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, believed Warsaw got the first down. Both the Warsaw radio play-by-play announcer Roger Grossman (I listened to the game live) and Chuck Freeby from Channel 46 (watched the replay) mentioned initially it being a 1st down for the Tigers. Watch the play starting at 1:49:15 - it doesn't really do any justice to the spot and where the yard markers are, but you can hear the call from Freeby. Again, I don't think it made much of a difference as Warsaw would have had to score twice with successful 2 point conversions. But the fact that they didn't even measure the spot was atrocious. Coach Curtis rarely gets overly animated (don't get me wrong, he's can be a firery guy) but he was pretty upset with the call.

Remember it? I'll never forget it! One of the most egregious things I have ever witnessed in high school football history. I rarely, if ever, complain about officiating because I am not one of those fans. I've played and coached in my history, and "experts" in the stands who love to complain about officiating are usually the most uninformed, HOWEVER, that was one that was a straight up mistake. Ultimately did not cost the Tigers an NLC championship since they lost to NorthWood later in the season and the Panthers were undefeated in the conference, but yes, will never forget that call.

King of a shocking statement to me... the NE8 has had some darn good teams over the last decade or so that easily could have competed in the SAC. East Noble, Leo and New Haven have all had squads that would have competed with the upper half of the SAC at different times. Now, top to bottom could teams in the NE8 have been consistently competitive? No. But I've always found them to be a very solid (and serious) conference.

In the words of Lee Corso - "Not so fast, my friend!" - Warsaw still has to play Northridge at the end of the season, and Mishawaka still has NorthWood and Concord left on the schedule. Yes, the winner of this week's game is in the driver's seat, but still plenty of opportunities for either team to lose a game. I haven't had a chance to post about last week's game. I'm honestly still in shock. I firmly believed the Panthers air attack would tear up Warsaw, but that Tiger defense is LEGIT! And the resolve and character of the Warsaw team as a whole just speaks to the entire coaching staff Coach Curtis has assembled. It's never been a question, but he is the definition of a HOF high school football coach. When NorthWood scored under a minute left in 2Q to take a 21-17 lead before halftime, I was sure that was going to be the momentum swing that blew the doors open. Instead, the Tigers score on two huge plays and retake the lead 24-21 at halftime. Hoping for a great game this Friday night, in the similiar vein of those 2020 and 2021 matchups that were great back and forth affairs.

Week 6 Pick ‘Em Games: 1. Brownsburg @ Westfield 2. Crown Point @ Valparaiso 3. Warsaw @ Mishawaka 4. Columbia City @ New Haven 5. New Palestine @ Greenfield-Central 6. Heritage Hills @ Gibson Southern 7. Batesville @ Lawrenceburg 8. Knox @ LaVille 9. Northeastern @ Centerville 10. Seeger @ Fountain Central 11. Eastern Hancock @ Milan

Former Warsaw Tiger Harrison Mevis hits a 61-yarder at the buzzer to walk off an upset win for Mizzou. Sets an SEC record for longest FG in conference history.

Former Warsaw Tiger Harrison Mevis hits a 61-yarder at the buzzer to walk off an upset win for Mizzou. Sets an SEC record for longest FG in conference history.

Should honestly be a beautiful night of decent matchups. Concord @ Warsaw - should be a telling game for each team. The Minutemen looked good the first quarter last week, but then NorthWood turned it on and never looked back. The Tiger defense has been stout, but they haven't exactly played any offensive powerhouses so far this season. Also, crazy that tonight is the first game at home for Warsaw. I'll take the Tigers by 10 Northridge @ NorthWood - The Raiders lost a tough one last week, and the Panthers are looking like the cream of the crop for both the NLC and 4A North. Northridge has had their number in the postseason each of the last two seasons, but this is a regular season matchup. Panthers by 28 Plymouth @ Wawasee - The last time the Pilgrims won an NLC game was 9/25/2020 against the Warriors. Meanwhile, Wawasee hasn't started 2-0 in NLC play since the 2003 season. Neither team's defense is very good, which could mean a lot points are scored in this game. I will take the home team Wawasee by 6 Goshen @ Mishawaka - not much to say about this game. The Cavemen get two weeks of warm-ups before back-to-back matchups against Warsaw and NorthWood. Staying healthy is the most important goal in this one. Give me Mishawaka by 21

Remove East Noble and put Elkhart in (no disrespect to the Knights as they would likely hold their own in the conference) - but this is all hypothetical, at least for the Tigers. I do not see them leaving the NLC, maybe ever.

Week 4 Pick ‘Em Games 1. Hamilton Southeastern @ Fishers 2. New Albany @ Bedford North Lawrence 3. Anderson @ Marion 4. Greenfield-Central @ Pendleton Heights 5. Guerin Catholic @ Brebeuf Jesuit 6. Fort Wayne Luers @ Fort Wayne Wayne 7. Tri-West @ Western Boone 8. Heritage @ South Adams 9. North Judson @ Knox 10. Linton-Stockton @ Sullivan 11. Bremen @ Triton

Really looking forward to see how the Northridge vs. Mishawaka game shakes out. I think that has the potential to be a really really good game. A true measuring stick for both teams. I think NorthWood crushes Concord. The Minutemen are 2-0 this season, but I don't think Elkhart or Jimtown are going to end up being that good this year. Toilet Bowl of the Year, part 1 tonight in the Maple City. Part 2 will take place next week in Syracuse. The trilogy ends September 29th in Plymouth. Warsaw needs to make sure they play more disciplined football on the offensive side of the ball tonight. They should have no trouble with Plymouth, but if they keep putting the ball on the ground, who knows what can/will happen at that point. If they play clean, they'll win by multiple scores. If they stay sloppy, the Pilgrims just might hang around.

I had to chuckle at this - you're saying North Judson doesn't have a kicker, but you're predicting them to have 24 points? Are you thinking 3 TDs with 3 2-pt converstions?

Thanks for the insights @npcougar15

I fee like I'm writing the same thing as Week 1. Warsaw was once again very fortunate to get the victory on Friday night. Still sloppy on the offensive side of the ball, but not AS bad as the first game. The ball was still on the ground way too much. And again, the defense played lights out. The front 7 are a solid group. The secondary made improvements. "Surprises of the night" The end score worked itself out, but I was shocked to see Goshen hang with New Prairie. The Redhawks had the lead heading into the 2nd Quarter before the Cougars went up 22-10 at halftime. The second half only went 7-0 in favor of New Prairie. After getting blown out by Fairfield in Week 1, I expected New Prairie to have a running clock in this game. Kudos to Goshen for showing some fight. "As predicted" Literally no other surprises to me from Friday night. NorthWood is far and away the best team in the conference. No one has defensive secondary that will be able to contain them. I'm sorry if I'm off base here Panther fans, but anything less than an undefeated regular season and Semi-State appearance at a minimum will be a disappointment. Wasn't shocked that Penn beat Mishawaka. The Cavemen were in that game, but the Kingsmen defense made plays when they had to. Final score was not indicative of the actual game. Fully anticipated Concord and Northridge winning their games, and had zero faith in Plymouth and Wawasee winning their games. The Warriors will have to try and pull out a victory over these next two weeks, or they will go winless.

Week 3 Pick 'Em Games: 1. Merrillville @ Crown Point 2. Franklin @ Perry Meridian 3. Decatur Central @ Whiteland 4. Chesterton @ Michigan City 5. Wawasee @ Goshen 6. DeKalb @ New Haven 7. Yorktown @ New Palestine 8. Lafayette Central Catholic @ Hamilton Heights 9. Forest Park @ Tell City 10. Triton Central @ Indianapolis Lutheran 11. Cloverdale @ Brown County

Week 2 Pick 'Em Games: 1. Cathedral @ Brownsburg 2. Homestead @ Noblesville 3. Roncalli @ Franklin Central 4. Harrison @ Plainfield 5. LaPorte @ Lowell 6. Evansville Mater Dei @ Castle 7. Culver Academy @ Mishawaka Marian 8. Franklin County @ Connersville 9. Brownstown Central @ Charlestown 10. Owen Valley @ South Putnam 11. North Decatur @ Eastern Hancock