NLCTigerFan07

1 hour ago, BLACKGOLD2007 said:

So, I hate playing Bart led teams because the option is so difficult to slow down. I know there is limited snaps with the actual starter, has fumbling been an issue this year?

I think Warsaw smacks Penn in the mouth early Friday night. The D, like the Mishawaka game will tighten up. But, if Penn cannot lift the top off the Warsaw D, it is going to be a long night at Freed Field. 

Fumbling definitely caused issues in a few games, yes, but has been cleaned up quite a bit over the last 3 games (Goshen, Northridge, and Carroll).

What style is Penn's offense? More pass? More rush? Balanced? I ask because you say "if Penn cannot lift the top off the Warsaw D" are you implying they throw the ball more? Or that, in order for them to run the ball like they want, they'll need to hit a few big passing plays to allow that to happen?

The two biggest offensive threats Warsaw faced all year (NorthWood and Carroll) - I cannot say enough positive things about how the defense containted them. The Tigers also held Concord and Northridge to their lowest point totals all season.

On 10/28/2023 at 9:56 AM, BLACKGOLD2007 said:

Is Warsaw's defense consistent enough to put together back to back games like the game vs Carroll? 

Is the starting QB a more effective passer than the backup? Or, is it he is just so much more of a threat on the ground than the backup?

On 10/28/2023 at 4:35 PM, ArmyVet80 said:

Would you say that the Warsaw QB is better than or equal to Mishawaka's QB? Penn bottled up Mishawaka's QB which is impressive any way you look at it. 

17 hours ago, BSUKingsmen said:

Mishawaka's fullback did all the damage.  Kid is a workhorse. Came away really impressed with him.

Since these are all along the same questions/conversation - yes, I would say Sullivan is just a more around better athlete, which is key to being the QB in "Bart Ball". I forgot he actually did play in the Northridge game as well. The QB all season before that (Brock) did a good enough job for the Tigers to win games, but I can't say they won games BECAUSE of him. Through basically 7 games worth of action, he only had 277 yards rushing. Meanwhile, on Sullivan had 18 carries for 80 yards before 3 final kneel downs against Carroll.

I would say Sullivan is, athletically, on the same level as Fisher at Mishawaka. But Fisher has a lot more experience, and that is what makes him so dangerous. He's a stud.

Same as Mishawaka, the Tigers offense runs through their fullback. He's had 241 carries for 1,436 yards and 16 TDs through the regular season and added 34 carries for 168 yards and 2 TDs on Friday night. He's not necssarily the biggest or the fastest, but he runs HARD and

On 10/28/2023 at 9:56 AM, BLACKGOLD2007 said:

Is Warsaw's defense consistent enough to put together back to back games like the game vs Carroll? 

I would say absolutely yes. They've been consistent all year long. They held NorthWood (who averages 39 ppg) to their lowest total all year and as previously stated are the main reason they went 8-1 this regular season. You don't win games 8-6, 10-3, and 22-15 if you aren't consistent on that side of the ball. The Mishawaka loss was more so on the Tiger offense stalling out and not making plays and putting all the pressure on the Warsaw defense. Carroll came into the game averaging like 150 yards rushing on offense, and Warsaw held them to less than 50 yards.

It wouldn't suprise me to see the game this Friday end up being something like 14-13 the way both defenses play.

Warsaw played arguably their best, complete game of football that I may have ever seen. The defense picked off Carroll's QB on the first play of the game and the offense got an early TD to take an immediate 7-0 lead.

Tigers led 10-3 at halftime.

The FIRST drive of the second-half was 19 PLAYS long and killed the entire 3rd Quarter (officially a 12:04 drive), with Warsaw scoring on the first play of the 4th Quarter to take a 17-3 lead. The Tigers were able to get another interception the next drive, and once they scored to make it 24-3, there just simply wasn't enough time for Carroll to make a serious bid at a comeback. Especially against that clock-killing offense known as "Bart Ball"

9 hours ago, BSUKingsmen said:

And Penn thumped Mishawaka this year.  How'd Warsaw do?

9 hours ago, ArmyVet80 said:

 It may not be 100% Bart Ball, but it isn't that far off. Penn beat Mishawaka 28-7 and Mishawaka beat Warsaw 34-11.

Yes, Penn beat Mishawaka, and Mishawaka beat Warsaw - however - Warsaw's starting quarterback at the beginning of the season was hurt in Week 1 at Michigan City, and he made his return last night. It was obvious how much better the offense looks with him under center. The Tigers went 8-1 this season with a backup quarterback basically. I'm not sure the Mishawaka game would have changed by much (the Cavemen are a great team and were the better team on September 22), but he's a bigger threat to run the ball at the QB position and an overall better athlete.

24 minutes ago, GOLDRUSH1985 said:

I think if Penn were to lose next Friday it will be the Offense or lack there of . I don't see Warsaw scoring more than 21 points on Penn's defense . Penn's Offense still lacks consistency, they must stay ahead of the chains and limit penalties . And going forward , the lack of a good field goal kicker will surely hurt them as well . 

The Penn defense is extremely stout, but a unit that I feel like has been overshadowed all year long is the Tiger defense. As previously stated, Warsaw went 8-1 with a backup QB this season, and much of that is due to how well their defense played. Warsaw doesn't win those Chesterton, Concord, NorthWood, Wawasee, and Northridge games without their defense playing as strong as they have all year long.

Should be a good game next Friday night. As previously stated, the last time these two teams played each other in 2019, the Tigers won. It marked their first victory ever over the Kingsmen, and also gave Warsaw their first ever Sectional Championship. To get that second one, this time they'll have to take down Penn on the road. Tall task!

22 hours ago, Coach Lou said:

I thought the Warsaw vs. Wawasee game was a big rival game? Just saying surprised you say Warsaw was so flat in a rivalry game.

Considering Warsaw has dominated that rivalry over the course of history (and prior to this year had won the last 8 meetings by a combined score of 312 - 85, an average score of 39-11) AND the Tigers were fresh off their two BIGGEST games (NorthWood and Mishawaka) - NO, I am not suprised at all that the Tigers were flat. A lot of energy went into the previous two weeks opponents, and then playing a team who was 1-5 on the season and they've crushed for as long as these kids were in elementary school. Happens to teams all the time.

And, in my opinion, Warsaw-Wawasee is a bit of a "forced" rivalry because of them sharing the same county. Plymouth has always felt more like a spirited rival to me personally, whereas Wawasee was the neighborhood friend you liked to beat in a game of one-on-one in the driveway type thing.

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)

On 9/28/2023 at 11:01 AM, US31 said:

I only see once sectional champtionship as far back as 1994?
If you look back, their season has ended in the sectionals to either a FtW area team or Penn.
Unless the goal is to be the big fish in the NLC pond....in which case, carry on.  I don't begrudge then that at all....their community, their school, more power to them. 

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.

On 9/28/2023 at 11:58 AM, 00NWP said:

I can remember a time when a team like NorthWood had almost double the amount of kids on the sidelines compared to Warsaw.
Success builds a program. Losing regular season games does not make you better in the long run...winning does.
And this is just talking about football...Warsaw would also get dominated in almost every sport moving conferences. 

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.

On 9/28/2023 at 12:33 PM, US31 said:

and to his credit, Coach Curtis has definitley improved their non-con opponents

On 9/28/2023 at 12:50 PM, BTF said:

They need two top ten programs on their schedule........they have one of them starting in 2025. 

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.

On 9/28/2023 at 2:53 PM, Komets2727 said:

Plain and simple, Warsaw is a 6A school playing 3A and 4A teams and having their way during the regular season and then playing 6A schools in the playoffs and are one and done.
If the Warsaw community is fine with that, more power to them, if not, get better by playing 6A schools more frequently. Simple solution, but won’t be done

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.

4 hours ago, US31 said:

For decades I've thought the NLC is holding Warsaw back in most sports (mainly Football)....but I've never gotten the vibe they actually WANT to leave the NLC.  Anyone with insight see it differently?

For clarity, when I say "they" I don't mean Coach Curtis.  I mean the community and school administrators.

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

1 hour ago, scarab527 said:

Missing 1 Week Standings (after this week I'm putting everyone together):  

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.

46 minutes ago, Plymouthfan91 said:

Awesome kick.  That was a fun game to watch.  On a side note does NLCTigerFan07 remember the OT game at Plymouth when the walk-off FG by Plymouth to win the game was counted even though it was missed.  I work the gate by that side and we talk about that game all of the time.  I believe that Mevis was your kicker during that time.  

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.

4 hours ago, BTF said:

If I'm being honest, I never took the NE8 seriously until this year. I think this conference is as strong as it's ever been. I love that NE8 teams have the opportunity to clash with the SAC in Weeks 1 & 2 now. I think that only makes the NE8 stronger moving forward. East Noble impressed me when they went up against Snider. Tonight I get a look at two more solid programs. 

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.

21 hours ago, 00NWP said:

And the game that will decide the NLC!

Warsaw at Mishawaka: Both teams mirror one another in just about every aspect.  Warsaw capitalized on turnovers last week and ran all over NorthWood.  Mishawaka (other than the Penn game) has looked pretty good. This game could be a toss up however I think being at home will help.  Mishawaka 28 Warsaw 13

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

14 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

Good post. I agree with you. Snider, Carroll, Homestead, Dwenger, North Side, Warsaw, East Noble, and let’s say Penn. This would be football only. It would be a more competitive conference for sure, the 78-6 blowouts would be out the door. These are all 4A, 5A, and 6A teams

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.

On 8/29/2023 at 10:21 PM, Trojan67 said:

NJSP at CMA 

I am pretty sure that NJSP doesn't have a FG kicker. I am thinking that maybe the Jays sneak out with a win in this one. Jays 24 CMA 21

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?