NLCTigerFan07

2Q - 02:15 7 - Chesterton 3 - Warsaw Trojans take advantage of a Warsaw turnover deep in Tiger territory right before halftime

2Q - 08:10 3 - Warsaw 0 - Chesterton 43 yard FG for the Tigers

I tried doing updates last week... and it wouldn't work for me? It worked all the time last year and in past seasons, but I could not get any of my tweets to be auto-retweeted. I used the hashtag #tgd and made sure to @gridirondigest but nothing was going through.

A few other key games that I think could have been added that you did not include (no hate here, I love your write ups!) Chesterton at Warsaw - both teams ranked/receiving votes and had impressive Week 1 wins Northridge at Elkhart - same as above

Went 6-2 on my picks last week. I underestimated Elkhart and thought that might be a game of two rebuilding squads, but the Lions blew the doors off the Minutemen. Goshen started strong and jumped out to a 14-0 lead... but could not hold on and lost in OT to Fairfield. Here we go with Week 2 highly uneducated guesses (with AP poll rankings): 5A #9 Chesterton (1-0) at 6A #11 Warsaw (1-0): Both teams impressed in week 1. The Tigers absolutely throttled Michigan City in all phases of the game, even after losing their starting QB early in the 2Q. A lot of that is in thank to senior fullback German Flores-Ortega who rushed for 184 yards and 3 TDs on 16 carries. I think the Trojans will be a much tougher challenge for Warsaw this week, especially breaking in a new QB to the fold. However, I was most impressed with the Tiger defense last week, and think they find a way to grind out the victory at home... WARSAW by 6 Concord (0-1) at Jimtown (0-1): Both teams suffered big losses in week 1 by a combined score of 64-7, ouch! Concord has won 4 out of 5 in this backyard rivalry game, but it will be interesting this year with both teams struggling to get on track. I think this is a prove it game for both programs, and I am not sold on the Minutemen this year... JIMTOWN by 4 4A #13 East Noble (1-0) at 4A #10 NorthWood (1-0): This should be a heck of a matchup this week. I have always long admired each of these programs. Both squads came off solid wins in week 1, but both of their opponents left a bit to be desired. This will definitely be a step up in competition. Kaden Lone had a heck of start to his senior season. Like a few of last week's picks, I've got my NLC-tinted glasses on... NORTHWOOD by 10 4A #7 New Prairie (1-0) at Goshen (0-1): A decent showing by the RedHawks in their debut under Coach Wogomon, but a tough one to swallow after having a 14-0 lead and all the momentum heading into halftime. They just could not get consistency on offense, and their defense finally relented to Fairfield's ground and pound offense. Losing to little brother at home is never fun, but it makes it less fun when a ranked opponent is next on the schedule. Hopefully Goshen stays healthy so they can pick up their first win the following in Syracuse... NEW PRAIRIE by 28 4A #11 Northridge (1-0) at 6A #15 Elkhart (1-0): Another matchup where both squads are coming off impressive week 1 victories. The Lions rolled Concord and the Raiders, much to my surprise, put up a 50-burger in their dismantling of SB Adams. This game will be the Channel 46 Game of the Week, adding to the excitement. Northridge RB McClain Miller had himself a NIGHT last week, running for 192 yards and 4 TDs on just 11 carries! However, as Concord can attest, the Elkhart defense is no joke... ELKHART by 14 Plymouth (1-0) at 4A #9 Kokomo (1-0): Things went as expected in Kendallville last week for the Rockies and do not get any easier this week in their trip down US 31. The Wildkats looked good at Leo last week, and should have this one wrapped up before halftime... KOKOMO by 28 4A #17 SB St Joseph (1-0) at 5A #5 Mishawaka (1-0): Old NIC foes St Joe and Mishawaka meet again in this backyard rivalry game. The Indians have Coach Downey back on the sidelines and will likely be back to their winning ways quickly. However, the Cavemen looked STRONG last week in their shutout victory over Marian... MISHAWAKA by 16 West Noble (1-0) at Wawasee (0-1): West Noble has won 4 of 5 in this matchup, and that should never be the case for Wawasee in my opinion. That is no disrespect to the Chargers, but in 3 of the losses, the Warriors have only scored 7, 6 and 7 points respectively. After Wawasee failed to score any points last week, I cannot say I'm exactly confident they will put any points up this week either, especially after West Noble only gave up 1 touchdown last week... WEST NOBLE by 21

I was the recipient of such reversal. My senior year, against Northridge, late in the game on a kickoff return I was ejected from a game for "throwing a punch". However... I did not throw a punch. I am not sure what the official saw, but I was literally in the huddle following the kickoff return and he came up to me and told me I had to leave the game because I had been ejected for throwing a punch. I was completely dumbfounded (as was basically everyone else). That next week, my athletic director took film of the game and play in question, a letter from Northridge's coach, and a letter from the Northridge player who I supposedly hit and drove them down to Indianapolis to the IHSAA commissioner. On Friday morning - the IHSAA called the Warsaw AD and informed him that the decision had been reversed and that I was cleared to play that night in my senior homecoming game.

Class 6A Rank-School FPV Rcd TP 1. Center Grove (17) 1-0 376 1 2. Cathedral (2) 1-0 342 2 3. Brownsburg - 1-0 286 5 4. Carmel - 0-1 204 3 5. Hamilton Southeastern - 1-0 194 8 6. Warren Central - 0-1 108 6 7. Lawrence North - 1-0 106 9 8. Westfield - 0-1 84 4 9. Ben Davis - 0-1 82 7 10. Carroll (Fort Wayne) - 1-0 78 10 Others receiving votes: Warsaw 68. Zionsville 48. Fishers 46. Penn 28. Elkhart 20. Crown Point 14. Noblesville 4. Avon 2. Class 5A Rank-School FPV Rcd TP 1. Merrillville (16) 1-0 356 1 2. Decatur Central (1) 1-0 320 2 3. Whiteland - 1-0 236 6 4. Ft. Wayne Snider - 1-0 216 5 5. Mishawaka (1) 1-0 204 8 6. Ft. Wayne Dwenger - 1-0 174 7 7. Castle - 1-0 104 10 8. Michigan City - 0-1 100 3 9. Chesterton - 1-0 92 NR 10. Bloomington South - 1-0 88 NR Others receiving votes: Valparaiso 50. Lafayette Harrison 18. Franklin 8. Ft. Wayne North 6. Ev. North 6. Plainfield 2. Class 4A Rank-School FPV Rcd TP 1. New Palestine (3) 1-0 328 3 2. Roncalli (14) 1-0 316 2 3. Mooresville - 1-0 236 5 4. E. Central - 1-0 216 6 5. Jasper (1) 1-0 194 8 6. Mt. Vernon (Hancock) - 0-1 182 1 7. New Prairie - 1-0 120 NR 8. Brebeuf Jesuit - 0-1 118 4 9. Kokomo - 1-0 86 NR 10. NorthWood - 1-0 62 NR Others receiving votes: Northridge 54. Ev. Memorial 22. E. Noble 18. Hobart 8. Northview 8. Martinsville 6. Logansport 2. Ev. Reitz 2. S. Bend St. Joseph's 2. Class 3A Rank-School FPV Rcd TP 1. Bishop Chatard (17) 1-0 358 1 2. W. Lafayette (1) 1-0 322 2 3. Gibson Southern - 1-0 280 3 4. Tri-West - 1-0 246 5 5. Western Boone - 1-0 152 8 6. Norwell - 1-0 132 9 7. Guerin Catholic - 1-0 104 10 8. Heritage Hills - 1-0 72 NR 9. Mishawaka Marian - 0-1 56 4 10. Delta - 1-0 44 NR Others receiving votes: Hanover Central 40. Lawrenceburg 40. Tippecanoe Valley 38. Owen Valley 26. Danville 16. Speedway 14. Charlestown 10. Rensselaer 10. Oak Hill 10. Centerville 8. Glenn 2. Class 2A Rank-School FPV Rcd TP 1. Ev. Mater Dei (14) 1-0 334 2 2. Eastbrook (1) 1-0 286 3 3. Andrean (3) 0-1 258 1 4. Linton - 1-0 242 5 5. Lafayette Catholic - 1-0 204 6 6. Eastside - 1-0 178 7 7. Scecina - 1-0 136 8 8. Heritage Christian - 1-0 118 9 9. Triton Central - 1-0 68 10 10. Ft. Wayne Luers - 0-1 66 4 Others receiving votes: Brownstown 64. LaVille 16. N. Posey 6. Eastern Hancock 4. Class A Rank-School FPV Rcd TP 1. Lutheran (13) 1-0 314 1 2. Adams Central (3) 1-0 288 2 3. S. Adams - 1-0 248 3 4. N. Judson - 1-0 196 5 5. Monroe Central - 1-0 172 6 6. Park Tudor - 1-0 150 7 7. S. Putnam - 1-0 132 8 8. Tri - 1-0 74 T9 9. N. Decatur - 1-0 60 T9 10. Springs Valley - 1-0 36 NR Others receiving votes: Covenant Christian 28. Triton 26. Carroll (Flora) 22. Sheridan 14.

NLC teams in the rankings Week 2 6A Warsaw - RV-14th (Coaches) / RV-11th (AP) 5A Mishawaka - 6th (Coaches) / 5th (AP) Concord - RV-13th (Coaches) 4A NorthWood - 7th (Coaches) / 10th (AP) Northridge - RV-13th (Coaches) / RV-11th (AP)

Unfortunately the Warsaw starting QB was injured early in the 2nd quarter and will likely miss quite a bit of time from the looks of it. However, the offense still played well after that and the Tiger defense looked very impressive. Best that unit has looked in years. Michigan City lost quite a bit from last year, but they had some DUDES on that sideline. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Warsaw D basically put up a shut out (the Wolves scored with like 2 minutes left in the game against a lot of 2nd and 3rd stringers). Time will tell to see how they adjust with a new QB under center!

Warsaw was up 12-0 early in the second quarter (2 TDs - missed XPs) when he was tackled at the 1 yard line and injured on that play. I think there were around 9 minutes left in the 2Q. Warsaw then scored on the next play following his injury (and made the 2pt conversion) to go up 20-0 and added another TD midway through the 2Q. They scored a quick TD to start the 3Q to make it 35-0 and the running clock started.

Might have to put an asterisks next to this one. Depends on the injury report for the Tigers starting QB. He injured his leg (looked to maybe be ankle or foot) late in the first half on Friday and I have heard it does not look promising. Feel very bad for him (a senior) as he likely will miss an extended time.

SF points earned for schools only apply to those schools who have been moved up due to SF. If a school falls to a lower class due to enrollment, they cannot be kept up in that class based on SF points earned. For another example - if Fort Wayne North (smallest 5A school by enrollment) were to win a Regional championship (2 points) in this next period, but their enrollment slips them into 4A, they will not stay in 5A due to that Regional championship. However, I do believe if they were to attain 6 points in this next period, THAT could keep them in 5A.

Unfortunately for Warsaw they took a pretty serious blow with the late first half injury to their starting QB. The injury was significant, and it looks likely he will miss quite a bit of time. Feel bad for the kid as he is a senior and had the Tiger offense churning along at midseason form in the first half of the first game. The Tiger defense will definitely have to show out moving forward, and they looked up to the task Friday night. I don't care if Michigan City was young had first time starters, that squad had some DUDES and I was pleasantly surprised to see how well Warsaw held them in check.

Unfortunately going to be a quick prediction post for tonight. SB Adams at Northridge - Last season's postseason run to a State Championship appearance is fully in the review mirror at kickoff tonight. Losing Gott is a tough gut punch for the Raiders, but I fully anticipate their defense to be what keeps them in games early this season. Adams is breaking in a new coach on short notice, so I am expecting the home team to when a defensive slugfest (perhaps because neither offense will be up and ready week 1)... Northridge by 12 Elkhart at Concord - Quite a bit of excitement for this one it seems, especially on the Elkhart side of things. I think the Lions will be a solid squad this year, but first game under a new coach at the Jake... maybe it's my NLC-tinted glasses, but I'll take the Minutemen at home... Concord by 3 Fairfield at Goshen - While the Falcons have been a solid team the last 3 seasons, I am putting high hopes into Coach Wogomon at his alma mater this season. The Redhawks have won 5 of 6 in this series, and I do not see them dropping this one at home... Goshen by 13 Michigan City at Warsaw - The Wolves have owned this series so far, but lost a bit to graduation. The Tigers return their QB and HB, 2 keys to the Bart Ball offense. This game will be determined in the trenches, where the Tigers are young. Again, maybe wishful thinking... Warsaw by 6 Mishawaka at Marian - Backyard Brawl will be featured on Channel 46 tonight and tomorrow morning. The Knights are always a solid program, but the Cavemen have owned this matchup historically. I think the younger Fisher's experience from last year will serve him and their offense well... Mishawaka by 16 NorthWood at Jimtown - Not really sure what to expect from the Jimmies this season. After only scoring 6 points combined in weeks 1 & 2 last year (against NorthWood and Concord), their offense exploded on their way to an NIC Division championship. But the Panthers are my surprise pick to win the NLC this year... NorthWood by 8 Plymouth at East Noble - According to some other threads, the Knights lost quite a bit from graduation. However, they could probably run their C team out against the Rockies and threaten a victory. Not expecting much in Blueberry town this season... East Noble by 21 Wawasee at Tippecanoe Valley - The Vikings also lost some studs from last season's undefeated regular season team. I like that this game has been put on the schedule for both programs, and I expect this game to be a little closer than last year's blow out. Still not convinced on much about the Warriors for this season though... Tippecanoe Valley by 14

Hopefully I don't eat my words, but I would be will to bet my fictitious mortgage on Warsaw +18 tonight. I know the Wolves have defeated the Tigers by 20 and 19 points the last two seasons, but with this game being moved up to Week 1 and being in Warsaw tonight, I'm expecting the Tigers to keep it competitive. Really loved this series against Michigan City!

I will be watching the Tigers host Michigan City in Warsaw. May be my only opportunity to see the Tigers in person this year. Should be a good one to start the season!

Here are my predictions for the NLC race this season. We'll check back in 9 short weeks to see how I've done. 1. NorthWood - I think they surprise and win the title this year in a wide open conference race. They have two QBs with quite a bit of experience and athletes all over the field. With the new schedule, they have a tough lineup week's 3-7, so we'll know by October how this prediction plays out. 2. Warsaw - The Tigers have only won 1 NLC Title under Coach Curtis, and always seem to get tripped up in a game that ultimately prevents them from claiming the crown. They should be solid this season bringing back their QB and getting back a stud FB from injury, and defensively anchored by the Katris twins. 3. Mishawaka - The Cavemen will be a good team this year and will easily compete for the NLC crown again. However, they are 0-2 against the Tigers since their move to the new conference, and with the game at Warsaw this season, I see them losing another close battle and perhaps another game this season. 4. Goshen - Here's an even bigger surprise than picking NorthWood as champs. I think Coach Wogomon gets the Redhawks on the right track, and they have a QB with plenty of experience. His play is what I'm betting on for Goshen to end up in the top half of the NLC this season as opposed to the other contenders below them here. 5. Northridge - I firmly believe the Raiders will once again have the or one of the stoutest defenses in the conference. However, can they score on offense? Losing Gott was a bigger blow than what I think some Northridge fans are leading on. If they somehow figure something out on that side of the ball, they can move up this list, but they'll need to prove that first. 6. Concord - They definitely have athletes and a few "dudes" on the roster this year, but I think they see a big drop off following their championship season from last year. Starting their NLC schedule with NorthWood then Warsaw, might be the deciding factor for them. If they played those teams later in the season, maybe they'd have a chance with more experience under their belt. Coach Koehler is great though and can definitely get the Minutemen to eat my words. 7 & 8 Wawasee/Plymouth - Both of these teams will be just as bad as they have been for the last few seasons. The Warriors have the benefit of having the same coach, whereas the Rockies are breaking in a new coach who did not exactly set the world on fire during his time at Wabash. Wawasee also has a fairly manageable schedule their first 4 weeks of the season, whereas Plymouth opens with 3 consecutive road games that will all but certainly be losses. This definitely feels like a season in which we will have some sort of shared title between two or more teams. Would not surprise me at all. Best of luck to all NLC schools in Week 1! I'll make those predictions tomorrow.

Pretty sure starting a week later would cause the State Championship games to NOT fall on Thanksgiving weekend, unless my math is off. If we go a week later (and eliminate the scrimmage), that would be a first game of the season on 8/26 this year instead of 8/19. 8/26 - Week 1 9/2 - Week 2 9/9 - Week 3 9/16 - Week 4 9/23 - Week 5 9/30 - Week 6 10/7 - Week 7 10/14 - Week 8 10/21 - Week 9 10/28 - Sectional Quarterfinals 11/4 - Sectional Semifinals 11/11 - Sectional Championships 11/18 - Regional Championships 11/25 - Semi-State Championships (THANKSGIVING) 12/2 - State Championships

For scrimmages, looks like: Warsaw hosts Fort Wayne Northside Mishawaka lines up against Elkhart Wawasee goes up against Mishawaka Marian Concord goes up against SB St Joseph Goshen is a part of a jamboree (miss those!) against Jimtown, Bremen and Fairfield. Who does Plymouth, Northridge and NorthWood scrimmage against?

Always love a good Swordfish sighting! I remember the days when you contributed heavily to the NLC threads. And old Houndstooth Hat who was a Wawasee backer I believe. A few others specific to Plymouth and NorthWood that always added to the conversations as well.

All quiet in the NLC... it's a shame we do not have more posters here. I feel like back in the day we had quite a few from Plymouth and NorthWood, and Concord, Wawasee and Goshen posters have all but disappeared. Who scrimmages who this upcoming week? Warsaw is scrimmaging Fort Wayne North Side, and I believe I saw Mishawaka scrimmages Elkhart.

Starts in Round 3 now I believe. It used to only be Round 1 where the higher seeds would host, but then the OHSAA expanded their playoffs a few years back. Now the first two rounds, the higher seed hosts. Round 3 - their "Regional Semi-Finals" - neutral sites are utilized.

Up in Michiana - here is this season's TV-46 Game of the Week schedule: They have left weeks 6 through 9 open, which I think is a great idea. I think they have done this the last few seasons and it has helped guarantee some good matchups on the back half of the season. We'll see where things sit in a little over a month, but here are some good options for games in those last four weeks (first game is my guess as to which matchup will end up airing: Week 6: Mishawaka at Warsaw / Mishawaka Marian at Penn / Bremen at John Glenn / LaVille at Knox Week 7: John Glenn at LaVille / NorthWood at Mishawaka / Concord at Northridge Week 8: New Prairie at Penn / Mishawaka Marian at Elkhart / Mishawaka at Concord Week 9: Warsaw at Northridge / Elkhart at New Prairie / South Bend St. Joseph at Mishawaka Marian

Hoosier21 - I don't follow many of these schools here. What makes you think Parke Heritage and Covington will decline this year and the Vermillion's rising above them? Anything specific on those 4 teams?

Anyone with actual insights into their NLC programs? No offense to the self-appointed head honcho above (driving views, creating content, promoting Indiana high school football blah blah blah I know, I get it), but was looking for legitimate updates as opposed to opinion based comments