oldunclemark

On 11/16/2020 at 2:24 PM, Boilernation said:

That's 2 years in a row that the SAC Champ/Co Champ hasn't looked good against middle to cellar dwellar HCC Teams and then throw in Westfield dismantled Homestead. The HCC is heads and shoulder above everyone not named the MIC. I'll give them them the benefit over my beloved Duneland in any matchup. 

I think Valpo is in serious trouble. They lacked a great passing game last year and the upgrate was supposed to be when Grimes transferred in from Lafayette Jeff. He ended up leaving the 1st half of the Penn game with an injury and hasn't been seen since.  Valpo is a ground and pound team that will use the massive size/strength of their lines to run the ball down ZIonsville's throat and stop the ZIonsville offense. I can see this game turning into a 14-10 type of game that sees a lot of clock being burned up by running the ball. I'll give Zionsville the edge due to tougher schedule and Zionsville has a QB in Stone that capable of making big plays with is arm. 

I have a feeling Merrillville will keep it somewhat close and Westfield will end up winning by around 14. JoJo Johnson is not easy to contain. He and Marcus Hardy con generate some offense for the Pirates. 

Nothing against Marion, but I'll take the Bricks by 10+. I can't see them losing at home in a game that puts them back into a State Final Appearance for the first time since 1996. Especially since they were so close last year.

BoilerMan;

You called it....Zionsville over Valpo by 3 TDs.....I was shocked but you werent....

Who do you like in IU at Ohio State? 😏

     To all;

I'm hearing that no fans will be allowed for the semistates....is that true?

6 minutes ago, Bobref said:

“Good” is somewhat ambiguous. My opinion is based on a comparison of Duneland teams top to bottom relative to other conferences. It’s not really possible to say whether the quality of play is as good as it was then. What I feel confident in saying is that the overall quality of play in the conference has declined relative to the quality of play in other conferences.

That may or may not be but it's not what I'm talking about at all. Its not my point. 

I feel like the 'overall quality' of the Duneland Athletic Conference ( a phrase just as ambiguous as 'good', I know) has declined compared to the DAC in 2000  or 2004 or 2008 .

That was by baseline thought. 

But the DAC will get more teams downstate now due to a change in the playoff structure..

...........so judging conference by their post-season records can be (and is in the DAC ) misleading.

28 minutes ago, Bobref said:

No, it’s not.

Its debatable, Bob, because almost everything is.........but I dont think the DAC is as good...

I don't put much weight on conference's overall post-season results.

Two Duneland Athletic Conference teams could reach the state finals this month. 

But it is debatable if the DAC is better than it was 10-15 years ago.... So what's changed?

When there was no Class 6A, all DAC teams were Class 5A and the DAC had only one route to the state finals and that route went through Penn.

Now that there is Class 5A and Class 6A, (and that Penn has declined a bit), the DAC can get two teams to the semistate almost every year (Michigan City and LaPorte have made it for the first time ever recently).

The post-season league wide results LOOK better but the league isnt necessarily better as a whole.

3 hours ago, WestfieldRocks said:

Actually Westfield had 5 possessions in the first half. They scored TDs on four of them, and had a poor snap on a short field goal attempt causing a miss on the other possession. They then scored on their first 2 possessions of the second half, then called off the dogs the remainder of the game.

Homestead didn't shorten the game........they lengthened it...apparently No. 26 was injured...

.............only ran 2 times.......//.............the Homestead QB is a prolific passer, right.....36 TDs......

Westfield was easily the better team but Merrillville isn't going to play them that way.

On 11/16/2020 at 1:21 PM, Staxawax said:

If the Homestead beatdown didn't convince you, then you'll find out Friday. Then CG will beat down on Westfield.

Getting back to the game..Stax..

Merrillville isnt going to play Westfield the way Homestead did.  Homestead spread out 4 or 5 receivers and threw a ton. I think Westfield got 8 possessions in the first half.

That wont happen this Friday

Merrillville is going to run their big halfback 20 times and throw off of that...

Westfields offensive line looks strong and mobile but Homestead was in a 3-man rush too many times. 

This game is no mismatch

5 hours ago, Tommy said:

Back to back semi-state wins for Valpo would guarantee an automatic bump up to class 6A for 2021-2022 under the IHSAA success factor rule.

I heard that Valparaiso dropped from 6A to 5A because if the Elkhart consolidation...which turned two smaller schools into 1 6A.

Valpo was 6A three years ago

1 minute ago, Staxawax said:

If the Homestead beatdown didn't convince you, then you'll find out Friday. Then CG will beat down on Westfield.

Could be. I'm just surprised at the number  If Westfield is 21 points better than Merrillville,    I have to see that. 

.........and a 5-loss Zionsville team is going to jack up the undefeated Valparaiso team that is 22-1 in 2 years?  Let's kick that one off.  

2 minutes ago, temptation said:

HCC records are deceiving my man.  They have also played Cathedral (#1 in 5A), Brownsburg (top 3 team in 6A all year) and Zionsville (5A semi-state team playing this weekend).  They went 2-1 in those games.

You already knew that though.  Wins in the HCC are hard to come by.

I'm thinking once you play Cathedral,  nobody else's roster or record is going to intimidate you in the slightest

21 minutes ago, WestfieldRocks said:

I've wondered that myself. Since not much travel would be involved as was the case with Merrillville traveling to Indy, I would say Westfield should win. i'm assuming that Chatard has a much smaller roster, and Westfield would eventually wear them down. But again, Merrillville never was able to do that. 

Merrillville was up 14-0 on Elkhart but, after that, they just survived.....and, to me, it wasnt so much that the Pirates lost to Chatard. it was the 550 yards Chatard rolled up..

The Shamrocks (incidently, why Shamrocks?)  stomping Homestead was impressive....but Merrillville is very balanced on offense..and nobody's really shut them down.

6A is the major leagues..and Westfield's played almost all 6As

15 hours ago, temptation said:

I like Hobart by 7-10, Valpo is in a pick em with Zionsville and Westfield by 17-21.

Yes.

There is no comparison between Elkhart and Westfield’s schedule.  Night and day.

But Temp;

Arent there six sub .500 teams on Westfield's schedule?   (count Noblesville (2-8) and Fishers (3-8) twice each)  17 to 21 points.....really.  Why is Westfield so good? 

1 hour ago, WestfieldRocks said:

Of note, that was Westfield's second game of the season. Maximus Webster was still the second string QB. Like the first game against Cathedral, he did see some playing time off of the bench. This kid has been exceptional since earning the starting job. Also of note, in the next game, against Zionsville, Westfield won 49-16,  up 42-0 at the half, with a running clock the entire second half. 

If Westfield played Bishop Chatard, who would win?

13 minutes ago, scarab527 said:

http://scoreboard.homestead.com/football/capsFri.htm#loaded

I'd be curious if anyone who has actually seen Westfield thinks they'll beat Merrillville by 21.

1 hour ago, scarab527 said:

Agree with a lot of what was said here. John Harrell predicts Merrillville-Westfield at 38-17. I think it’ll be closer than this, but I too think Westfield wins. Valpo’s defense has been their saving grace this season, if Zionsville can’t contain Jones and Dingman on the edges, Valpo may be able to ride Burbee to a grinding victory, like they have most of the season. But with Cathedral waiting, maybe it’s a better thing if they don’t win. As for Hobart, I still think they have to be favored this week, but you’re totally correct, a few weeks ago, I would’ve said Hobart was the favorite to represent 4A North at LOS. But these past two weeks, specifically the game against Lowell, have me doubting this team. Marion also seems to be rolling right now. Hobart will need to play much better this week. 

scarab

What do you mean John Harrell predicts Merrillville-Westfield at 38-17. ?   

1 hour ago, GFND74 said:

Resident Giants fan here lol. This is the first game that the Giants have had this postseason that has me nervous. I'll admit that I don't know much about Hobart, but the little bit that I did watch of them against Lowell and Logan, they seemed big for sure. Throw in the long bus ride and I can see this being the game where the Giants run out of steam. I hope not obviously, but im sure it'll be good either way.

Hobart is not a come-from-behind team...but they arent behind much. Very experienced defensively and a strong pass rush team.

The Giants look fast. They need big plays and a turnover or two.

You'll like the stadium. Big visitors grandstand,.

4 hours ago, PHJIrish said:

Football players are always warm, as they have pads and uniforms to keep them that way.  That's a lot different than baseball, and especially soccer.  Besides, when you're young and fired up the weather is not as important to you as it is the older folks.  That's my honest opinion.

Fair enough.

By the way, does the big, green team (Valparaiso) have a chance against the Fighting Irish in 2 weeks? 

Andrean's loss means they remain a Class 2A team for two more years, right?

On 11/13/2020 at 2:24 AM, TheStatGuy said:

Id say itd have to be in negatives. 

I hear you. For me?   ....A forecast of 15 degrees or below for a night game?  With temps in the 30s the next day?? 

Move it to daylight the next day.  I think its a realistic thought. 

And its not just the boys and coaches at football games. I would never make my children stand outside 2 hours in 15 degree weather. 

On 11/13/2020 at 10:14 AM, PHJIrish said:

Yep!  If it's too cold for you, just stay home.  Because it's football!

Not about me. Its about the children.

Same kids that play soccer and baseball. They postpone due to cold, right?

Whats different about football

I'm just looking for a serious number. How cold before its too cold.

10 minutes ago, Staxawax said:

There’s no guarantee that the next afternoon would be any better.

 I would invite you to go into YouTube history and watch the ice bowl NFL championship game of ‘67 I believe. Daytime, below zero actual temp.

I also remember a playoff game in Cincinnati about 15 years ago with similar temps.... also a day game.

It’s football.

Its a game.

When a baseball game is called due to cold, there's no guarantee it wont rain the next day. You still postpone. 

Most days are warmer than the preceding night. agreed? You postpone until its warmer.   Its kids. 

If zero is not too cold for children to play football outside.? Okay. What is?  That's my question.

(By the way, I watched Ice Bowl live on CBS.   I am that old..

I thought Bart Starr quick snapped Dallas on that QB sneak. Cowboys should have won./) 

1 hour ago, PHJIrish said:

There's no such thing as "too cold" for this old fan!  I have the clothing to keep me warm.  I have hot socks, hoodies and a hot seat, a cushion that keeps your behind almost sweaty.  I have played in 35 degree weather and I don't think the cold is that much uncomfortable for the players.  I remember a team a few years ago that had propane heaters in the bench area to keep they warm when not playing.

We need to dress warmly and enjoy the games while we can!

Its never too cold for the moms.      Check out Nov. 1, 2019 at Lake Central...Kickoff 39 degrees....maybe 29 at the end

3 hours ago, Indiana Fan said:

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

But soccer, baseball and cross country can be moved to a warmer day for the sake of the children? 

1 hour ago, PHJIrish said:

There's no such thing as "too cold" for this old fan!  I have the clothing to keep me warm.  I have hot socks, hoodies and a hot seat, a cushion that keeps your behind almost sweaty.  I have played in 35 degree weather and I don't think the cold is that much uncomfortable for the players.  I remember a team a few years ago that had propane heaters in the bench area to keep they warm when not playing.

We need to dress warmly and enjoy the games while we can!

But PH, what about 25 degrees?  What about 15 degrees?  What about 5 degrees?

We can never postpone a game from Friday night to Saturday afternoon because of cold? Because its football?

      Two weeks ago, it was 28 degrees at the end of the sectional semifinals up here in Lake County.

      The temps Friday (Nov. 13) will be freezing ....32  soon after kickoff.

How cold does it have to be before we postpone a Friday night game and move it to Saturday afternoon in the daylight...?

Spring sports have (or used to have) recommendations about what the minimum temperature was/is probably because these are children we're sending out to play games. 

Saturdays in November are almost wide open for prep sports.  How cold does it have to be before we push a Friday night game to Saturday. ?  What's the number?