Purdue Pete

This may be specific to 4A and below but after closely watching area programs over the past 10 years it seems to me that what you are in middle school is what you'll be in HS.  Success breeds success.  If you're winning in middle school kids want to be a part of that ... so they stick with it and... those who aren't playing start to play.  Area kids who aren't winning want to be a part of that so when 9th grade rolls around ... and if they have a choice... they migrate.  I've seen coaching changes hurt a program.  But i can't think of situation where a coaching change has turned a bottom dweller into a solid program in less than 3 years (enough time to turn 8th graders into Juniors).  If i'm wrong please site an example.  If not, it would seem...

1. Coaches should be looking primarily at the MS level when they take over a program. 

2. if your program is solid you better be investing heavily in youth and MS or you won't be solid for long. 

3. Winning is important in MS.  I'm not saying it is the same as HS, but, you still have to play to win the game.

Huntington North at Dekalb - Over/Under for total passing plays in the game is 6.  Dekalbs going to get much better between last week and this week.  Rust is knocked off.  HN game with EN wasn't as close as it looked and now, even that doesn't look as good as it did a few weeks ago.  Dekalb 19 HN 7

Leo at Bellmont - 42-0 Leo

New Haven at Columbia City - CC is overrated.  NH got stung out of the gate against Norwell and never recovered.  Am thinking they'll come to play Friday.  NH 28 CC 24

Norwell at East Noble - EN offense isn't what it has been.  Norwell defense always shows up... but will the offense?  Taking the Knights 17-14

In the battle of the "Knights" i should clarify... Norwell 17-14

Was surprised to see woodlan on this list given they play in ACAC.  What are they doing scheduling SB Adams and Leo non-Conf?  Need to dial the level of difficulty WAY back until they get their feet back under them.

17 hours ago, Basementbias said:

Might be a little hard if AC runs the play clock down on each snap and runs the ball non stop.

True... probably would lose some $ on that bet.

On 8/30/2020 at 9:21 AM, DT said:

Given the tremendous success of the recent Pioneer - Chesterton and Gibson Southern - Columbus North matchups, Id like to see the schedule makers roll this new concept out so all areas of the state might have a chance to partake in the fun.

Here are some potential marquee matchups that will be sure to attract the attention of high school football fans across the great State of Indiana :

Ben Davis vs Caston  - The Comets are coming off their first win in 30 games and have some momentum under a new coaching staff.  BD is reeling after consecutive mercy ruls blowouts to HCC stalwarts Avon and Brownsburg.  The Giants might be ripe for the picking in this one.    Caston 28-24

Center Grove vs Edinburgh - This is a matchup that fans on the southside of Indy have longed for for years. I like the Trojans in a tight battle 17-14 in OT.

Merrillville vs Whiting - Region fans wont be shut out of the fun as the Pirates and Oilers rumble on the brisk Lake Michigan lakefront.  Whiting knows the prevailing wind patterns much better than the visiting Pirates and pull out a 38-28 upset with a wind aided second half aerial attack.

Lafayette Jeff vs South Newton - The Rebels bring out all the firepower they can muster, but cant hold off the mutidimentional Jeff offense as the Bronchos win going away 66-6.

Penn vs Adams Central - The Kingsman wanted nothing of this matchup when it was scheduled, and it sure showed as the Flying Jets bombarded the porous Penn defensive secondary in a 35-14 AC victory.  The Penn program is sufferring from severe self doubt after the loss 

Perry Meridian vs Indiana School for the Deaf  - This one was never in doubt.  Deaf dominates from start to finish in a 56-21 pasting of the 6A Falcons.  

Lawrence North vs Indianapolis Tindley - This all Indy affair draws a huge crowd to watch LN IU recruit Donaven McCulley light up the Tindley defense in a 42-14 Wildcat victory.  The Tindley Tigers keep it competitive in the second half, limiting the high powered LN offense two just two scores after the break.  

Warren Central vs Covenant Christian -  In the second game of a Saturday afternoon double header following the LN-Tindley battle, Covenant comes from behind with a furios 28 point fourth quarter rally and upsets the WC Warriors 42 38.  The CC fans storm the field at Tech High School and tear down the goal posts, destroy the press box and spray paint the CC Warrior logo at the 50 yard line.  Police are called and multiple arrests are made.

Homestead vs Prairie Heights - This is a matchup that northeast Indiana fans have long waited to come to fruition.  Due to scheduling difficulties and conference tie ins, the Spartans and Panthers have been unable to hook up until now,.  Dont expect to see a repeat of this one however, as the home standing Spartans took no mercy on the visitors as Homestead bludgeoned PH 86-0 in a game that was called off midway thru the fourth qrt.  

Lake Central vs Lake Station - in a battle for Lake County bragging rights, Station pulls out all the stops and beats the underperforming Blue Indians 21-20 as LC fails on a potential game winning two point conversion.  The Lake Central staff resigns en masse following the loss.  

Indianapolis Lutheran vs Carmel - both teams are stacked and loaded, and always near the top of their respective classes.  The Saints catch the Greyhounds on an off nite and pull of the 28-24 upset.  

Floyd Central vs Switzerland County - Southern Indiana gets in on the action, and Floyd puts on a show in a 66-24 win over the game but outmanned Pacers.  Despite the lopsided score, the two schools agree to schedule a home and home for 2025-2026 as fan interest in the game was exceptionally high.

 

 

 

 

 

I will take penn -60 over AC... at half

8 hours ago, Basementbias said:

I guess I'm basing my top 10 different then the rest of you. I wasn't factoring head to head comparisons, but who will have the better season in their respective schedule. I'm only positioning based off class and schedule, giving the respect for the bigger classes as a tie-breaker so to speak.

I agree on both points.  If you're thinking P4P then SA is #1... they'll roll through the ACAC and tournament to Semi State (maybe a little bump with Southwood in regional... yes i said Southwood not AC).

If you're thinking overall then you have to move Eastside and SA out of top 10.  Pioneer will make a deep run at 2A but couldn't hold off New Haven at then end. 

1. Carroll

2. Dwenger

3. Leo

4. East Noble

5. North Side

6. Homestead

7. Concordia

8. Angola

9. New Haven

10. Coumbia City

In the mix..

Snider, Norwell, Northrop

Bellmont at Huntington North - HN 35 Bellmont 12

Columbia City at Dekalb - First real test for CC; Grass hasn't been mowed on that field for 3 weeks now; Fertilizer every other day; CC 24 Dekalb 14

East Noble at Leo - Game of the week; EN 21 Leo 17

New Haven at Norwell - Norwell breaks through and beat a top tier NE8 team; Norwell 17 NH 14

My grading scale is dependent upon how many weak teams are present as a % of total teams in the sectional.  In 6 a if u have one weak team then the sectional can’t be rated high because there are only 4 teams and the chances of an easy draw week 1 are increased.  By that logic I think my ranking goes 7, 5, 28, 19

On 9/12/2020 at 8:29 AM, fenderbender said:

28?

 

Chatard

WL

Brebeuf

GC

Tough to top

12 hours ago, LC_Bears_04 said:

After winning a regional title last season Dwenger is already guaranteed to at least stay up in class 5A for the next two year cycle.  If they happen to win state this year they would move up to class 6A, though I don’t see them beating Cathedral.

The 6a movement with a state title makes sense ... would give them 6 pts in 5A.  What is the minimum point total to stay in class once ur moved up?

Rooting for a deep Dwenger run this fall in order to keep them up in 5A

47 minutes ago, JustRules said:

I would expect contact tracing would be minimal with opponents unless you have oline/dline. You don't have a lot of sustained close contact with someone else other than there. Everything else is in very small bursts for seconds at a time. When we watch the Hudl video an entire game sometimes only has 20-30 minutes of actual activity. It's reasonable to think two players didn't have 15 minutes of close proximity. But I'm not a medical expert so I defer to those who are. Just tell me when and where my game is and I'll be there.

Tell that to Angola.  1 Dekalb player tested positive after playing in that game and 46 Angola players were put in quarantine (no idea how 1 guy was in close contact with 46 opposing players but they did it.... referenced game tapes).  Schools will do whatever the co health dept says to avoid liability.  I expect a handful of schools will see their season end in the playoffs due to covid.  

I have to take CC at home over HN by 10.  Will learn a lot about both teams.

Leo is very 1 dimensional.  But their line is so good most games it doesn’t matter.  I think it will this week.  Home team NH by 7.

Cant argue with Norwell by 28 above.

i don’t know enough about Penn to hazard a guess v EN.  But big respect for EN for scheduling a tough game.  Good luck!

I didn't see this coming with Mac's retuning players.  I know this is Mac's first game but looked like Northfield dominated on the ground.  Was anyone at the game?  New Coach at Mac as well... New offense too?

17 hours ago, Thor77 said:

All depends on who cancels. I know if I’m SA, I’m not working too hard to find a replacement on week 9 if they don’t draw the Southern Wells bye first round. 

Good point.  The more i think about it, if I'm SA i don't schedule anyone.... leave the kids at home... take COVID out of the equation right before sectional.

On 8/29/2020 at 8:11 AM, Thor77 said:

To be fair, it was easy for AC to pickup Southern Wells’ would be opponent. Not sure what their other options were. And SA picked up Cass before week 1, so I think the assumption would be that they were still decent. 

Both SA and AC have a chance to redeem themselves with SW reschedule late in the year.  Will see what they do.

18 hours ago, cw13 said:

Wow been a great game

 

going into OT

Who needs cfb?  Great game

15 hours ago, PhilLee said:

CG would beat Brownsburg easily. 

St. X completely gave that game away.  And outplayed them throughout. 

They either did not prepare themselves well during the week (with all the cramping) or were not in the best of shape to play 4 quarters.  Or possibly both.  

I’d take Brownsburg over Cg straight up

18 hours ago, Bobref said:

🤣😂😆

Brownsburg by 40.... at half

18 hours ago, Whiting89 said:

Like to see pioneer vs brownsburg

Are u kidding me?  Did u watch that game?  That’s Brownsburg by 40.... at halftime  

31 minutes ago, Grover said:

If that is the tall receiver I believe he is going to Penn State.

MLb for st x.  Kids a stud. 

Tough start to the season for Dekalb as they join the list of teams sidlined (till Sept 18th).

Conference games start next week.  Predicting a very competitive conference.  I don't think we'll see an undefeated champ this year.

13 hours ago, Purdue Pete said:

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post this but ... oh well.  Quarantines suck... BUT... never B4 have we had the opportunity to schedule so many out of conference / out of region games!  It’s Awesome!!!  Some teams are stepping up.  Some teams are taking the easy route.  List  three reschedules... grade them A,B,C,D,F based on the teams willingness to accept a tough challenge.  I have an A,B and F in mind.

Leo - A... Morresville

South Adams - C ...Cass - would’ve been a good game last year

Adams Central - F .... Fremont - Really? 

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post this but ... oh well.  Quarantines suck... BUT... never B4 have we had the opportunity to schedule so many out of conference / out of region games!  It’s Awesome!!!  Some teams are stepping up.  Some teams are taking the easy route.  List  three reschedules... grade them A,B,C,D,F based on the teams willingness to accept a tough challenge.  I have an A,B and F in mind.

1 hour ago, Plymouthfan91 said:

Remember Phil Lee is the guy who doesn't understand the value of the 10 practice rule for player safety either...

I hope you're not implying quarantining players has anything to do with player safety.  The original narrative (and it would be nice if we could stick with one to be consistent) was that we needed to slow the spread such that our hospital systems are not overwelmed by those who are at high risk.  The fella up in Steuben Co. over reacted ... of course if that was my job i'd probably do the same thing... CYA.