BLACKGOLD2007

Could you do a hybrid seeding process, yes it will take more effort on the IHSAA's part but I think it will appease the fan bases. Seed the sectional, then based on sectional winners re-seed the regional matchups. Once you are in Semi-state it does not matter. At that point you either go with better record gets home field or you could go by Sagarin ratings. But Brownsburg v Ben Davis game 1 of the playoffs.. Come on....those two programs played amazing ball all year, to be ousted game 1....with the likes of 0-9 programs....that shouldn't be happening. I personally would prefer a fully seeded playoffs, idc how you seed it, but this nonsense of who gets homefield based on who played away or didnt....better seeded teams should be playing at home. That is the benefit of playing a tough schedule and winning.

Probably the upcoming set with Carmel. I cannot imagine dropping the Mishawaka game so quickly after working hard to get it back on the schedule.

I agree, they should also be behind Carroll, the problem is Penn is the benefactor of winning their lack luster conference schedule. Not saying it is right, but the polls only look surface deep. We all know Cathedral will be competing for Semi-State if not in Semi-State, Penn will be considered lucky to make it out of the sectional.

I cannot tell you the last time Penn has played in a slop fest....probably back at Mishawaka when Waka won 4 in a row on the Kingsmen. This is going to be a big help for NP, Penn has not faced adversity well this season.

Well I think if the mid-sized schools that were listed previously were able to join together, I don't think Penn would end up being tied into the hybrid NLC elite conference. I think at that point Penn either goes independent in just football or in all sports or joins the DAC as a full member.

PREACH!

I think I saw that Avon has the best strength of schedule, per Sagarin ratings in 6A, just by that alone, they would probably beat Penn.

Have you heard of any talks within the program and the administration of considering a move? Where I sit at the games, the few die-hards around our section are ready for a change, but most of the fans these days are parents or extended family.

Avon....the best 0-7 team in the state?

Welcome to the club.... Teams who are not what they used to be. founding member Penn.

How about a conference made up of these teams: Riley, Adams, Washington, Goshen, Plymouth, Wawasee, St. Joe & Marian The biggest outlier here is Wawasee out in the sticks, but I think we would find this conference to be more competitive then some of our current arrangements.

To you, does it make sense for Penn to explore independence in Football but remain an NIC member in other sports?

I agree, but the SB schools and the Catholic schools could band together to have a small conference. Because where do they go? All independent? Maybe St. Joe and Marian can join the new small school conference that Glenn, Bremen and Jimtown are leaving for. Would the NLC consider St. Joe and Marian? I think NP and Penn to the DAC is a good option, Elkhart will likely go to the NLC.

Looking at the schedules this year of the schools from the "big school" division, Penn and Elkhart both full advantage of the available 4 non conference games, St. Joe played 3 teams from outside our conference and Marian played 4 teams from outside the conference for the first time this season. Each of these schools has to find 2 teams to drop, (Morton was a filler game for Penn, not sure about Elkhart). I think a fair compromise would be 6 game conference schedule and 3 non. This is forcing Penn to make a choice of Mishawaka or Carmel.... Or, Penn just needs to bite the bullet and go independent in football for the time being. I just don't see the benefit of going along with handicapping your schedule to play Washington and Riley (traditionally speaking) every year again.

So, I heard on a radio show before the games last night, Freeby said that the NIC is going to play 7 conference games? Has anyone heard anything different?

This is not a dig on St. Joe, but Penn played poorly last night. St. Joe made plays they needed to, but Penn took the old gun to their own foot method in their first two drives, which gave St. Joe confidence. Penn cannot afford to play this way next weekend against NP.

Parity?

The NLC is a conference no one wants to step up and claim the title.

Thank you Temp, for fixing the Carroll/Penn ranking. Penn decided last night they were going to play with their food for the first 15ish minutes. GETTING TIRED OF THIS!

shoot I am sorry, they played St. Joe. I was so frustrated by Penn's play and that it felt Penn was also playing the Refs, I forgot.

28-0 Final Penn wins

Penn TD 28-0

Penn returns a punt for a TD 21-0 8:34 in 3rd

Penn scores TD before half. 14-0 (should be 28-0)