BLACKGOLD2007

In the past 10 football seasons, including the short season, Riley has gone 36-64. During this time they have had 4 different coaches. They have had: 5 losing seasons: 2014: 1-9, 2015: 1-10, 2016: 2-8, 2020: 3-7, 2021: 1-6 3 .500 seasons: 2013: 5-5, 2019: 5-5, 2022: 5-5 2 winning seasons: 2017: 7-4, 2018: 6-5 To me a program that has a lot of turn over at the HC position and has a big history of losing, should be recognized for their historic achievement. Riley ends the season with two of the three games are winnable games. The NP game is their best test as of yet, and if they can notch this win, this will likely be the best Riley team to ever take a football field. Since 1994 Riley has not started a season 6-0. The closest they got was a 4-0 in 95 when they lost a close game to Mishawaka. If they had beat Mishawaka they would have gone undefeated into the Penn game in week 8.

The benefit of winning.

As a Penn fan, the play the schedule given moto is very real. There have been years where we have been a great team that played a weak schedule and years we have been really bad and played very tough schedules. I think that the Riley coach deserves to be considered the front runner for Coach of the Year, even if there isn't an actual award.

Go Giants!

I would have put Penn at 15, only because I don't trust them. That loss to Cathedral in typical Penn fashion only makes me think that, Carroll 2.0 will happen again in the sectionals. I can't believe in CP until they actually perform in the playoffs.

Sadly, Clay could not overcome the Jimtown JV team in a close battle on last Saturday. I feel for those kids.

WHAT?!?!

I personally think there is a lot of angst towards Penn built up over the years. Maybe more so with long term fans, more so than parents. I think that the turn over in coaching helps reduce the likely hood of this, but we wont know until we see it.

Interesting question I would like to pose to fans of the other schools (not Penn). In your opinion, if your school had Penn down by 21 in the 4th qt and your team is on Penn's 2 yard line under 1 minute left, would your team score? Would you be upset if Penn scored? (who likely at that point in the game has their backups in under the same situation)

A lot of away teams should win this weekend.

Thanks AI, that is perfect.

I think Mishawaka paved their football field last year. then allowed the elements to eat away at it....so massive pot holes all over the field. So, if Mishawaka gets homefield advantage look out.

Who do you think will be in the final four for 5A? As of right now I would say: North: Valpo v Snider South: Bloomington North v Plainfield. (I know nothing about either school)

On grass or on turf. All jokes folks all jokes.

So, if Clay does win, does this count towards a conference win?

We haven't seen Mishawaka in a few years, is it the same QB from last year? Their FB runs downhill and hard, they didn't utilize their wings much, but they aren't always in the traditional triple option formation. I think Mishawaka's problem in the playoffs will be handling Snider's speed come the regional game.

I think that the officials have been all over the place in our games. Flag happy, to just not calling anything. Heck we had a ref that throw a flag and wait it felt like minutes to make the call. It is just strange the inconsistency and antics from some of these guys. But, it is easy to criticize from the stands.

They still run the ball more, but they can throw the ball. Mishawaka has some really athletic talented players on that field. The biggest issue, is mistakes. They hurt themselves enough for Penn to exploit during their matchup a couple weeks ago. I would not be surprised if they are the best team out of the NLC this year.

Temp Where do you see Mishawaka? Near the 25 mark or further back?

Penn 100% was flat and lacked emotion on Offense. I will give credit to both teams on Defense, both units played with heart and emotion. I think Penn was finally able to make the adjustments that were needed to move the ball. They got Nolan out of the pocket moving to his right and was able to connect on some 20 yard passes. Once they lifted the lid off the D, Penn was able to run the ball down the hear of the Elkhart D. Coaches need to identify these things faster during the beginning of a game. Elkhart would hold back on 1st and 2nd down then bring the pressure on 3rd, especially if Penn was in 3rd and long. Also Penn needs to eliminate their zone plays. They run down hill very well and can kill you with a read option. It was an ugly half for the Penn O, but they figured it out at the half. If Penn had played well in the first half this would have been a blow out, but again credit to Elkhart D for their great effort.

21-0 Penn 9mins left

Penn TD before the end of the 3rd qt. 14-0

Conservative play calling and lack of enthusiasm. Penn finally scores 7-0 3rd 4 mins left

Penn v Elkhart 0-0 half

Penn is flat 0-0 end of 1