BLACKGOLD2007

No surprised Is Westfield flat?

Hmm.

Yes locally it took top tier teams to come out with the win. However, the program as a traditional 6A power has been in a downward trend. Getting throttled by the best teams and then coming home and struggling to beat schools thousands of kids smaller than you, is a very very very bad look. I get it took the mentioned schools best teams to beat some of Penn's worst teams. Don't take this wrong, it shouldn't happen. It did and that is what it is, but as a program that is deep with tradition, the fans do not stomach those defeats well.

Now to be fair... Penn is not the classic reload team anymore. Either these past two seasons are the ship correcting course or a hiccup in the downward spiral of the program. 2023: 10-2 2022: 7-3 2021: 6-6 2020: 5-5 lost in sectionals 2019: 6-5 lost in sectionals 2018: 8-3 lost in sectionals 2017: 12-2 The last time Penn made state. If Penn gets back to competing for semi-state every year, then yes it will be cut and paste each year. I agree with @npcougar15 Penn needs to have a big picture conversation, administration, coaches and boosters. Penn should petition the NIC to leave in Football and remain in other sports. If that is not agreed upon, they should look for full membership in the DAC. If Penn leaves I would not be surprised if the NLC makes a move for at least Elkhart and potentially NP, Marian and St. Joe.

That gap between Chatard and Knox.... about what I expected.

I am going to go out on a limb.... Riley, will not be as "good" as they were this year. Based on the post season result for Riley this year, either the NIC as a whole was bad or Riley just did not perform against Wawasee. Penn is a one loss team going into the playoffs. (If Penn keeps Carmel and drops Mishawaka). NP finishes 2nd in the conference. Washington becomes the new Clay.

Thank you! I enjoy the input everyone from Fort Wayne, the Region and down around Indy have...It helps me have a better insight into what people are seeing and experiencing on the field. Thank you all!

I think that whoever wins is a strong favorite over CP, I think that if Westfield comes out of the north, they will present a bigger threat to both Center Grove and Ben Davis. But, I think that 6A south is going to have three state-championship style games in one playoff. Ben Davis - Brownsburg Ben Davis - Cathedral Ben Davis - Center Grove

Just looking at the level of teams and quality of teams Chatard played this year...I would be surprised if Knox won.

I will give Knox credit they have had an amazing season, but have they played anyone to the caliber of Chatard? This feels like TV game all over again...

Penn QB threw for 370 and 5tds....and they lost.

I am excited for the 6A matchups and the 5A north matchup, sorry I just don't know much about the other levels of play...other than Northwood in 4A. Westfield @ Cp. Center Grove @ Ben Davis Merrillville @ Snider I am expecting hard fought games in each of these competitions. My knee jerk predictions on who wins are in bold.

I agree 100% understandable. They are the one school that has been the most consistent from that are of the state to come northward.

I am assuming most of these games were played in playoff games. There was a stretch of games between Penn and Carmel in the early years of 6A that were close. (I define close as 2 score games)

Yes, the kick was straight and then as it got to the line of scrimmage the rotation of the ball changed and the path changed as well. It was two great plays by CP special teams. I don't fault the call, I personally thought that going for the endzone in that moment was the better play. Penn had CP reeling that drive, I have a strong feeling that Penn could have found a way into the endzone.

How far back in History are you going on this one...Recent history...like 5 seasons, or further back.

I would like to think that Penn did not put their best foot forward in the Cathedral game. I would hope that the team that never gave up last night would show up if they had could play Cathedral all over again. But, all we have to go by is what happened. When Penn leveled the game at 20 and got the ball back after forcing the second punt (in two drives, in the 3rd quarter) by CP, there was a feeling on the Penn side that we were going to move down the field and score and take control. Penn fumbles on a QB/RB exchange, something we had not seen all season long. CP recovers scores and then scores again. Now Penn's backs were against the wall. Down 14, at home all the momentum on the other side. Penn of seasons past would have folded. This team rallied from down 14 twice, and missing 2xpt opportunities and a field goal, just wont get the job done. I think CP will score on Westfield, especially the game being at home. The CP fans had a good showing at Penn last night, and were loud. Westfield will be in a fight, I just think they need to limit the long third down conversions, something CP was pulling off all night long.

When Crown Point blocked the game tying extra point...I knew any kick from that point were questionable. The only thing I might have done different is going for the endzone at the end of the game. I just felt that even though the odds of scoring were low, we had been so successful that drive, it just felt like the right option. But, Crown Point used their God given height to their advantage, and got a hand on the kick.

He threw for 370 yards last night....I cannot tell you the last time Penn has thrown for that much.

Look, yes it sucks to get beat by 1....but, damn I was so happy that Penn fought back from down 14 twice...rather than roll over and die, like teams of past seasons. CP is a good team, their D has issues in the pass game, as some folks mentioned in other threads. Penn left too many plays on the field, and they got beat. But, I am so proud of the Kingsmen last night. I wish we were playing Westfield next weekend....but I might make the trip to watch the Ben Davis v Center Grove game. That will be another great game.

Crown Point 34 - Penn 33 Westfield 24 - Hamilton Southeastern 21 Ben Davis 27 - Indianapolis Cathedral 24 Center Grove 14 - Warren Central 0 Merrillville 24 - Valparaiso 20 Fort Wayne Snider 19 - Mishawaka 18 I think it can be said that these games were what High School football should be. Congrats to each team that played in these games. You proved why you deserved to be in this game.

This was the quintessential if these teams play 10 times what would the outcome be. They played 48 minutes of heavy weight war on a football field. CP was dangerous running and throwing, Penn was lethal through the air. It came down to a handful of plays, and CP came out on top of those plays. HELL of a game, happy I got to witness it. The range of emotions that both teams and fans went through. The swings of momentum, and those final two drives...CP trying to ice the game, Penn gets a stop and then has to drive 95 yards to have a chance...They get to the CP 29 with 14 seconds left...CP gets a hand on the kick and walk away with the win. Yes it sucks we didn't win, but I was proud that the kids never gave up. They fought all the way to the finish line. Congrats to the Bulldogs.

Penn gets the ball back with less than 2 mins. Drives down and takes a 44yd field goal. CP got a hand on it. CP wins 34-33

Holy f**** Penn forces a poor punt and scores Blocked pat 33-34 5:42 remaining in the fourth

3 plays and Penn claws back in it. 34-27