Kooldude

Here we go - - - what are you thinking about CIC teams in sectionals Bluffton vs. Alexandria - This is Alexandria's year to win sectional. Bluffton didn't impress me last week when I watched them on IHSAATV. Alexandria wins a hard fought close game! Elwood vs. Eastern - Eastern wins easily. They should play in the sectional finals. They've got a great draw. Madison Grant vs. Northfield - M.G. rebounds from last weeks loss with a final win of the season. Eastbrook vs. Frankton - Eastbrook and Frankton in a great battle, low scoring game, with Eastbrook winning. Hamilton Heights vs. Oak Hill - Hamilton Heights pulls away for a comfortable win. Blackford vs. TIpton - I'll take Blackford just for fun. The winner will get Eastern next week. Mississinewa vs. Western - Ole Miss seems to struggle in sectionals. I'll take them in game 1. It's been quiet, what are you all thinking!?

Let's see if there are any let downs by the top teams as they prepare for sectionals Oak Hill vs Elwood - Elwood gives Oak Hill a game, but Oak Hill pulls away. Mississinewa vs Eastbrook - one of the better games. Mississinewa is too strong for Eastbrook. Frankton vs Blackford - Frankton wins in a dull game. Madison-Grant vs Alexandria - Should be best game of the day. I'm thinking Alexandria is looking ahead to Bluffton and MG wins a close game. Looks like a cool, but nice night for football!!

Oak Hill vs Blackford - Oak Hill gets back to winning. Madison-Grant vs Eastbrook - womehow I can't give up on Eastbrook Elwood vs Mississinewa - running clock to start would be good. Alexandria vs Frankton - Alexandria takes a close game and wins by 20.

Mississinewa vs Blackford – Mississinewa scores at will. Starters are rested by halftime. Running clock. Frankton vs Madison-Grant – This should be the best game of the night. I think MG wins a close game. Oak Hill vs Alexandria – I thought Oak Hill had it going by dismantling Eastbrook, but they’ve really skidded. It will be interesting to see if Alexandria can rebound. I’m going with Alexandria to keep the losing streak going. Eastbrook vs Elwood – rough year for Eastbrook, but Elwood, is no match for Eastbrook. Eastbrook big with a running clock.

Gotta say I was surprised at a couple of outcomes last week. Some teams are making me a believer, others are fading. Let's see what's up for this week . . . Eastbrook vs Blackford - All Eastbrook. Should be a running clock from the start. I'd like to see what Eastbrook really has. Surprised they're still in the top 10. Elwood vs Madison-Grant - All M.G. Elwood will keep it close for a bit, but this is a good MG team. Surprised at the score from last weeks in over Oak Hill. Mississinewa vs Alexandria - Alexandria surprised me. I had EB in a close high scoring game. I think Missessinewa wins a higher scoring game by 2 TDs. Oak Hill vs Frankton - Oak Hill disappointed me last week. I think Frankton is becoming a much better team in a more balanced league, at least for this year. But I'm going to stick with Oak Hill. Should be a nice night out there on Friday!!

Blackford vs Elwood --- This is going to be close, but Blackford gets their only win of the year. Mississinewa vs Frankton --- Should be a decent game. I think Ole Miss has the defense to stop Frankton and better athletes. Closer than in the past, but Ole Miss by 2 TDs Madison Grant vs Oak Hill --- Another good game for 1 half. Oak Hill breaks it open in the second half to win by 3 TDs. Alexandria vs Eastbrook --- Should be the best game of the day at IWU. The preseason ends for Alexandria. I'm thinking Eastbrook wins a close game, but defense lets Alexandria down in a higher scoring game. I'm guessing EB keeps the ball away from Mcguire, especially on kicks. It's fun saying a little more relevancy in the CIC this year than in many years. Should be a great day at IWU!!

Blackford at Madison-Grant - All MG in this one. Eastbrook at Frankton - Eastbrook wins a closer than normal game against Frankton. Elwood at Alexandria - Running clock in the second half. The preseason ends for Alexandria after this one. Mississinewa at Oak Hill - I'm going with Oak Hill after they handled Eastbrook easier than I would have expected. Have a great week all!!

This week we have 2 duds and 2 nice games. It may be that way the rest of the season. Every week there will be 2 key games. Should be fun from here on out. This weeks picks - - - Alexandria vs Blackford - - Preseason continues for Alexandria. They should be well rested by the time they play Eastbrook. Frankton vs Elwood - - Let's see if Frankton can keep the momentum after an upset against Lapel. Oakhill vs Eastbrook - - I'm going with Eastbrook. Should be a good game. I think Eastbrook is still the best in the CIC. Madison-Grant vs Mississinewa - - - This is a toss up for me, but I'll go with Mississinewa. Hope all stay safe!!

Hopefully all teams will end the regular season by staying healthy. I really think Oak Hill is at a huge disadvantage as they have a super tough sectional, but end the season with most starters not playing much. Getting past Guerin Catholic is going to be a challenge. Last week I was right on, hoping for more of the same. Alex @ MG- I'm going with MG in a close game. I think the wind and cold will hurt Alexandria a bit. MG wins 26-22 Blackford @ Frankton- Frankton easily handles Blackford and is able to rest players as they prepare for Eastbrook. Frankton 42-7 Eastbrook @ Mississinewa- I'm kind of partial to Eastbrook. Close and physical game. Hopefully no injuries. Eastbrook wins a close one 28-21. Oak Hill @ Elwood- Oak Hill rests their starters whenever they want to. Oak Hill wins 77-0. Good luck and stay healthy!

Eastbrook @ Madison Grant- I think this will be the best game of the night. I'm taking Eastbrook in a close game. Not as confident about MG scoring a lot. Eastbrook wins 34- 22. Frankton @ Alexandria - I'm not sure I have confidence in either team's offense right now. Alexandria has shown they could score, so I'm thinking Alexandria does just enough to win a lower scoring close game. Alexandria wins 24 - 21. Mississinewa @ Elwood - No contest. Ole Miss in the shut out with a running clock. 67 - 0. Oak Hill @ Blackford - Another no contest game. Oak Hill wins 77 - 0. Running clock in second half. I agree as well that sectional 36 is wide open. I still see Eastbrook as the team to beat. A lot depends on getting a good draw, such as Elwood or Blackford in round 1, gives you time to heal and rest and look ahead. As the weather turns colder and possibly more adverse, it could hurt teams like Alexandria who want to throw the ball more. Have a great week all!!

No major shocks from last week. All went according to the plan. This week looks like more of the same. I don't see any upsets brewing. How about you all? Madison-Grant @ Frankton - Frankton is struggling right now and I think MG takes care of business, pulling away in the 2nd half. 47 - 13. Elwood @ Eastbrook - Eastbrook by as much as they want. Running clock slows the scoring down. 70 - 0 Alexandria-Monroe @ Oak Hill - This is for the conference championship for Oak Hill! They win tonight and their next games are against the bottom dwellers. Oak Hill takes this one in a harder fought game than expected. Oak Hill pulls away and wins 44 - 22. Blackford @ Mississinewa - Running clock in the second half. Ole Miss easily 56 - 7. Looks like great football weather. Safety to all!!

I'm not saying it's OK to blow a gasket, I was a football official for many years. Some have class, some don't. But when you especially run a trick play and get a penalty for someone not being set, then that coach has lost the opportunity to run that play again for awhile. And usually, it's the other coaches who keep chirping who don't know the rules anyways. LOL

It's crazy they only had 10 on the field. And they were NOT all set. Would have been nice to see them break the huddle, to get a better view of it. If you notice the inside receiver on the top of the screen was just getting set when the snap occurred, which is a penalty. The coach would have blown a gasket losing out on a nice trick play with 10 on the field.

It's always kind of fun to look at the Sagarin ratings vs. the AP and Coaches Polls. There's a huge disparity between them for the CIC teams. I made a chart . . . Yes, I have too much time on my hands. I guess I'm wondering who do you trust more in rankings. If you notice Sagarin has Oak Hill 4th, but the coaches say 12th. The biggest is Alexandria. Sagarin has them 36th, even behind Frankton, but the polls show them 10th and 12th. That's really strange. So, any thoughts about this or comments. Not looking to bash anyone or any team, but these numbers seem to be way off. SAGARIN CLASS RANKING SAGARIN STATE RANK SAGARIN RATING AP POLL COACHES POLL 4 35 Oak Hill – 3A 78.53 6 12 25 166 Eastbrook – 2A 44.64 16 10 32 184 Frankton – 2A 40.49 NA NA 36 209 Alexandria – 2A 36.04 10 12 11 130 Madison-Grant – 1A 52.52 Not ranked 14

Hey All - Been quiet! Let's see what you all think about this coming week's games. Alexandria-Monroe @ Mississinewa - Props to Alex for beating Eastbrook. I didn't expect that. I expected high scoring, with Eastbrook winning. I still don't have the confidence in Alexandria. Ole Miss played excellent defense against Frankton and think they will limit the big plays and will control the clock. Ole Miss wins 31-21. Frankton @ Oak Hill - Oak Hill is the class of the CIC. Frankton will not be able to play with them. Their offense is too inconsistent and OH seems to be a complete team. Oak Hill wins 38-14. Madison-Grant @ Elwood - All MG. They will easily defeat and dominate Elwood. MG wins 55-7. Blackford @ Eastbrook - All Eastbrook. Eastbrook gains a little confidence this week and next when they play Elwood. Eastbrook wins 58-6. Hope you've all had a great week. What are your thoughts.

No shocking outcomes, but Frankton certainly is making a believer out of me. Nice to see Oak Hill and Madison Grant ranked. While Eastbrook is, I still can’t fathom how Alexandria is in the top 15! They are number 27 according to Sagarin for 2A. On to this weeks picks. Another week with 2 excellent games to be played. Elwood @ Blackford - It’s really a tough one to be honest. I’d like both teams to get a win this year, but I think Elwood is going to squeak this one out. Mississinewa @ Frankton - OK, I’ve got to go with Frankton. I still don’t have a lot of confidence in this pick, but they showed they could play with Eastbrook last week, and I’m still not convinced Ole Miss is that good. Oak Hill @ Madison-Grant - Really hoping this isn’t a blow out. Should be a very good, physical game. I just think Oak Hill is too strong and is the cream of the crop in the CIC this year. Oak Hill has beaten 3 good teams, while MG has not had a very difficult schedule thus far, except for Ole Miss. Eastbrook @ Alexandria - I don’t have the confidence in Alexandria. They have not played Eastbrook tough in a long time. I think it’s close early, and Eastbrook pulls away in the end. What are your thoughts? Let's get the conversations rolling.

That would be the upset of the decade! LOL Don't think Frankton is there yet. I expect Eastbrook to come out on fire.

Well, last week had 2 major upsets I really didn't see coming. I thought Oak Hill could play with Eastbrook, but still thought EB would win. Madison Grant easily defeating Ole Miss was another shocker. I guess the scores showed total domination. Eastbrook averaged less than 1 yard per run and only gained 80 yards for the game. With that in mind and 3 CIC teams ranked in the top 10; MG, OH and EB, let's look at the picks. Starting with the easy picks (I think) Alexandria-Monroe @ Elwood - this is all Alex. I predict it may be their last win of the season. Should be a pretty lopsided score, subs should play alot. Madison-Grant @ Blackford - MG scores whenever they want against a very weak Blackford team. MG gets OH on 9/16, may be the game of the year in the CIC. Who would have thunk it! Oak Hill @ Mississinewa - Got to go with Oak Hill in this one after their beat down of EB. Ole Miss will do a lot of passing. They through 38 times against MG. OH is too tough and focused and not looking at MG, but takes care of business. Frankton @ Eastbrook - I'd really like to pick Frankton. Granted, they beat a weak Elwood team, but they've dramatically improved and I'm not sure what happened to EB after 2 very nice wins to start the year. They're still ranked 9th in 2A, but maybe the balance of power has slightly shifted. Anyways, what are your thoughts for this week? Have a great week and a safe Friday night!!

To start with thanks for starting the thread, was about to. Seems like low interest. I was wondering the same about Alexandria. How were they ranked in the AP and Coaches polls in the preseason? And now they beat a weak Wabash team and they're listed again. This is a mystery. No mystery in the picks this week, though. I was 8-0 last week. 🙂 Eastbrook @ Oak Hill - This could be the game of the year in the CIC. It will be close through half and through most of the game. Eastbrook will win by 2 TDs. Should be a great night at Oak Hill. Would like to go to this game. Elwood @ Frankton - Frankton must be for real this year. I had my doubts, but they played Lapel well last week. Frankton pulling away and wins by 5 TDs. Blackford @ Alexandria - Alexandria will beat the bottom feeders in the next 2 weeks. They'll move up the rankings and then nose dive when they play the top tier. For tonight, Alexandria easy and big. Mississinewa @ Madison-Grant - I really, really want to take MG. My heart says MG, my brain says Ole Miss. I'll take Ole Miss by 6, 33-27. Should be a beautiful, albeit warm night for football! Glad for conference play. Stay safe!!

Any predictions on week 2 for CIC teams before entering conference games? I'll take my shot at it, knowing I was off on 2 games last week. Lapel @ Frankton - I've got to go with LAPEL. Not convinced Frankton is great, but thinking Tipton didn't play well last week. Oak Hill @ Southwood - I've got OAK HILL. They often start slow, but I think this is a really good Oak Hill team that will handle Southwood. Blackford @ Fremont - Sadly, this is going to be a long year for Blackford. FREMONT big! Tipton @ Elwood - TIPTON big! I would hate to have been at Tipton practices this week. Say no more. Wabash @ Alexandria - I thought Alexandria would win last week. I'll stick with them again this week in a higher scoring game. ALEXANDRIA Madison-Grant @ Southern Wells - Surprised MG wasn't ranked or even receiving a vote or two. That will change. MADISON GRANT New Haven @ Eastbrook - New Haven beat a bad Marion team, EASTBROOK wins. Mississinewa @ Marion - MISSISSINEWA beats up on Marion and feels good for a week. What do you all say! It's been too quiet! Have a great night!

That was definitely a shock! Did anyone see the game? Frankton had an interception return for a TD, but lost a few fumbles. Tipton had no offense. I also thought Alexandria losing to Eastern Hancock and a freshman QB was a surprise. I expected more points from them and better defense.

As I see it, it is the same top 3 as last year. Eastbrook 8-1 (wins conference) - I pick them on history, but I think Ole Miss will push them. Eastbrook lost some key players last year. So, the Ole Miss game could be very interesting. I would not be surprised to see Ole Miss win that game. Mississinewa 7-2 - They will be an interesting team to watch, with a lot of younger players getting experience last year. They will be a force again in the CIC, and hopefully will play well in sectionals. Oak Hill 6-3 - They usually start slow, but beat the bottom of the CIC pretty handily. That's been their pattern lately. Alexandria 5-4 - I don't put a lot of stock in them, they've underachieved. But they have a very elusive QB who will make things interesting. They will beat the lower teams and have an easier nonconference schedule. Madison Grant 5-4 - They are the sleeper to me. They are a hard nosed group of players and they are getting better. They should beat the lower teams in the CIC as well. Frankton 3-6 - I'm not sure where they are at as a program, they had some good moments last year, but not sure where they'll be this year. Elwood 2-7 - A struggling program which is always resetting. Maybe they'll eke out a couple of wins, maybe. Blackford 1-8 - After a couple of years of power football, it's sadly, back to the same old Blackford. Maybe they get 1 win this year. Low numbers and low experience could make it an ugly season. Hoping for a good year, with minimal injuries!!

Eastbrook over Lapel It's supposed to rain as the day moves on which works to Eastbrook's advantage. I think throwing the ball will be difficult and the advantage works for Eastbrook. Lapel will battle them, but Eastbrook wins 35-14. Tipton over Alexandria Running clock in second half. Alexandria offense disappeared in latter part of season. Tipton is too big and strong; and much better. They will push Alexandria all over the field. Easy road to finals for Tipton. Tipton wins 54-12

Jay County at Mississinewa - I don't think Jay County will be able to stop Campbell. Mississinewa has been coming on and will win by 3 TDs Oak Hill at Bellmont - Oak Hill has played well after a slow start. That's their normal way it seems. They are much better than last year and win going away. Eastern at Eastbrook - Eastbrook will take care of business. I think a slow start, with a close game for a bit, then they pull away and win by at least 4 TDs Lapel at Frankton - I like the direction of the Frankton program, but Lapel is too much for them. Lapel by 21. Blackford at Tipton - No contest! Should be a running clock at kick off. And yes, Tipton will be in finals against Eastbrook. An easy road to the finals. Alexandria at Elwood - Should be a good game. Alex won first meeting by 14 when they were rolling on offense. For whatever reason offense has been stagnant, if they don't find it tonight, it will be an Elwood upset, 22-20 South Adams at Madison-Grant - Should be a good game, but South Adams is too good for an up and coming MG team. South Adams by 17

Alexandria @ Eastern - This game all depends on the weather. If it's raining and windy, Eastern in a rout! If Alexandria can throw the ball, it's a closer game, but Eastern still wins. Lapel @ Frankton - A runaway for Lapel. Running clock in second half. Tipton @ Elwood - A runaway for Tipton. Running clock in second half. Blackford @ Eastbrook - Eastbrook wins with ease. Again, a running clock in second half.