CTP

Don’t need to get into specifics, but it appears NR will be without their starting QB and WR tonight. 

43 minutes ago, npcougar15 said:

Like I said NW could go on a run here and everything is forgiven. But let's not act like a loss to NR tomorrow isn't going to have people questioning things. It goes back farther than this season, it's more than losing to Warsaw or Northridge in the regular season. Northwood has 1 sectional in the last 11 seasons. Just getting some conversation going. Honestly, this might the most intriguing sectional final in the state. Looking forward to a good ole' fashioned high school football game tomorrow

What does being the smallest school in the NLC have to do with anything come playoff time? and they actually aren't the smallest school in 4A, there are 13 schools smaller than them and they already beat 2 of those schools in the first 2 rounds.

You brought up their 9-3 record and the NLC.
Oh, sorry, a whopping “13 schools” are smaller. 

There's not coaching issues. If you look at NW compared to other NLC teams, NW is the smallest school in the NLC and 4A for that matter. Don't forget that. Year-in-year-out, they do as good of a job at maximizing their player's potential as possible. Now, it seemed they struggled to run the ball to begin the year; however, they made adjustments and seem to have a more balanced attack. That's a must if you have any hopes of making a run at a State qualifier... eventually there is going to be unfavorable weather conditions. Defensively, NW is always undersized. They struggled to stop the run the beginning of the year, but it appears there has been a few personnel adjustments on this side of the ball as well that has boded well. There's no doubt there were high expectations to begin the year with the athletes on the team, but on the contrary, the offensive and defensive lines (+ linebackers) were going to be the deciding factor in the outcome of this season. Overall, not too surprised with how the season has gone. Definitely not a disappointing one either. A win tomorrow night is much needed though after the past couple years...  Hopefully there are no surprises and NW is at full-force.  

New Prairie wins big. 35-7. 

I was in attendance last week for the Northridge vs Northwood game. Northridge came ready to play offensively and defensively. A couple keys for them: 1) getting #8 back on defense. I don't believe he played the first game between them and was certainly a difference-maker as he followed Tuggle all over the field. I'm surprised NorthWood only threw fade balls to him and didn't try running a post or putting him in the slot (similar to what NR did with Jethro). 2) Jethro took over the game and the Panthers didn't seem to have anyone who could stop him. He caught anything and everything that went his way. Quiet night for Sainz, but Tuggle followed him on defense. 3) I was surprised Miller played in the game after he was seen on the sidelines two weeks ago in a sling. Whatever the injury, it did not stop him for exploding through the middle of the Panthers defense for serious yardage. The absence of NW stud linebackers was really portrayed.

Now, moving onto this week between New Prairie and Northridge: Do I think New Prairie should win and decisively? Yes. However, I'm not betting against the Raiders anymore. They will show up and make any game at least competitive. New Prairie will have a chip on their shoulder based on last years semi-state game.  Since the Penn game, NP has been rolling on all cylinders and I've been blown away by their performance this post-season. My heart is telling me to predict NP to win, but like I said, I'm not betting against the Raiders: NR 31-28. Best of luck to both teams and I hope to see a great game.

Mishawaka and Snider game - not much interest in this game even though Mishawaka is technically in the NLC. Still hard to wrap my head around this. I just don't get too excited watching them play. IMO (and I'm sure this may offend some), in modern day football, at the 5A/6A level specifically, you are not going to win a State Championship running triple option football. 

Sectional Championship week and a ton of exciting games across the state. I'll just focus on NLC games for now:

Carroll vs. Warsaw -- I was surprised Warsaw knocked off Elkhart last week. Elkhart had a great season, and after falling to New Prairie big, I thought they would bounce back strong versus a Warsaw team who has been up and down. Particularly with several players not playing due to off-the-field issues. However, Carroll will be too much for the Tigers this week.

Carroll 31 Warsaw 6

Mishawaka vs. Concord -- repeat of last year sectional championship. Fortunately for the Minutemen, weather looks to be dry and great field conditions (polar opposite of last year, which inhibited their pass game ability). Though they don't have the playmaking ability, Mishawaka does not have their stud at QB. I'm going Mishawka in this one.

Mishawaka 22 Concord 14

Northridge vs NorthWood -- this game has all the makings as it did last season. NorthWood blew out Northridge in the regular season, NR made a run in sectionals (seem to be rolling on all cylinders now) and NorthWood has taken a step back (on paper) with off-the-field issues of their own. IMO, this weather helps NW more than NR, even though they have a heavy pass game as well. The key for them will be running the ball and keeping the NW passing attack and #3 off the field. The key for NW will be limiting NR big play ability. #22 and #11 are dangerous, but they have a good supporting cast of athletes who can hurt you as well. I think this game will be a one possession game for three quarters.

NorthWood 38 Northridge 20

1 hour ago, npcougar15 said:

Can someone please tell Northridge it's alright to win football games during the regular season. Amazing how the bracket/circumstances are opening up for another chance at a run for the Raiders. Not really knowing much about NR or the new look NW, what are the chances the Raiders get it done this upcoming week?

If the Raiders can contain Tuggle and avoid falling for NorthWood’s trick plays on offense, it’ll be close. Although, it appears Northridge will be without their stud running back. I’m sure they have other workhorses who they can feed though. Weather looks to be a non-factor for both pass heavy offenses. Field conditions should be in good shape as this will be the first game on Andrews Field in a couple weeks.

I was stunned By the New Prairie / Lowell game. It got out of hand quickly. Kudos to your Cougars!

Looks like a rematch next week at Andrews Field. Should be a good one! Obviously NW has several players out, but I noticed #5 for Northridge wasn’t dressed tonight. Is he injured badly or should he return soon? 

37 minutes ago, npcougar15 said:

TOUGH situation at NW. Feel bad for everyone involved. The coaches and administration are in a real difficult situation now. 

Unfortunate, absolutely but it shouldn’t be difficult. You treat this the same as you would any other kid in any sport. Most schools have a 1/3 of the season policy. Warsaw is going through this with 10 players currently. Just because the team has a real shot of making it to state should not lessen the blow on what the suspension looks like. We’ll see what the young athletic director decides. I have a hunch the families are working any and every angle to mitigate the suspension as much as possible.

The Panthers are deep. More kids will have to go both ways, but nothing NW hasn’t had to do before. I wouldn’t count them out quite yet. Offense will still put up points with their playmakers (Lone, Payne, Tuggle, etc.) Andrews and the coaching staff will have the players ready to play. Both coordinators, Wilson and Boocher, are the best in the business. 

5 hours ago, footballer_02 said:

Northwood over Leo. 

I approve! Curious why you like this upset?

Another exciting one this Friday... NorthWood at Leo. Thankfully I’ll be able to watch this one play out live since it’s not played in Elkhart County. Northridge gave Leo a run for their money and by the sounds of it, had every opportunity to win that game. Like Leo, NorthWood has a stingy defense. First team to put up 14 points wins this one. 
 

Unless Covid hits East Noble, they win big vs Dekalb - 42-7...

New Prairie (5-4) @ Plymouth (1-5): Glad to see Coach Barron is back to practice and healthy. I can’t imagine the Rockies (otherwise known as Pilgrims) make any noise in this one after being MIA for 3 weeks. New Prairie by 24

Wawasee (3-6) @ NorthWood (3-3): Hoping I don’t fall asleep by halftime at this one. Although Wawasee is coming off a big win last week. Perhaps they have a little more momentum than the Panthers as they had a bye week (due to Plymouth). NorthWood by 34

Leo (8-1) @ Northridge (6-2): Genuinely excited for this one as I’m sure many are. Leo will either win by a landslide or its going to be a toss up in a defensive ball game. Leo by 1 (14-13... Northridge attempts to go for 2 at the end)

51 minutes ago, Purdue Pete said:

They won’t be seeing a triple option.  It’s a strange offense but effective if u have a good D and the big boys up front.

Fair, it’s wishbone. Not much option or reads by QB. More so, dive/power/sweep. QB does a great job carrying out his fakes though. 

2 hours ago, NRRaider2001 said:

Always a tough sectional, even with some shuffling this year. Should be a fun one in Middlebury this Friday night!

@NRRaider2001 how you feeling about your Raiders this week? There has to be some benefit in seeing the triple-option twice already. Hoping they can fix their mistakes from those two times and pull this one out. 

24 minutes ago, NE8_Fan said:

Mason has been out after an off season surgery.  He was just recently cleared to return but must get in his 10 practices before he can compete.  Won't be available until sectional championship if Leo should get that far.

Thanks. That’s unfortunate for him. Glad he’s only a Junior and didn’t miss his Senior season (if that’s any consolation). He’s a good ball player. 

Cheers to the beginning of the playoffs - let’s hope each team stays healthy and avoids any cancellations. I believe Sectional 19 is one of the best in the state. Leo, Northridge, and East Noble are heavy favorites, but don’t sleep on NorthWood, Columbia City or Angola. Would not be surprised to see any of these six teams take home the Sectional 19 crown. 
 

Match ups I’m excited for week 1: Leo at Northridge and Columbia City at East Noble

Leo at Northridge: Leo has proven to be a tough team for several years. This is one of their best teams they’ve had. Junior class is extremely talented (although what happened to #33 Mason Sheron??). They are strong defensively and offense is solid. Northridge is going to give them everything they have. They are a little banged up and coming off a tough loss vs a very good Mishawaka team. As an NLC fan, I’m hoping they learn from their mistakes and take Leo down the wire. My prediction — Leo scores at the end to make score look worse than it is: Leo 24, Northridge 14. 
 

Columbia City at East Noble: It’s never going to be an easy task to travel to the defending State Runner-Ups home turf. However, Columbia City has shown a ton of poise and is a sleeper in this Sectional. They will ride or die with their QB who has a great frame and big arm. Unfortunately the Eagles have a couple injuries which could let East Noble run loose. EN may have the biggest size in this sectional. From lineman to secondary they look and play tough. Their 24-0 loss to Leo is overshadowed by several costly turnovers and a couple key injuries (though Leo still would have won, IMO). Nonetheless, East Noble will pull away in this matchup: 28-14. 

First post here... big time NLC fan for a long time. Always have read posts, but never chimed in. 

I don’t understand the co-champ logic. It should be decided off head to head. Beating the team you are “co-champ” with holds more weight than the roundabout way of how they have the same conference record, IMO. 

As for my nomination of “Game of the Week” - Mishawaka vs Northridge will be a slobber knocker. Both teams ground and pound. Easily the two best and meanest offensive lines I’ve watched this year. A lot on the line with a share of NLC to the victor (assuming Concord doesn’t stun Warsaw). Also, shout out to the Panthers for spoiling Warsaw’s chance of outright champion for second year in a row. Last year they did this to Plymouth in the final week.

Northridge will have a great opportunity to play against a tough triple option team this week and bounce right back the following week vs Sectional favorite, Leo. Mishawaka should only help Northridge prepare. In all likelihood, it’ll be Northridge/Leo vs NotrthWood in the second round of sectionals.